The Texas Tribune

The Texas Tribune is a non-profit, non-partisan media organization based in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 2009 by John Thornton, a venture capitalist, and Evan Smith, a former editor of Texas Monthly.

The organization’s mission is to increase civic engagement and inform Texans about public policy, politics, and government, by providing impartial reporting and investigative journalism. The Texas Tribune is a digital first media organization that publishes news, analysis, and data on its website, texastribune.org, and distributes its content to various news outlets across Texas.

The Texas Tribune’s team of journalists covers various topics that include politics, education, criminal justice, energy and environment, healthcare, and border issues. It also houses a data and visuals team that produces interactive graphics, maps, and other visualizations to help explain complex issues and policy debates.

The organization relies on donations and sponsorships from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations to fund its operations. The Texas Tribune has a strict policy on transparency and ethics, and it discloses its donors and sponsors on its website, ensuring that its editorial content remains impartial and fair.

The Texas Tribune has won numerous awards for its journalism and reporting, including the prestigious Peabody award for its coverage of the Texas state government and criminal justice system.

One of the Texas Tribune’s most significant strengths is its investigative journalism. Its reporters have uncovered numerous stories that have had an impact on Texas politics and policy. Some of its most notable investigations include:

– The Tribune’s coverage of the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) in 2010, which revealed that the board was pushing a conservative agenda in the state’s curriculum standards.

– The Tribune’s investigation of the state’s foster care system, which uncovered serious problems with the system, including the use of psychotropic drugs on children in the system.

– The Tribune’s reporting on Texas’ border security policies, which questioned the effectiveness and cost of the state’s efforts to secure the border.

The Texas Tribune is also known for its transparency and willingness to work with other media organizations. It has partnered with various news outlets across Texas to distribute its content, and it encourages other media organizations to use its content to inform and engage their audiences.

The organization has also launched several initiatives to increase civic engagement and public participation in the policymaking process. These initiatives include:

– Texas Legislature Tracker: An online resource that provides real-time updates on bills and actions taken by lawmakers during the Texas legislative session.

– The Texas Tribune Festival: An annual event that brings together policymakers, experts, and journalists to discuss and debate the most pressing issues facing Texas and the nation.

– The Texas Newsroom: A collaborative effort among several public radio stations in Texas and The Texas Tribune to produce and distribute local news and information across the state.

In conclusion, The Texas Tribune is an essential player in the Texas media landscape. Its commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism has had a significant impact on Texas politics and policy. Its transparency and willingness to work with other media organizations have helped increase civic engagement and public participation in the policymaking process. The Texas Tribune’s dedication to quality journalism and its mission to inform and engage Texans make it a valuable resource for anyone interested in Texas politics and policy.