In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James, Patrick and Joshua about COVID-19 overwhelming hospitals again and efforts to restore a quorum in the Texas House.
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Texas judges temporarily allow officials in Bexar and Dallas counties to issue mask mandates, despite Gov. Greg Abbottโs ban
The rulings came in two separate lawsuits. A Bexar County health official quickly required masks in public schools. And Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins may soon issue a mandate.
TribCast: The Texas Legislatureโs first special session of 2021 ends Friday. What happens next?
In this weekโs episode, Matthew speaks with Cassi, Jolie and Patrick about the law enforcement presence at the border and Democratsโ and Republicansโ next moves as the special session wraps up.
TribCast: Coronavirus cases climb in Texas, and realignment rocks college sports
In this weekโs episode, Matthew speaks with Karen, Ross and Heidi about the rising COVID-19 case numbers in Texas and conference realignment in college sports.
Lawmakers concerned about UT leaving Big 12 conference make their case to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office
Four prominent lawmakers โ one each with ties to Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University โ met with Gov. Greg Abbottโs staff Thursday, one day after news broke that the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma had reached out to the Southeastern Conference about joining.
TribCast: Texas Democrats blow up the special legislative session
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Alexa, Cassi and James about Democrats fleeing the state to fight new voting restrictions.
TribCast: Donald Trump and Greg Abbott visit the U.S-Mexico border
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Reese about the politics surrounding Donald Trump’s trip to Texas and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on student learning.
TribCast: Looking ahead to the Texas Legislature’s special session
In this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with James, Cassi and Isabella about lawmakers’ planned return to the Capitol in July, Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive powers and the fight over critical race theory.
TribCast: Assessing Texas’ power grid and its plans to build a border wall
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with James, Alexa and Erin about Gov. Greg Abbott’s border wall plans, the state power grid and Democrats pushing for voting legislation in Washington.
TribCast: Will Texas build its own border wall?
In this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and James about Gov. Greg Abbott’s border wall idea, the politics of South Texas and the GOP statewide ticket in 2022.





