
The Texas Tribune
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit news organization based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2009 by venture capitalist John Thorton, it describes itself as the "only member-supported, digital-first, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues." It claims to have the largest statehouse news bureau in the United States, where it covers a wide range of topics, from public and higher education to health care, immigration, criminal justice, energy, and the environment. It also hosts The Texas Tribune Festival, which attracts thousands of attendees each year to discuss Texas' biggest challenges. Though the Tribune is billed as being non-partisan, its coverage often exhibits a slight liberal bias, particularly on immigration and political issues. It's in a national partnership with the Washington Post, which has an AllSides rating of Leans Left. While the Tribune relies on a mostly member-driven funding model, it also receives large corporate sponsorship and grants from organizations like the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Sources: Wikipedia TexasTribune.org
Gov. Greg Abbott and his Democratic opponent, Beto O’Rourke, have agreed to a Sept. 30 debate in the Rio Grande Valley.
Abbott announced last month that he had accepted an invitation to the debate, which will be hosted by Nexstar Media Group at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg. O’Rourke responded at the time by saying he would be happy to debate Abbott in the Valley but did not commit to the specific event — and pushed for more debates. On Thursday morning, O’Rourke’s campaign revealed it had committed to the Sept. 30 debate while announcing he had also accepted invitations for four other town hall-style debates hosted by news organizations.
Abbott’s campaign has indicated the Sept. 30 debate is the only one he is willing to do before the November election.