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 Apr 12
Biden’s bipartisanship: What we learned from the president’s meeting with lawmakersCongress returns from recess this week, and as we reported earlier, the first stop for a bipartisan group of lawmakers was the White House — invited by the president as he works to sell his American Jobs Plan on infrastructure…
Politics Apr 07
New guidance on reconciliation could be a game changer for DemocratsHere’s a look at what we know about the Senate parliamentarian's decision.
Politics Apr 06
Biden administration speeds up vaccination timeline, infrastructure plan may follow suitPresident Joe Biden once again changed his vaccination goals Tuesday, shortening the timeline for all American adults to be eligible to get a vaccine. And, a Senate rule change may allow him to move forward on infrastructure without Republican support.
Politics Mar 31
Looking back at the life of the unapologetic criminal behind Watergate, G. Gordon LiddyHe was part political provocateur, part ruthless operator. Best known for his role in the Watergate break-in, which ultimately led to the downfall of President Richard Nixon. Lisa Desjardins has the story of G. Gordon Liddy, who died Tuesday not…
Politics Mar 26
Outcry from Biden, Democrats over Georgia’s new elections lawA new law signed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Thursday night imposes a series of new restrictions on elections in the state. Supporters say it's necessary for election security, but as Lisa Desjardins reports, it is drawing ire from voting…
Politics Mar 23
Democratic Senators threaten to block Biden nominees over lack of AAPI representationWhite House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor and Capitol Hill correspondent Lisa Desjardins join Judy Woodruff to report on the government's response to the Colorado shooting, the status of President Joe Biden's cabinet nominees and how that will affect the administration's immigration…
Politics Mar 18
Congress holds first hearing on Asian American violence in decades amid ‘crisis point’Fear and fallout from this week's deadly shootings in Atlanta have echoed across the country. While investigators have not confirmed a motive in the attack that killed eight, including six Asian women, many across the country have deemed it a…
Politics Mar 17
Head of Black farmers association wants apology from Graham, accountability from VilsackWhile John Boyd said he is optimistic about the American Rescue Plan, which sets aside $5 billion to help farmers of color pay off debt, he expressed deep concerns about high-profile leaders from both major political parties.
Politics Mar 16
How the economic relief law narrows the equity gap for farmers of colorThe COVID relief and economic package is a massive bill that has a far-reaching impact in ways that many Americans don't know about yet. One provision calls for debt relief for Black farmers, who have long been denied access to…
Politics Mar 15
What Debra Haaland’s confirmation as interior secretary means to Native AmericansDebra Haaland's confirmation in the U.S. Senate Monday as secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior makes her the first-ever Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary. She'll oversee energy and climate policy on millions of acres of…