Lisa Desjardins
@lisad.bsky.social
Correspondent for PBS NewsHour. Lover of Chester Arthur. Lucky mom, sister, wife and former SC state fair baking contest first place winner.
Making sure this isn't overlooked on busy day ...
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Pentagon will host a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility in Idaho.
Hegseth said the Trump administration signed an agreement to build the facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Elmore County, Idaho.
Hegseth said the Trump administration signed an agreement to build the facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Elmore County, Idaho.
October 10, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Making sure this isn't overlooked on busy day ...
NOW. Smithsonian cyber attack.
The Smithsonian has sent out a notice of an "ongoing denial of service" cyber attack at the African American History/Culture Museum, the Natl Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American History.
Note: all museums Pres. Trump has criticized.
The Smithsonian has sent out a notice of an "ongoing denial of service" cyber attack at the African American History/Culture Museum, the Natl Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American History.
Note: all museums Pres. Trump has criticized.
September 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
NOW. Smithsonian cyber attack.
The Smithsonian has sent out a notice of an "ongoing denial of service" cyber attack at the African American History/Culture Museum, the Natl Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American History.
Note: all museums Pres. Trump has criticized.
The Smithsonian has sent out a notice of an "ongoing denial of service" cyber attack at the African American History/Culture Museum, the Natl Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American History.
Note: all museums Pres. Trump has criticized.
CONFIRMED: President Trump will meet in Washington with Cong. Dem leaders Schumer and Jeffries to talk government funding this week, per source familiar.
Date, time still TBD. Also TBD, if Thune and/or Johnson will join.
Date, time still TBD. Also TBD, if Thune and/or Johnson will join.
September 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
CONFIRMED: President Trump will meet in Washington with Cong. Dem leaders Schumer and Jeffries to talk government funding this week, per source familiar.
Date, time still TBD. Also TBD, if Thune and/or Johnson will join.
Date, time still TBD. Also TBD, if Thune and/or Johnson will join.
BREAKING: House passes bill to fund government through Nov. 21.
217-212.
Democrat Jared Golden voted yes.
Repulicans Victoria Spartz, Thomas Massie voted no.
217-212.
Democrat Jared Golden voted yes.
Repulicans Victoria Spartz, Thomas Massie voted no.
September 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
BREAKING: House passes bill to fund government through Nov. 21.
217-212.
Democrat Jared Golden voted yes.
Repulicans Victoria Spartz, Thomas Massie voted no.
217-212.
Democrat Jared Golden voted yes.
Repulicans Victoria Spartz, Thomas Massie voted no.
House funding vote - some MATH DRAMA
GOP can only lose 2 (if all Dems vote no) and so far we have 2 GOP no's: Massie, Spartz.
Before folks get too excited - R leadership has clearly signaled they believe they have the votes. (And Spartz told me yesterday she thinks they do too.)
GOP can only lose 2 (if all Dems vote no) and so far we have 2 GOP no's: Massie, Spartz.
Before folks get too excited - R leadership has clearly signaled they believe they have the votes. (And Spartz told me yesterday she thinks they do too.)
September 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM
House funding vote - some MATH DRAMA
GOP can only lose 2 (if all Dems vote no) and so far we have 2 GOP no's: Massie, Spartz.
Before folks get too excited - R leadership has clearly signaled they believe they have the votes. (And Spartz told me yesterday she thinks they do too.)
GOP can only lose 2 (if all Dems vote no) and so far we have 2 GOP no's: Massie, Spartz.
Before folks get too excited - R leadership has clearly signaled they believe they have the votes. (And Spartz told me yesterday she thinks they do too.)
Chances of a shutdown?
I have seen a lot of these situations. Usually chances are MUCH lower than you think. But in this case, even with 11 days to go, rn I give it ...
80%.
*As always anything can and will change.
I have seen a lot of these situations. Usually chances are MUCH lower than you think. But in this case, even with 11 days to go, rn I give it ...
80%.
*As always anything can and will change.
September 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Chances of a shutdown?
I have seen a lot of these situations. Usually chances are MUCH lower than you think. But in this case, even with 11 days to go, rn I give it ...
80%.
*As always anything can and will change.
I have seen a lot of these situations. Usually chances are MUCH lower than you think. But in this case, even with 11 days to go, rn I give it ...
80%.
*As always anything can and will change.
Good morning all from the House chamber.
