Meet The Lawrence Times news team
Get to know the people behind the bylines.
Our news team consists of two full-time staff members — our founding reporter and our equity reporter/engagement director — and a group of part-time and freelance contributors as well as student journalists who share a passion for covering local news.
Jump to: Maya Hodison | Molly Adams | Tricia Masenthin | Andrea Albright | Cuyler Dunn | More contributors | Meet our advertising maven, Sara Lansing
Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder
With LT since: Launched it in February 2021
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. We started publishing March 8, 2021. 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. My reporting spans a lot of beats, including (but certainly not limited to) crime, courts, commissions, corruption and community. 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 Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of my work at this link.
Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter
With LT since: July 2021
I 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@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of my work at this link.
Molly Adams (she/her), photojournalist and news operations coordinator
With LT since: May 2022
I’m a citizen of Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a Haskell alum with a passion for photojournalism. I’m working on a master’s degree in Indigenous Studies and I think a lot about ethics, gazes, and racism in photography. I take the responsibility of portraying the communities I photograph seriously and strive to repair the legacy of harm caused by photographers who historically and presently have not represented people fairly and accurately. I’m a metalhead who knows few strangers, and as a lover of animals, I can make even the grumpiest cats purr with my bewitching ear scritches.
Something I love about Lawrence: The people here are genuinely friendly and there is always someone to share a laugh with. We also have a thriving intertribal community and so much art. I wish we had more trees, but I appreciate how overwhelmingly full of flowers the town is.
Follow: Instagram: @mollyreneeadams, Facebook: Molly Renee Adams. I can be reached at molly@lawrencekstimes.com. See more of my stories for the Times at this link and find more of my photography for the Times at this link. Find my other work at mollyreneeadams.com.
Tricia Masenthin (she/her), equity reporter
With LT since: March 2021
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@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of my work at this link.
Andrea Albright (she/her), reporter
With LT since: December 2021
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@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of my work at this link.
Cuyler Dunn (he/him), student journalist
With LT since: April 2022
I was born and raised in Lawrence and am currently studying journalism at the University of Kansas. I’m passionate about local news and the Lawrence community, and I love getting to fulfill both of those callings at the Times. My writing focuses on local government and schools and how they impact people. I’ve also written for the Eudora Times, Kansas Reflector and Kansas City PBS. You’ll find me around town strolling Mass Street, singing with the KU choir and walking my dog.
Something I love about Lawrence: The people in this community are committed to each other and to the future of this city — even and especially when we don’t agree.
Words that inspire me: “Don’t live your life finding fear to run from, but finding hope to chase.” — My mom
Follow: I’m on most social media @ctdunn7. I can be reached at cdunn@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of my work at this link.
More contributors you’ll see here:
Need to reach one of these folks? Get in touch with our team and we’ll help you connect.
Carter Gaskins (he/him) has been a photographer for The Lawrence Times since April 2021. He has also been a photographer for 10-plus years in photojournalism and sports.
Check out more of his work at Gaskins-Photography.com. See his work for the Times here.
Natasha Torkzaban (she/her), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since June 2023, is a recent graduate of Lawrence High School. She was an editor-in-chief of The Free Press at Free State High School before becoming an editor-in-chief for The Budget at Lawrence High School for 2023-24. Read her work for the Times here.
August Rudisell (he/him) has been a photographer and videographer for The Lawrence Times since March 2021. He is a former dispatcher, he avidly consumes and creates local news, and he would love to meet your dog when out and about at a community event.
See his work for the Times here.
Lane Rozin (he/they), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since January 2024, is a student at the University of Kansas Schools of Journalism and Film. He is a graduate of Pittsburg High School, where he was the multimedia editor for Pitt Media in 2019-21. He is currently the managing editor at the University Daily Kansan and development director at KJHK. See his work for the Times here.
Nathan Kramer (he/him), a multimedia student journalist for The Lawrence Times since August 2024, is a junior at Free State High School. He is also a video editor for Free State’s student publication, where he works as a videographer, photographer and motion designer. See more of his work for the Times here.
Jordan Winter (she/her), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since August 2021, is a 2019 KU grad with degrees in journalism and political science.
Check out her work at jrdnwntr.com. See her work for the Times here.
Emilia (Mimi) Rosado Schmitt (she/her), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since December 2024, is a junior at Lawrence High School and a co-editor in chief for the LHS Budget, where she edits stories and makes graphics and reports.
See more of her work for the Times here.
Jack Ritter (he/him), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since June 2022, is a student at the University of Kansas studying journalism. He is also a graduate of Lawrence High School, where he was the editor-in-chief of The Budget Online.
Read his work for the Times here. You can view more of his work for The Budget Online here.
Conner Mitchell (he/him), reporter emeritus who has been with The Lawrence Times since March 2021, can be reached at cmitchell@lawrencekstimes.com or 785-435-9264. If you have sensitive information to send Conner, please email connermitchell@protonmail.com. Read his work for the Times here.
Interested in joining the team? Check out this page.
Sara Lansing (she/her), advertising maven
With LT since: August 2021
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@lawrencekstimes.com. Visit this page to learn about advertising with The Lawrence Times.
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