November 07, 2025
SIU’s Simon Institute to host former CNN chief White House reporter
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Jessica Yellin, a former CNN chief White House correspondent with nearly three decades of journalism experience, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual conversation on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Yellin, the founder of the News Not Noise media platform, will discuss with John Shaw, institute director, the need for greater rigor, credibility and content in news reporting. She will also discuss her journalism career and Washington politics and national campaigns.
The discussion via Zoom begins at 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public, but registration to view the conversation is required. The event is part of the institute’s “Understanding Our New World” discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.
“Jessica Yellin is doing extraordinarily important work in reframing how news is presented to the public,” Shaw said. “She is determined to avoid the rancor and hyper-conflictual focus of many outlets and rather explain what is happening with civility, balance and empathy.
“The success of News Not Noise demonstrates that many of us are looking for information that is provided in a succinct, careful and noninflammatory way.”
Yellin covered the White House for CNN during Barack Obama’s presidency and for ABC during the presidency of George W. Bush. She also covered Congress for CNN. She has won Emmy, Gracie and Peabody awards for her political journalism and has reported from Russia, China, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
A native of Los Angeles, Yellin graduated from Harvard with honors before beginning her career as a broadcast journalist in Florida.
Yellin launched News Not Noise in 2018 on Instagram, and her reporting can now also be found on her podcast, YouTube, Substack and other platforms.
More information, including a list of the institute’s upcoming events and past speakers and events, is available.