Alex Parker, a Kansas University journalism graduate student and part-time reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World, has been selected by MTV to be part of a new election coverage team.

Parker, 27, will be the Kansas representative of “Street Team ’08,” a group of 51 citizen journalists who will report on national and local races and issues leading up to next year’s elections.

“I feel like there is so much opportunity to tell important stories and help people out,” Parker said.

Team members will contribute weekly reports in numerous formats, such as videos, blogs, animation, photos and podcasts.

The reports will be distributed to The Associated Press Online Video Network, Think.MTV.com and other platforms.

“Recent MTV research shows young people believe their generation will be a major force in determining who is elected in the upcoming local and national elections,” said Ian Rowe, vice president of public affairs and Strategic Partnership, MTV.

“Street Team ’08 will be a key way for our audience to connect with peers, as well as get informed and engaged on the local and political issues that matter to them most,” Rowe said.

The “Street Team ’08” program was made possible by a $700,000 grant from the Knight Foundation, according to a news release from MTV.

Parker, originally from Kansas City, Mo., said he hopes to tell stories from across Kansas. He said there is national interest in political news from Kansas because of its seeming contradictions, such as being a traditional bastion of Republicanism while electing a Democratic governor.

He invited people to visit his Web site at think.mtv.com/AlexParker/.

He said the “Street Team ’08” program is an example of new ways to cover the news.

“The news isn’t necessarily in the hands of only reporters. People who aren’t professional journalists are going out and talking to people. It’s an opportunity to add to the conversation,” he said.