McKenna Oxenden

You want me in your newsroom.

I have an innate ability to get people to open up and earn their trust. I notice details that many don't pick up on. I also have a really, really cute dog who loves newsrooms.

DM, carrier pigeon or email: moxend24 (at) gmail (dot) com

Does Congress need a retirement age? Houston is the testing ground This weekend's special election in Houston could give insight into how voters view an aging Congress and whether it needs term or age limits.

I'm able to take my local knowledge and write for a national audience.

That's exactly what I did in my most recent freelance piece for Straight Arrow News. san.com/cc/does-cong...

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

I aim to tell stories that put people at the center and are so descriptive, it feels like you're being transported to that place. One of my favorites that I've worked on like that, was with the NYT after the devastating Texas floods. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/u...

I also have a proven track record of accountability reporting. During my time in Houston, I uncovered Harris County regularly provided interpreters for criminal cases but rarely for civil cases.

Funding ended up being boosted by $725K after my story. www.houstonlanding.org/interpreter-...

I've covered nearly every beat there is. Ideally, I'd love to cover — particularly women's health and/or reproductive health. My desire to focus on that area is driven by my own lived experience. www.houstonlanding.org/endometriosi...

I've been in journalism for nearly a decade, working in top newsrooms across the country — including the NYT.

I'm open to almost any full time role, in any place. I'm just eager to get back to telling stories in a newsroom that will value my storytelling expertise.

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...

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

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:

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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...

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.

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 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.

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...

‘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.

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-...

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

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

flattered and honored for my story to be your first bsky post