Texas politics in 2019: Take a look at the top stories of the year
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43b9ca602b19e86ff2e2ac82b2fc6193/State%20Capitol%20JF%20TT%2001.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Matthew-Watkins-2024.png)
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. Matthew is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended public schools and graduated from Texas A&M University. He’s spent nearly two decades in Texas journalism, and previously worked at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined the Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. As a managing editor, Matthew has guided the Tribune’s award-winning journalism and other reporting of statewide significance, including coverage of elections and legislative sessions to major breaking news and ambitious storytelling about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Texas-Mexico border, the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, the impeachment of Texas attorney general and battles over public education. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Latest Contributions
-
![The Texas State Capitol on May 22, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
820 new Texas laws go into effect in September. Here are some that might affect you.
The laws include new rules for smokers, telemarketers and kids selling lemonade. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/868c9f53a8997f09d1fdc986c1261b6e/02_State_Capitol_Detail_Shots_MG.jpg)
![Texas State Capitol on Jan. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The El Paso aftermath and the latest on Dennis Bonnen
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/66b721c77bb9b350bf4f0f23a57f4fa6/TribCast%208_7_19%20REUTERS.jpg)
![Hundreds lay flowers and candles at a shrine outside the Walmart in El Paso on August 6th, 2019.]()
Credit: Nick Oza/The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERS -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill declaring children's lemonade stands legal
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c724f24c2c9716115a7cd8c111cdef9e/Lemonade%20Stand%20IS.jpg)
![Focus on sign at lemonade stand. A lemon, strawberry and pile of red plastic cups in foreground. Out of focus girl in background.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto -
Judge temporarily blocks enforcement of Texas law banning contractors from boycotting Israel
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23b26b1b3b278fa16a32a78e391bd7a3/Amawi_Bahia2_CAIR_BD_TT.jpg)
![The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announces the filing of a lawsuit against Texas' "No Boycott of Israel" law, on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018 in Austin. Speaking at the press conference is plaintiff Bahia Amawi, a teacher in the Pflugerville Independent School District who was forced to sign a pledge against her beliefs in order to get paid. She later quit her job as a speech therapist in the district.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Former University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers has died
Powers presided over the university from 2006 to 2015. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/551484881673f917484b2aae8075a0be/Bill_Powers_MG.jpg)
![Former University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers, who died Sunday, in 2011.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
Tornillo tent city for youth migrants is now empty, Texas congressman says
"This tent city should never have stood in the first place," U.S. Rep. Will Hurd said Friday on Twitter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e1ecd4568cd89e877a34bf690b64821b/Tornillo_aerial_Sept_20_1_IPA_TT.jpg)
![Aerial view of the tent city at the Marcelino Serna Port of Entry in Tornillo on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. The shelter opened in June and has grown approximately 10 times in size, compared to file photos. Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Why is college in Texas getting so expensive?
Tuition and fees at Texas universities have more than doubled since 2003. There's plenty of blame to go around. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/03/GradCosts-5.jpg)
![Tuition costs are rising in Texas as per-student state funding for higher education shrinks.]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / The Texas Tribune -
UT-Austin reaches deal for new $338 million basketball arena
A corporation, Oak View Group LLC, will pay to construct the arena in exchange for future revenue generated at the venue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/450cd2bdc622107150a268f448a1ac5d/UT_Austin_Basketball_Arena_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Image via The University of Texas. -
Apple announces $1 billion expansion in Austin
The company will reportedly receive as much as $25 million from a state job-creation fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/78a38210d456468762ddf42742275077/Apple-build-new-campus-in-Austin-and-jobs-in-us-outside-Austin-campus-12132018.jpg)
![Apple's existing campus in Austin. The tech giant announced a $1 billion expansion Thursday.]()
Credit: Apple