TribCast: Texas rushes to get more residents vaccinated
On this week's Tribcast, Matthew talks to Karen, Patrick and Ross about the race to reach herd immunity in Texas and the early maneuverings in the 2022 election cycle. 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.
Latest Contributions
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![Dr. Annamaria Macaluso Davidson holds a COVID-19 vaccine registration card at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center in Houston on Dec. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas Legislature considers voting restrictions
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Alexa, Patrick and Kate about proposed new restrictions on voting being considered in the Texas Legislature and more news on “The Eyes of Texas.” Full Story
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![The Travis County Tax Office in Austin was the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots in the county during early voting in the fall of 2020.]()
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TribCast: Texas to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Karen and Julián about the state’s plan to expand vaccine eligibility starting Monday and the increase in apprehensions at the border. Full Story
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![Maria Diaz received her Coronavirus vaccine at a 24 hour vaccination event at Kelly Reeves Athletics Complex in Austin on March 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Lawmakers look to limit Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency powers as Texas' mask order is lifted
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Ross, Cassi and Kate about the Texas Legislature's move to limit Gov. Greg Abbott's power during a pandemic. They also discuss the University of Texas at Austin's report on "The Eyes of Texas." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference regarding Texas’ emergency response to an unprecedented winter storm gripping Texas on Feb 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Gov. Greg Abbott drops Texas' mask mandate
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Kate about Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to rescind statewide coronavirus orders and the fight over "The Eyes of Texas" at the University of Texas at Austin Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott adjusts his mask after giving an update on the categories of medical surge facilities at a press conference at the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool/Austin American-Statesman -
TribCast: What's next for Texas after last week's winter storm?
On this week's TribCast, Matthew talks with Ross, Alana and Erin about the political fallout from the winter storm and what the state might do to prevent future widespread power outages. Full Story
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![An aerial view of southbound Interstate 35 at Stassney Lane in south Austin after a severe snow storm hit the state. Feb. 15, 2021.]()
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TribCast: Ken Paxton's legal woes continue
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Kate, Karen and Mitchell about Attorney General Ken Paxton's latest legal problems, the vaccine rollout and the politics of energy in Biden-era Texas. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke at the Texas Federation of Republican Women Convention in Dallas on Oct. 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Assessing Gov. Greg Abbott's legislative priorities
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Patrick, Ross and Alexa about Gov. Greg Abbott's State of the State speech and the delays in the 2021 redistricting process. Full Story
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![Newly-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan greets Gov. Greg Abbott before he speaks to the Texas House during opening ceremonies on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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TribCast: How Joe Biden's immigration orders are playing out in Texas
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Abby, Julián and Ross about President Joe Biden's immigration executive orders and the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Full Story
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![A migrant group is detained by Customs and Border Protection near the Paso del Norte International Bridge in El Paso on March 31, 2019.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: What the new Biden administration means for Texas
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Alex, Emma and Karen about the inauguration of Joe Biden and the latest on the coronavirus in Texas. Full Story
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![U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden wave as they arrive at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan. 20, 2021.]()
Credit: Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS