Holly Yan

Senior News Desk Reporter, CNN

Holly Yan is an award-winning journalist covering national breaking news, in-depth features and investigations.
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CNN Digital Expansion 2016 Holly Yan
CNN Digital Expansion 2016 Holly Yan

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People gather to protest the Trump administration during the 'Hands Off' protest on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on April 5, 2025.
Bryan Dozier/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
Millions of protesters are expected at ‘No Kings’ rallies nationwide as President Trump’s military parade takes place on his 79th birthday
Jun 14, 2025
As a military parade rolls through Washington, DC, on Saturday – President Donald Trump’s birthday – millions of Americans are expected to protest in what organizers predict will be the strongest display of opposition to Trump’s administration since he took office in January.
This screengrab taken from video allegedly shows escaped inmate Antoine Massey.
obtained by CNN
Authorities raid home where jail escapee may have filmed video claiming he’s innocent, asking Lil Wayne and Trump for help, source says
Jun 3, 2025
Law enforcement searched the home where they believe Antoine Massey, a serial escapee who vanished from a jail two weeks ago, may have recorded a video proclaiming his innocence and asking rapper Lil Wayne and President Donald Trump for help, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN.
Left to right: Antoine Massey, Derrick Groves, and Grant Hardin
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office/Arkansas Department of Corrections Communications Department via AP
2 jailbreaks. 3 men still on the run. What we know about the circumstances of each escape
Jun 2, 2025
A police chief-turned-murderer-and-rapist, a repeat escapee and a double murderer are still nowhere to be found after two high-profile jailbreaks keep communities on edge and law enforcement on alert.
Two more people have been arrested and accused of assisting inmates who escaped Orleans Parish Jail last Friday.
WDSU
Rewards for 2 elusive jail escapees jump to $50,000 each as Louisiana police believe they’re getting closer
May 29, 2025
Investigators are pleading for the public’s help in finding a convicted double murderer and an experienced fugitive who broke out of a New Orleans jail 13 days ago and could be anywhere in the US.
Screen Shot 2025-05-22 at 9.47.05 AM.png
CNN
Faulty locks, stolen blankets and a hungry jail employee: A timeline of how 10 inmates used skill and luck to escape
May 29, 2025
One inmate was behind bars for murdering two men. Another was charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation. A third was accused of attacking a corrections officer.
Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office/AP
A promising tip fizzles as the manhunt for a convicted killer and a chronic escapee intensifies
May 28, 2025
A double murderer and a repeat escapee have evaded capture for almost two weeks – leading authorities to believe the fugitives could be anywhere in the US now.
A still from surveillance video released by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office shows inmates escaping a New Orleans jail.
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
Authorities arrest a seventh person accused of helping fugitives who escaped from a New Orleans jail
May 23, 2025
Authorities have arrested a seventh person in connection with the escape of 10 inmates from a Louisiana jail.
Inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail around 1 a.m.
WDSU
Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office employee arrested following the escape of 10 inmates
May 20, 2025
Authorities have arrested an Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office employee following the escape of 10 inmates, the Louisiana Attorney General’s office said Tuesday.
This photo from the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office shows a inmate cell at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, where almost a dozen inmates escaped. Note: CNN has blurred portions of this image.
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
Officials plead for the public’s help in capturing 7 escaped New Orleans inmates still on the run
May 19, 2025
Louisiana officials are appealing for the public’s help recapturing seven inmates still on the run after escaping a New Orleans jail early Friday, warning any accomplices will face consequences.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at a news conference on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Annapolis, Md., Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is standing right.
Brian Witte/AP
Dozens of homicides in police custody were misclassified in autopsies, Maryland officials say
May 16, 2025
An audit of Maryland autopsies has uncovered at least 36 deaths in police custody that should have been considered homicides, state officials announced.
Students arrive for school Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Michael Dwyer/AP
How schools use — or misuse — a 50-year-old law you might not know about
May 10, 2025
Many K-12 schools and universities have denied information to the public, citing student privacy – even when those details involve safety concerns or parents’ own children.
A scoreboard is seen at Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York.
WSTM
11 Syracuse high school athletes charged with unlawful imprisonment misdemeanor over alleged hazing
May 2, 2025
Eleven Westhill High School lacrosse players have been charged with unlawful imprisonment in the second degree — a misdemeanor — due to their alleged involvement in the extreme hazing of five younger teammates, according to a partially redacted complaint Thursday by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s office.
The rest of the boys' varsity lacrosse season has been canceled at Westhill High School in Syracuse, New York.
WSTM
11 high school lacrosse players suspected in hazing of teammate in Syracuse turn themselves in, avoiding kidnapping charges
May 1, 2025
All 11 Westhill High School lacrosse players suspected of being involved in hazing a teammate have turned themselves in, Onondaga County First Chief Assistant District Attorney Joseph Coolican said Wednesday.
Canton - February 2: View of 34 Fairview Road in Canton, MA on February 02, 2022. Massachusetts State Police homicide detectives arrested Karen A. Read, 41, of Mansfield, on a manslaughter warrant in the Saturday death of John OKeefe, a Boston Police officer who was found unresponsive outside a Canton residence early Saturday morning. (Photo by Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe/Getty Images
Jury in Karen Read’s murder trial visits the home where boyfriend and police officer John O’Keefe was found dead outside
Apr 25, 2025
The dense snow and blizzard-like conditions outside the Massachusetts home are gone. But the mystery of who may have killed Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe on a frigid night in Canton lingers as jurors visited the house near where his body was found.
Security personnel attempt to shield Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir as a water bottle is thrown at him in New Haven, Connecticut, on Wednesday, April 23.
Dylan Antonioli
Palestinian supporters confront far-right Israeli security minister as he leaves an event near Yale
Apr 24, 2025
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was confronted by some pro-Palestinian demonstrators Wednesday night in New Haven, Connecticut, according to a statement and videos shared by Ben Gvir’s office.
Law enforcement on FSU campus after a mass shooting occurred Thursday.
Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat/USA Today Network/Imagn Images/Reuters
‘There’s nowhere really to run’: Students barricade doors and text loved ones after a gunman seemingly shot victims at random
Apr 18, 2025
Before they even knew a mass shooter was on campus, Dakota Bages and her classmates heard screams of terror and started barricading themselves.

About

Holly Yan is an award-winning journalist covering national breaking news, in-depth features and investigations.

Yan’s profile of four siblings who lost their single mother to COVID-19 won a Society for Features Journalism award for narrative writing. Her investigations have revealed challenges spanning public safety, education, criminal justice, and health.

Yan uncovered inherent problems with emergency alert systems; long-term illnesses miles away from a chemical plant explosion; teachers who work up to six jobs to pay the bills; and surprising challenges fueling the dearth of air traffic controllers.

She is also known for her distinctive breaking news reporting. Hours after a midair collision killed 67 people, Yan detailed how world champion figure skaters and young athletes perished in a devastating case of déjà vu.

Yan also thrives on reporting inspirational stories of resilience, kindness and heroism.
She profiled a Detroit nonprofit that employs homeless people to make life-saving coats for other unhoused residents – sheltering employees and launching new careers in the process. Her reporting from the middle of a riot led to a surprising story the next day – police and protesters reaching out to one another to show their respect.

Before joining CNN, Yan was a photojournalist and on-air reporter for KDAF-TV in Dallas. She started her career at The Dallas Morning News and graduated from the University of Missouri.

Follow her on X: @HollyYanCNN