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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.
University of Texas at Austin President Greg Fenves announced Thursday that he has convened a group of students, faculty and staff to recommend policies for the school to comply with a new state law that will allow the concealed carrying of gun on college campuses. Full Story
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The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a new admissions policy for its 10 universities Thursday, mandating strict guidelines for how and when letters of recommendation are considered. Full Story
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In his first public statement since being arrested on charges of securities fraud, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in an e-mail Tuesday that he expects "to be fully vindicated of these charges." Full Story
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Lawmakers have pumped millions into financial aid for low-income residents and are phasing out programs with less strict income requirements. Is the middle class is being left out? This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Also, Susan Combs finds new life for one of her school efficiency projects and a former Harris County GOP Chair organizes a speaking tour on "key issues threatening Christian values." Full Story
Texas A&M is partnering with an Irving company and a nonprofit corporation to add 3,400 beds' worth of housing near campus. School officials estimate it could generate hundreds of millions of dollars. Full Story
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Across Texas, tens of thousands of students have earned enough college credit for an associate degree without knowing it. A new project led by the University of Texas at Austin hopes to track them down. Full Story
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With an eye on keeping up with demographic changes and competing with other states and countries, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has adopted a new goal: Get 60 percent of Texans between 25 and 34 a postsecondary degree by 2030. Full Story
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The University of Texas System, seeking to dismiss a lawsuit from Regent Wallace Hall against Chancellor William McRaven, says in a court filing that Hall is, in short, suing McRaven "for refusing to violate federal and state privacy laws." Full Story
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As Waller County authorities vowed on Friday to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged at the county jail, the Texas Department of Public Safety moved forward on a separate inquiry into how arrest procedures were violated in the case. Full Story
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