Texas Tribune TribCast

By The Texas Tribune

What's Texas Tribune TribCast about?

Hosted by the Tribune's Alexa Ura and featuring a rotating cast of Tribune reporters, editors and special guests, the TribCast is an informal – and, with luck, amusing – discussion of Texas politics and policy. New episodes post each week.

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Texas Tribune TribCast episodes:

08.25.2023
TribCast is going on hiatus
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...
08.18.2023
TribCast: Big changes in Houston ISD after state takeover
In this week’s episode, we discuss the changes at Houston ISD after a state takeover in June.
08.04.2023
TribCast: Turmoil at Texas A&M
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.
07.28.2023
TribCast: Texas’ tough border security tactics under scrutiny
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.
07.14.2023
TribCast: Texas lawmakers approve property tax cuts after 7 months of trying
In this week’s episode, we discuss the winners and losers — politically and financially — after lawmakers approved an $18 billion tax cut bill.
07.07.2023
TribCast: Extreme heat and the toll of climate change on Texas
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.
06.30.2023
TribCast: How will Texas universities maintain diversity without considering race in admissions?
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.
06.23.2023
TribCast: The rise of renewable energy in Texas
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.
06.16.2023
TribCast: Why can’t Texas Republicans get along?
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.
06.09.2023
TribCast: How does Nate Paul’s arrest affect Ken Paxton?
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.
06.02.2023
TribCast: The conservative plan to eliminate school property taxes in Texas
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.
05.30.2023
TribCast: The Legislature isn't done yet
On a special live episode, we discuss the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton and lawmakers' inability to reach an agreement on property taxes.
05.26.2023
TribCast: Ken Paxton faces impeachment
In this week’s episode, we discuss the first impeachment proceedings against a sitting attorney general in Texas history.
05.19.2023
TribCast: Is a special session of the Texas Legislature inevitable?
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.
05.12.2023
TribCast: The scene in Texas as Title 42 lifts
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.
05.05.2023
TribCast: Can Texas’ political leaders stop their bickering for the legislative homestretch?
In this week’s episode, we discuss the final three weeks of the Legislature and Colin Allred’s bid for U.S. Senate.
05.01.2023
TribCast: Texas’ troubled juvenile justice system
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.
04.21.2023
TribCast: Major LGBTQ bills are in the Texas House’s hands
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.
04.14.2023
TribCast: A major Texas abortion case and a potential Gov. Greg Abbott pardon in a murder trial
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.
04.07.2023
TribCast: Is the school choice bill dead in the Texas House?
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.
03.31.2023
TribCast: Weighing Donald Trump’s support among Texas Republicans
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.
03.24.2023
TribCast: Police officers’ fear of the AR-15 in Robb Elementary
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.
03.20.2023
TribCast: Will the Texas Legislature pay Ken Paxton’s legal settlement?
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.
03.10.2023
TribCast: Talking politics with Jen Psaki
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.
03.04.2023
TribCast: How will Texas lawmakers cut property taxes?
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.
02.24.2023
TribCast: The politics of diversity, equity and inclusion on college campuses
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.
02.17.2023
TribCast: Takeaways from Gov. Greg Abbott’s State of the State speech
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Texas Tribune politics reporters James Barragán and Patrick Svitek about Abbott’s prime-time address.
02.10.2023
TribCast: Will Texas avoid a recession?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Pia Orrenius, vice president and senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, about the 2023 outlook for the Texas economy.
02.04.2023
TribCast: Is Texas uniquely bad at disaster preparedness?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with University of Texas at Austin professor Michael Webber and environment reporter Erin Douglas about the state’s widespread power outages.
01.27.2023
TribCast: The fight against solitary confinement in Texas
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jolie about a hunger strike in Texas prisons and a lawsuit seeking to reform the use of solitary confinement on death row.
01.20.2023
TribCast: Is bipartisan immigration reform a realistic goal?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Washington correspondent Matthew Choi and immigration reporter Uriel J. García about U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s trip to the border and the odds of Congress passing a major immigration bill.
01.13.2023
TribCast: The Texas Legislature is off and running
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Patrick about the fight over Democrats chairing committees in the Texas House and other highlights of the first week of the legislative session.
12.30.2022
TribCast: Evan Smith reflects on a career of watching Texas politics and media
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with outgoing Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith about the state of politics in Texas.
12.23.2022
TribCast: What happens in Texas if Title 42 lifts?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Uriel about immigration policy and the migrant crisis in El Paso.
12.16.2022
TribCast: Texas’ persistent problem with maternal mortality
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew speaks with Eleanor about a long-awaited state report on maternal mortality in Texas and Alex about cities’ efforts to decriminalize marijuana.
12.02.2022
TribCast: How much will Texas spend on tax cuts?
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Karen about property taxes and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities.
11.21.2022
TribCast: The future of rural Texas
In this week’s episode, Texas Tribune regional editor Nic Garcia guest-hosts from Texas Tech University for a discussion about the issues facing the rural residents of the state.
11.10.2022
TribCast: Breaking down the 2022 midterm election results
In this week’s podcast, Matthew, James, Alexa and Evan analyze the results of the 2022 midterm elections and what they mean for Texas moving forward.
11.04.2022
TribCast: What’s at stake for both parties in next week’s elections?
In this week’s episode, Matthew Watkins is joined by political writers Matthew Choi, Patrick Svitek and James Barragán for one last preview of Tuesday’s elections.
11.01.2022
TribCast: The role of churches in politics
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jeremy and James about the rarely enforced rules barring churches from participating in political campaigns.
10.21.2022
TribCast: Greg Abbott is a fundraising juggernaut, and is Lina Hidalgo in trouble?
On this week’s podcast, James, Zach and Patrick discuss the governor’s fundraising and a surprisingly competitive race for Hidalgo, the Harris County judge.
10.14.2022
TribCast: Is time running out for Texas Democrats to swing the election?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Patrick about the state of the governor’s race and other elections that have grabbed their attention.
10.07.2022
TribCast: Stress, misinformation mount as midterm elections near
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Alexa, Pooja and Rob about the difficult task facing election administrators ahead of the 2022 vote.
09.30.2022
TribCast: Trouble in Ken Paxton’s office
In this week’s episode, Matthew Watkins speaks with Jake Bleiberg of the Associated Press and Steve Vladeck from the University of Texas School of Law about the turmoil in the Texas attorney general’s office and its litigation success.
09.16.2022
TribCast: The impact of Texas’ changing demographics on elections
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Alexa and James about Hispanics becoming the largest ethnic demographic in Texas and what that means for the state’s politics.
09.09.2022
TribCast: The enduring mental health toll of Texas natural disasters
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Erin about how climate change is affecting Texans’ mental health and Kate about a proposal to overhaul how the state funds community colleges.
09.02.2022
TribCast: Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke enter the homestretch
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Patrick about the race for governor and other campaigns that have grabbed their interest.
08.26.2022
TribCast: How Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing is affecting New York
In this week’s epsidoe, we discuss how the busing of migrants to New York is affecting Texas, New York and the migrants themselves.
08.20.2022
TribCast: Texas’ drought is likely to persist
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jayme about how this week’s rain likely won’t mean the end of the drought. And he speaks with Eric about the soon-to-be-over congressional career of Louie Gohmert.
08.06.2022
Abortion is considered basic health care in Mexico City. Its clinics are open to U.S. women.
Private clinics offer abortions at a fraction of the cost in the United States. City public health clinics may be more difficult to navigate but offer abortions free of charge, including for noncitizens.

What's Texas Tribune TribCast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Texas Tribune TribCast episodes:

TribCast is going on hiatus

TribCast: Big changes in Houston ISD after state takeover

TribCast: Turmoil at Texas A&M

TribCast: Texas’ tough border security tactics under scrutiny

TribCast: Texas lawmakers approve property tax cuts after 7 months of trying

TribCast: Extreme heat and the toll of climate change on Texas

TribCast: How will Texas universities maintain diversity without considering race in admissions?

TribCast: The rise of renewable energy in Texas

TribCast: Why can’t Texas Republicans get along?

TribCast: How does Nate Paul’s arrest affect Ken Paxton?

TribCast: The conservative plan to eliminate school property taxes in Texas

TribCast: The Legislature isn't done yet

TribCast: Ken Paxton faces impeachment

TribCast: Is a special session of the Texas Legislature inevitable?

TribCast: The scene in Texas as Title 42 lifts

TribCast: Can Texas’ political leaders stop their bickering for the legislative homestretch?

TribCast: Texas’ troubled juvenile justice system

TribCast: Major LGBTQ bills are in the Texas House’s hands

TribCast: A major Texas abortion case and a potential Gov. Greg Abbott pardon in a murder trial

TribCast: Is the school choice bill dead in the Texas House?

TribCast: Weighing Donald Trump’s support among Texas Republicans

TribCast: Police officers’ fear of the AR-15 in Robb Elementary

TribCast: Will the Texas Legislature pay Ken Paxton’s legal settlement?

TribCast: Talking politics with Jen Psaki

TribCast: How will Texas lawmakers cut property taxes?

TribCast: The politics of diversity, equity and inclusion on college campuses

TribCast: Takeaways from Gov. Greg Abbott’s State of the State speech

TribCast: Will Texas avoid a recession?

TribCast: Is Texas uniquely bad at disaster preparedness?

TribCast: The fight against solitary confinement in Texas

TribCast: Is bipartisan immigration reform a realistic goal?

TribCast: The Texas Legislature is off and running

TribCast: Evan Smith reflects on a career of watching Texas politics and media

TribCast: What happens in Texas if Title 42 lifts?

TribCast: Texas’ persistent problem with maternal mortality

TribCast: How much will Texas spend on tax cuts?

TribCast: The future of rural Texas

TribCast: Breaking down the 2022 midterm election results

TribCast: What’s at stake for both parties in next week’s elections?

TribCast: The role of churches in politics

TribCast: Greg Abbott is a fundraising juggernaut, and is Lina Hidalgo in trouble?

TribCast: Is time running out for Texas Democrats to swing the election?

TribCast: Stress, misinformation mount as midterm elections near

TribCast: Trouble in Ken Paxton’s office

TribCast: The impact of Texas’ changing demographics on elections

TribCast: The enduring mental health toll of Texas natural disasters

TribCast: Greg Abbott and Beto O’Rourke enter the homestretch

TribCast: How Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing is affecting New York

TribCast: Texas’ drought is likely to persist

Abortion is considered basic health care in Mexico City. Its clinics are open to U.S. women.