Meena Duerson

Correspondent

Meena Duerson is a correspondent for CNN based in New York. She covers domestic stories with a focus on enterprise reporting, from childcare to health insurance to the world of wellness influencers.
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Meena Duerson
Meena Duerson —
CNN

Latest

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• Video 3:42
Ms. Rachel
Video YouTube star Ms. Rachel sings with 3-year-old double amputee from Gaza 3:42
May 20, 2025
YouTube star and children’s educator Rachel Accurso, whose “Songs for Littles” have been viewed billions of times, meets and sings one of her trademark songs with Rahaf, a 3-year-old double amputee from Gaza. Accurso, who has millions of followers across social media, has been outspoken about her views that the children in Gaza face a humanitarian crisis, and says she has received both support and bullying for her posts.
An attendee wears a shirt promoting higher birth rates is seen at the Natal Conference.
CNN
Tech bros and tradwives are unlikely allies in a little-known movement that’s gaining momentum
Apr 10, 2025
As birth rates fall around the world, a little-known movement to have more kids is growing. It’s joining unlikely allies – tech bros and tradwives.
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CNN
Video These ‘Cannamoms’ say weed helps them be better moms 4:02
Mar 26, 2025
St. Louis Cannamoms, one of dozens of similar Facebook groups around the country, has more than 4000 members. The group hosts regular community events and provides donations to moms in need. CNN’s Meena Duerson visited Game Night, where attendees discussed why they think there’s still a stigma around moms who consume cannabis.
Jamie Cerda smokes weed while playing bingo at an STL Cannamoms event.
CNN
These women say smoking weed makes them better moms
Mar 25, 2025
A growing number of mothers across the US use marijuana regularly for a variety of reasons. These “Cannamoms” say it relieves stress and makes them better parents.
A resident surveys damaged homes during the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 9.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
They lost their insurance. Then their homes burned
Jan 18, 2025
When Chad Comey heard sirens outside the Palisades condo he lived in with his parents last Tuesday, he didn’t think much of it. Then the fire alerts started.
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CNN
Video ‘I cried’: The mom cheering for RFK Jr. to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ 4:40
Dec 13, 2024
North Carolina mom and long-time activist Zen Honeycutt founded “Moms Across America,” a grassroots network that challenges food production and vaccine standards in the US. She tells CNN’s Meena Duerson why she feels hopeful RFK Jr. will, “make America healthy again.”
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• Video 3:57
CNN
Video She lost everything in a hurricane. Now she’s rebuilding without insurance 3:57
Sep 26, 2024
Two years after Hurricane Ian destroyed her Florida home, 47-year-old Amy Hawk is still fighting her insurance companies. While many of her neighbors have decided to leave the area, Hawk and her family are steadfast in rebuilding– this time without an insurance policy. Experts say Amy’s case isn’t unusual, especially as climate change makes storms more damaging. Meena Duerson reports.
From left to right, Lisa Pratt, Nicole Snow and Katie Medley
CNN
A doctor cared for generations of families. Now dozens of women say he also abused them
Sep 20, 2024
The doctor lost his medical license but, after a criminal investigation did not lead to charges, former patients got together to sue him.
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CNN
‘Just too burnt out’: Child care crisis crunches providers
Jun 15, 2024
For the past eight years in the small town of Waupaca, Wisconsin, Susan Elandt has been a fixture for dozens of families – taking care of their children, some as early as 4:45am, so they can get to work.

About

Meena Duerson is a correspondent for CNN based in New York. She covers domestic stories with a focus on enterprise reporting, from childcare to health insurance to the world of wellness influencers. Meena reports across a wide range of issues affecting children and families.

Duerson was previously a correspondent for VICE News, reporting for Vice News Tonight, where she reported on topics ranging from education to housing, health care, and climate. Her work, including coverage of the George Floyd protests and investigations into sexual abuse and school surveillance, has garnered three Emmy awards and five nominations.

Duerson also spent nearly eight years at NBC’s TODAY show where she held several roles on the digital team, most recently as the Editorial Director, overseeing original enterprise and lifestyle content. Prior to joining TODAY, she was a digital reporter at the New York Daily News and a production associate for ABC News.

Duerson graduated cum laude from New York University with a BA in Comparative Literature.