Alexander Parker / LJWorld.com

Staff

Alexander Parker (Education Reporter)

Alex Parker is a staff writer at the NewsCenter. He entered journalism following a career in public relations.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., he earned a BA in journalism from Miami University in 2003. He worked for several public relations firms in Chicago, including Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Dome HK and Arment Dietrich, Inc. Though PR provided a creative outlet, Alex realized there was more he could do to serve the community, and turned to journalism.

Alex moved to Lawrence in August 2007 as a graduate student of journalism at Kansas University. In addition to reporting for the NewsCenter and Journal-World, Alex has written for The University Daily Kansan, the High Street Journal, in Oxford, Ohio, the Chi-Town Daily News, in Chicago, and serves as MTV News' Street Team '08 correspondent for Kansas.

As a general assignment reporter, Alex covers a variety of news stories, ranging from community events, breaking news and impromptu celebrations resulting from Jayhawk victories.

For recreation, Alex enjoys cycling, live music and taking trips to Kansas City to see his family and friends.

Recent stories

In Junction City, wars invade classroom: Conflicts in Middle East have lasted most of students’ lives; By Alexander Parker; February 11, 2009; With roughly 16,000 troops stationed at the base, the children of soldiers make up about two-thirds of the Geary County school system, and most of them are used to the idea of war. It is a fact of life for them and their classmates. It’s well understood by teachers and administrators, 35 percent of whom are part of a military family.
Lecompton loomed large in history: Town’s political impact was a ‘national obsession’ in pre-Civil War era; By Alexander Parker; February 2, 2009; Drawing on a smattering of modern political rhetoric, historian Craig Miner illustrated the role Lecompton played in the days leading to the Civil War in a speech at Lecompton’s Constitution Hall on Sunday. The speech, titled “Lecompton: A National Obsession, 1858,” was the second of six events making up the Kansas Historical Society’s 13th annual Bleeding Kansas series.
Warm weather, wind spur grass fires: By Alexander Parker; February 1, 2009; A brush with spring Saturday brought with it a rash of grass fires in Douglas County. The number stood at eight Saturday afternoon, a figure that is more akin to springtime responses. Fire crews from area townships fought the majority of the blazes.
Nature program participants keep eyes out for eagles: By Alexander Parker; January 26, 2009; If Eco Elvis has anything to say about it, children and parents attending Sunday’s Kaw Valley Eagles Day will be boogying to the tune of a cleaner environment. Clad in a shimmering green jumpsuit made from soda can tops and frozen juice lids, Eco Elvis, an environmental evangelist from Kansas City, strummed a guitar and sang tunes like “Viva Las Vegans” and “Compost Hotel.”
Driver flees scene of wreck near Sixth and Iowa streets: Police locate driver in Lebo; By Alexander Parker; 12:52 a.m., January 17, 2009 Updated 11:29 p.m.; A two-vehicle collision sent one woman to Lawrence Memorial Hospital with minor injuries Friday night.
Lawrence man arrested after early-morning chase: By Alexander Parker; 04:02 a.m., January 11, 2009 Updated 12:00 a.m.; A 40-year-old Lawrence man led Lawrence police officers on an early-morning chase that extended past city limits.
Three in custody following K-10 shooting: By Alexander Parker; 11:40 p.m., January 10, 2009 Updated 03:46 p.m.; Three people were taken into custody early Saturday morning following a shooting incident on eastbound Kansas Highway 10, near Eudora.
Two injured in accident at 23rd and Massachusetts: By Alexander Parker; 11:01 p.m., January 10, 2009 Updated 02:33 p.m.; At least two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident at 23rd and Massachusetts streets about 10:15 Saturday night.
Former lawmaker leaves legacy of service: Branson was tireless advocate for health, art concerns; By Alexander Parker; January 5, 2009; Jessie M. Branson, who spearheaded child passenger safety restraint laws in the Kansas Legislature and advocated for people with mental disabilities, died Saturday of natural causes at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. She was 88.
Depot getting back on track to handle more rail travelers: By Alexander Parker; January 5, 2009; Before the days of jumbo jets and turnpikes there was rail travel, an American staple since the 1830s. Today, it’s almost a quaint reminder of a bygone era. But the spiffed-up Burlington Northern Santa Fe depot in east Lawrence is reminding travelers that rail travel is still here, and it may be gaining, um, steam.

Full story list

Recent photos

Junction City schools by the numbers

Craig Miner, a professor of history at Wichita State University, takes questions following a talk at Lecompton’s Constitution Hall on Sunday. Miner said the national media had an obsession with Lecompton in the 1850s, a time when the debate over slavery bitterly divided the country and the Kansas Territory.

Craig Miner, a professor of history at Wichita State University, takes questions following a talk at Lecompton's Constitution Hall on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009. He said the national media had an obsession with Lecompton in the 1850s, a time when the debate over slavery bitterly divided the country and the Kansas territory.

Deployment clubs at Junction City schools help students cope with their parents' service abroad.

Kirk Gullickson, a caretaker of the Lawrence train depot, watches the 12:32 a.m. Southwest Chief Amtrak train depart. Depot Redux, a local volunteer group working to refurbish the station, hired Gullickson and another caretaker to greet rail passengers.

Full photo list