Latest Contributions

• How are the top Democratic U.S. Senate candidates in Texas different? We asked them 11 questions to find out.

  by Darla Cameron, Anna Novak and Matthew Watkins Feb. 12, 2020

  To help voters make sense of the U.S. Senate race, we asked the top candidates in the 2020 Democratic primary a series of simple questions designed to help voters understand their political and policy-based differences. Full Story 

  

   Emily Albracht

• TribCast: A special election blowout and checking in on the presidential primary

  by Matthew Watkins and Michael Rey de Leon Jan. 29, 2020

  On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Alex, Cassi and Patrick about the big Republican win in House District 28, growing unrest among grassroots conservatives and the state of the presidential primary in Texas. Full Story 

  

   Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

• Texas politics in 2019: Take a look at the top stories of the year

  by Matthew Watkins Dec. 31, 2019

  The first half of the year was marked by cooperation in the Texas Legislature. The second half was dominated by scandal. All the while, the specter of 2020 loomed. Full Story 

  

   Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune

• 820 new Texas laws go into effect in September. Here are some that might affect you.

  by Matthew Watkins Aug. 29, 2019

  The laws include new rules for smokers, telemarketers and kids selling lemonade. Full Story 

  

   Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• TribCast: The El Paso aftermath and the latest on Dennis Bonnen

  by Matthew Watkins and Michael Rey de Leon Aug. 7, 2019

  In this edition of the TribCast, Matthew talks to Alexa, Patrick and Cassi about the deadly shooting in El Paso, Dennis Bonnen’s trouble in the House and a wave of GOP congressional retirements. Full Story 

  

   Nick Oza/The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERS

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill declaring children's lemonade stands legal

  by Matthew Watkins June 10, 2019

  The bill, which goes into effect Sept. 1, prevents cities and neighborhood associations from prohibiting or regulating children who sell nonalcoholic drinks on private property. Full Story 

  

   Getty Images/iStockphoto

• Judge temporarily blocks enforcement of Texas law banning contractors from boycotting Israel

  by Matthew Watkins April 25, 2019

  The order came in a case brought by a Pflugerville school speech pathologist who was told she could only continue her contract work if she promised not to boycott Israel. Full Story 

  

   Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

• Former University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers has died

  by Matthew Watkins Updated: March 10, 2019

  Powers presided over the university from 2006 to 2015. Full Story 

  

   Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune

• Tornillo tent city for youth migrants is now empty, Texas congressman says

  by Matthew Watkins Jan. 11, 2019

  "This tent city should never have stood in the first place," U.S. Rep. Will Hurd said Friday on Twitter. Full Story 

  

   Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune

• Why is college in Texas getting so expensive?

  by Matthew Watkins Dec. 24, 2018

  Tuition and fees at Texas universities have more than doubled since 2003. There's plenty of blame to go around. Full Story 

  

   Illustration by Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune

• UT-Austin reaches deal for new $338 million basketball arena

  by Matthew Watkins Dec. 20, 2018

  A corporation, Oak View Group LLC, will pay to construct the arena in exchange for future revenue generated at the venue. Full Story 

  

   Image via The University of Texas.

• Apple announces $1 billion expansion in Austin

  by Matthew Watkins Dec. 13, 2018

  The company will reportedly receive as much as $25 million from a state job-creation fund. Full Story 

  

   Apple

• Bill filing for 2019 session begins with legislation on marijuana, taxes and daylight saving time

  by Matthew Watkins Nov. 12, 2018

  The Texas Legislature's 86th session doesn't start until Jan. 8, but lawmakers got a head start on filing legislation Monday. Full Story 

  

   Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

• After SNL mocks his war injury, Texas congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw says he tries hard "not to be offended"

  by Matthew Watkins Nov. 4, 2018

  Crenshaw is running for an open seat in a Houston-area district. His opponent also condemned the joke. Full Story 

  

   Facebook campaign page

• Beto O'Rourke received threatening messages from pipe bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc, his campaign says

  by Matthew Watkins, Emma Platoff and Patrick Svitek Updated: Oct. 31, 2018

  State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, was also told by the FBI that the suspected bomber had researched him. Full Story 

  

   Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune

• Ahead of trip to Texas, Donald Trump uses a new nickname for Ted Cruz: "Beautiful Ted"

  by Matthew Watkins Oct. 22, 2018

  But Trump said he had no regrets suggesting that Cruz's father was involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Full Story 

  

   Joshua Roberts/REUTERS

• Cornyn: Senate SCOTUS vote to be delayed while FBI investigates Kavanaugh

  by Matthew Watkins Updated: Sept. 28, 2018

  U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters in Washington, D.C., that the Senate will delay the full confirmation vote by a week while the FBI investigates allegations of sexual assault against Brett Kavanaugh. Full Story 

  

   Matt McClain/Pool via REUTERS

• 3D-printed gun designer Cody Wilson arrested in Taiwan

  by Matthew Watkins Sept. 21, 2018

  Wilson, an Austin resident, was wanted on a charge of sexual assaulting a teenage girl. Full Story 

  

   Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

• Trump administration reunites "eligible" immigrant children under 5, but lawyers complain about blunders

  by Claire Parker and Matthew Watkins Updated: July 12, 2018

  In one case, lawyers say, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers left a woman alone at a bus stop with her young kids and no bus ticket. In another, ICE officers were unable to affix a mother with an ankle monitor, so they sent her back to detention without her children. Full Story 

  

   Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune

• Ailing former first lady Barbara Bush halts treatment, is seeking "comfort care"

  by Matthew Watkins Updated: April 15, 2018

  Barbara Bush was first lady from 1989 to 1993. Full Story 

  

   Official White House portrait