About Lisa @LisaDNews
Lisa Desjardins is a correspondent for PBS NewsHour, where she covers news from the U.S. Capitol while also traveling across the country to report on how decisions in Washington affect people where they live and work.
She specializes in breaking down complex stories and political disagreements into the key pieces that matter, often translating numbers and fiscal information into accessible stories for the audience.
Prior to joining NewsHour, Desjardins spent nearly ten years with CNN as a senior correspondent and Capitol Hill reporter. Prior to CNN, she reported for the Associated Press, WBTW-TV, WIS-TV, WTS-TV, Reuters, and The Sun News. At WIS in Columbia, South Carolina, she broke news of the compromise to bring down the Confederate flag from the state house dome.
Desjardins earned a bachelor’s degree at the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She also received a first level graduate degree in Russian Studies from the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia.
Desjardins is the recipient of a Peabody Award for CNN’s coverage of the 2008 election and a Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi award for national breaking news for coverage of the Haiti earthquake.
Lisa’s Recent Stories
Politics Sep 19
GOP faces identity crisis as some candidates stoke racial divideThis year, a handful of GOP congressional candidates have openly expressed or supported racist views, opening up a divide in the party over how to address the issue and who Republicans want to be. Lisa Desjardins takes us inside a…
Politics Sep 19
Controversial GOP candidate questions whether white nationalist movement existsVirginia Republican Senate candidate Corey Stewart expresses views on race that are rarely said publicly by congressional candidates.
Nation Sep 18
How the sexual assault accusation against Kavanaugh unfolded, in one timelineChristine Blasey Ford’s allegations have raised many questions -- including about how and when they were made public.
Politics Sep 12
How Brett Kavanaugh and the abortion debate are driving a key Senate raceIn Missouri, two opposing campaigns share a focus: how a potential Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh could impact the landmark legal decision Roe v. Wade. Republican candidate for Senate Josh Hawley has made it a central part of his bid against…
Politics Sep 06
Read Brett Kavanaugh’s full email questioning if Roe v. Wade is ‘settled law’Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the remainder of the hearing testimony. In 2003, while he was working at the George W. Bush White House, Brett Kavanaugh wrote that he wasn’t sure every expert saw the landmark…
Politics Sep 05
Public seating at Kavanaugh hearing cut in half, then restored againFor 45 minutes, police stopped allowing any members of the public inside after a series of disruptive protests.
Nation Sep 04
Your guide to the Kavanaugh confirmation hearingsSupreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings begin Tuesday. Here's a guide to the hearings, and key issues that may come up.
Politics Sep 03
Why 2018 is looking like a wave election for House DemocratsBased on past predictions and results, the battle for the House in particular looks more and more like it will be a wave election.
Politics Aug 22
How are Republicans and Democrats reacting to Cohen and Manafort charges?Fallout continued today after a guilty plea and a guilty verdict for two men with close ties to President Trump in federal court on a combined 16 counts, ranging from tax fraud to campaign finance violations. Yamiche Alcindor, Lisa Desjardins…
Politics Aug 22
What just happened? The 2-hour saga of yesterday made simpleIn the span of two hours yesterday, two former Trump associates were guilty in court and a Congressman was indicted for misusing campaign funds. Here's what happened and what we're watching now.
