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
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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.
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![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
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![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 -
TribCast: Breaking down the Supreme Court's ruling on the Texas abortion law
On this week's episode, Matthew and Reese make sense of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision and what it means for abortion in Texas. Full Story
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![Anti-abortion supporters clash with pro-choice activists outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas braces for the next winter storm and a new COVID-19 variant
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell, James and Karen about the status of the power grid and the pandemic heading into winter. Full Story
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![A long line wraps around an HEB Grocery Store in San Marcos where residents waited up to 3 hours for their groceries on Feb 17, 2021. The store was without power most of the day and completely out of perishable items, allowing customers to purchase only five items from their dry goods section.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Beto O'Rourke launches his bid for governor
In this week's episode, Matthew talks with Cassie, James and Patrick about the early days of the Beto O'Rourke campaign and how the rest of the 2022 ballot is shaping up. Full Story
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![Gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks during the “Texans Rally for Our Voting Rights” at the Texas Capitol on May 8, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for the Texas Tribune -
TribCast: How worried should Texas Democrats be about 2022?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Patrick, Reese and Neelam about Tuesday’s special election results, poll numbers in the governor’s race and oral arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court over Texas’ abortion law. Full Story
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![At least 50 House Democrats that Texas left the state held a press conference in Washington D.C. The democrats broke quorum and stopped Republicans from taking up GOP priority bills on July 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Previewing the Texas abortion law’s day in the U.S. Supreme Court
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Reese and Brian about Monday’s oral arguments in the Supreme Court over the state’s near-total abortion ban and a lawmaker’s request to investigate books in school libraries. Full Story
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![The Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 21, 2021.]()
Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Is the Texas Legislature finished for 2021?
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Alexa, James and Patrick about the end of the Texas Legislature’s third special session and whether there will be a fourth. Full Story
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![Hose Speaker Dade Phelan talks with several House members after gaveling in on a late night session at the Capitol on Oct. 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A federal judge temporarily blocks Texas’ near-total abortion ban
In this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with Alexa and Reese about the ongoing court fights over Texas’ new abortion law and the redistricting process in Texas. Full Story
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![Dyan Lee and Judy Kajander hold and wear signs as they listen to speakers during the Women's March ATX at the Texas Capitol in Austin, on Oct. 2, 2021. Thousands of people attended the rally in support of women's reproductive health and access to safe abortions.]()
Credit: Chelsea Purgahn for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas unveils a proposed new congressional map — and an election audit
In this week's episode, Matthew talks with Alexa, James and Jolie about redistricting, Gov. Greg Abbott's election audit and the troubles with Texas' border enforcement efforts. Full Story
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![People vote inside the gym at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center in Houston on Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune