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Christine Metz (SunflowerHorizons.com reporter)

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I am a special projects reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World. Since coming to Kansas in March 2007, I’ve worked on projects that ranged from tracking hundreds of sexual assaults in Lawrence to covering the state’s emerging wind industry.

On Saturdays I am a general assignment reporter, which means you can find me around town reporting on parades, animal shows and breaking news. So, if you have anything fun happening that day of the week, let me know.

I grew up in central Pennsylvania where I made my journalism debut in second grade. I wrote a Thanksgiving short story (as in three paragraphs) on Tom Turkey that was published in our small town newspaper. It’s my only newspaper clipping that is laminated.

I still haven’t gotten over the rush of seeing my name in print. After high school, I went to Lehigh University and graduated with degrees in journalism and economics.

My first newspaper job was in Steamboat Springs, Colo., where I covered everything from high school football to ski town politics. Later I moved to Bend, Ore., to work as a city hall reporter for the The Bulletin.

So far, my journalism career has sent me up a hot air balloon, to the middle of a burning house and on the trail of a tornado. But even better, it is a job that gives me the chance to meet people from all walks of life who have amazing stories to share.

When not in the office, I am usually outdoors running or biking. And, when the stars are aligned and Kansas is graced with enough snow, you might even catch me cross-country skiing.

Recent stories

KU’s business dean offers 10 tips to freshmen
By Christine Metz
August 19, 2012
As dean of the Kansas University School of Business, Neeli Bendapudi is well-versed in the art of offering advice to college students. But at last spring’s annual Lawrence Journal-World Academic All-Stars luncheon, Bendapudi addressed a slightly younger crowd, gifted high school seniors. As they prepared to go to college, Bendapudi shared words of wisdom that she believed would serve them well in their first year of college.
Programs aim to plug brain drain
By Christine Metz
June 10, 2012
On a sunny afternoon, children were inside throwing pieces of felt in the air, gluing abstract cutout shapes to paper and designing nature collages with leaves, branches and twigs. As the group of 5- and 6-year-olds was learning about famous modern artists at the Lawrence Public Library, they also were practicing the skills they had spent the previous nine months acquiring in school.
LHS students cram for prestigious speech and debate tournament
By Christine Metz
June 7, 2012
School might be out, but five Lawrence High School students expect to face one of their biggest academic challenges of the year as they head to the National Speech and Debate Tournament this weekend.
Lawrence High School sending its top debate team to national tournament
By Christine Metz
June 5, 2012
School might be out, but five Lawrence High School students expect to face one of their biggest academic challenges of the year as they head to the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Indianapolis.
New principal of middle school named
By Christine Metz
June 2, 2012
West Middle School assistant principal Jeff Harkin has been named the new principal of Liberty Memorial Central Middle School.
More county races to be contested than usual
By Christine Metz
June 2, 2012
In a reversal of recent trends, the majority of contested races in Douglas County this year will be at the township level. Friday was the filing deadline for township and county positions.
Educator heading to Hall of Fame
By Christine Metz
June 1, 2012
A Lawrence educator who started her career teaching students to use manual typewriters and went on to oversee the first junior high computer lab in the district is being inducted today in the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame. Brilla Highfill Scott, who taught business classes at Lawrence High School and was principal at West Middle School, is one of nine teachers being honored in Dodge City today.
Local student undone by ‘Schwyzer’ in national bee
By Christine Metz
May 31, 2012
In the end it was a large brown cow from Switzerland that halted local eighth-grader Emma Steimle’s incredible run in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. To be more specific, in the fifth round of the national competition with fewer than 50 contestants left, Emma was stumped by Schwyzer, a word of Swiss and German origin defining a large brown milk cow.
County clerk files for re-election
By Christine Metz
May 31, 2012
Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew is seeking a third term in office.
Douglas County Commission gives OK to spray Lone Star Lake with herbicides
By Christine Metz
May 30, 2012
To stop an invasive plant from taking over Lone Star Lake, the Douglas County Commission has agreed to spray the water with herbicides.

Full story list

Recent photos

Irelyn Vail, 3: “She is silly.”

Julietta Otter, 5: “She gives me ice cream.”

Bryce Fredendall, 4: “She fixes dinner.”

Mackenzi Downing, 5: “She lets me roller skate in the house.”

Avery Sloyer, 5: “She listens to Justin Bieber with me.”

Full photo list

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