https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/matthew-watkins/The latest news by Matthew Watkins.enSun, 03 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/03/texas-tribune-15th-anniversary/In our first 15 years, we proved there was a successful model for public service journalism. Now we want to reach new readers, bridge divides and thrive as technology shifts.By Matthew WatkinsSun, 03 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/03/texas-tribune-15th-anniversary/The Texas Tribune celebrates its 15th year serving Texans today.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/27/sandra-santos-julie-chang-rob-reid/Santos is our evening news editor, Chang our health and human services editor and Reid our education data developer.By Sewell Chan, Chris Essig and Matthew WatkinsTue, 27 Aug 2024 08:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/27/sandra-santos-julie-chang-rob-reid/Sandra Santos, Julie Chang and Rob Reid are the latest journalists to join The Texas Tribune’s newsroom.From left: Sandra Santos, Julie Chang and Rob Reid.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/19/texas-tribune-propublica-frontline-uvalde/The three newsrooms shared awards for our coverage of the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.By Sewell Chan and Matthew WatkinsMon, 19 Aug 2024 16:10:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/19/texas-tribune-propublica-frontline-uvalde/Impact, Recognition and Awardshttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/texas-tribune-border-coverage/We’re tripling our reporting presence on the border during this crucial moment. Help us pay for this expensive work.By Matthew WatkinsMon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/texas-tribune-border-coverage/https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/fraction-of-texans-vote-in-primaries/In Texas, who’ll run the state is usually decided in the primary. Because of gerrymandering and noncompetitive elections, few people participate.By Yuriko Schumacher and Matthew WatkinsMon, 04 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/fraction-of-texans-vote-in-primaries/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/29/greg-abbott-donald-trump-vice-president/On Friday, Abbott told reporters that he wants to stay in Texas and plans to run for reelection for governor.By Matthew WatkinsThu, 29 Feb 2024 23:17:30 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/29/greg-abbott-donald-trump-vice-president/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/18/we-the-texans-democracy-project/In 2024, we’ll be throwing the weight of The Texas Tribune behind listening closely to Texans about their lives and communities and how they engage in public life.By Sewell Chan, Matthew Watkins and Matt AdamsThu, 18 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/18/we-the-texans-democracy-project/We the Texanshttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/26/texas-tribune-long-reads-2023/Our journalists brought life to the experiences of everyday Texans, held powerful institutions accountable and surfaced stories that went beyond the daily news cycles.By Matthew WatkinsTue, 26 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/26/texas-tribune-long-reads-2023/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/18/tribcast-houston-stake-takeover/In this week’s episode, we discuss the changes at Houston ISD after a state takeover in June.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 18 Aug 2023 13:27:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/18/tribcast-houston-stake-takeover/Students at Houston’s Northside High School hold up signs April 6 in protest of the state takeover of Houston ISD.Students at Houston’s Northside High School hold up signs in protest of the state takeover of HISD on April 6, 2023.Douglas Sweet for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/04/tribcast-texas-am/In this week’s episode, we discuss two cases at Texas A&M University that raised questions of academic freedom — and the fallout that ensued.By Matthew Watkins and Todd WisemanFri, 04 Aug 2023 15:36:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/04/tribcast-texas-am/Texas A&M University's Academic Plaza on Nov. 15, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/28/texas-border-security-tactics-tribcast/In this week’s episode, we discuss the half-million people booted from Texas’ Medicaid rolls and the state’s deployment of razor wire and buoys along the border in Eagle Pass.By Matthew Watkins and Todd WisemanFri, 28 Jul 2023 16:11:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/28/texas-border-security-tactics-tribcast/State law enforcement officers stand guard as workers construct a string of buoys which is being deployed to prevent migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass on July 14, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/14/tribcast-property-tax-cuts/In this week’s episode, we discuss the winners and losers — politically and financially — after lawmakers approved an $18 billion tax cut bill.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 14 Jul 2023 16:56:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/14/tribcast-property-tax-cuts/A home in East Austin in 2017.A home in East Austin in 2017.Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/tribcast-affirmative-action-prisons/In this week’s two-topic TribCast, we discuss the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the consideration of race in college admissions and the dangerous heat inside Texas prisons this summer.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 30 Jun 2023 13:25:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/tribcast-affirmative-action-prisons/UT Austin students respond to the Young Conservatives of Texas critiquing affirmative action policies on Oct. 26, 2016. The Young Conservatives were met with criticism, which resulted in a protest and several intense conversations among students.UT Austin students respond to the Young Conservatives of Texas critiquing affirmative action policies on Oct. 26, 2016. The Young Conservatives were met with criticism, which resulted in a protest and several intense conversations among students.Shelby Knowles/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/23/texas-renewable-energy-tribcast/In this week’s episode, energy expert Doug Lewin discusses how wind and solar power are supplying an increasing amount of power in Texas whether state leaders like it or not.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 23 Jun 2023 10:29:49 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/23/texas-renewable-energy-tribcast/Crews build a solar panel farm outside of El Campo on April 3, 2023.Crews build a solar panel farm outside of El Campo on Monday, April 3, 2023.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/tribcast-texas-republicans-impeachment-property-taxes/In this week’s episode we check in with radio host Mark Davis and politics reporter Patrick Svitek about the GOP intraparty fighting over property taxes and Ken Paxton’s impeachment.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 16 Jun 2023 16:24:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/tribcast-texas-republicans-impeachment-property-taxes/Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference at the Capitol on June 16, 2021 to provide more details on his plan for Texas to build its own border wall.Flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan, Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference at the Capitol on June 16, 2021 to provide more details on his plan for Texas to build its own border wall.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/09/tribcast-impeach-nate-paul/In this week’s episode, we discuss the arrest of Austin developer Nate Paul, what it might say about Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial and whether it makes Paxton more vulnerable to criminal prosecution.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 09 Jun 2023 16:54:49 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/09/tribcast-impeach-nate-paul/The electronic board during the vote to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on the House floor of the state Capitol on May 27.The electronic board during the vote to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on the House floor of the state Capitol on May 27, 2023 .Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/02/tribcast-property-taxes-texas/On this week’s episode, we speak to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s James Quintero, who has been at the center of the debate over property taxes this week.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 02 Jun 2023 15:56:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/02/tribcast-property-taxes-texas/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the 2023 legislative session at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin on Friday. Abbott and the conservative think tank are closely aligned on a property tax-cut plan.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender-affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/sine-die-texas-legislature-2023/The 2023 legislative session started with a $32.7 billion surplus. It was mired in Republican infighting and multiple scandals. Then, the House impeached the state’s attorney general.By Kate McGee and Matthew WatkinsMon, 29 May 2023 19:05:15 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/sine-die-texas-legislature-2023/House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels out the session on May 29.House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels out the 88th session Sine Die on May 29, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/26/tribcast-ken-paxton-impeachment/In this week’s episode, we discuss the first impeachment proceedings against a sitting attorney general in Texas history.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 26 May 2023 17:13:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/26/tribcast-ken-paxton-impeachment/Attorney General Ken Paxton recites the Pledge of Allegiance at a Donald Trump rally in Conroe on January 29, 2022.Attorney General Ken Paxton recites the pledge of allegiance at a Trump Rally in Conroe on January 29, 2022.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/19/tribcast-school-choice-special-session/In this week’s episode, we discuss the long odds facing the school choice bill and the possibility of Gov. Greg Abbott calling lawmakers back for a special session.By Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 19 May 2023 14:44:18 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/19/tribcast-school-choice-special-session/People walk into the House gallery at the Capitol in Austin on April 6. Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribunePeople walk into the House gallery at the Capitol in Austin on April 06, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune