How a fraction of voters decide who runs Texas
In Texas, who’ll run the state is usually decided in the primary. Because of gerrymandering and noncompetitive elections, few people participate. Full Story
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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.
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Donald Trump says Greg Abbott is “absolutely” on vice president short list
On Friday, Abbott told reporters that he wants to stay in Texas and plans to run for reelection for governor. Full Story
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![Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump walks next to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as Trump visits the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, TX on Feb. 29, 2024.]()
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T-Squared: We the Texans
In 2024, we’ll be throwing the weight of The Texas Tribune behind listening closely to Texans about their lives and communities and how they engage in public life. Full Story
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Looking back at some of the best Texas Tribune reads of 2023
Our journalists brought life to the experiences of everyday Texans, held powerful institutions accountable and surfaced stories that went beyond the daily news cycles. Full Story
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TribCast: Big changes in Houston ISD after state takeover
In this week’s episode, we discuss the changes at Houston ISD after a state takeover in June. Full Story
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![Students at Houston’s Northside High School hold up signs in protest of the state takeover of HISD on April 6, 2023.]()
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TribCast: Turmoil at Texas A&M
In this week’s episode, we discuss two cases at Texas A&M University that raised questions of academic freedom — and the fallout that ensued. Full Story
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![Texas A&M University's Academic Plaza on Nov. 15, 2022.]()
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TribCast: Texas’ tough border security tactics under scrutiny
In this week’s episode, we discuss the half-million people booted from Texas’ Medicaid rolls and the state’s deployment of razor wire and buoys along the border in Eagle Pass. Full Story
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![State law enforcement officers stand guard as workers construct a string of buoys which is being deployed to prevent migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass on July 14, 2023.]()
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TribCast: Texas lawmakers approve property tax cuts after 7 months of trying
In this week’s episode, we discuss the winners and losers — politically and financially — after lawmakers approved an $18 billion tax cut bill. Full Story
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![A home in East Austin in 2017.]()
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TribCast: How will Texas universities maintain diversity without considering race in admissions?
In this week’s two-topic TribCast, we discuss the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the consideration of race in college admissions and the dangerous heat inside Texas prisons this summer. Full Story
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![UT Austin students respond to the Young Conservatives of Texas critiquing affirmative action policies on Oct. 26,
2016. The Young Conservatives were met with criticism, which resulted in a protest and several intense conversations among students.]()
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TribCast: The rise of renewable energy in Texas
In this week’s episode, energy expert Doug Lewin discusses how wind and solar power are supplying an increasing amount of power in Texas whether state leaders like it or not. Full Story
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![Crews build a solar panel farm outside of El Campo on Monday, April 3, 2023.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune