Edgar Walters

Edgar Walters worked at the Tribune from 2013 to 2020, most recently covering health and human services. Before that, he had a political reporting fellowship with the Berliner Zeitung, a daily newspaper in Berlin. He is a graduate of the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin, where he worked as an editor for The Daily Texan. When not in the newsroom or at the Capitol, he could be found on the volleyball court, standing 6 feet, 7 inches tall.

Past Contributions

Texas Again Seeks to Bar Syrian Refugees

By Edgar Walters and Alexa Ura Jan. 26, 2016

In the latest controversy over Syrians seeking refuge in Texas, the state’s top lawyer on Tuesday again asked a federal judge to halt the resettlement of people fleeing the war-torn country. Full Story

Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Candidates Struggle to Stand Out Across Huge Senate District 24

By Edgar Walters Jan. 22, 2016

In the crowded race for Senate District 24, the challenge candidates face is standing out to voters across a sprawling district that stretches from Abilene to the northwest suburbs of Austin to tell the difference between them. Full Story
Straus: Next Budget May Not Be as Easy as the Last Couple

By Alexa Ura, Edgar Walters and Kiah Collier Jan. 21, 2016

Also, Greg Abbott maintains the state's hard line against Iran and a special election is on tap for next week to fill a House vacancy. Full Story

Credit: Casey Chapman Ross
Texas Fights Back Against Court-Ordered Foster Care Reforms

By Edgar Walters Jan. 20, 2016

Despite a major victory in federal court last month, advocates for reforms to Texas’ long-term foster care system are steeling themselves for a lengthy battle to force Texas officials to follow through on changes ordered by a federal judge. Full Story
GOP Megadonor Sheldon Adelson's Plane Flew Abbott to Israel

By Edgar Walters Jan. 18, 2016

Gov. Greg Abbott flew to Israel Sunday on a plane belonging to Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino owner and megadonor active in Republican national politics. Full Story

Credit: Office of the Governor
Greg Abbott Meets With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

By Edgar Walters Jan. 18, 2016

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the Texas-Israel relationship and reiterate Abbott's opposition to Iran, according to the governor's office. Full Story

Credit: Office of the Governor
Is Texas Building Too Many Medical Schools?

By Matthew Watkins and Edgar Walters Jan. 16, 2016

Texas universities are racing to build new medical schools, but without enough slots for post-graduate residents, some worry they're building a pipeline that will funnel new doctors out of state. Full Story

Credit: John Jordan
Ted Cruz Adds Supporters in Nevada, South Carolina

By Patrick Svitek, Edgar Walters and Jacob Sanchez Jan. 14, 2016

Also, Gov. Greg Abbott lines up another international business development trip — this time to Israel and Switzerland. Full Story

Credit: Abby Livingston
GOP Leaders Mostly Silent on Abbott Plan to Amend Constitution

By Edgar Walters Jan. 12, 2016

Three days after Gov. Greg Abbott called for a convention of states to dramatically amend the U.S. Constitution, few high-ranking Republicans in Texas have backed his proposal. Full Story

Credit: Shelby Knowles/ The Texas Tribune
In 90-Page Proposal, Abbott Asks States to Amend U.S. Constitution

By Edgar Walters Jan. 8, 2016

In a fresh — but long shot — assertion of states’ rights, Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for a convention of U.S. states to pass nine new amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Full Story

Credit: Shelby Knowles/ The Texas Tribune