The House is poised to pass a GOP CR to keep government funded ... and Senate Dems are poised to block that, offering their own. Which Senate Rs will reject.
Watching to see if there are any party switchers, though.
The House is poised to pass a GOP CR to keep government funded ... and Senate Dems are poised to block that, offering their own. Which Senate Rs will reject.
Watching to see if there are any party switchers, though.
September 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Good morning all from the House chamber.
The House is poised to pass a GOP CR to keep government funded ... and Senate Dems are poised to block that, offering their own. Which Senate Rs will reject.
Watching to see if there are any party switchers, though.
The House is poised to pass a GOP CR to keep government funded ... and Senate Dems are poised to block that, offering their own. Which Senate Rs will reject.
Watching to see if there are any party switchers, though.
KIMMEL. NO SUBPOENA for the FCC Chair, but possible testimony.
Rs on the House Oversight Committee just blocked a D effort to subpoena Brendan Carr regarding Jimmy Kimmel. But the Ranking Democrats says both parties are talking about inviting him to testify.
Rs on the House Oversight Committee just blocked a D effort to subpoena Brendan Carr regarding Jimmy Kimmel. But the Ranking Democrats says both parties are talking about inviting him to testify.
September 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
KIMMEL. NO SUBPOENA for the FCC Chair, but possible testimony.
Rs on the House Oversight Committee just blocked a D effort to subpoena Brendan Carr regarding Jimmy Kimmel. But the Ranking Democrats says both parties are talking about inviting him to testify.
Rs on the House Oversight Committee just blocked a D effort to subpoena Brendan Carr regarding Jimmy Kimmel. But the Ranking Democrats says both parties are talking about inviting him to testify.
NEW: The U.S. Senate has voted to make Oct. 14, 2025 a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.
The resolution, sponsored by @SenRickScott passed unanimously by voice vote.
Oct. 14 would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday.
The resolution, sponsored by @SenRickScott passed unanimously by voice vote.
Oct. 14 would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday.
September 18, 2025 at 5:49 PM
NEW: The U.S. Senate has voted to make Oct. 14, 2025 a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.
The resolution, sponsored by @SenRickScott passed unanimously by voice vote.
Oct. 14 would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday.
The resolution, sponsored by @SenRickScott passed unanimously by voice vote.
Oct. 14 would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday.
KIMMEL, Dem reax.
Rep. @GregCasar: If Watergate happened today, we have to ask - would (journalists) be allowed to publish their reporting?
@RepHoulahan: We have to restrain from twisting tragedy into an excuse for muzzling our enemies.
Rep. @GregCasar: If Watergate happened today, we have to ask - would (journalists) be allowed to publish their reporting?
@RepHoulahan: We have to restrain from twisting tragedy into an excuse for muzzling our enemies.
September 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
KIMMEL, Dem reax.
Rep. @GregCasar: If Watergate happened today, we have to ask - would (journalists) be allowed to publish their reporting?
@RepHoulahan: We have to restrain from twisting tragedy into an excuse for muzzling our enemies.
Rep. @GregCasar: If Watergate happened today, we have to ask - would (journalists) be allowed to publish their reporting?
@RepHoulahan: We have to restrain from twisting tragedy into an excuse for muzzling our enemies.
NOW: Democrats on Capitol Hill intro’ing bill to block targeting of non-profits, media, colleges for political speech.
Sen. Chris Murphy
began by decrying the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Then charged POTUS + AG Pam Bondi are
openly targeting ppl, for political speech
Sen. Chris Murphy
began by decrying the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Then charged POTUS + AG Pam Bondi are
openly targeting ppl, for political speech
September 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
NOW: Democrats on Capitol Hill intro’ing bill to block targeting of non-profits, media, colleges for political speech.
Sen. Chris Murphy
began by decrying the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Then charged POTUS + AG Pam Bondi are
openly targeting ppl, for political speech
Sen. Chris Murphy
began by decrying the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Then charged POTUS + AG Pam Bondi are
openly targeting ppl, for political speech
PBS hello. Thank you for those sending good thoughts for PBS and esp. @NewsHour. It means the world. We're as determined to ever.
If interested, yes, we could use support:
1. EASY one - let's build. Folo me - @LisaD. Folo
@pbsnews.org
Repost this.
If interested, yes, we could use support:
1. EASY one - let's build. Folo me - @LisaD. Folo
@pbsnews.org
Repost this.
