Welcome to Once Upon a Hill, your front-row seat to the political drama that shapes the future of the country. Each week, OUAH connects you to the people, policies, and power struggles in Congress that impact your wallet, your rights, and your community. Join the thousands of subscribers who have made OUAH’s exclusive scoops, sharp insights, and original reporting essential reading for understanding how Congress really works—and why it matters.
The OUAH edge
Once Upon a Hill helps you create the change you want to see with must-read political intelligence—delivered through two premier editorial solutions:
Congress Nerd: Our twice-weekly flagship newsletter—packed with fresh scoops, sharp analysis, and the kind of political intelligence only a true Congress nerd would think to ask for.
Politics & Policy: Original reporting outside the newsletter cycle—from breaking news and daily dispatches to in-depth Q&As and explainers.
Both Congress Nerd and Politics & Policy break congressional news into fast, focused sections—giving you the news, the context, the debate, and what’s next, all in one place.
They’re designed so you can move through complex congressional stories at your own pace—whether you just want the topline or you’re ready to dive deeper.
Choose your experience
Free subscribers get:
Weekly political intelligence: Thursday’s Congress Nerd with top stories, key takeaways, and a preview of exclusive reporting behind the paywall.
Paid subscribers unlock:
The full story: An exclusive Sunday edition of Congress Nerd previewing the legislative week ahead—so you can anticipate power moves before they happen—plus full access to every Politics & Policy post and the complete archive.
Real connection: Comment on posts, message me directly, and help shape the stories and questions that get covered.
Your insider edge: Breakthrough reporting, fresh scoops, and sharp analysis to keep you ahead of the curve.
Meet the reporter behind OUAH
I’m Michael Jones, a national political correspondent and the only independent Black journalist accredited by a congressional press gallery. I cover Democratic power and politics in the MAGA era, reporting in a tone that feels like a smart friend catching you up over drinks.
At Once Upon a Hill, you’ll get real news, sourced directly from the Hill, without the gatekeeping or the spin. Just clear reporting on what happened, why it matters, and what’s coming next. I know political journalism has earned a bad rap in recent years, which is why I work overtime to deliver insider authority without insider arrogance.
Over the past few years, I’ve chronicled some of the biggest stories emerging from Capitol Hill:
The rise and unprecedented fall of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy
The transfer of House Democratic leadership from Nancy Pelosi to Hakeem Jeffries
The 2022 class of House progressives—including Congress’s first Gen-Z member
Multiple government funding cliffs and a near-default on the U.S. debt
The first expulsion of a sitting member in more than two decades
The Democratic panic after Joe Biden’s first debate performance, which led to Kamala Harris’s ascent to the top of the ticket before Donald Trump’s return to the White House
Before founding Once Upon a Hill, I created and authored Supercreator News, the premier politics newsletter for the creative class. I also previously reported for two global fashion and lifestyle brands. My work has been featured in The Washington Post, Politico, Semafor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and other notable publications.
Today, in addition to OUAH, I write a weekly column for COURIER on the intersection of Congress and democracy.
Born and raised in Dallas (go Cowboys!), I studied journalism at East Texas A&M University and now split my time between Washington, DC, and New York City. I love true-crime documentaries, Beyoncé, and FaceTiming my niece and nephew.
How I report the news
Politics touches every part of American life—and my job is to stay plugged into it all. I’m in constant, direct contact with lawmakers, aides, White House officials, advocacy groups, and subject matter experts, both on and off the record.
I aim to quote sources by name whenever possible. When anonymity is necessary, it’s because the information is vital to the public record and disclosure could risk the source’s safety or employment. If you see an unnamed source, you can trust that I made the decision carefully and transparently.
I also draw from press lists, reader tips, academic research, polling data, and daily press events to bring you original, accurate reporting you can rely on.
Let’s stay connected
Got a tip, a question, or just want to say hi? Email me at michael@onceuponahill.com or send me a DM on Twitter. I also offer secure ways to connect via encrypted apps like Signal.
