Prairie View A&M President Ruth Simmons to step down
Simmons also served as president of Smith College in Massachusetts and Brown University, where she was the first Black woman to preside over an Ivy League school. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/27/Ruth_Simmons_MKC_TT.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Matthew-Watkins-2024.png)
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. Matthew is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended public schools and graduated from Texas A&M University. He’s spent nearly two decades in Texas journalism, and previously worked at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined the Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. As a managing editor, Matthew has guided the Tribune’s award-winning journalism and other reporting of statewide significance, including coverage of elections and legislative sessions to major breaking news and ambitious storytelling about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Texas-Mexico border, the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, the impeachment of Texas attorney general and battles over public education. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Latest Contributions
-
![Prairie View A&M University interim President Ruth J. Simmons and the sole finalist for permanent president, interviewed on October 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigates the families of trans children
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Eleanor and Sneha about Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to open child abuse investigations into families providing gender-affirming care for their children. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32cabb6ee307bfd70aa708c60b83f261/TribCast%20March%2011.jpg)
![Protesters participate in a rally against anti-trans legislation at the southern steps of the state Capitol on April 28, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Dan Patrick’s eventful week
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Alexa about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s political power and problems with mail-in ballot applications. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4292d913f2d59665c7d37469cf1616a2/TribCast%20Feb18.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to reporters at a press conference on Feb. 18, 2022.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Previewing the Texas primaries before early voting starts Monday
In this week’s episode, Matthew and Ross break down the GOP primary for attorney general and highlight the other top races that have grabbed their interest. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9d9e2384fddfe04e61241bcc7d042506/TribCast%20Feb%2011.jpg)
![Voters wait in line at a polling site at Austin Oaks Church on Oct. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The Texas power grid fares better in 2022’s winter storm
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell and James about how Texas held up during the wintry weather, plus the struggles of the National Guard during their border deployment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/759d3fa2059a7b11514157dd182f4187/TribCast%20Feb%204.jpg)
![CPS Energy employee Dillon Mikes trimmed icy branches hanging too close to power lines in northeast San Antonio on Thursday.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for the Texas Tribune -
TribCast: FBI raid at U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s house shakes up his primary
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Abby and Karen about U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s legal situation and whether the omicron wave is receding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da80e6b8cfefcbfd0ef6cd0099d53f33/TribCast%20Jan%2028.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar campaigns on Super Tuesday in Laredo on March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Ulysses Romero for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A legal snag for Gov. Greg Abbott's border initiative
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jolie and Alexa about a potentially influential court case in Gov. Greg Abbott’s effort to arrest migrants at the border and a high rejection rate among applicants seeking to vote by mail. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Is the omicron wave in Texas nearing its peak?
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Karen and Patrick about the pandemic and Ted Cruz taking heat from conservatives over his comments about the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aaf51511bbd7cadc5d70b1023ac1b901/TribCast%20Jan%207.jpg)
![Healthcare worker Carlos Perales prepares to test a sample for COVID-19 on Jan. 5, 2022.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
10 Texas stories you don’t want to miss as we say goodbye to 2021
It was another historic, news-filled year. As you get ready for 2022, check out these memorable articles The Texas Tribune published in 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8607eabd2772d006f4cf3c1a78dd7f4d/Capitol%20Vault%20Dome%20SP%20TT%2072.jpg)
![A view of the South Entrance of the Texas Capitol from the Capitol Dome in Austin on Aug. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: What the data tells us about omicron in Texas
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Darla and Patrick about the pandemic in Texas and a mysterious candidate named Rick Perry running for governor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c1083e275873c47f082a9e54a463f98/TribCast%20Dec%2017%20TT.jpg)
![Helen Paulson receives her vaccine at a 24-hour vaccination event at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Austin. Family Hospital Systems hosted the drive-thru vaccine event with an 80s theme and equipped to vaccinate 7,000 people.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/86a9fa3c9bd19440d9ab3150d1451da0/TribCast%20Jan%2014)