July 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
PBS hello. Thank you for those sending good thoughts for PBS and esp. @NewsHour. It means the world. We're as determined to ever.
If interested, yes, we could use support:
1. EASY one - let's build. Folo me - @LisaD. Folo
@pbsnews.org
Repost this.
If interested, yes, we could use support:
1. EASY one - let's build. Folo me - @LisaD. Folo
@pbsnews.org
Repost this.
PBS support, more options:
2. Donate to local stations.
Our mother station for NewsHour is give.weta.org/page/11241/d...
3. Or (bigger $s) join Friends of
@Newshour
. pbs.org/newshour/sup...
Don't want to be hitting you with funding requests - but as ppl are asking, I want to be honest.
2. Donate to local stations.
Our mother station for NewsHour is give.weta.org/page/11241/d...
3. Or (bigger $s) join Friends of
@Newshour
. pbs.org/newshour/sup...
Don't want to be hitting you with funding requests - but as ppl are asking, I want to be honest.
WETA: public television and classical music for Greater Washington
WETA's mission is to produce and broadcast programs of intellectual integrity and cultural merit that recognize viewers' and listeners' intelligence, curiosity and interest in the world around them.
give.weta.org
July 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
PBS support, more options:
2. Donate to local stations.
Our mother station for NewsHour is give.weta.org/page/11241/d...
3. Or (bigger $s) join Friends of
@Newshour
. pbs.org/newshour/sup...
Don't want to be hitting you with funding requests - but as ppl are asking, I want to be honest.
2. Donate to local stations.
Our mother station for NewsHour is give.weta.org/page/11241/d...
3. Or (bigger $s) join Friends of
@Newshour
. pbs.org/newshour/sup...
Don't want to be hitting you with funding requests - but as ppl are asking, I want to be honest.
Also told by this source that the State Dept has begun cancelling awards/aid programs in disaster zones that can be life and death, including food aid.
Some programs have been cancelled in Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Basra.
The source said this is contrary to states waiver policy.
Some programs have been cancelled in Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Basra.
The source said this is contrary to states waiver policy.
April 5, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Also told by this source that the State Dept has begun cancelling awards/aid programs in disaster zones that can be life and death, including food aid.
Some programs have been cancelled in Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Basra.
The source said this is contrary to states waiver policy.
Some programs have been cancelled in Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Basra.
The source said this is contrary to states waiver policy.
Myanmar US firings: I am told these are PSC’s - personal service contractors.
They are still on the ground in Myanmar now. I do not know the date their termination takes effect. But they have been told they are being fired.
I have asked the State Dept for comment.
They are still on the ground in Myanmar now. I do not know the date their termination takes effect. But they have been told they are being fired.
I have asked the State Dept for comment.
April 5, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Myanmar US firings: I am told these are PSC’s - personal service contractors.
They are still on the ground in Myanmar now. I do not know the date their termination takes effect. But they have been told they are being fired.
I have asked the State Dept for comment.
They are still on the ground in Myanmar now. I do not know the date their termination takes effect. But they have been told they are being fired.
I have asked the State Dept for comment.
BREAKING - U.S. team in quake zone told they are fired, per source.
The 3-person disaster assessment team sent to Myanmar for the U.S. received termination notices while staying/sleeping outside — US AID workers were told on an all hands call today, per a source familiar.
The 3-person disaster assessment team sent to Myanmar for the U.S. received termination notices while staying/sleeping outside — US AID workers were told on an all hands call today, per a source familiar.
April 5, 2025 at 3:23 AM
BREAKING - U.S. team in quake zone told they are fired, per source.
The 3-person disaster assessment team sent to Myanmar for the U.S. received termination notices while staying/sleeping outside — US AID workers were told on an all hands call today, per a source familiar.
The 3-person disaster assessment team sent to Myanmar for the U.S. received termination notices while staying/sleeping outside — US AID workers were told on an all hands call today, per a source familiar.
NOW: the fate of gov funding is in doubt at the moment.
There appeared to be 9-10 Senate Dem votes for the House-passed CR this am but after an intense presure campaign from opposing Senators and House Dems, the Senate has DELAYED THE VOTE.
We expected cloture by now.
There appeared to be 9-10 Senate Dem votes for the House-passed CR this am but after an intense presure campaign from opposing Senators and House Dems, the Senate has DELAYED THE VOTE.
We expected cloture by now.
