Stephanie Lai Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Reporter on the White House & Politics team, covering the 2024 election with a focus on the Trump campaign. Since starting on the beat, I have scooped Trump's corporate tax policy and economic agenda in a second term, his campaign's plan to expand the electoral map to VA and MN, his bid for the UAW endorsement, campaign fundraising efforts and wrote an exclusive on an early voting effort from his allies to drive conservative voters to the polls. I have also broke news on an early advertising blitz from the Biden campaign targeting his weaknesses, Nikki Haley's cross country fundraising effort led by private equity titans and deep-pocketed donors as she rises in the polls, and exclusively featured the secret Yale-educated bundler group calling the shots in Ron DeSantis' campaign. I have spoken about my reporting on CNN's This Morning, BBC News, C-SPAN’s Washington Week, MSNBC’s Way Too Early, CBS's America Decides, Fox’s LiveNow and Bloomberg TV’s Balance of Power.

Reporting fellow covering congress, the 2022 election and national politics at large. I've written and tracked legislation being considered on the floor, followed behind the scenes negotiations and deals, scoured the halls for stories and contributing items and reporter updates to our live blog. I have also pitched several A1 stories including one that required extensive data work and exclusive interviews with politicians about the rise in violent threats against members of congress. I've covered some of the biggest breaking stories coming out of Washington like the gun deal, overturning Roe, Jan. 6 hearings, the IRA & omnibus package and McCarthy's speaker vote. An article I pitched on the novel ways Gen-Z has reached voters — such as through dating apps and Tik Tok — and the lack of oversight over paid influencers posting about political campaigns resulted in the FEC issuing guidance to rectify the issue. My data work also garnered exclusive reporting on the breakdown of earmarks requested by both parties in the latest appropriations bill, showing that Republicans were increasing their requests at a higher rate than Democrats amid their own calls to cut government spending. I also exclusively featured a White House Deputy Assistant on her work representing the AAPI community, and scooped Biden’s planned visit to Monterey Park, Calif. following a mass shooting and the introduction of the first House bill in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

New York, New York, United States

Reporting on the Real Time Desk for the WSJ and Dow Jones news wire covering quarterly earnings, corporate breaking news, and market analysis. Penned roughly 100 stories for the wire ranging from market analysis pieces to 10Q-earnings report summaries. Extensively covered American Depositary Receipt and Canadian stocks recaps. Published two A-Heds, garnering over 100,000 views. Wrote breaking news that was featured in the Ukraine-Russia conflict live coverage. Contributed to pieces on executive salaries and market wrap ups.

New York, Ny

One of six students selected to participate in ProPublica's year-long mentorship programs that include training, access to journalism conferences and the opportunity to work with ProPublica staffers.

New York City Metropolitan Area

Leading enterprise coverage and training staffers on investigative reporting methods.

District Of Columbia, United States

Freelance reporter focused on higher education and New York City news with an A1 byline on the impact of a deadly flood on immigrant communities.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Local politics intern contributing to the Metro Desk, covering Montgomery County and the greater D.C. region. Contributed to A1 stories and featured as the B1 section lead four times. Stories garnered hundreds of thousands of page views.

New York City Metropolitan Area

One of 46 participants selected for a semester-long developmental program for college students that includes workshops and individual reporting. This year’s class reporting project aligned with the national discourse on racial equality and police violence that arose following the murder of George Floyd. The stories that are part of this year’s project centered around lives lost to police violence around the United States since the turn of the century.Penned two stories on the death of Eric Garner and one overviewing this year's Institute on A2.

Covered breaking news and news features covering the greater Los Angeles and Inland Empire regions. Assisted with re-opening and George Floyd protest coverage during the coronavirus pandemic. Penned 76 stories including 22 front-page stories. Was selected for an internship at The Times as part of the Journalism, Ethics, and Democracy Institute, a training and internship program for collegiate journalists at the University of Notre Dame.Was one of nine students selected in a national competition for the inaugural class at the Institute, an 11-week professional development program directed by the University of Notre Dame, Attended a summer-long series of training sessions on ethical issues in digital journalism.

Led a team of eight staff writers to cover city news. We conducted numerous investigations using public records requests and analyzed data relating to the impact of COVID-19 and policing in West Harlem. Pushed for greater audience and analytics training in the newsroom. Wrote stories weekly, with over 50 contributions.Spectator was awarded the National Best All-Around Newspaper by the Society of Professional Journalists this year.

Greater New York City Area

Led a team of 4 writers through daily online and weekly print production. Covered breaking news and analysis pieces on the impact of Columbia expansion in West Harlem. Coordinated with graphics, online and photo sections to produce visual stories.

Greater New York City Area

Columbia University's independent student newspaper since 1877. I worked as a staff reporter for city news covering Morningside Heights, Manhanttanville and surrounding areas. Contributed roughly 20 articles before becoming a deputy editor.

Greater Philadelphia Area

The Philadelphia Inquirer serves the greater Philadelphia Area. I worked twice a week as a metro reporter covering local government and business. I wrote roughly 10 articles, including three articles on Page One, during my semester-long internship.

Monrovia, Ca

SCNG is one of the largest media companies in Southern California, spanning eleven daily newspapers. I worked as an Asian American Journalist Association summer intern covering city government and breaking news in San Gabriel Valley. I wrote over 40 articles with contributions to Mercury News, O.C. Register, L.A. Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, The Daily Breeze, East Bay Times and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. I analyzed unattended real estate caused by visa restrictions and broke an investigative story on UCLA's Spirit Squad director that resulted in the director's dismissal for athlete abuse.

Ucla

The Daily Bruin is UCLA's student paper, printing five days a week. I worked as a city and crime reporter covering breaking news and Westwood politics with contributions to campus politics. Conducted investigative work on a land use battle, business obstruction and a Westwood history feature. I contributed to over 45 articles, with consistent front page stories. I cross trained in photography and opinion.

Temecula Valley Enterprise Exchange

I planned and facilitated youth programs fostering leadership and entrepreneurial skills. I first developed curriculums for the Youth Entrepreneurs Program, Leadership Academy, Youth Innovators and Intern Luncheon. I then coordinated the 2018 City of Temecula College Fair, with over 225 schools and 10,000 in attendance, and also conducted research on economic growth and helped with administrative tasks at City Hall.

Temecula

The Valley News covers local and breaking news for Riverside County. I worked as an intern for two years covering education and local government. I copy-edited pages prior to print, published wire stories, monitored police logs, and trained in photography. I wrote about 100 stories in my internship, including stories on school district budget shortfalls and wildfires. I also mentored new interns.

Bachelor'S Degree, Political Science And Government

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Columbia University Cheerleading, Columbia Daily Spectator, Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science.

Political Science And Government

Activities and Societies: Alumni Scholar Internal Campus Volunteer coordinator & Daily Bruin News Reporter

International Baccalaureate, Weighted Gpa 4.83 Unweighted Gpa: 4.0

Activities and Societies: Valedictorian, Editor-in-Chief of the Great Oak Gazette, President of the City of Temecula's Youth Innovators.