In this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and James about the politics and the policy surrounding the lieutenant governor’s push to reconvene the Legislature in June.
Matthew Watkins
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.
TribCast: Texas schools will no longer require masks
In this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with Patrick, Karen and James about Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest mask order and where the big bills stand in the final weeks of the legislative session.
Prospects for many Texas House bills dim if they’re not passed today. Here’s what you need to know.
By midnight Friday, House members have to grant preliminary approval to many bills originated in the lower chamber. There’s likely not enough time to get to them all. But there are ways to revive measures so they still become law.
TribCast: A Texas legislative session dominated by conservative issues
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Alexa, Cassi and Patrick about proposals in the Legislature to add new restrictions on voting and to allow the permitless carry of handguns.
TribCast: Weighing whether the Legislature will expand Medicaid and if voters would elect Matthew McConaughey
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Cassi, Karen and Patrick about efforts to expand Medicaid in Texas, the state of permitless carry in the Senate and what a recent poll had to say about Matthew McConaughey’s chances of becoming governor.
TribCast: ERCOT still struggles to meet electricity demand nearly two months after catastrophic outages
On this week’s Tribcast, Matthew talks to Cassi, Jolie and Mitchell about the condition of the Texas power grid and legislation related to policing.
TribCast: Texas rushes to get more residents vaccinated
On this week’s Tribcast, Matthew talks to Karen, Patrick and Ross about the race to reach herd immunity in Texas and the early maneuverings in the 2022 election cycle.
TribCast: Texas Legislature considers voting restrictions
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Alexa, Patrick and Kate about proposed new restrictions on voting being considered in the Texas Legislature and more news on “The Eyes of Texas.”
TribCast: Texas to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Karen and Julián about the state’s plan to expand vaccine eligibility starting Monday and the increase in apprehensions at the border.
TribCast: Lawmakers look to limit Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency powers as Texas’ mask order is lifted
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Ross, Cassi and Kate about the Texas Legislature’s move to limit Gov. Greg Abbott’s power during a pandemic. They also discuss the University of Texas at Austin’s report on “The Eyes of Texas.”



