I am still in disbelief. I am so grateful to @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social for this opportunity! My project will explore the growing shortage of *gynecologic* care in rural America. Instead of writing about "who will deliver the babies" — I'll focus on who will perform the pap smears.

USC Center for Health Journalism@chjreportinghealth.bsky.social · 5d ago

@mackoxenden.bsky.social, Straight Arrow News

There is growing evidence and clinical guidelines that suggest GLP-1s are among the most effective treatments for PMOS. Yet, most patients can't access it because insurance companies won't cover it My latest for Straight Arrow News dives into it more: san.com/cc/what-happ...

What happens when insurance rejects prescribed care for hormone patients seeking GLP-1s

Women with a painful hormonal disorder report being told by insurers to “just get sicker” rather than covering effective GLP-1 treatment.

san.com

* journalism request * Any ~new~ teachers out there in the #DMV area who are gearing up to clean and/or set up their classrooms? Shopping online or in person counts too. I want to shadow you for a few hours! Story is for Straight Arrow News.

Ending #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth with a story close to home. I break down why new @acog.org endometriosis guidelines are sparking debate amongst doctors and advocates, why it matters and what that says about gaps in diagnosis and care.

Why the new endometriosis guidelines frustrate advocates, doctors

New endometriosis guidelines lack clarity on referrals and surgery standards, potentially impacting millions of women seeking care.

san.com

I'm going to be honest. This past year has been difficult professionally. The Houston Landing newsroom shut down. Eventually, I landed a new job in FL. Then, about a month into it, I was fired after our staff raised concerns about AI usage. I'm now looking for a new #journalismjob

Some ✨ personal news ✨ as they say: I'm trading one hot climate for another and relocating to Sarasota, FL to join Suncoast Searchlight as the local government watchdog reporter. So excited to join this talented team, be back in FL + closer to family (...and the beach!)

I'm a finalist for the personal narrative category this year for my story that chronicled my struggle to get an endometriosis diagnosis. This story was so deeply personal, I am humbled and so proud to even be an #OJA25 finalist. awards.journalists.org/entries/endo...

Endometriosis Ravaged My Body and Life. Why Did It Take So Long to Get a Diagnosis? - Online Journalism Awards

Read More

awards.journalists.org

Online News Association@journalists.org · 12mo ago

✨ 1,200+ entries. 92 countries. It's our annual reminder of what journalism can achieve. We’re proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Online Journalism Awards, honoring excellence in climate reporting, partnerships, audio and 21 other categories. 🔗 awards.journalists.org/2025/08/22/c...

Amid the devastation following the lethal floods in Kerr County, Texas, there is hope. Thousands from across the country have formed a network to reunite salvaged items with their owners. My dispatch from Texas Hill Country for the @nytimes.com:

The Things Lost in the Flood, and the People on a Mission to Return Them

nytimes.com

I’m gutted. I’m heartbroken. I’m devastated. For Houston, for our community, for the great journalism that won’t get to continue on. I guess I’m open to new journalism jobs now so send me your opportunities.

#ICYMI, here is yesterday's episode of Houston Matters. Myself, and a local endometriosis excision specialist from Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Guan, talked all things endo. Segment starts around 23:20.

Railroad crossing safety (March 31, 2025) | Houston Public Media

On Monday's show: We learn about a bill in the Texas Legislature aimed at improving safety at railroad crossings after the death of a Houston high school student.

houstonpublicmedia.org

McKenna Oxenden@mackoxenden.bsky.social · last yr.

A great way to close out #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth: I’ll be live on @houstonmatters.bsky.social around 9:15 to talk about my latest in the @houstonlanding.bsky.social that details out my journey trying to get an endometriosis diagnosis. Tune in! houstonlanding.org/endometriosi...

A great way to close out #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth: I’ll be live on @houstonmatters.bsky.social around 9:15 to talk about my latest in the @houstonlanding.bsky.social that details out my journey trying to get an endometriosis diagnosis. Tune in! houstonlanding.org/endometriosi...

Brave and powerful story from @mackoxenden.bsky.social : “I sobbed. The pain was never in my head. It was never normal. And now, after years of dismissive doctors and searching for answers, it had a name — endometriosis.” houstonlanding.org/endometriosi...

Endometriosis ravaged my body and life. Why did it take so long to get a diagnosis?

I am one of roughly 182,000 Harris County women living with endometriosis. It takes most women four to 11 years to get a diagnosis.

houstonlanding.org

Endometriosis ravaged my body and life. Why did it take so long to get a diagnosis? An important story from my colleague and friend, @mackoxenden.bsky.social houstonlanding.org/endometriosi...

Endometriosis ravaged my body and life. Why did it take so long to get a diagnosis?

I am one of roughly 182,000 Harris County women living with endometriosis. It takes most women four to 11 years to get a diagnosis.

houstonlanding.org

Three years. Three cities. Seven different doctors. Some misdiagnosed me. Many said my pain was in my head. All of them told me my period pain was normal. Except it was never normal. I had endometriosis and it was ruining my body, even trapping some of my organs together. Here is my story:

Endometriosis ravaged my body and life. Why did it take so long to get a diagnosis?

I am one of roughly 182,000 Harris County women living with endometriosis. It takes most women four to 11 years to get a diagnosis.

houstonlanding.org

New from me: I reviewed 49 cities and counties in the Houston region to see what details are publicly provided and posted when it comes to agenda items for public meetings. The findings? Harris County is among the worst.

Harris County’s routinely long Commissioners Court agendas are often short on details

Of the cities and counties in the Houston area, Harris County is among the worst at providing background information with Commissioners Court agendas.

houstonlanding.org

New @BaltimoreBanner investigation: Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by six massage therapists www.thebaltimorebanner.com/sports/raven...

Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate behavior by six massage therapists

Women say Justin Tucker repeatedly exposed his genitals and, in three instances, apparently left ejaculate on tables after massages.

thebaltimorebanner.com

The impact of Trump's memo on federal grants is already being felt in Houston. Local officials are scrambling. The pause — and potential future elimination of funds — could have far-reaching impacts on the city and county’s operating budgets. houstonlanding.org/houston-harr...

Houston, Harris County scramble to determine effects of Trump pause of federal funds

The pause – and potential future elimination of funds – could have far-reaching impacts on the city and county’s operating budgets.

houstonlanding.org

Several of Harris County’s district and county courts judges gathered Wednesday to celebrate adopting a new policy intended to expand access to interpreters in court rooms. Then, judicial officials said they need millions more to properly enact the policy. houstonlanding.org/harris-count...

Harris County courts adopt plan to add interpreters, but say millions needed to sustain it

The plan calls for increasing the number of interpreters, and training judges and staff on the need for better language access in their courtrooms.

houstonlanding.org

The move comes following scrutiny that began in May over the vendor, DEMA, which was accused of billing the county for the same hours it was working for a county in California. Harris County conducted its own audit, which did not find any issues with its billing. houstonlanding.org/harris-count...

Harris County health dept. to operate 911 call diversion program following vendor scrutiny

The move comes amid scrutiny that began in May after the vendor was accused of billing Harris County for hours it was working for a California county.

houstonlanding.org

After the death of her daughter, Jocelyn, Alexis Nungaray became an unlikely anti-immigration crusader for President-elect Donald Trump and Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaigns. But outside of the spotlight, she mourns alone to keep Jocelyn's memory alive. houstonlanding.org/i-dont-want-...

‘I don’t want her to be forgotten’: The election is over. Alexis Nungaray’s grief remains.

The death of Alexis Nungaray’s 12-year-old daughter set her mother on a political crusade in her memory, often at the expense of her ability to grieve.

houstonlanding.org

Look who has landed on a new platform... Follow our staff with one click to get all your favorite local news for free as always👇🚀 go.bsky.app/88NEjgx

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said her office was continuing to investigate the awarding of a $30 million contract, one day after the former head of the county’s public health department was charged with a felony. houstonlanding.org/former-harri...

Former Harris County health director charged with felony over misuse of contract information

Barbie Robinson is accused of giving information to IBM officials about a potential multi-million-dollar county contract the company later won.

houstonlanding.org

I LOVE MARQUETTE BASKETBALL

👋 giving this thing a try! I cover Harris County for the Houston Landing, with a focus on all things county government. I’m a Maryland native but I love beer, cheese and the Green Bay Packers. Always looking for brewery/food recs and hidden gems in Houston to explore with my pup, Astro.

Today, my office announced a second gas station is paying up after taking advantage of Texans during Hurricane Beryl. This penalty is far greater than what they made profiteering, and I hope this sends a message that we won’t tolerate this in Harris County. houstonlanding.org/houston-area...

Houston-area gas station to pay $50,000 settlement for price gouging during Hurricane Beryl

The settlement is the second reached by the Harris County Attorney’s office over price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Beryl in July.

houstonlanding.org