Baylor University saw unprecedented success in athletics and academics during Ken Starr’s tenure as president. Now that he has been removed from his top post, supporters hope it won’t be lost.
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.
Posted in
Ballpark Figures
Briles Fired, Starr Reassigned in Baylor Shakeup
Baylor University has fired head football coach Art Briles and removed Ken Starr from his post as president in the wake of an investigation into sexual assault allegations on campus.
Posted inState Government
Two Texas House Committee Chairmen Fall in GOP Runoffs
Two committee chairmen from the Texas House of Representatives were defeated in Tuesday’s Republican primary runoffs, dealing a small victory to anti-establishment conservatives frustrated with the leadership of the lower chamber.
Posted in
Higher Education
Amid Reports of Starr’s Firing, Baylor Says Expect Announcement Soon
Amid reports that Baylor University President Kenneth Starr was fired this morning over the university’s handling of sexual assault allegations against football players, university officials said the results of an internal inquiry are forthcoming.
Posted in
Higher Education
A&M, UT Will Vie to Co-Manage Sandia National Laboratory
Texas’ two biggest university systems are teaming up to try to win a massive federal contract to manage the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, one of three labs in the country that maintain the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
Posted in
Politics
5 Things to Watch For in the Primary Runoffs
Tuesday’s primary runoffs will determine the party nominees for key seats in the Texas Legislature, on the Texas Railroad Commission and on the State Board of Education. Here are five things to watch for on election night.
Posted in
Higher Education
Abbott: “I Would Like to See” Top 10 Percent Rule Change
Gov. Greg Abbott has called for a tweaking the state’s controversial Top 10 Percent Rule for college admissions, another sign that the highly controversial law could be at risk when the Texas Legislature convenes in 2017.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Judge on Trump’s List of Potential Supreme Court Candidates
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett has made Donald Trump’s 11-person list of judges the real estate mogul would consider appointing to the U.S. Supreme Court if elected president.
Posted in
Ballpark Figures
University of North Texas Eyes Sponsoring Dallas Cowboys
The University of North Texas is exploring becoming an exclusive higher education partner with the Dallas Cowboys football team, an unusual deal that could include sponsorship opportunities and student internships.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
UT System Regents Considering Changes to Campus Carry Rules
Members of the University of Texas System Board of Regents expressed concern about their schools’ proposed rules for handguns on campus and signaled plans to attempt to change some of those policies before they go into effect on Aug 1.
