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

State Files Notice of Appeal on Gay Marriage Ruling

By Edgar Walters Feb. 26, 2014

UPDATED: The state of Texas on Thursday filed a notice that it intends to appeal a federal judge's ruling Wednesday that Texas' ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
In Supreme Court Races, a Clash Over Contributors

By Edgar Walters Feb. 25, 2014

Three Texas Supreme Court justices up for re-election face GOP primary challenges. Backers of the incumbents are critical about where support for those challengers is coming from. And those challengers have questioned the current court's conservatism. Full Story

Credit: Bob Daemmrich
Houston Church Opts Not to Defect From Denomination

By Edgar Walters Feb. 23, 2014

In a narrow vote Sunday, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church in Houston opted not to leave a national Presbyterian church over a debate about the church's views on homosexuality. Full Story
Groups Urge State Agency to Ban the Use of Tasers, Pepper Spray on Students

By Edgar Walters Feb. 13, 2014

Citing new federal guidelines and recent violent incidents, a coalition of interest groups has asked the Texas Education Agency to prohibit the use of “less lethal” weapons, like Tasers and pepper spray, in public schools. Full Story

Credit: Andrew Bossi
Nolan Ryan Endorses Carnes for Ag Commissioner

By Edgar Walters Feb. 12, 2014

Texas baseball legend Nolan Ryan has endorsed J. Allen Carnes' bid to be the state's agriculture commissioner. Full Story
Same-Sex Marriage Advocates Battle in Court

By Edgar Walters Feb. 12, 2014

A federal court in San Antonio will hear arguments Wednesday in a case that seeks to overturn Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage. It's one of several cases statewide challenging Texas' stance on same-sex unions. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Seven Candidates Fight for Chance to Reshape Texas Criminal Court

By Edgar Walters Feb. 11, 2014

At least three members of Texas' highest criminal court will be replaced in the next year, and observers say the unusually high turnover could have a significant effect on the court's decisions. Full Story

Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman
Court Reverses DNA Testing Decision in Swearingen Case

By Brandi Grissom and Edgar Walters Feb. 5, 2014

UPDATED: The state’s highest criminal court on Wednesday reversed a lower court’s decision to allow further DNA testing in the case of death row inmate Larry Swearingen, sending his case back to a district court. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Justin Dehn
Report: Texas Leads U.S. in 2013 Exonerations

By Edgar Walters Feb. 4, 2014

Texas in 2013 exonerated more people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes than any other state, according to a new report. Full Story

Credit: Thomas Bougher
Israel Wins HD-50 Special Election Runoff

By Edgar Walters Jan. 28, 2014

UPDATED: Democrat Celia Israel defeated Republican Mike VanDeWalle on Tuesday in a special election runoff for House District 50. She will serve the remainder of former state Rep. Mark Strama's term. Full Story