
Texas Tribune TribCast
byThe Texas Tribune
BusinessEducationSocietyCulture
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(40 episodes)

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?
Published: Feb 3, 2026Duration: 34:23

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.
Published: Jan 27, 2026Duration: 34:44

ICE in Texas
With immigration enforcement ramping up in Texas, Texas Tribune reporter Colleen DeGuzman and immigration attorney Paul Pirela join TribCast to discuss.
Published: Jan 20, 2026Duration: 35:38

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.
Published: Jan 13, 2026Duration: 42:28

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.
Published: Jan 6, 2026Duration: 42:49

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.
Published: Dec 30, 2025Duration: 1:34:44

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.
Published: Dec 23, 2025Duration: 1:00:45

TEA and Texas education
The rise in state takeovers of school districtsTribune 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.
Published: Dec 16, 2025Duration: 47:19

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.
Published: Dec 9, 2025Duration: 42:01

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.
Published: Dec 2, 2025Duration: 41:09

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.
Published: Nov 25, 2025Duration: 42:37

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.
Published: Nov 18, 2025Duration: 44:34

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
Published: Nov 11, 2025Duration: 43:04

The neediest Texans are feeling the pain of the government shutdown
Texas Tribune reporters Terri Langford and Gabby Birenbaum join the Tribcast to discuss how Texans are coping with the loss of SNAP benefits, chaos at airports and rising health care premiums amid partisan fighting in Washington.
Published: Nov 4, 2025Duration: 31:29

Unpacking the constitutional amendments on the ballot
Texas Politics Project’s Joshua Blank joins the TribCast to walk through the 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot this November
Published: Oct 28, 2025Duration: 45:30

The Hunt is on in the GOP Senate primary
Matthew and Eleanor are joined by Tribune D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum and radio host Chad Hasty to unpack the three candidates vying to be the Republican nominee for Senate in 2026
Published: Oct 21, 2025Duration: 38:19

Is Robert Roberson innocent?
In this week’s episode, the TribCast crew is joined by Tribune reporter Kayla Guo to break down the evidence in the Robert Roberson death penalty case.
Published: Oct 14, 2025Duration: 37:22

Texas' new congressional map goes to court
In El Paso, a three-judge panel is hearing a legal challenge to Texas’ new congressional map. Eleanor and Matthew talk to voting rights expert Justin Levitt about the case.
Published: Oct 7, 2025Duration: 44:25

Will the Texas renewable energy powerhouse survive?
This week, Matthew and Eleanor speak with Eric Goff, founder of an energy policy advising firm, about the growth of wind and solar power in Texas and whether it will continue after recent federal efforts targeting the industry.
Published: Sep 30, 2025Duration: 39:43

Texas' changing congressional delegation
TribCast talks with Washington correspondent Gabby Birenbaum about how redistricting and retirements are set to reshape the state's representation in D.C.
Published: Sep 23, 2025Duration: 36:09