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.
Jun 02, 2026•39 min
Texas Tribune TribCast
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.
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Episodes
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.
May 27, 2026•59 min
Where have all the school kids gone?
TribCast looks into declining public school enrollment and other impacts of the federal immigration crackdown.
May 19, 2026•36 min
The runoffs approach
From Senate to Railroad Commission, TribCast dives into the most contentious races we'll be watching on May 26
May 12, 2026•39 min
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?
May 05, 2026•38 min
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 upcoming general election.
May 01, 2026•55 min
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?
Apr 28, 2026•38 min
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 Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Apr 21, 2026•22 min
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.
Apr 14, 2026•54 min
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.
Apr 07, 2026•43 min
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.
Mar 31, 2026•38 min
Inside Texas' massive ICE detention facilities
Texas' sprawling immigration lockups are serving as a national blueprint. What's life like for detainees?
Mar 24, 2026•42 min
Corpus Christi’s water woes
What does Corpus’ looming water crisis mean for the rest of the state?
Mar 17, 2026•26 min
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.
Mar 10, 2026•48 min
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 elected officials. The morning after March 3rd’s election, TribCast co-host and Tribune law and politics reporter Eleanor Klibanoff spoke with a panel of political reporters about what the election results mea...
Mar 04, 2026•1 hr 3 min
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 role in programming or the line of questioning for Tribune events. The 2026 Texas primary elections mark a pivotal moment in a state where many races are effectively decided long before Election Day. There...
Feb 24, 2026•56 min
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?
Feb 17, 2026•33 min
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
Feb 10, 2026•38 min
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?
Feb 03, 2026•34 min
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.
Jan 27, 2026•35 min
ICE in Texas
With immigration enforcement ramping up in Texas, Texas Tribune reporter Colleen DeGuzman and immigration attorney Paul Pirela join TribCast to discuss.
Jan 20, 2026•36 min
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.
Jan 13, 2026•42 min
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.
Jan 06, 2026•43 min
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.
Dec 30, 2025•1 hr 35 min
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. Join the creatives shaping what’s next at sxsw.com/badges .
Dec 23, 2025•1 hr 1 min
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.
Dec 16, 2025•47 min
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.
Dec 09, 2025•42 min
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.
Dec 02, 2025•41 min
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.
Nov 25, 2025•43 min
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.
Nov 18, 2025•45 min
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