TribCast: A preview of redistricting in the Texas Legislature
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Ross, Alexa and James about the coming legislative session and legal fights over redistricting in Texas. Full Story
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Matthew Watkins
Managing Editor of News and Politics
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Matthew Watkins is the managing editor of news and politics for The Texas Tribune. Before becoming an editor, he worked as a reporter at the Tribune, The Dallas Morning News and The Eagle in Bryan-College Station. He earned his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University.
Latest Contributions
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![Legislators talk on the House floor on July 29, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Legal fights continue over Texas' new abortion law
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Allyson, Patrick and Reese about the court battles over Texas' abortion law and Abbott's call for a third special session. Full Story
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![Human rights activist Patty Harlan leads a chant during a protest and march against Senate Bill 8, Texas' new law prohibitin…]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A new law banning most abortions in Texas takes effect
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Neelam and James about the state's new abortion law and the final days of the special session of the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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![The waiting room at Whole Women’s Health of Austin sits empty on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. Senate Bill 8, a law banning near…]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The election restrictions bill passed the Texas House. What’s next?
In this week’s episode, Matthew, Alexa and Cassi look back at months of political fights after the elections bill made it out of the Texas House. Full Story
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![Voters cast their ballots at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center near downtown Houston on Oct. 22, 2018.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: How much worse will Texas’ current COVID-19 wave get?
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Karen, Cassi and James about whether the this pandemic wave will turn out to be Texas’ worst and why no Democrats have been arrested since their warrants were signed last week. Full Story
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![A nurse administers an antibody treatment to a COVID-19 patient at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton on Aug. 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Local officials defy Gov. Greg Abbott on mask orders as COVID-19 rages
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with James, Patrick and Joshua about COVID-19 overwhelming hospitals again and efforts to restore a quorum in the Texas House. Full Story
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![A nurse dons full PPE before entering the room of a COVID-19 patient at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton on Aug. 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas judges temporarily allow officials in Bexar and Dallas counties to issue mask mandates, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban
The rulings came in two separate lawsuits. A Bexar County health official quickly required masks in public schools. And Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins may soon issue a mandate. Full Story
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![Desks are spaced out in a classroom at Ott Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in San Antonio. The arrows on the flo…]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The Texas Legislature’s first special session of 2021 ends Friday. What happens next?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Cassi, Jolie and Patrick about the law enforcement presence at the border and Democrats’ and Republicans’ next moves as the special session wraps up. Full Story
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![Legislators on the House floor in Austin watch as Texas Democrats in Washington testify before a House Oversight and Reform …]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Coronavirus cases climb in Texas, and realignment rocks college sports
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Karen, Ross and Heidi about the rising COVID-19 case numbers in Texas and conference realignment in college sports. Full Story
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![Texas defensive lineman Malcolm Roach celebrates during a game against Utah at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. …]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Daily Texan -
Lawmakers concerned about UT leaving Big 12 conference make their case to Gov. Greg Abbott's office
Four prominent lawmakers — one each with ties to Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University — met with Gov. Greg Abbott’s staff Thursday, one day after news broke that the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma had reached out to the Southeastern Conference about joining. Full Story
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![Texas running back Keaontay Ingram runs the ball against Louisiana Tech at a game in Austin on Aug. 31, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Daily Texan -
TribCast: Texas Democrats blow up the special legislative session
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Alexa, Cassi and James about Democrats fleeing the state to fight new voting restrictions. Full Story
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![Texas House Democrats hold a press conference at Dulles airport in Virginia after breaking quorum and leaving Texas on July …]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Donald Trump and Greg Abbott visit the U.S-Mexico border
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Reese about the politics surrounding Donald Trump's trip to Texas and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on student learning. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump during a border security briefing in Weslaco on June 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images via POOL -
TribCast: Looking ahead to the Texas Legislature's special session
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with James, Cassi and Isabella about lawmakers' planned return to the Capitol in July, Gov. Greg Abbott's executive powers and the fight over critical race theory. Full Story
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![Gov. Abbott speaks with lawmakers on the house floor during the legislative session on May 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Assessing Texas' power grid and its plans to build a border wall
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with James, Alexa and Erin about Gov. Greg Abbott's border wall plans, the state power grid and Democrats pushing for voting legislation in Washington. Full Story
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Will Texas build its own border wall?
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and James about Gov. Greg Abbott's border wall idea, the politics of South Texas and the GOP statewide ticket in 2022. Full Story
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![A section of border fence in Donna on June 27, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Democrats defeat the Texas voting bill — for now
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with James, Patrick and Alexa about the wild end to the legislative session and the future of proposed voting restrictions in Texas. Full Story
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![State Rep. Jessica González, D-Dallas, speaks at a press conference at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near the state Capitol in Aus…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Will Dan Patrick force a special session of the Texas Legislature?
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and James about the politics and the policy surrounding the lieutenant governor's push to reconvene the Legislature in June. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to reporters at a press conference from the State Capitol on Thursday, March 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas schools will no longer require masks
In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Patrick, Karen and James about Gov. Greg Abbott's latest mask order and where the big bills stand in the final weeks of the legislative session. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with local leaders in El Paso on August 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Prospects for many Texas House bills dim if they’re not passed today. Here’s what you need to know.
By midnight Friday, House members have to grant preliminary approval to many bills originated in the lower chamber. There's likely not enough time to get to them all. But there are ways to revive measures so they still become law. Full Story
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![The House Floor on May 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A Texas legislative session dominated by conservative issues
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Alexa, Cassi and Patrick about proposals in the Legislature to add new restrictions on voting and to allow the permitless carry of handguns. Full Story
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![State Rep, Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, speaks in support on Senate Bill 7 on the House floor on May 7, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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