Melissa Koenig, US Reporter

Melissa is a senior breaking news reporter who joined Daily Mail in 2021. She covers a variety of topics including politics, business and entertainment. Prior to joining Daily Mail, Melissa worked for the Long Island Herald, where she earned Honorable Mention for Best Front Page and Second-place for In-Depth Reporting at the New York Press Association in 2020.

Coverage: News Breaking News

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM MELISSA KOENIG

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'Teacher of the Year' who stalked girl, 11, in class and wrote her 60 love letters gets a slap on the wrist at sentencing

19/11/25 06:30

Dylan Robert Dukes, 27, (left and right) a former music teacher at Starr Elementary School, pleaded guilty last week to first-degree harassment, but received a lenient sentence for the case involving an 11-year-old student. Authorities have said Dukes - who was named Teacher of the Year in the 2023 - 2024 school year - began stalking the girl in August 2023. But an investigation did not begin until nearly a year later, in early July 2024, when the girl's parents reported that Dukes gave her a personalized box containing a letter for each day of the week during summer break....read

Parents of star tennis player killed in tragic DUI crash sue driver who slammed into him
19/11/25 05:21
The grieving parents of Braun Levi, 18, who was plowed down by a woman they say was drunk and driving with a suspended license have filed a wrongful death suit.
- 93 comments
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Hopeless woman's family left clueless about her murder for 3 decades... Until a group of green college kids got on the case
19/11/25 02:38
The Arlington Police Department announced on Monday that US Marshals arrested Janie Perkins, 63, in connection with the 1991 murder of 25-year-old Cynthia Gonzalez.
- 53 comments
- 24 shares
Epstein bill sent to Trump's desk as president dines with Saudi prince after Senate passes by unanimous consent
18/11/25 11:25
President Donald Trump now has the authority to release the entire trove of files himself after repeatedly promising full transparency.
Sick thief caught on camera robbing Portland liquor store as helpless shopworker suffered fatal heart attack
18/11/25 11:17
A heartless thief was caught on camera robbing a liquor store in Portland , Oregon while store employee Jason Hay, 53, was suffering a fatal heart attack.
UN approves Gaza ceasefire plan put forward by Trump administration
18/11/25 11:20
The UN Security Council voted Monday in favor of a US-drafted resolution bolstering Donald Trump 's Gaza peace plan.
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'Possessed' wigmaker who mowed down mom and her two young daughters scores lenient plea deal as prosecutors rage
18/11/25 07:22
Miriam Yarimi, 33, a glamorous New York City wigmaker, has scored a lenient sentence on manslaughter charges after she killed Natasha Saada, 34, and her daughters.
America's most-wanted drug kingpin is finally caught four years after faking his death - as jaw-dropping photos show disguises that kept him hidden
18/11/25 06:34
Wilmer Chavarria, aka 'Pipo,' was taken into custody on Sunday in a joint operation between Spanish and Ecuadorian national police as he arrived in the Spanish city of Malaga.
- 23 comments
- 45 shares
Trump celebrates 'incredible' UN resolution approving his Gaza ceasefire plan
17/11/25 10:59
The UN Security Council voted Monday in favor of a US-drafted resolution bolstering Donald Trump 's Gaza peace plan.
FCC chair shares Trump's post calling for NBC to fire Seth Meyers
17/11/25 08:36
The president claimed Late Night host Meyers was 'suffering from an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS)' in a Saturday night post.
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Trump's bid to get Seth Meyers canceled wins crucial backing as he continues assault on late night foes
17/11/25 07:58
The president claimed Late Night host Meyers was 'suffering from an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS)' in a Saturday night post.
Jesse Jackson's family clarify leader is 'not on life support'
17/11/25 02:16
Reverend Jesse Jackson is in stable condition and is breathing on his own without the assistance of machines, despite 'inaccurate media reports' claiming he was on life support.
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President's foe retaliates against attack targeting recent marriage
17/11/25 12:30
Trump rival Thomas Massie has hit back at the president after the commander-in-chief launched an attack on his recent marriage.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene's daughter defends mom amid rift with Trump
17/11/25 11:40
Marjorie Taylor Greene 's lookalike daughter has come to her defense amid her viral rift with President Donald Trump.
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Family of Jesse Jackson say civil rights leader 'not on life support' despite reports
17/11/25 06:09
Reverend Jesse Jackson is in stable condition and is breathing on his own without the assistance of machines, despite 'inaccurate media reports' claiming he was on life support.
- 49 comments
- 10 shares
Boy, 9, accused of raping and brutally attacking girl, 5, is allowed home with ankle monitor... despite victim's mom pleading with judge
17/11/25 04:48
A nine-year-old boy who allegedly raped and brutally attacked a five-year-old girl had been allowed to return home despite the devastated victim's mother's pleas.
- 853 comments
- 87 shares
Trump foe hits back at president's attack on his recent marriage
17/11/25 02:06
Trump rival Thomas Massie has hit back at the president after the commander-in-chief launched an attack on his recent marriage.
Marjorie Taylor Greene's lookalike daughter defends mom against 'fake MAGA' attacks amid fallout with Trump
17/11/25 12:12
Marjorie Taylor Greene 's lookalike daughter has come to her defense amid her viral rift with President Donald Trump.
MAGA in mourning as MTG's Epstein crusade hammers Trump… and the Ice Maiden gets caught in the crossfire
16/11/25 06:40
Battle lines are being drawn in the fight between President Donald Trump and his former ally, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene - as her supporters express their dismay.
Trump calls on NBC to 'fire' Seth Meyers after late night host flies into 'uncontrollable rage'
16/11/25 04:17
President Donald Trump has once again called on NBC to fire Late Night host Seth Meyers, claiming he has 'no talent.'
NYC's hottest it-girl actress is fired from movie and dropped by agency for controversial Nick Fuentes interview
16/11/25 02:31
The actress has been fired from her talent agency after conducting an interview with Nick Fuentes.
Oklahoma death row inmate spared minutes before execution
15/11/25 06:00
Tremane Wood, 46, was just minutes away from being executed when Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced he was granting the inmate clemency on Thursday.
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Suspect in 'American idols' boss death ruled mentally unfit for trial
14/11/25 11:30
Raymond Boodarian, 22, has been ruled unfit to stand trial in the July shooting deaths of longtime American Idol boss Robin Kaye and her musician husband, Tom Deluca.
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Friends' texts sent just before fashion designer's tragic death
14/11/25 11:15
Close friends of Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, sent her some chilling text messages in the hours before she was mysteriously found dead on a yacht in the Hamptons.
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Friends' haunting text messages to fashion designer moments before she was found dead on Hamptons yacht as owner explains why he was naked
14/11/25 07:46
Close friends of Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, sent her some chilling text messages in the hours before she was mysteriously found dead on a yacht in the Hamptons.
Oklahoma death row inmate spared minutes before he was due to get lethal injection
14/11/25 05:15
Tremane Wood, 46, was just minutes away from being executed when Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced he was granting the inmate clemency on Thursday.
- 75 comments
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Suspect in brutal slaying of American Idol boss and her husband deemed unfit for trial
14/11/25 03:06
Raymond Boodarian, 22, has been ruled unfit to stand trial in the July shooting deaths of longtime American Idol boss Robin Kaye and her musician husband, Tom Deluca.
Boy, 8, is left bloodied and blue after CEILING collapses on him at elementary school
14/11/25 12:15
James Harrah, eight, had been waiting to be picked up at George Washington Elementary School in Hanford, California on Monday when a portion of the ceiling stucco suddenly collapsed.
- 29 comments
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Ground stop issued at Chicago O'Hare Airport as America's flight-mare drags on
13/11/25 10:52
Travel was temporarily paused at the Midwest's largest airport on Thursday as the nation's aviation industry tries to get back on track following a historic government shutdown.
- 42 comments
- 39 shares
Diddy's release date delayed after allegedly drinking alcohol
13/11/25 12:00
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs will remain behind bars longer than previously expected, as his release date was pushed back amid claims he drank moonshine and made an unauthorized three-way call.
