https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/matthew-watkins/The latest news by Matthew Watkins.enTue, 26 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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 Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/18/texas-anti-slapp/In a last-minute hearing Wednesday, Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, opened another avenue to get the bill passed, raising alarm among free-speech advocates.Matthew WatkinsThu, 18 May 2023 16:27:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/18/texas-anti-slapp/State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, at a July 2021 press conference.State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, attends a press conference regarding Democrats breaking quorum and voting legislature at the Texas Capitol on July 21, 2021.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/12/tribcast-title-42/On this week’s episode, we discuss the situation at the Texas-Mexico border and the failed effort to raise the age at which Texans can buy semi-automatic rifles.Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 12 May 2023 14:33:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/12/tribcast-title-42/Two men walk on the banks of the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juárez on Monday as several hundred migrants wait on the U.S. side to be picked up and processed by Customs and Border Protection.Two men walk on the banks of the Rio Grande River as several hundred migrants wait on the U.S. side to be picked up and processed by CBP on May 8, 2023 in Juarez, Chihuahua.Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/05/tribcast-legislature-final-weeks/In this week’s episode, we discuss the final three weeks of the Legislature and Colin Allred’s bid for U.S. Senate.Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 05 May 2023 15:34:55 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/05/tribcast-legislature-final-weeks/State representatives recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor in Austin on April 18.Representatives recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor in Austin on April 18, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-anti-slapp-law-change/The change is supported by business groups, but has drawn opposition from media companies, First Amendment lawyers and political groups from across the ideological spectrum.Matthew WatkinsWed, 03 May 2023 17:25:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-anti-slapp-law-change/A Texas House committee on Wednesday advanced changes to the state anti-SLAPP law that First Amendment groups say could weaken a crucial free speech protection. The bill’s sponsor says it’s aimed at curbing abuses of the law.Getty Images/iStock Photohttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/01/tribcast-juvenile-justice/In today’s episode, we discuss the problems in the Texas state agency intended to rehabilitate children who have committed crimes — and whether the Legislature is eyeing any solutions.Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnMon, 01 May 2023 17:43:55 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/01/tribcast-juvenile-justice/Friends Mario Lozano, left, and Jose Quijada, both 18, help to place the casket of Joshua Keith Beasley Jr. inside of a hearse to be transported to a cemetery for burial on April 1, 2023, outside of Living Word Pentecostal Church in Paris, Texas.Friends Mario Lozano, 18, left, and Jose Quijada, 18, help to place the casket of Joshua Keith Beasley Jr., inside of a hearse to be transported to a cemetery for burial, on April 1, 2023 outside of Living Word Pentecostal Church in Paris, Texas.Ben Torres for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-anti-slapp/News publications and First Amendment advocates are fighting a bill to revise a state law meant to prevent litigants from weaponizing the legal system to punish people for speech they don’t like.Matthew WatkinsWed, 26 Apr 2023 13:56:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-anti-slapp/Media outlets worry that a bill would make them more vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits.Texas Senate gavelMarjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/21/tribcast-lgbtq-bills/In this week’s episode, we discuss the Texas House’s appetite to pass bills related to drag shows, medical care for transgender children and the discussion of sexuality at schools.Matthew Watkins and Justin DehnFri, 21 Apr 2023 14:37:18 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/21/tribcast-lgbtq-bills/Hundreds join the Queer March on the Capitol in Austin on April 15.Hundreds joined the Queer March on the Capitol in Austin on April 15, 2023.Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune