PODCAST · society
Texas Tribune TribCast
by The Texas Tribune
The TribCast is a weekly political podcast hosted by Matthew Watkins, James Barragán and Eleanor Klibanoff, and featuring a rotating cast of editors, reporters and other guests. The TribCast is returning as a limited-run weekly series during the 2025 legislative session.
Episodes
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Houston is a model for school takeovers. Is it sustainable?
As more school districts face state takeover, what can be learned from Houston ISD?
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Are Texas' voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of our voter rolls one month before election day.
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Gina Hinojosa on her bid for governor
This week, we have a special episode featuring Gina Hinojosa discussing her 2026 campaign to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott. The interview, conducted by Texas Tribune politics reporter Kayla Guo, was recorded live at this month's Texas Tribune Festival.
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The Texas Railroad Commission race after Bo French's tweet
On this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with Texas Tribune reporters Carls Nogueras Ramos and Alejandro Serrano about the non-Senate elections in Texas. Who has a chance? And why did Republicans stick with Bo French?
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Paxton's political baggage
GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton has been dogged by allegations of personal and professional improprieties throughout his political career. Do voters care?
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How Texas schools will teach about the Muslim faith
In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor dig into the state's recently approved social studies curriculum standards and the controversy over how Islam is discussed. Their guests are Texas Tribune education reporter Jaden Edison and Ayaan Moledina, a 17-year-old Round Rock student who testified...
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A data center proponent makes his case
The data center backlash has been immense. In this week's podcast, we hear from someone who thinks the centers are good for Texas. Matthew speaks with former Public Utilities Commission member Will McAdams, president of the McAdams Energy Group.
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The Big Bend border barrier backlash
TribCast is joined by state Sen. César Blanco and politics reporter Alejandro Serrano to discuss the growing bipartisan outrage over building border barriers in Texas' largest national park.
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Should we believe the polls about Paxton and Talarico?
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin about the polls showing a tight race for U.S. Senate. Are they reliable? Could Talarico really be in the lead?
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Is the Rural Rage Real?
In this week's episode, the TribCast crew is joined by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and economy reporter Paul Cobler. They discuss the anger in rural Texas over data centers and power lines, and ask Miller why he thinks it means Democrats could win a statewide race in November.
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The Flock camera freakout
As Texas police departments build out their network of advanced license plate readers, public outcry over surveillance and safety is growing.
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Is Dallas in trouble?
The Dallas-Fort Worth region is growing as fast as anywhere in the country. But the city of Dallas itself lost residents last year. The TribCast crew speaks with urban affairs reporter Joshua Fechter about the challenges and opportunities for the city.
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Central Texas floods again
A little more than a year after catastrophic floods devastated Central Texas, another deluge hit the area. How are residents and the state responding to this new tragedy?
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An ICE shooting roils Houston
In this week's episode, our hosts speak with Texas Tribune reporters Uriel J. García and Colleen DeGuzman about the unanswered questions and incoming investigations in response to the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
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Texas Dems host their own unity fest
Inside the Texas Democrats' convention in a rare hopeful year for party leadership
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Can Ted Cruz save college sports?
Texas politics have become deeply engaged in the fight over the future of college football. We discuss the saga of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, the influence of megadonor Cody Campbell and U.S. Ted Cruz's proposed fix.
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What a new Secretary of State could mean for Texas elections
With the midterms fast approaching, Texas' top elections administrator is out the door. Who will be next - and what awaits them in the role?
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Deep in the heart of the GOP convention
From elephants to Islam, TribCast recaps the biggest GOP event of the year with reporters Alejandro Serrano and Renzo Downey.
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How big of a threat is screwworm?
In this week’s episode, the TribCast team talks to Phillip Kaufman, head of Texas A&M’s entomology department, and Josh Winegarner from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association about the arrival of screwworm in Texas.
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Can Project Connect get back on track?
What Texans can learn from the past and future of Austin's multi-billion dollar public transit overhaul.
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TribCast Live: Breaking Down the 2026 Texas Runoff Elections
TribCast is joined by D.C. correspondent Gabby Birenbaum and James Barragán, host of Capitol Tonight, to unpack the raucous runoffs.
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Where have all the school kids gone?
TribCast looks into declining public school enrollment and other impacts of the federal immigration crackdown.
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The runoffs approach
From Senate to Railroad Commission, TribCast dives into the most contentious races we'll be watching on May 26
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The past and future of the Voting Rights Act in Texas
Now that the Supreme Court has significantly weakened a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, what does it mean for Texas voters?
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One on one with Sarah Eckhardt
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt won the Democratic nomination for Texas comptroller in March. On Wednesday, April 29th Eckhardt met with Matthew Watkins, the Tribune's editor-in-chief, for a conversation about the candidate’s goals for the office, her relationships with the state's top leaders and the...
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Texas' looming data center fight
As Texas lawmakers prepare to tackle the thorny data center issue next session, what can we learn from Virginia's experience?
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Greg Abbott battles the cities over working with ICE
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Texas Tribune politics reporter Alejandro Serrano and Houston Chronicle reporter Abby Church over Gov. Greg Abbott's treat to pull more than $200 million in law enforcement funds from Houston, Dallas and Austin unless their police start cooperating with...
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One-on-one with Don Huffines
In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with the Republican nominee for comptroller about his plans for office, waste in state government and his relationship with Gov. Greg Abbott.
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Anti-Muslim rhetoric in Texas politics
Rep. Salman Bhojani, one of the first Muslim state legislators, joins TribCast to talk about the backlash his community has experienced in state government and the GOP primaries.
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Assessing the school voucher rollout
In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with Tribune K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison about who applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts, what's next for the program and why many Muslim schools were shut out.
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Inside Texas' massive ICE detention facilities
Texas' sprawling immigration lockups are serving as a national blueprint. What's life like for detainees?
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Corpus Christi’s water woes
What does Corpus’ looming water crisis mean for the rest of the state?
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Cornyn, Paxton, Trump and the heated U.S. Senate runoff
In this week's episode, we're joined by Mark Davis, host of The Mark Davis Show in Dallas-Fort Worth, to discuss whether Donald Trump will endorse pick a side in the John Cornyn-Ken Paxton runoff and what impact that would have.
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TribCast Live: Breaking down the 2026 Primary
The 2026 Texas primary elections mark a pivotal moment in a state where many races are effectively decided long before Election Day. There are more than 18 statewide elected officials up for election, along with Texas’ members of Congress, state legislators, district-based judges and local…
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TribCast Live: Previewing the 2026 Texas Primary
The Texas Tribune is grateful for the support of our sponsors. Presenting sponsor for this TribCast Live event is Builders. Major sponsors for the program are Texas Matters and Raise Your Hand Texas. Please note that while sponsorship provides critical support for the Tribune, sponsors play no…
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El Paso's alarming airport shutdown
In this week's episode, Matthew talks with Robert Moore, CEO of El Paso Matters, about the federal government briefly pausing air travel into El Paso. What does it say about the federal government, border security and the lives of El Pasoans?
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The very online 2026 Texas primary election
TribCast is joined by Democratic strategist and content creator Olivia Julianna and political reporter Kayla Guo to unpack what all the recent social media drama means about the Democratic party
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Is our grid all fixed?
In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with Matt Boms about the Texas electrical grid's strong performance during the recent winter storm. Does that mean the problems of 2021 are behind us?
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Will Venezuela impact Texas' oil industry?
TribCast dives into whether President Trump's plan to get U.S. companies to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry will have repercussions in Texas.
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ICE in Texas
With immigration enforcement ramping up in Texas, Texas Tribune reporter Colleen DeGuzman and immigration attorney Paul Pirela join TribCast to discuss.
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Can Texas zero out property taxes?
Eleanor and Matthew dig into the dueling proposals that seem to be teeing up a contentious property tax fight.
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10 questions that will shape Texas politics in 2026
For this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor look ahead in the new year to discuss Gov. Greg Abbott's power, Democrats chances and the issues that will dominate election season.
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Republican Statewide Candidates
As the TribCast team takes a holiday break, we bring you this recording from The Texas Tribune Festival of interviews with three Republican candidates for statewide office.
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One-on-One with James Talarico
As the TribCast team takes a holiday break, we bring you this recording of Matthew's interview with U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico from The Texas Tribune Festival. This episode is sponsored by SXSW. Be where the future unfolds at SouthbySouthwest 2026. Get your SXSW Innovation Badge now.…
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TEA and Texas education
The rise in state takeovers of school districts Tribune education reporters join TribCast to unpack the recent spate of state takeovers of school districts and what it says about our systems for measuring academic performance.
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The 2026 Texas primary slate is set
With the candidate filing deadline behind us, TribCast digs into the musical chairs that awaits voters in 2026.
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Did Texas quietly help its child care crisis?
In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison and early learning advocate David Feigen about the shortage of affordable child care in Texas and how the school voucher program may or might not help.
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Redistricting goes to the Supreme Court
What congressional map will Texas be using for the fast-approaching 2026 midterms? It's up to the Supreme Court to decide.
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Dade Phelan on the state of the GOP
In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor are joined live at The Texas Tribune Festival by former House Speaker Dade Phelan. He discusses his exit from elected office and his concerns about the state of Texas politics.
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Kate Rogers on her ousting from the Alamo Trust
Kate Rogers joins TribCast to discuss her decision to resign from leading the organization that oversees the Alamo historic site amid political pressure
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The TribCast is a weekly political podcast hosted by Matthew Watkins, James Barragán and Eleanor Klibanoff, and featuring a rotating cast of editors, reporters and other guests. The TribCast is returning as a limited-run weekly series during the 2025 legislative session.
HOSTED BY
The Texas Tribune
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Texas Tribune TribCast have?
Texas Tribune TribCast currently has 862 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Texas Tribune TribCast about?
The TribCast is a weekly political podcast hosted by Matthew Watkins, James Barragán and Eleanor Klibanoff, and featuring a rotating cast of editors, reporters and other guests. The TribCast is returning as a limited-run weekly series during the 2025 legislative session.
How often does Texas Tribune TribCast release new episodes?
Texas Tribune TribCast releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 862 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Texas Tribune TribCast?
You can listen to Texas Tribune TribCast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Texas Tribune TribCast?
Texas Tribune TribCast is created and hosted by The Texas Tribune.
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