Bayliss Wagner

State Politics Reporter

Bayliss Wagner is a data and investigative reporter focused on Texas government. She has appeared on CNN and NPR as well as Austin PBS, Spectrum News' "Capital Tonight" show and "The Texas Standard" podcast. She has covered state politics for the Statesman, reported for Paste BN and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and taught English in Marseille, France. She graduated from Swarthmore College in 2021 with a major in English and minors in Computer Science and French. Bayliss was named a finalist for the 2024 Livingston Award in Local Reporting. You can contact her securely via Signal at bwagner.46 or via email at bwagner@statesman.com.

Texas lawmakers advance bills to strengthen state flood response

Texas House and Senate panels have advanced a suite of bills aimed at improving early warning systems, expanding emergency training and streamlining volunteer response.

By Bayliss Wagner

Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, testifies at the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding at the Capitol in Austin, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.

Casar, Doggett lead protest of Abbott’s threat against quorum-busting Democrats

At the governor’s mansion Monday evening, about 100 Texans hastily gathered to cheer for quorum-busting statehouse Democrats and rail against Republicans’ push to redistrict mid-decade.

By Bayliss Wagner

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, left, and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, picket outside the Governor’s Mansion to protest the Republican plan for Congressional redistricting in Austin, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.

Travis County flood response under microscope after state hearing

Flood survivors told Texas lawmakers that Travis County's slow response left them stranded, forcing volunteers to lead rescue, aid and recovery after deadly flooding.

By Bayliss Wagner

Travis County resident Ashlee Willis stands outside of the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville, Thursday evening, July 31, 2025. She provided public testimony to state lawmakers during a joint hearing held in response to the deadly July 4 floods that struck the Hill Country, resulting in the deaths of over 130 people.

Interactive map shows risks of floodplain developments in Austin area

Our analysis of FEMA flood maps in the Austin area show many homes devastated by July floods were in high-risk areas. Experts say the state must bolster land-use restrictions to prevent future damage.

By Bayliss Wagner and

Caroline Ghisolfi

An aerial view from Star Flight shows homes and property damaged by flooding from Big Sandy Creek and filled with debris near Lago Vista on July 6.

Kerr County judge, other officials set to testify at flood hearing in Kerrville

Texas lawmakers invited Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr., and City Manager Dalton Rice to testify at the hearing Thursday.

By Bayliss Wagner and Megan Kimble

First responders scan the banks of the Guadalupe River in Ingram, TX as rescue efforts to find individuals swept away in early morning flooding on July 4, 2025.

Texas lawmakers blast river authority for not upgrading flood warning system

They cited a Houston Chronicle investigation that found UGRA declined to fund the improvements despite having millions of dollars in reserves.

By Bayliss Wagner,

Neena Satija,

Keri Blakinger

Tara Bushnoe, general manager of the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, testifies as the Texas Senate and House Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding hold a joint hearing at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Marble Falls mourns fire chief lost during Central Texas floods

MARBLE FALLS — The first breath of the bagpipes rose like smoke into still air.

They wailed the notes of “Amazing Grace” as two chestnut-brown horses marched solemnly around the ring of the Marble Falls Rodeo on a hot Friday evening. In the long shadows of an evening summer...

By Bayliss Wagner

Cecilia Phillips, left, hugs Captain Thomas Jacobs of the Marble Falls Area Fire Department, right, after being presented with a folded flag for her husband Chief Michael Phillips at the Marble Falls Rodeo at Charley Taylor Arena on Friday, in Marble Falls, Texas. Chief Michael Phillips of the Marble Falls Area Fire Department was swept away on July 5, while responding to flood calls and is still missing.

Poor coordination hampered flood response, Texas official tells lawmakers

Lawmakers also questioned local river officials' decision not to use their reserves to fund an early flood warning system.

By Megan Kimble, Neena Satija, Bayliss Wagner

Chief Nim Kidd of Texas Division of Emergency Management testifies as the Texas Senate and House Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding hold a joint hearing at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Could a bill Abbott vetoed in 2019 have saved lives in Texas floods?

A bill Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed in 2019 could have increased participation in Texas emergency warning systems, experts and the bill’s authors say.

By Bayliss Wagner

Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, reads a proclamation at the 4th Annual Texas HBCU Democracy Schools Conference at Huston-Tillotson University Friday April 4, 2025. Students from HBCUs across Texas gathered at the conference to network and attend events about civic engagement.

Uvalde school, county ordered to release records from Robb shooting

A San Antonio appeals court orders Uvalde County and the school district to release long-withheld records relating to the 2022 Robb Elementary shooting.

By Bayliss Wagner

Crosses dedicated to the 21 victims of the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary are placed in front of the school on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Uvalde, Texas.

Lake Travis partially reopens for boat traffic, officials urge caution

Travis County Judge Andy Brown has partially reopened Lake Travis for recreational use after catastrophic flooding and debris accumulation over the July 4 weekend led him to declare the lake...

By Bayliss Wagner

A map provided by Travis County shows areas upstream of mile marker 36 and Sandy Creek Park.

Abbott, Trump, and first lady vow long-term support after Texas floods

KERRVILLE — In a visit to the Central Texas county hardest hit by recent deadly, catastrophic flooding, President Donald Trump pledged to “fully fund” federal recovery assistance, gave his...

By Bayliss Wagner