To help voters make sense of the U.S. Senate race, we asked the top candidates in the 2020 Democratic primary a series of simple questions designed to help voters understand their political and policy-based differences.
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.
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TribCast
TribCast: A special election blowout and checking in on the presidential primary
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Alex, Cassi and Patrick about the big Republican win in House District 28, growing unrest among grassroots conservatives and the state of the presidential primary in Texas.
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Politics
Texas politics in 2019: Take a look at the top stories of the year
The first half of the year was marked by cooperation in the Texas Legislature. The second half was dominated by scandal. All the while, the specter of 2020 loomed.
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New Texas Laws 2019
820 new Texas laws go into effect in September. Here are some that might affect you.
The laws include new rules for smokers, telemarketers and kids selling lemonade.
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TribCast
TribCast: The El Paso aftermath and the latest on Dennis Bonnen
In this edition of the TribCast, Matthew talks to Alexa, Patrick and Cassi about the deadly shooting in El Paso, Dennis Bonnen’s trouble in the House and a wave of GOP congressional retirements.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill declaring children’s lemonade stands legal
The bill, which goes into effect Sept. 1, prevents cities and neighborhood associations from prohibiting or regulating children who sell nonalcoholic drinks on private property.
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Public Education
Judge temporarily blocks enforcement of Texas law banning contractors from boycotting Israel
The order came in a case brought by a Pflugerville school speech pathologist who was told she could only continue her contract work if she promised not to boycott Israel.
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Higher Education
Former University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers has died
Powers presided over the university from 2006 to 2015.
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Families Divided
Tornillo tent city for youth migrants is now empty, Texas congressman says
“This tent city should never have stood in the first place,” U.S. Rep. Will Hurd said Friday on Twitter.
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Guides
Why is college in Texas getting so expensive?
Tuition and fees at Texas universities have more than doubled since 2003. There’s plenty of blame to go around.
