The Texas Tribune
Focus
Empowering Texans with the information they need to become full participants in our democracy
Established
2009
The Texas Tribune informs and engages Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Launched in 2009, the Tribune newsroom covers a range of topics including K-12 and higher education, health care, immigration, criminal justice, energy, social services, the environment, transportation, civil rights, rural issues and infrastructure — essentially all of the policy areas covered by the Texas governments. The outlet alsos cover the major candidates and campaigns for elected office, focusing more on the issues than the candidates.
To further its mission of engaging and educating all Texans, the Tribune provide all of its news and information to Texas newspapers, news sites, radio and television stations to republish for free. In addition to news articles and investigations, the Tribune also publishes videos, data explorers, explainers, live blogs and analysis, and hosts a robust suite of free public conversation events each year. Texas Tribune reporting is regularly recognized for excellence and impact. It’s won national awards from the Online News Association, the Peabody Awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards, the Collier Prize for State Government Accountability, the National Magazine Awards and many others. In 2024, the Tribune was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting.
With support from the American Journalism Project, The Texas Tribune is creating a network of local news organizations throughout Texas that will inform, engage and empower Texans at the community level. This work will begin in Waco with The Waco Bridge, which will launch in early 2025. A local newsroom in Austin will be announced and launched later in the year.
Leaders
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Sonal ShahCEOSonal Shah is the chief executive officer at The Texas Tribune. She has started and led social impact efforts in academia, government and the private and philanthropic sectors for over 25 years. Previously, she served as interim executive vice president at United Way Worldwide. Sonal founded The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) in Houston and founded and led Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation. Her background in government and policy include leading the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation in the Obama administration, serving as an international economist at the Department of the Treasury, and as policy director for Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign. In the private sector, Sonal led Goldman Sachs' environmental strategy and Google's global technology and impact investment initiatives. Sonal grew up in Houston, earned a B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in economics from Duke University. -
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Natalie ChoateCOONatalie Choate is the chief operating officer at The Texas Tribune. She holds a degree in government and a certification in ethics and leadership from The University of Texas at Austin. She is responsible for organizational strategy, strategic planning and other aspects of business operations. Natalie started at the Tribune in 2011 and has served in multiple capacities during her tenure, including assistant director of development, director of media relations and partnerships, and chief communications officer. Previously, she worked in public policy, campaigns and political fundraising. She is also a small business owner and entrepreneur. Her family opened Plateau Brewing Co., a local brewery in West Texas, in 2021. -
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Matthew WatkinsEditor-in-ChiefMatthew Watkins began serving as editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune in September 2024. Matthew is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended public schools and graduated from Texas A&M University. He’s spent nearly two decades in Texas journalism and previously worked at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Since Matthew joined the Tribune in 2015, he has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has guided the Tribune’s award-winning journalism and other reporting of statewide significance, including coverage of elections and legislative sessions to major breaking news and ambitious storytelling about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Texas-Mexico border, the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, the impeachment of Texas attorney general and battles over public education. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
