Maya Fawaz
Hays County ReporterWhat I do at KUT
Where most reporters have a certain beat they focus on, my reporting includes a little bit of everything: education, politics, the environment, business and housing. My coverage area is also vast, I travel frequently across San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley and Dripping Springs.
I love what I do and the ever-changing nature of my beat, but it frustrates me to know I can’t cover everything. I try my best to bring attention to what’s most important to the communities in Hays County and will always lend an ear to someone willing to chat. I work hard to keep people at the heart of every story I tell, whether it be on the air or on our website.
My experience
I was labeled an “excessive talker” in every classroom growing up, often having to be moved away from friends and exiled to the other side of classrooms — where I inevitably would strike up a new conversation with a stranger. I got accepted into the University of Texas at Austin and didn’t know what would come next. All I knew was I loved telling stories and was obsessed with learning languages. I took a journalism class, which led to another, and yet another.
I graduated with a bachelor’s in Journalism, a minor in French and with a first-level Arabic class under my belt. I produced an investigative podcast under our student-run audio production house called Crooked Power, a five-episode series reported entirely in Spanish. It followed a family of journalists in Ecuador as they fought for a free press amid a national controversy in 2011.
I freelanced for a while, editing and producing podcasts, until I landed an internship at KUT. I was given a chance to stick around as a part-time general assignment reporter and, to my delight and surprise, was hired as the Hays County reporter in January 2023.
Journalistic ethics
I care more about covering the news fairly and with context than to be the first reporter to break the news. I believe in producing accurate stories while treating sources with compassion and care. At the end of the day, reporters are people, with our own opinions and beliefs. I take great care to not let my own experiences and opinions impact my reporting.
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The popular Wimberley swimming hole has struggled with low water levels for years. While staff with the Hays County Parks Department are hopeful about what this means for the future, not everyone shares that optimism. -
Kyle Police said the devices have helped officers solve crimes, while opponents say there is too much government surveillance for a city of 66,000 people. -
Commissioners requested an expedited appeal to a judge's ruling that voided the $440 million road bond, but it could take months before a decision is made. In the meantime, county officials are finding other funding to get started on some projects. -
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Mitchell said he's looking to return to work in the private sector. The city will hold a special election to fill the seat for the one year remaining of his term. -
The Swedish company held a grand opening for its new, small-format store in San Marcos on Wednesday. People lined up overnight to be among the first to enter the 35,000-square-foot facility. -
Michael Phillips volunteered with the department for decades. The search for him continues this week. -
The 50-foot poles along the San Marcos River have sirens for severe weather, wildfires and tornadoes — and they were put to use last weekend. -
Community members, including dozens of high school students, have helped clear debris and burn brush piles at Cedar Stays RV Park in Burnet County. One resident died in Saturday's flood. -
A federal disaster declaration that originally covered Kerr County has been expanded to allow Travis, Williamson and Burnet County residents to receive federal assistance. -
Travis County emergency responders have conducted dozens of water rescues since the flooding began. Officials are encouraging residents to sign up for alerts from Warn Central Texas to stay up to date on the situation.
