David Martin Davies

Credit Chris Eudaily / Texas Public Radio
News Director

David Martin Davies is Texas Public Radio’s news director and a veteran journalist with over 20 years’ experience covering Texas, the border and Mexico. 

He is a contributor to National Public Radio, American Public Media's "Marketplace" and the BBC's "The World."  Davies is also the host of KLRN public television’s weekly interview program "Conversations."  He has written for "The San Antonio Light", "The San Antonio Express-News," "The Texas Observer" and others.

His reporting has been recognized with numerous awards.

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Texas Matters
2:39 pm
Fri June 14, 2013

Texas Takes Notice As Supreme Court Closes Out Session

Credit Flickr user Adam Fagen (afagen) / cc
U.S. Supreme Court.

Texas Matters: The United States Supreme Court is wrapping up its session and decisions continue to come down. A ruling has been made in a Texas-Oklahoma water dispute, and a decision is expended soon on a case involving the Voting Rights Act, which could have major implications in Texas. Also on this show: An inside look at Texas Monthly's Best and Worst Legislators 2013 list, and a look at how Mexico's drug war killings are effecting both sides of the border.

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Texas Matters
2:54 pm
Fri June 7, 2013

The Cost Of Not Expanding Medicaid

Credit Eileen Pace / TPR
The 83rd Texas Legislature could not reach an agreement on Medicaid expansion this session.

Texas Matters: A new study by the RAND corporation is examining the economic costs of states who do not expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Also in this episode: Texas voter turnout hits last in the nation in 2010, and how recovery efforts are going in West, Texas.

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Texas Matters
2:09 pm
Fri May 31, 2013

Crazy Ants, The New King Of The Hill, And A GOP State Office Shakeup

Credit Dietrich Gotzek, Seán G. Brady, Robert J. Kallal, John S. LaPolla / http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0045314

We take a look forward to the 2014 election as there could be room for some new GOP faces in established state offices as campaign funding season kicks off in the middle of June. Fire ants have been the bane of every Texan's existence for a long time, but the stinging pests are now being displaced by crazy ants, which is a good and bad thing.

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The Source - May 27, 2013
10:01 am
Tue May 28, 2013

The Source: Memorial Day - BRAC, The Legislature And The Civilian Conservation Corps

Credit Texas Parks and Wildlife

In the first segment:

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) is looking at another round of real estate adjustments. In the past, BRAC closed San Antonio’s Kelly Air Force Base but it has also expanded the military’s medical operations in the Alamo City.

San Antonio Congressman Joaquín Castro is leading an effort to protect the city’s military assets from future possible cuts.

In the second segment:

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Texas Matters
3:34 pm
Fri May 24, 2013

Storm-Insurance Disaster Looms As Hurricane Season Approaches

Credit National Weather Service
2008's Hurricane Ike off the coast of Texas.

The 83rd Legislature is finished on Monday and so far there is no permanent fix for a state-funded storm insurance company as hurricane season approaches. Want to know the secret behind which bills pass and which ones fail? Follow the money. Also on this show: This summer's projected strain on the state's electric grid, and a border reunion between two villages.

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Texas Matters
1:56 pm
Fri May 17, 2013

How Much Scrutiny Is Fair When Seeking To Be Tax Exempt?

Credit Flickr user Rob Chandanais (BlueRobot) / cc

A fact that is being overlooked as the IRS scandal plays out is that both conservative and progressive groups were required to answer additional questions. Two Texas groups talk about the extra questionnaire and why they feel they deserve to be tax free. Also on this show: In the last two years, 60 women's health clinics were forced to close, so why did the state have $2.3 million in unspent federal funds, which was available to keep clinics running?

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Texas Matters
2:24 pm
Fri May 10, 2013

President Obama Touches Down In Texas

Credit Joey Palacios / TPR
Though a staunchly Republican state, President Obama has found success in visits to Texas.

Texas Matters: President Obama visited Austin on Thursday to promote his jobs and middle class growth strategy. Also on this show: Latino unemployment in Texas, the Boquillas border crossing opens in Big Bend and the last night to pass bills out of the Texas House.

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Texas Matters
1:53 pm
Fri May 3, 2013

Whose Job Is It To Oversee Plants Like The One In West, Texas?

Credit Ryan Poppe / TPR
Committee hearing on West fertilizer investigation.

Texas Matters: With the investigation into the West fertilizer plant explosion ongoing, the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee held a hearing to clarify who is responsible for reviewing these kinds of facilities. Also on this show: The chances that Ted Cruz makes a presidential run and the future of high-stakes testing in Texas.

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Texas Matters
11:26 am
Fri April 26, 2013

President And Politicians Rally Community For West, Texas

Credit Ryan Poppe / TPR
Gov. Perry at a press conference addressing the explosion in West, Texas.

Officials are still trying to pin down who is responsible for the explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, but national and state politicians attended a tribute to urge a national sense of community. Also on this show: The Geroge W. Bush Library was dedicated this week, which is bringing up conversation about the meaning of the former president's legacy. As Texas continues to cope with drought conditions, residents who depend on rivers like the San Saba are battling agriculture interests for water rights. The U.S. Supreme Court weighs in on the cross-border Texas-Oklahoma water war.

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Texas Matters
1:39 pm
Fri April 19, 2013

Environmental Regulations And Their Role In Preventing Disasters

Credit @vrbruno3 / Instagram

Texas Matters: A former environmental inspector talks about regulations and their role in industrial safety following the deadly explosion in West, Texas. Also on this show, an update on the Keystone XL Pipeline, which is hitting some speedbumps along the way.

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