Judy L. Thomas, 42, is a projects reporter for The Kansas City Star. She joined The Star in 1995 and specialized in covering abortion and right-wing extremist groups before joining the projects desk.

Last year, Thomas won a national Society of Professional Journalists award for nondeadline reporting for her series, "AIDS in the Priesthood.'' She is the co-author of "Wrath of Angels: The American Abortion War,'' which was published by BasicBooks in 1998.

Thomas grew up on a Kansas farm, then became an over-the-road trucker for six years. She later graduated summa cum laude from Kansas State University with a degree in journalism.

Thomas, who previously worked for The Wichita Eagle, is married and has two sons, ages 9 and 4.