/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Ben_Philpot.jpg)
Ben Philpott is a senior reporter for KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate. He has been covering state politics and dozens of other topics for the station since 2002, during which time he has been recognized for outstanding radio journalism by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated, the Houston Press Club and the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. Before moving to Texas, he worked in public radio in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at several television stations in Alabama and Tennessee. Born in New York City and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Philpott graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in broadcast journalism.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has tweaked some of its air quality rules in response to the Environmental Protection Agency's attempt to wrest control of Texas' permitting authority. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune has this report. Full Story
After months of compiling data from around the state, Texas officials have released a comprehensive map of areas that do and don't have broadband internet access. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports. Full Story
The Environmental Protection Agency will roll out new air quality standards for the entire country in August. That means cities like Austin — which knows it's out of compliance — have very little time to get their improvement plans in place. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune filed this report. Full Story
Can the Republican establishment in Texas and the various Tea Party groups find enough common ground to keep the state GOP from splintering? Mississippi governor Haley Barbour told convention delegates this weekend that they have no choice. Ben Philpott filed this report for KUT News and the Tribune. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fb3c3acb0e9af25dc1cff4b216618b05/BD%20INC%20Medina%202010)
Since George W. Bush exited the White House, Texas has lost in place at the center of the political universe. But Texas Republicans, who gathered this weekend in Dallas, say there's still plenty here for the rest of the nation to emulate and embrace. Ben Philpott filed this report for KUT News and the Tribune. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d30a766148cb41807c24407d36a7e02/BD%20INC%20GOP%20Perry%20Closing%20Speech%202010)
Congressional Republicans — led by members of the Texas delegation — are poised to file a bill lifting Barack Obama’s moratorium on offshore drilling. Ben Philpott filed this report for KUT News and the Tribune. Full Story
Live-blogging from the biennial convention of the Republican Party of Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1bdb7b69b11a769cd518be82427efd40/BD%20INC%20Hutchison%20Endorses%20Perry%2002%202010)
There are more than 61,000 registered sex offenders in the Texas Department of Public Safety’s database. Some think the list includes people who aren’t a threat to society and that the stigma of being on it hurts them more than it helps the greater community. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune has this report. Full Story
Last week's request for additional budget cuts of 10 percent is expected to have a dramatic effect on state services — and local ones, too. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports on how a new round of slashing will affect school districts in particular. Full Story
In this week's TribCast, Ross, Evan, Ben and Reeve discuss the summer political fundraising season, TxDOT's audit, how population projections will impact into redistricting and the politics of pollution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TT-TribCast-002.png)