A push to remove a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from the campus of the University of Texas at Austin has gained new momentum after last week’s deadly shooting in a black church in South Carolina.
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
Higher Education
Law Allows More College Credits for High Schoolers
High school Advanced Placement students should be able to earn more college credits under a bill signed by Gov. Greg Abbott this month, a change that will save students and universities millions of dollars.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT Will Sell Beer at Football Games
Beer and wine will be sold in all public vending areas within Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium starting this fall. Sales will begin Sept. 12 at the football game against Rice.
Posted inState Government
Both Sides in Hall, UT Fight Dig in Their Heels
If Regent Wallace Hall does end up suing the UT System for access to records he has been denied, the litigation could produce a remarkably tangled web of obligations, loyalties and conflicts.
Posted inState Government
UT Launches Broad Inquiry Into Athletes’ Academics
The University of Texas at Austin has launched a broad investigation into the academics of its athletes after allegations that three of its basketball players cheated in recent years.
Posted in
Politics
Did You Think Campus Carry Was Settled Law?
The fight over guns on campus now shifts to the schools, where university and college presidents must figure out where and where not to ban weapons.
Posted in
Demographics
Decades After Racial Strife, Returning to A&M
Forty-five years ago, Bill Mahomes endured suspicion and scorn as the first black student to graduate from Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets. Now, he helps run the school.
Posted inState Government
UT Reviewing Claims That Basketball Players Cheated
The University of Texas at Austin is reviewing several possible cases of cheating or academic noncompliance by former basketball players following a report by the Chronicle of Higher Education, school officials said Wednesday.
Posted inState Government
Finally, a Good Hair Day at the Capitol
Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed a bill into law that removes licensing requirements for hair braiders. The bill was pushed by longtime braider Isis Brantley, who has called for a rule change for years.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Prosecutors Could Have More Time in Paxton Securities Case
As an inquiry broadens into whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton violated securities law, a special prosecutor involved in the investigation indicated Thursday that he might have more time to pursue the issue than previously expected.
