Matthew Watkins

Editor-in-Chief

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

UT System Wants Campus Carry Drafts by February

By Matthew Watkins Jan. 12, 2016

The University of Texas System expects its 14 schools to submit rules for concealed handguns on their campuses by mid-February to comply with the state's new campus-carry law. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Where Do Private Colleges Stand on Campus Carry?

By Matthew Watkins and Ryan Murphy Jan. 12, 2016

The state's 38 private colleges can opt out of a new state law that will allow concealed handgun license owners to carry guns in buildings on college campuses. No private college has announced plans to allow guns on its grounds. Here is a look at where things stand with each campus. Full Story

Credit: Mike Davis
As Universities Consider Campus Carry, Gun-Free Classrooms Seem Unlikely

By Matthew Watkins Jan. 10, 2016

Texas professors are still fighting to keep their classrooms gun free. But the state's top universities appear to be reaching a consensus that banning guns in classes will soon be illegal. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Texas Tech University President Duane Nellis Stepping Down

By Matthew Watkins Jan. 8, 2016

Texas Tech University President Duane Nellis is resigning, he told announced Friday. His future at the university had been in question since he sought the top job at the University of Wyoming last year. Full Story
Athletic Director is Out at Texas A&M

By Matthew Watkins Jan. 5, 2016

Texas A&M Athletic Director Eric Hyman will leave his post, university officials announced Tuesday, wrapping up a stint during which A&M grew its college sports profile but at times failed to meet expectations on the field. Full Story

Credit: Texas A&M Athletics
Texas Officials Criticize Obama's Executive Order on Gun Purchases

By Matthew Watkins Jan. 5, 2016

Texas' elected leaders lashed out Tuesday at President Obama's executive orders prompting more background checks during gun purchases. But those officials offered no specifics on how they planned to fight Obama's actions. Full Story

Credit: Todd Wiseman
Abbott Nixes Freedom From Religion Tableau

By Matthew Watkins Dec. 22, 2015

A "winter solstice" display by the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been ordered removed from the Texas Capitol after Gov. Greg Abbott called it a "juvenile parody." Full Story

Credit: Courtesy State Rep. Charlie Geren
Paxton: Universities Can't Ban Guns in Dorms

By Matthew Watkins and Kiah Collier Dec. 21, 2015

Texas universities would be violating the state's new campus carry law if they banned guns in dormitories, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a non-binding opinion issued Monday afternoon. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
New Presidents, Old Statues and Guns: The Year in Higher Education

By Matthew Watkins Dec. 20, 2015

College campuses always seem to attract controversy, but in 2015 Texas universities seemed to have more than their normal share. Full Story
SMU Opts Out of Campus Carry

By Matthew Watkins Dec. 18, 2015

Southern Methodist University in Dallas has joined the growing list of private colleges in Texas opting out of the state's new campus carry law. Full Story