2026 Texas Tribune Festival Highlights

Presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and supported by Texas Matters and Civitech

The state representative talks with Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief Matthew Watkins about his race for U.S. Senate against Attorney General Ken Paxton and his vision for the state. Recorded Sept. 24, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.

Presented by Texas Matters

The former White House deputy chief of staff discusses the Texas political map, the midterms and the future of the Republican Party with CNN politics reporter Patrick Svitek. Recorded Sept. 26, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.

Presented by Texas Matters

The Democratic nominee for Texas governor sits down with Texas Tribune politics reporter Kayla Guo to discuss her campaign, her vision for Texas and what it would take to turn the state blue. Recorded Sept. 24, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.

Presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

The Republican, who chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Homeland Security Committee, looks back on his time in the U.S. House and serving Central Texas. Moderated by Texas Tribune Washington correspondent Gabby Birenbaum. Recorded Sept. 26, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival

Immigration judges, including two fired by the president, describe what's happening inside the courts under the Trump administration. Moderated by New York Times immigration reporter Jazmine Ulloa.
Recorded Sept. 26, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival

People who have been inside Texas’ ICE detention centers describe what’s happening, who's being held and what it means for communities, families and the rule of law. Moderated by Pera Tervizo, reporter for the ProPublica/Texas Tribune Investigative Unit. Recorded Sept. 26, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.

Presented by Western Governors University and supported by Educate Texas, SXSW and Austin Community College District

Past the hype and the fear, AI optimists talk about what the technology is doing and could do for people, communities and institutions. Recorded Sept. 24, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.

Presented by Beer Alliance of Texas and supported by Raise Your Hand Texas and Texas Matters

The Texas Tribune’s Renzo Downey sits down with three Texas Republican legislators on the direction of their party and what the next legislative session could mean for the state. Recorded Sept. 25, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.

A leader in Congress, an academic and a business leader discuss  what the federal and state governments should do to make sure the AI revolution is safe and prosperous. Moderated by Texas Tribune economy and industry reporter Paul Cobler. Recorded Sept. 26, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.

Presented by Raise Your Hand Texas and supported by the Association of Texas Professional Educators and Houston Endowment

Texas superintendents talk about what it actually takes to lead public schools at this moment, and what they need from the Legislature next year. Moderated by Texas Tribune education reporter Jaden Edison. Recorded Sept. 25, 2026 at The Texas Tribune Festival.