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Trial begins for top aide to NY governors in Chinese bribery scandal
13/11/25 11:30
Linda Sun, 41, a former aide to two New York governors, and her husband, Chris Hu, 42, went on trial Wednesday on charges she acted as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government.
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Murdaugh housekeeper claims she knew he murdered his wife and son
13/11/25 11:30
The Murdaugh's housekeeper, who served as a key witness at Alex's double homicide trial, has shared how she knew her boss killed his wife and son.
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Former aide to NY governors goes on trial over charges she worked as Chinese spy to fund lavish lifestyle
13/11/25 05:44
Linda Sun, 41, a former aide to two New York governors, and her husband, Chris Hu, 42, went on trial Wednesday on charges she acted as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government.
Alex Murdaugh's housekeeper says she KNEW the lawyer killed his wife and son in bombshell new book
13/11/25 02:14
The Murdaugh's housekeeper, who served as a key witness at Alex's double homicide trial, has shared how she knew her boss killed his wife and son.
Diddy has prison release date pushed BACK amid allegations of 'drinking moonshine'
13/11/25 12:13
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs will remain behind bars longer than previously expected, as his release date was pushed back amid claims he drank moonshine and made an unauthorized three-way call.
Mom who left 7-month-old baby to die in car while she worked is arrested
12/11/25 11:15
Nyla Simmons, 22, was taken into custody on November 3 by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which had been probing her seven-month-old's mysterious death on October 16.
- 61 comments
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Diddy seen in first prison mugshot with hair gone gray
12/11/25 12:20
Disgraced music mogul Sean ' Diddy ' Combs was pictured in a shocking prison mugshot as he serves his years-long sentence on prostitution charges from a low-security prison.
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Woman stabbed at Chicago train station just months after Ukrainian refugee died
12/11/25 12:14
Chicago police are searching for a man they say stabbed a woman at a train station over the weekend, months after a Ukrainian refugee was killed in an eerily similar attack.
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Jack Schlossberg announces bid for congress as critics call him crazy
12/11/25 11:15
John F. Kennedy's only grandson Jack Schlossberg has announced he is following in his family's footsteps with a run for Congress.
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JFK's grandson Jack Schlossberg, 32, announces bid for congress as he responds to critics who call him 'crazy'
12/11/25 07:29
John F. Kennedy's only grandson Jack Schlossberg has announced he is following in his family's footsteps with a run for Congress.
Woman stabbed at Chicago train station just months after Ukrainian refugee died in eerily similar attack
12/11/25 04:27
Chicago police are searching for a man they say stabbed a woman at a train station over the weekend, months after a Ukrainian refugee was killed in an eerily similar attack.
Hospital murder mystery finally solved after 28 years as DNA unearths identity of killer who targeted elderly patients
12/11/25 04:14
Investigators on Long Island have finally determined who killed a grandmother and raped another elderly woman at a hospital in the mid-1990s.
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Diddy seen in first prison mugshot... and once-groomed rapper has now gone completely gray
12/11/25 01:00
Disgraced music mogul Sean ' Diddy ' Combs was pictured in a shocking prison mugshot as he serves his years-long sentence on prostitution charges from a low-security prison.
Neglect charges leveled against Camp Mystic over 'disaster'
11/11/25 11:00
Devastated families of young campers who died when floodwaters ravished Camp Mystic over the summer have filed two lawsuits accusing camp leadership of neglect.
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Camp Mystic accused of neglect in 'self-created disaster' after 25 young campers die in flood
11/11/25 06:36
Devastated families of young campers who died when floodwaters ravished Camp Mystic over the summer have filed two lawsuits accusing camp leadership of neglect.
18 passengers injured at Dulles Airport when transport vehicle slams into dock
11/11/25 01:31
At least 18 passengers were injured when a transport vehicle slammed into a dock at a Washington DC area airport on Monday.
- 36 comments
- 19 shares
America's first trans lawmaker convicted of child sex crime asked accomplice partner if they'd still go to heaven
11/11/25 01:20
Disgraced New Hampshire Rep. Stacie-Marie Laughton, who was born Barry Laughton, 41, pleaded guilty to child sex crimes in federal court last week.
- 57 comments
- 51 shares
Two dead after plane crashes in Florida while attempting to transport hurricane relief to Jamaica
10/11/25 10:45
Two people were killed when a plane bringing much-needed supplies to storm-ravaged Jamaica crashed in Florida on Monday.
Biden says Beau should've been president at Nebraska Democratic Party
10/11/25 12:00
Joe Biden astonishingly admitted his son, Beau, should have been president instead of him as concerns mounted over the former commander-in-chief's health.
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PayPal billionaire issues chilling warning on rising Communism
10/11/25 11:15
Billionaire Peter Thiel has issued a stark warning about the rise of socialism in the United States following Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani's victory.
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Trump pardons GOP operatives for allegedly trying to overturn election
10/11/25 11:00
President Donald Trump has pardoned one-time ally Rudy Giuliani and other Republicans for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
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Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and other GOP operatives for trying to overturn 2020 election
10/11/25 05:28
President Donald Trump has pardoned one-time ally Rudy Giuliani and other Republicans for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
PayPal billionaire delivers chilling warning about spread of Communism as eerily prescient comment comes to light in wake of Mamdani's win
10/11/25 05:10
Billionaire Peter Thiel has issued a stark warning about the rise of socialism in the United States following Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani's victory.
Beau Biden should have been president, heartbroken father Joe says as concerns for his health mount
10/11/25 01:34
Joe Biden astonishingly admitted his son, Beau, should have been president instead of him as concerns mounted over the former commander-in-chief's health.
- 448 comments
- 15 shares
Quivering teen boy wipes tears on Nike hoodie as he fears ICE will snatch his US citizen parents: 'They treat us like dogs'
10/11/25 12:30
Manny Chavez, 16, was one of dozens of residents who spoke up at a city council meeting in Hillsboro, Oregon on Tuesday decrying ICE raids in the Portland suburb.
Multiple people at Joint Base Andrews hospitalized from 'white powder'
07/11/25 10:45
Multiple people at a military base right outside of Washington DC were rushed to the hospital after someone opened a 'suspicious package' that was said to be containing white powder.
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Pope Leo SLAMS ICE's treatment of migrants under Trump as he calls for 'deep reflection' in US: 'I was struck'
07/11/25 07:01
Pope Leo XIV has offered his strongest rebuke yet of the Trump administration as he called for 'deep reflection' on America's treatment of migrants.
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Ritzy suburb of NJ's new governor stunned as cops pounce on 'yuppie jihadi' neighbor at his $1.2M home over alleged bomb plot
07/11/25 07:01
Milo Sedarat and Tomas Kaan Jimenez-Guzel, both 19, were taken into custody on Wednesday, after the FBI uncovered a plot to bomb gay bars in Detroit in an ISIS-inspired attack on Halloween .
Multiple people hospitalized from 'white powder' as suspicious package with 'political propaganda' sparks evacuation at Joint Base Andrews
07/11/25 04:50
Multiple people at a military base right outside of Washington DC were rushed to the hospital after someone opened a 'suspicious package' that was said to be containing white powder.
Captain and first officer of UPS plane crash in Louisville revealed as grim search for remaining victims continues
06/11/25 11:24
UPS officials identified the flight crew of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt and Relief Officer Dana Diamond.
Stephen Colbert insists he's more conservative than people may think
06/11/25 02:43
The 61-year-old ousted host of Late Night with Stephen Colbert spoke with GQ's Zach Baron in a recent interview in which he claimed his show appeals to both conservatives and liberals.
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Black box recovered from UPS plane that fatally crashed, killing 12
06/11/25 10:45
Federal investigators have recovered the so-called black box from the wreckage of a UPS cargo plane that crashed in a fiery blaze on Tuesday , as the death toll from the tragedy climbed to 12.
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Black box recovered from UPS plane that crashed in Louisville, killing 12 including child as satellite photos show trail of destruction
06/11/25 06:33
Federal investigators have recovered the so-called black box from the wreckage of a UPS cargo plane that crashed in a fiery blaze on Tuesday , as the death toll from the tragedy climbed to 12.
Car explodes into ball of fire on NYC street, injuring seven firefighters
06/11/25 02:53
Terrifying footage from the scene showed a ball of flames growing in the distance and rising up into the air as firefighters tried to tamp down a blaze.
Stephen Colbert insists he's more conservative than people might think and not a 'lefty figure'
06/11/25 01:25
The 61-year-old ousted host of Late Night with Stephen Colbert spoke with GQ's Zach Baron in a recent interview in which he claimed his show appeals to both conservatives and liberals.
Distraught family slams slur-filled AI obituaries about son, 18, killed in freak fly-fishing accident
05/11/25 11:31
Families in Kentucky have warned about the rise of AI-generated obituaries after they found false information about their sons being spread online.
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AOC delivers stark warning to 'Old Guard' after Mamdani wins NYC
05/11/25 11:14
Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez insisted Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York City on Tuesday was an omen to the 'Old Guard' of the Democratic Party.'
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At least seven killed after UPS plane crashes near Kentucky airport
05/11/25 10:45
The MD-11 plane exploded around 5.15pm as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
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AOC delivers stark warning to 'Old Guard' in Democratic Party after Mamdani wins NYC election
05/11/25 05:53
Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez insisted Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York City on Tuesday was an omen to the 'Old Guard' of the Democratic Party.'
Michelle Obama mocks Trump's demolition of White House east wing for golden ballroom
05/11/25 02:47
Former First Lady Michelle Obama mocked President Trump's destruction of the White House East Wing as she reflected on her time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Seven killed when UPS cargo plane explodes upon takeoff at Louisville airport
04/11/25 10:46
The MD-11 plane exploded around 5.15pm as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
America's most notorious mass murderer who killed 13 including his own kids dies aged 83
04/11/25 06:29
George Banks, 83, died of kidney cancer on Sunday afternoon at Phoenix state prison in Pennsylvania the state Department of Corrections said
- 130 comments
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Jake Haro sentenced for murdering seven-month-old son Emmanuel after kidnapping hoax
04/11/25 04:57
Jake Haro, 32, was sentenced on Monday, weeks after he pleaded guilty to murdering his seven-month-old son, Emmanuel, whom he and his wife previously claimed was kidnapped.
Porsche-driving teen ran home to call his rich dad for help after killing 3 on crosswalk, attorney says
04/11/25 02:09
Louis John Artal, 19, who allegedly crashed his $60,000 Porsche at an intersection at the University of Arizona, called his wealthy father for help in the aftermath, his lawyer said.
Long Island Muslims get green light for mega mosque after town officials invented GRANDMA to try and nix the plan
04/11/25 12:59
The town of Oyster Bay has agreed to nearly double the size of a local mosque months after inventing a fake grandmother to try to nix the proposal.
- 191 comments
- 36 shares
SNL cold open roasts NYC mayoral race with all-star cast in mock debate
02/11/25 04:54
Saturday Night Live 's cold open was praised as one of the 'best ever' as stars roasted the New York Cit mayoral race.
Pennsylvania diocese apologizes after Catholic school's Halloween float features replica of Auschwitz gate
02/11/25 04:26
The parade float from St. Joseph Catholic School displayed a replica of the gate to the concentration camp along with the words 'Arbeit Macht Frei,' which translates to 'Work Makes You Free,'
- 483 comments
- 229 shares
Trump labels Seth Meyers a 'deranged lunatic' and blasts his late-night rhetoric as 'illegal'
02/11/25 12:32
The president shared his ire, apparently in response to a recent segment Meyers did on his show in which the comedian mocked Trump for his comments about steam catapults.
Trump threatens military action against Nigeria over killings of Christians
01/11/25 09:24
President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Nigeria if the government continues to allow terrorists to kill Christians.
First class flyers lose special lanes at LAX and JFK
01/11/25 03:30
Delta passengers who paid a premium for first-class services are losing out on some of the perks as airport chaos continues nationwide amid the ongoing government shutdown.
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