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Texas Tribune TribCast

The Texas Tribunewww.texastribune.org
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: Cruz in Wisconsin, Abortion Policy, Foster Children

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Ayan, Alexa and Edgar about the aftermath of Wisconsin's presidential primaries, a tragic instance of confusion over the state's abortion laws, and the state's efforts to clean up problems with child protection in Texas.

Apr 08, 201632 min

TribCast: Rick Perry's Voting, Price of Admission, Water

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Kiah and Matthew about news that Rick Perry didn't vote in the primaries, about the Trib's "Price of Admission" project on the top 10% rule for college admissions, and the travails of San Antonio's Vista Ridge water pipeline.

Mar 30, 201630 min

TribCast: Presidential Primaries, College Sports, and Sid Miller

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Patrick and Matthew about the race for the Republican presidential nomination, the Tribune's "Ballpark Figures" analysis of college sports costs, and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.

Mar 23, 201634 min

TribCast: The Primaries, SCOTUS, Immigration and the Border

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Julian and Jay about the latest round of presidential primaries, the politics of Merrick Garland's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the situation on the U.S./Mexico border and how it plays in this political year.

Mar 18, 201633 min

TribCast: Hell and High Water, Presidential Politics

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Neena and Patrick about the state's lack of readiness for Hurricanes the size of Ike and what a big storm would do to Houston and Texas, and the latest from the campaign trail, where Cruz is trying to make the GOP contest a two-candidate race.

Mar 09, 201631 min

TribCast: A Live Autopsy of the Texas Primaries

On this week's TribCast, recorded with a live audience on the morning after Tuesday's primaries, Ross talks to Evan, Patrick, Abby and Jim about the results — and what they mean.

Mar 02, 201634 min

TribCast: The Primaries, Death in Texas, Immigration

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Terri and Abby about the state of the presidential primaries, the death of Antonin Scalia and its aftermath, and how to measure what's going on with immigration and criminal justice.

Feb 17, 201633 min

Tribcast: New Hampshire, Bordering on Insecurity, Dawnna Dukes

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Terri and Jay about the aftermath of New Hampshire's presidential primaries, the Tribune's new Bordering on Insecurity project, and state Rep. Dawnna Dukes deployment of state employees.

Feb 11, 201635 min

TribCast: Iowa, New Hampshire, Immigration and Ken Paxton

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Julian and Patrick about the state of the presidential primaries now that Iowa is behind us and New Hampshire is ahead, new flashpoints in the immigration debate, and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s latest tribulations.

Feb 03, 201633 min

TribCast: San Antonio Politics, Planned Parenthood, Campus Carry

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Alexa and Matthew about a Republican win in a Democratic district in San Antonio, unexpected indictments of Planned Parenthood's critics, and a prominent physicist's position against guns on campus.

Jan 27, 201633 min

TribCast: Political Money, State Police, Ken Paxton on Sports

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Evan, Terri and Kiah about officeholder and campaign financial reports, about Ken Paxton’s legal troubles and his official opinion on fantasy sports gambling, the state’s new education chief and the musings of its top law enforcement officer.

Jan 20, 201636 min

TribCast: Abbott's Constitution, Perry's New Gig, Sharp's Blast

On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Emily, Matthew and Edgar about Greg Abbott's plans for the U.S. Constitution, Rick Perry's appearance on Florida's lobby rolls, the state of the presidential primaries, and Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp's displeasure with a particular sportswriter.

Jan 13, 201633 min

TribCast: Elections, Political Women, Stickland's Mouth

On this first weekly podcast of 2016, Ross, Evan, Emily and Alexa talk about women in politics in Texas, about old online postings that could put Jonathan Stickland into electoral distress, the eight-week race to the March 1 primaries and the state of the presidential nominating contests.

Jan 06, 201631 min

TribCast: The 2015 Highlight Reel

It was a year of big headlines and even bigger laughs on The Texas Tribune's TribCast. Revisit some of the most raucous moments of 2015, from Jade Helm and "Godless" pre-K to "campus dildo carry" and Ted Cruz's condom talk.

Dec 30, 201523 min

TribCast: How the Big Three Fared in 2015

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Aman about how Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus performed in 2015.

Dec 22, 201533 min

TribCast: Hot Primary Races and the Cruz-Rubio Faceoff

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Jim and Aman about surprises and fireworks in the Texas primary filings, plus the Ted Cruz-Marco Rubio faceoff over immigration in the GOP presidential debate.

Dec 16, 201533 min

TribCast: Houston Mayor's Race and Ted Cruz's Iowa Surge

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about the Houston mayoral runoff, Ted Cruz's poll numbers in first-test Iowa and Land Commissioner George P. Bush's "dogcatcher" comments on a fundraising call for his dad.

Dec 08, 201530 min

TribCast: Cruz Talks Condoms, Abbott Visits Cuba

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about presidential hopeful Ted Cruz's colorful commentary on the campaign trail, a super PAC that wants Rick Perry back in the race and Gov. Greg Abbott's travels to Cuba.

Dec 01, 201528 min

TribCast: Rattlesnakes and Refugees, Planned Parenthood and Ted Cruz

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Patrick and Edgar about Ag Commissioner Sid Miller's infamous Facebook post, Ted Cruz's antics in first-test Iowa and Planned Parenthood's lawsuit against the state of Texas. Subscribe to the TribCast podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud or Stitcher. Visit texastribune.org, where you can find more stories, podcasts and video.

Nov 25, 201532 min

TribCast: The GOP Debate Stage and Historical Racing

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about the debate performances of Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush, the legislative drama over the Texas Racing Commission, and the leadership styles of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Nov 11, 201533 min

TribCast: Hero and the Houston Mayoral Race

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Alexa about Houston's mayoral race, the defeat of the city's non-discrimination ordinance and an influential House chairman's reelection bid.

Nov 04, 201533 min

TribCast: "Sanctuary Cities" and Red Meat Troubles

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Jay, Julian and Aman about Gov. Greg Abbott's sanctuary cities message to Dallas, Texas' reaction to new cancer warnings about red meat and the latest on the Planned Parenthood investigations.

Oct 28, 201530 min

TribCast: Planned Parenthood and Castro's VP Chatter

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks with Ross, Alexa and Patrick about the state's move to defund Planned Parenthood, Hillary Clinton's Texas endorsements, and the vice presidential chatter around HUD Secretary and former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro.

Oct 21, 201531 min

TribCast: Curtains for Carly, Cruz's Washington Week

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Patrick about presidential candidates' support in Texas, Ted Cruz's Planned Parenthood politics in Washington and what the speaker's race means for Texas' congressional delegation.

Sep 30, 201532 min

TribCast: Primary Drop-Outs and a Wendy Davis Interview

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks with Evan, Patrick and Edgar about the latest shakeup on the presidential campaign trail, legal action over Medicaid rate cuts and Wendy Davis' interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

Sep 23, 201532 min

TribCast: Perry Exit, Trump in Texas, George P. Bush

On this week's TribCast, Evan talks with Ross, Patrick and Jay about Rick Perry's exit from the 2016 race, the outsider appeal of GOP frontrunners Donald Trump and Ben Carson, and George P. Bush's timesheet. Like what you hear? Follow The Texas Tribune on Twitter for more podcasts, news and video. twitter.com/texastribune

Sep 18, 201535 min
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