March 14, 2025 at 7:58 PM
NOW: the fate of gov funding is in doubt at the moment.
There appeared to be 9-10 Senate Dem votes for the House-passed CR this am but after an intense presure campaign from opposing Senators and House Dems, the Senate has DELAYED THE VOTE.
We expected cloture by now.
There appeared to be 9-10 Senate Dem votes for the House-passed CR this am but after an intense presure campaign from opposing Senators and House Dems, the Senate has DELAYED THE VOTE.
We expected cloture by now.
Rep. @AOC and others are mounting an all-hands-on-deck campaign to urge Senate Ds to oppose the CR
Already this morning there have been protests at Schumer's office.
Already this morning there have been protests at Schumer's office.
March 14, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Rep. @AOC and others are mounting an all-hands-on-deck campaign to urge Senate Ds to oppose the CR
Already this morning there have been protests at Schumer's office.
Already this morning there have been protests at Schumer's office.
GOV SHUTDOWN - where are we?
- Sources in both parties expect the CR to get 60 votes later today
- Though there are not YET publicly-declared yesses from the 8 Democrats needed.
- Schumer's public "yes" is expected to mean those votes are there.
- When? Key vote around 2:30p/3p
- Sources in both parties expect the CR to get 60 votes later today
- Though there are not YET publicly-declared yesses from the 8 Democrats needed.
- Schumer's public "yes" is expected to mean those votes are there.
- When? Key vote around 2:30p/3p
March 14, 2025 at 3:13 PM
GOV SHUTDOWN - where are we?
- Sources in both parties expect the CR to get 60 votes later today
- Though there are not YET publicly-declared yesses from the 8 Democrats needed.
- Schumer's public "yes" is expected to mean those votes are there.
- When? Key vote around 2:30p/3p
- Sources in both parties expect the CR to get 60 votes later today
- Though there are not YET publicly-declared yesses from the 8 Democrats needed.
- Schumer's public "yes" is expected to mean those votes are there.
- When? Key vote around 2:30p/3p
Rest in Peace Rocky Desjardins.
Yesterday our beloved cat, a superstar +
@ratemyskyperoom legend, passed away from kidney disease.
We know @NewsHour viewers loved him too. That means the world.
For those interested, something good in his memory:
giveahand.com/fundraiser/i...
Yesterday our beloved cat, a superstar +
@ratemyskyperoom legend, passed away from kidney disease.
We know @NewsHour viewers loved him too. That means the world.
For those interested, something good in his memory:
giveahand.com/fundraiser/i...
in memory of Rocky Desjardins
If anyone is inclined, please join me in raising funds to support Animal Friends Of North Central West Virginia Inc. Check their website out here. UPDATE: We are amazed by your response to this and s...
giveahand.com
March 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Rest in Peace Rocky Desjardins.
Yesterday our beloved cat, a superstar +
@ratemyskyperoom legend, passed away from kidney disease.
We know @NewsHour viewers loved him too. That means the world.
For those interested, something good in his memory:
giveahand.com/fundraiser/i...
Yesterday our beloved cat, a superstar +
@ratemyskyperoom legend, passed away from kidney disease.
We know @NewsHour viewers loved him too. That means the world.
For those interested, something good in his memory:
giveahand.com/fundraiser/i...
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT walked out a few minutes ago.
March 5, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT walked out a few minutes ago.
Rep. Tlaib has a white board - it just read "Start by paying your taxes"
March 5, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Rep. Tlaib has a white board - it just read "Start by paying your taxes"
Musk did not clap for Trump's line about ending the EV mandate. Sort of bobbed his head like "yep, you did".
March 5, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Musk did not clap for Trump's line about ending the EV mandate. Sort of bobbed his head like "yep, you did".
Democrats are holding signs that say "Musk Steals" "Save Medicaid" and "Protect Veterans"
March 5, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Democrats are holding signs that say "Musk Steals" "Save Medicaid" and "Protect Veterans"
NOW: President Donald Trump has entered the House chamber, returning after four years out of office.
Half of the chamber is on its feet celebrating, half in their chairs motionless.
Half of the chamber is on its feet celebrating, half in their chairs motionless.
March 5, 2025 at 2:18 AM
NOW: President Donald Trump has entered the House chamber, returning after four years out of office.
Half of the chamber is on its feet celebrating, half in their chairs motionless.
Half of the chamber is on its feet celebrating, half in their chairs motionless.