Texas Tribune TribCast

Texas legislators took big strides to strengthen our water and grid systems this session. Will it be enough? Texas Tribune reporters Alejandra Martinez and Carlos Nogueras Ramos join the pod to discuss.

In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor talk with politics reporter Jasper Scherer about education funding, the effort ban THC and how conservative priorities are sailing through the legislative session in Texas this year.

Big shakeups at the top of Texas’ major universities, and major legislative changes on the way to boot. Three current and former Tribune higher ed reporters overwhelm Eleanor with information.

Urban affairs reporter Josh Fechter, and Emily Dove join the pod to talk about how the legislature is moving the needle on housing costs, zoning restrictions and property taxes.

As we embark on the month of May, the gang recaps the big topics so far - vouchers, water, immigration and THC, among others - and the work left to be done.

What the hell is happening at the Texas Lottery? Local lottery expert/Texas Tribune night reporter Ayden Runnels takes us inside.

It’s the insurgents versus the incumbents in the biggest Senate showdown in years. We dig into the details.

With schools being a top issue this legislative session, we zoom in on one important constituency: teachers. How will the proposed pay raises affect them? What has the impact of hiring more uncertified teachers in recent years? And how are they feeling overall about their jobs?

Legislators will attempt to clarify the abortion bans, while also further cracking down on pills. And, the first post-Dobbs arrest!

Current status of marijuana laws and the fight to regulate - or ban - THC products

What does the space industry want from the Texas Legisature?

It’s the five year anniversary of COVID, and Texas is facing measles, avian flu and increased vaccine hesitancy. What have we learned?

Things are about to significantly speed up under the dome, but there have been no shortage of fireworks so far. We’ll recap what’s already happened and what’s to come. We’ll also bid adieu to James.

In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with University of Texas at Austin professor Sherri Greenberg about attempts by state lawmakers to protect Texans from the dangers of artificial intelligence and the blowback it's creating by some Republicans and people in the tech industry.

On this week's episode, we talk about the one-year anniversary of the Panhandle wildfires and how prepared Texas is for various natural disasters.

On this week’s episode, the gang digs into the hot issue of the session: school vouchers, featuring public education reporter Jaden Edison

How the federal government is running with Texas’ playbook on immigration

Looking at Abbott's state of the state speech and his role in the legislative session.

On this week's episode, we recap the week's news and interview an expert on the state's need for water infrastructure investment.

On this week’s episode, the crew talks Trump’s inauguration, the Texans in the new administration and what it’ll all mean for Texas.

On this week’s episode, the team dissects the first day of the legislative session and the vote for the next speaker of the House.

The Texas Tribune’s politics podcast returns with a look at the race for House speaker, the future of school vouchers and other major legislative issues this year.

After a year-plus hiatus, The Texas Tribune's political podcast is back forthe 2025 legislative session.

The Texas Tribune put this podcast on hiatus in August 2023 due to staffing changes in the newsroom. The TribCast was The Texas Tribune's weekly political podcast, hosted by Matthew Watkins and featuring a rotating cast of editors, reporters and other guests.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the changes at Houston ISD after a state takeover in June.

In this week’s episode, we discuss two cases at Texas A&M University that raised questions of academic freedom — and the fallout that ensued.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the half-million people booted from Texas’ Medicaid rolls and the state’s deployment of razor wire and buoys along the border in Eagle Pass.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the winners and losers — politically and financially — after lawmakers approved an $18 billion tax cut bill.

In this week’s episode, we speak with The Texas Tribune’s climate reporter Erin Douglas about why it’s been so hot in Texas and examine the long-term implications as climate change shifts the entire range of Texas heat upward.

In this week’s two-topic TribCast, we discuss the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the consideration of race in college admissions and the dangerous heat inside Texas prisons this summer.

In this week’s episode, energy expert Doug Lewin discusses how wind and solar power are supplying an increasing amount of power in Texas whether state leaders like it or not.

In this week’s episode we check in with radio host Mark Davis and politics reporter Patrick Svitek about the GOP intraparty fighting over property taxes and Ken Paxton’s impeachment.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the arrest of Austin developer Nate Paul, what it might say about Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial and whether it makes Paxton more vulnerable to criminal prosecution.

On this week’s episode, we speak to the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s James Quintero, who has been at the center of the debate over property taxes this week.

On a special live episode, we discuss the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton and lawmakers' inability to reach an agreement on property taxes.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the first impeachment proceedings against a sitting attorney general in Texas history.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the long odds facing the school choice bill and the possibility of Gov. Greg Abbott calling lawmakers back for a special session.

On this week’s episode, we discuss the situation at the Texas-Mexico border and the failed effort to raise the age at which Texans can buy semi-automatic rifles.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the final three weeks of the Legislature and Colin Allred’s bid for U.S. Senate.

In today’s episode, we discuss the problems in the Texas state agency intended to rehabilitate children who have committed crimes — and whether the Legislature is eyeing any solutions.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the Texas House’s appetite to pass bills related to drag shows, medical care for transgender children and the discussion of sexuality at schools.

In this week’s episode, we discuss an attempt to use the courts in Texas to restrict the use of an abortion drug and Gov. Greg Abbott’s potential pardon of an Army sergeant found guilty of murdering a protester in Austin.

In this week’s episode, we discuss whether the House’s recent vote to ban school vouchers means a top Gov. Greg Abbott priority is doomed.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the Texas reaction to the indictment of Donald Trump and check in on how the leaders of the Legislature are getting along.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the weapon used by the school shooter in Uvalde and new details that highlight how fear of the gun contributed to the botched police response.

In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James about lawmakers’ reluctance to spend $3.3 million on a whistleblower settlement for Attorney General Ken Paxton.

In this week’s episode, James speaks with former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki as she prepares to transition to hosting a new show on MSNBC.

In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Texas Tribune reporters Joshua Fechter and Patrick Svitek about the different proposals to reduce Texans’ property tax burdens.

On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with higher education reporter Kate McGee about Texas leaders’ push to limit the role of diversity in hiring on college campuses.

In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Texas Tribune politics reporters James Barragán and Patrick Svitek about Abbott’s prime-time address.