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 Nov 05
A quick guide to Election DayElection Day will be a referendum on President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress. The election is also a big test for Democrats. Here is a guide of key issues and races to watch in the final hours of the…
Politics Oct 29
Will ‘red tide’ algae in Florida turn some Republican voters ‘blue’?From rising sea-levels to toxic algae, Florida voters have a host of water problems on their minds this election season. Governor and Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott saw his poll numbers slide as ‘red tide’ algae bloomed. Scott’s critics blame…
Politics Oct 04
What senators are saying about the FBI’s Kavanaugh reportSenators, preparing for a vote, react after reviewing the FBI's supplemental background investigation on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Politics Sep 28
4 possible outcomes for Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmationThis is what Republican leaders hope to do, several senators confirmed to the PBS NewsHour.
Politics Sep 24
Everything we know about the allegations against KavanaughBrett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination has become ensnared by a he-said-they-said debate over sexual misconduct allegations. Here’s what we know.
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…
