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Abby Church on Muck Rack

Abby Church

Verified
Houston
As seen in: Houston Chronicle, MSN, Yahoo Canada, Yahoo News, Michigan Journal of Gender & Law, Chron, The Seattle Times, Yahoo Sports Canada, Yahoo, Austin American-Statesman, WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) and
Covers:  Local news, education, features
covering city hall @houstonchron. as seen in @startelegram. @jmu grad. cooking something!! 📧 abby.church@houstonchronicle.com

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Abby Church’s Biography

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I'm an award-winning journalist with a particular interest in long-form projects and narratives.

At James Madison University, I was involved in its independent student newspaper, The Breeze, all four years starting as a reporter and ending my time as Editor-in-Chief. Additionally, I was the top editor for Curio Magazine through the school of Media Arts & Design for a semester and a radio talkshow host at WXJM.

Currently, I'm a freelance journalist at the Virginia Gazette and Virginia Reports. I…

Abby Church’s Journalist Portfolio

Abby Church

Abby Church

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Articles

Houston politicians react to minority business program being ruled unconstitutional by federal court

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By Abby Church Verified, Ryan Nickerson Verified, Sam Kelly Verified
| Houston Chronicle Verified
A federal judge has ruled Houston's minority business contracting program unconstitutional, declaring city officials will no longer be able to take race into consideration in the awarding of city contracts. The Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise program is designed to even the playing field for these businesses. Houston since 1984 has set goals to give certain percentages of various types of city contracts to certified small businesses and those owned by women and minorities.
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Houston's minority business program was ruled unconstitutional. Here's what to know.

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By Abby Church Verified
| Houston Chronicle Verified
Houston City Hall, photographed in March 2025. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A federal judge on Tuesday ruled Houston’s minority business contracting program unconstitutional, saying the city could no longer consider race in awarding contracts. Here’s what to know about the issue. Get Digital Access and Stay Informed With Trusted Local News. Get Digital Access and Stay Informed With Trusted Local News.
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Houston’s minority business contracting program unconstitutional, district court judge rules

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By Abby Church Verified
| Houston Chronicle Verified
Houston City Hall, photographed in April 2026. Sharon Steinmann/Houston Chronicle A federal judge has ruled Houston’s minority-owned business contracting program unconstitutional and blocked the city from “using racial preferences” in awarding public contracts as affirmative action programs come under fire nationwide.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

I was a culture reporter at my college newspaper.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

YES and it was SO GOOD.

Who's your favorite fictional journalist?

Summer Hartley from "Definitely, Maybe"

Awards

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2019 - Finalist, Nonfiction Magazine Story

Finalist in the Mark of Excellence awards for my story "Vibrant light."

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2019 - 1st Place, Nonfiction Magazine Story — Region 2

Won best nonfiction magazine story for "Vibrant light," originally published in Curio Magazine.

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Virginia Press Association Award

2019 - 1st Place, Feature Profile Writing

Won for "Vibrant light."

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Virginia Press Association Award

2017 - 3rd Place, Feature Writing

Won for a story I wrote on a JMU student who came forward to tell the story of her sexual assault.

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