Desiree D'Iorio

WSHU's American Homefront reporter

Born and raised in Connecticut, Desiree now calls Long Island home. She is WSHU’s 2019-2020 News Fellow, covering local government, the environment and public affairs on Long Island. She received her A.A. in Communications from Nassau Community College and B.A. in Journalism from Stony Brook University. Her past internships were at the Long Island Press and WSHU. In 2019, she co-wrote a four-part series about the Long Island Pine Barrens, bringing to listeners the sights and sounds of this unique ecosystem nestled in the heart of Suffolk County. There are 300 tabs open across her devices at all times. 

The public service loan forgiveness program has helped only 1.2% of New York participants

By • Oct 14, 2021
http://401kcalculator.org / Flickr

The federal program that is supposed to forgive student loans for workers who choose public service has failed in New York, according to a report from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. It found that of the 89,900 borrowers who applied for the federal public service loan forgiveness program in New York, just 1,099 received debt forgiveness.

Navy settles with Yale law students, forcing a re-evaluation of discharges due to mental health

By • Oct 13, 2021
Courtesy of U.S. Navy

Thousands of Navy veterans who were denied honorable discharges due to mental health issues will get the chance for an upgrade after a group of law school students at Yale University sued the Navy to get the upgrades. ​

Female and gender nonconforming veterans say they face challenges in the military

By • Oct 8, 2021
Chelsea Donaldson of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center moderated a panel discussion on gender and gender expression in the military with veterans Pam Campos-Palma, Lindsay Church and Juliet Taylor.
Courtesy photo

Gender and expression can play a significant role in the careers of military personnel. The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center brought veterans from across the country together to shine a light on gender identity in the military. The diverse group of female and gender nonconforming veterans shared how their gender, or their expression of it, impacted their military careers.

Long Island's bay scallop crop crashes for the 3rd year in a row after stormy summer

By • Oct 8, 2021
Robert F. Bukaty / AP

Stony Brook University scientists have found that wastewater runoff from this summer’s storms has flooded Long Island’s waterways with nitrogen pollution. The poor water quality is a threat to the shellfish industry.

Military spouses with certifications face employment barriers when their families are relocated

By • Oct 7, 2021
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signs a law on August 2, 2021, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton that makes it easier for military spouses to get professional licenses.
Office of Governor Lamont

Many military service members get relocated to a new base every few years, causing headaches for military spouses with their own careers as they try to transfer their professional licenses. Some states, like Connecticut, are trying to streamline that process and ease the burden on working spouses.

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