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I was born and raised in Edwardsville, IL, a suburb of St. Louis. I attended my first Cardinals game when I was two. I had the entire 1988 starting line-up for the team memorized. I was three.
My high school mentor told me I should be a politician. My college friends said I should be a stand-up comedian. My mother told me to go into journalism. Note to readers: Mothers are always right.
I jetted from southern Illinois to Chicago to attend Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. I graduated with a BSJ in 2007. Yes, I went to a Big 10 school. No, I will not remove my purple hat with a large “N” on it. I may be a KU basketball convert, but those NU Wildcats are my football boys until the end.
NU not only prepared me for the rigors of life as a journalist, but also got me ready to survive any winter…anywhere. Kansas winters are nothing compared to life just a half mile from Lake Michigan.
If I had to listen to one band the rest of my life, it would be The Eagles.
Dexter and Mad Men are the best shows on television, but I also digest my fair share of heinous reality TV.
I have two cats: Kinko and Kisa. They share a water fountain and a jungle gym. I wish I was kidding.
My favorite part of my job is that everyone has a story and I love hearing them. Send me tips on anything related to K-12 education at lslater@ljworld.com. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter. (And if you want to follow me as a person, that's here.)
Recent Stories
Local elementary students get visit from Jayhawk basketball players
Advice on healthy eating teamed with exercise, autograph session
Several members of the Kansas University men’s basketball team — junior center Cole Aldrich, senior guard Mario Little and sophomore guard Jordan Juenemann — dropped in on physical education classes at Sunset Hill School to make sure the students understand that healthy eating and exercise make for a great game plan.
Golden Gophers burrowed throughout Jayhawk staff
Minnesota, KU football teams facing off
The Insight Bowl pits the Kansas University Jayhawks against the Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota, but local ties to the Twin Cities run deeper than a football game.Some Minnesota alumni are even teaching Jayhawks.
Man of all trades: Lawrence film standout — and former KU football player — takes act to classroom
George Clooney, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Free State High special education students have at least one thing in common: They’ve all worked with Keith Loneker. Loneker, 37, has made security rounds at Lawrence High, played librarian for a day at an elementary school and now is a substitute at Free State.
KU health and fitness day gives kids chance to see college basketball
Tuesday was the first time that KU planned a health and fitness day with such a large group. Students in third through sixth grades from all of the city’s 15 elementary schools cheered on the Jayhawks and learned a thing or two about what it means to be a student athlete.
Jayhawks return to kindergarten for a good cause
The kindergarten class at Hillcrest School got three big surprises yesterday, and they were all more than 6 feet tall.
Students walk the walk with KU athletes
New York School pupils learning value of exercise
Some New York School students got moving Monday with the help of Kansas University athletes.
6News video: KU fans get back to reality
KU holds the title to two championships this year: the NCAA basketball tournament and the Orange Bowl. But what do fans do now? 6News reporter Lindsey Slater has more.
Final Four revelry expressed through littering, T-shirt sales
It looked like a frat house exploded. That’s one way to describe the mess of beer cups, beer cans, beer bottles and anything else beer-related you can think of on Massachusetts Street following Kansas University’s basketball victory Sunday evening that sent the Jayhawks to the Final Four.
6News video: Fans seek Final Four gear
From official NCAA apparel to shirts that bring a little humor to the game, 6News reporter Lindsey Slater found that Jayhawk fans are looking to suit up in full support of their team.
6News video: KU fans find ways to watch the ‘Hawks
Some KU fans saw the first round win in Omaha - others had to watch it right here in Lawrence - even though they may have had other obligations.