Meet The Lawrence Times news team
Get to know the people behind the bylines.
Jump to: Maya Hodison | Tricia Masenthin | Andrea Albright | Chansi Long | Meet our advertising maven, Sara Lansing
Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder
Cat mom. ♒️. Served as editor-in-chief of the Campus Ledger (JCCC) and the University Daily Kansan (KU) student newspapers, then did 5.5 years at the copy desk and reporting for the Lawrence newspaper of record before launching The Lawrence Times. At the Times, I’m doing my best to run the show and reporting whenever I can, filling in where it’s needed and doing some behind-the-scenes digging. This isn’t my job; it’s my life. I’m also a member of the Kansas Coalition for Open Government board of directors.
Something I love about Lawrence: This community has an incredible way of frequently coming together to do what is right and stand up for justice. I am often blown away by how quickly the public comes together to support a community member in need. Also, there are lots of pretty flowers and lots of other cat people, and I appreciate that.
Words that inspire me: “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” — Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Follow: Find me (and the Newzcats) on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I can be reached at mclark (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of my work at this link.
Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter and engagement director
I recently graduated with a degree in mass media from Baker University where I was the news editor of the Baker Orange student newspaper and the president of a multicultural diversity organization called Mungano. Born and raised in LK, I am ecstatic to now take my passion of sharing stories to Lawrence. At the Times, I am an equity reporter focusing on issues that people in marginalized communities face and amplifying voices that are oftentimes unvalued.
Something I love about Lawrence: I have always admired the way this community supports its young people and provides spaces for people to be their authentic, creative selves.
Words that inspire me: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change … I am changing the things I cannot accept.” and “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” – Angela Davis
Follow: Instagram: @mayahodison, Twitter: @mayahodison. I can be reached at mhodison (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of my work at this link.
Tricia Masenthin (she/her), equity reporter
Lifelong northeast Kansan and first-gen college grad. Bachelor’s degree in journalism with highest distinction, KU. Past bylines: The (Tonganoxie) Mirror and The Lansing Current. Dow Jones News Fund alum — trained at San Jose State University/interned at The Kansas City Star. At the Times, I’m working to research and write about the issues important to our community and the people making a difference here. I’m proud to play a role in this new era of community journalism.
Something I love about Lawrence: People here feel passionate about education and value it, and I’m glad we chose to raise our family here.
Words that inspire me: “I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me.” — Cheryl Strayed, “Wild”
Follow: Find me @semicolonsrock on Twitter or on Instagram, where my foster-kittens-turned-monster-cats run the show. I can be reached at tmasenthin (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of my work at this link.
Andrea Albright (she/her), reporter
Terrible cook, but an above-average mom to a house full of kids, cats and canines. I am a lover of journalism and am returning to the craft after a far-too-long hiatus. I earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from KU and worked on the state desk at the Topeka Capital-Journal from 1997 to 2002. After working in marketing for many moons, I am happy to be at the Times where I’m reporting on courts, crime and anything community-related.
Something I love about Lawrence: I love that Lawrence has an arts and culture scene worthy of a big city while also maintaining the tight-knit feel of a small town. If there are secrets here, they are rarely well kept. We are not infallible, but most times we hold each other accountable and right the things we see as wrong.
Words that inspire me: “I’m sometimes asked when will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court] and I say, ‘When there are nine.’” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Follow: I’m on Twitter @andreaealbright, and Instagram @andrea_albright. (Mostly cats and kvetching.) I can be reached at aalbright (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of my work at this link.
Chansi Long (she/her), reporter
I won a town-wide essay contest in third grade and from then on yearned to be a writer. I love finding the right words and honing in on the quotes that could compel readers to follow me to the end. My first big reporting assignment was covering the Jodi Sanderholm murder in 2007 while I was still an undergrad. I helped the Traveler win the Burton W. Marvin award that year because I didn’t relent on coverage even when the details made me want to turn away. Through that story, I learned that I possess an urge to tell the hard stories. A Baker University grad, I got to immerse myself in writing at the University of Iowa for three years, earning a few writing awards and dream bylines. I took a break from writing professionally when I had my daughters. Now that they’re school-age, I am excited to revive my most enduring passion: journalism.
At the Times, I strive to place a spotlight on poverty and the people trying to emerge from it. I like to find the untold stories, the ones that inspire and break hearts. I also love to write about the things that make Lawrence thrive: new restaurants, retail ventures and local events.
Something I love about Lawrence: Having grown up in rural Kansas, I appreciate that Lawrence retains its small-town vibe while possessing the energy of a thriving college town. A theater, art and music scene, social justice advocates, a library that fills me with pleasure and pride, delicious tacos and gas station Mediterranean food are a few things I cherish about Lawrence. I also love the people here. Lawrence is not devoid of problems but it’s composed of compassionate and inspiring people who strive to make it accountable and keep it growing for the better.
Words that inspire me: “Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author
Follow: I’m on Twitter, @ChansirLong. I can be reached at clong (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of my work at this link.
Sara Lansing (she/her), advertising maven
I’ve been a Kansan since birth, Lawrencian for 19 years. Momma of two amazing kids, wife of the coolest UPS guy in town, and wrangler of three pups. I love cooking, plants, camping, and nature in general! I earned my BA in Creative Writing from KU in 2009, and have been a stay-at-home mom since 2011.
Something I love about Lawrence: I love the diversity and open-mindedness of Lawrence.
Words that inspire me: “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” – Buddha; “What you seek is seeking you.” -Rumi
Get in touch: I can be reached at ads (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Visit this page to learn about advertising with The Lawrence Times.
