Wiki Biography / Profile Background
Introduction :
- Melanie Zanona is a respected journalist and political commentator, best known for her sharp coverage of Capitol Hill. With years of experience covering Congress, she has built a reputation for breaking down complex political stories.
Personal Life, Parents and Family Details:
- Born on March 29, 1981, in Chicago, Melanie discovered her love for writing at a young age.
- She’s married to Jason Robert Millison, who works as the Deputy Director/Director of Communications for the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. The two met while studying at the University of Illinois, and they share a love for Chicago sports…especially the Chicago Bulls.
- When she’s not busy covering politics, Melanie enjoys cooking Italian food and spending time with her beloved pet boxer, Bodie. She does not have any biological children.
- Does Melanie Zanona wear a wig? / Forehead / Without bangs : Many people are curious about her hair, but Zanona has never revealed much about it publicly.
Education and Career :
- Melanie earned her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she first developed a passion for political reporting.
- Her journalism career began with a Political Reporting Fellowship at Roll Call in 2010. This experience gave her an early introduction to the fast-paced world of Capitol Hill reporting.
- After completing her fellowship, Melanie worked as an Editorial Assistant at Crain Communications from 2011 to 2013, where she gained experience in editorial writing and news production.
- In 2014, Zanona officially entered the world of political journalism by joining CQ Roll Call as a Policy and Legislative Action Reporter. Over the next two years, she covered legislative developments and policy issues in Congress.
- In 2016, Melanie moved to The Hill, where she worked as a Staff Writer for nearly three years. During her time there, she specialized in House leadership coverage, developing a strong reputation for her in-depth reporting and analysis.
- Her next career move was to POLITICO in 2019, where she took on the role of Congressional Reporter. While at POLITICO, she launched the widely recognized Huddle newsletter, which quickly became a must-read for anyone following Capitol Hill news. Her work at POLITICO further cemented her reputation as a top-tier congressional reporter.
- In July 2021, Melanie joined CNN as a Capitol Hill Reporter, where she spent three years covering major legislative developments and political events.
- Three years later, Melanie left CNN and in July 2024, she transitioned to Punchbowl News, taking on the role of Senior Congressional Reporter.
- In February 2025, Melanie joined NBC News as a Capitol Hill Correspondent, where she currently continues her work covering Congress
Personal Life, Parents and Family Details:
- Covered major political events, including President Trump’s infrastructure plan and U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba.
- Won a Dateline Award for her investigative series on the 2017 GOP tax reform process.
- Recognized by the National Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists for outstanding reporting.
- Regularly appears on CNN, MSNBC, and NBC News, providing expert political analysis.