Briles Fired, Starr Reassigned in Baylor Shakeup
Baylor University has fired head football coach Art Briles and removed Ken Starr from his post as president in the wake of an investigation into sexual assault allegations on campus. 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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![Baylor Head Football Coach Art Briles and Baylor President Ken Starr.]()
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Two Texas House Committee Chairmen Fall in GOP Runoffs
Two committee chairmen from the Texas House of Representatives were defeated in Tuesday's Republican primary runoffs, dealing a small victory to anti-establishment conservatives frustrated with the leadership of the lower chamber. Full Story
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![The House of Representatives on May 14, 2015.]()
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Amid Reports of Starr's Firing, Baylor Says Expect Announcement Soon
Amid reports that Baylor University President Kenneth Starr was fired this morning over the university's handling of sexual assault allegations against football players, university officials said the results of an internal inquiry are forthcoming. Full Story
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![Baylor University Chancellor and President Ken Starr during a Texas Tribune Higher Education Symposium in Waco.]()
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A&M, UT Will Vie to Co-Manage Sandia National Laboratory
Texas’ two biggest university systems are teaming up to try to win a massive federal contract to manage the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, one of three labs in the country that maintain the nation’s nuclear arsenal. Full Story
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5 Things to Watch For in the Primary Runoffs
Tuesday's primary runoffs will determine the party nominees for key seats in the Texas Legislature, on the Texas Railroad Commission and on the State Board of Education. Here are five things to watch for on election night. Full Story
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![Travis County voters cast ballots at Travis County Tax Office on Feb. 25, 2016.]()
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Abbott: "I Would Like to See" Top 10 Percent Rule Change
Gov. Greg Abbott has called for a tweaking the state's controversial Top 10 Percent Rule for college admissions, another sign that the highly controversial law could be at risk when the Texas Legislature convenes in 2017. Full Story
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![Abbott shows his allegiance to the University of Texas as the Longhorn Band passes by in the inaugural parade.]()
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Texas Judge on Trump's List of Potential Supreme Court Candidates
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett has made Donald Trump’s 11-person list of judges the real estate mogul would consider appointing to the U.S. Supreme Court if elected president. Full Story
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![Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, left, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 20, 2014.]()
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University of North Texas Eyes Sponsoring Dallas Cowboys
The University of North Texas is exploring becoming an exclusive higher education partner with the Dallas Cowboys football team, an unusual deal that could include sponsorship opportunities and student internships. Full Story
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UT System Regents Considering Changes to Campus Carry Rules
Members of the University of Texas System Board of Regents expressed concern about their schools’ proposed rules for handguns on campus and signaled plans to attempt to change some of those policies before they go into effect on Aug 1. Full Story
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![On Nov. 10, 2015, University of Texas at Austin faculty and students protested the new campus carry law that will allow concealed handgun license holders to carry handguns into campus buildings.]()
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After Primary Night Surprise, State Rep Tries to Fend Off Challenger
State Rep. Wayne Smith, R-Baytown, wasn't viewed as a particularly vulnerable incumbent in the March primary. But he barely eked into a runoff with 31-year-old attorney Briscoe Cain. Full Story
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![State Rep. Wayne Smith, R-Baytown, faced off with lawyer Briscoe Cain in the May 2016 GOP primary runoff for House District 128.]()