Austin, TX
SAFE Alliance cuts forensic testing service for victims
AUSTIN, Texas – One of the nation’s largest support networks for survivors of domestic and sexual violence is facing a crossroads.
In the last year alone, the SAFE Alliance has lost roughly $4 million in philanthropic and government funding. That massive gap is forcing the organization to end a critical service.
The backstory:
“The part that is going away for Eloise House is the forensic examinations specifically,” said Dr. Pierre Berastain, CEO of SAFE Alliance.
According to SAFE Alliance, it provides 95% of all forensic examinations for sexual assault victims in the city of Austin, amounting to roughly 600 tests annually. Now, hospitals will be taking on that responsibility.
“Response times for forensic exams, whenever they happen at SAFE, are within an hour, an hour and a half max,” Berastain said.
And that’s only the wait time for the test. It often takes much longer at hospitals. On top of that, the exam itself can take anywhere from three to six hours to perform.
“When survivors go to the hospital, they’re having to tell about a dozen people what happened to them, before they’re talking to someone who can actually take their story. They’re waiting hours, sometimes up to eight hours in a room before they are with a nurse or an advocate who can help them. After that, they’re getting a bill for thousands of dollars. The actual exam is free, but the hospital charges you for everything else. We do not do any of that here,” said Holly Bowles, director of the Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Program at SAFE.
While the assessment is free by law, survivors often get hit with “facility fees” or charges for other medical treatments at hospitals.
“Victims have received no bills from SAFE Alliance whenever they receive forensic examinations. What I can tell you from national data is that victims sometimes receive hospital bills that amount to two, three, $4,000 for services,” Berastain said.
SAFE’s CEO said that while the organization will no longer be able to provide this key service, it is still committed to supporting survivors and hopes to partner with the hospitals in this transition moving forward.
“We’re not going anywhere. And so, my reaction is one of taking in the news, accepting, and then determining what it is that we need to do to ensure that services don’t go away,” Berastain said.
What’s next:
Mayor Kirk Watson announced Tuesday that Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White, and St. David’s will conduct the exams.
The three major hospital systems issued a joint statement about their commitment to a “seamless transition,” promising high-quality, trauma-informed care.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Katie Pratt
Austin, TX
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issues directive keeping college tuition frozen for upcoming school year
Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, speaks to members of the media after casting his ballot at a polling location inside Austin Recreation Center on the first day of early voting in the Texas runoff election in Austin, Texas, US, on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday issued a directive reinforcing a freeze on undergraduate tuition and fees at all public institutions of higher education in Texas for the upcoming academic year.
Tuition freeze extended
In a letter sent to college and university presidents, Abbott made clear that his November 2024 directive remains fully in effect and that no undergraduate tuition or fees should be increased for the 2026–2027 academic school year. The freeze applies to all public two-year and four-year institutions, including both general academic and health-related schools.
What they’re saying:
“Higher education must be attainable for Texas students and families,” Abbott said in a statement. “Access to affordable, high-quality higher education is essential to ensure Texans learn the skills needed to secure family-sustaining jobs and meet the demands of a growing workforce.”
Undergraduate tuition and fees at Texas public institutions have remained frozen since 2023. While the state legislature previously codified the freeze for general academic four-year universities, Abbott emphasized that his executive directive encompasses all public higher education systems.
State officials noted that the tuition freeze has been paired with significant state investments intended to offset institutional costs and support affordability. In 2023, the state invested more than $680 million to reform community college funding and expand degree pathways. Additionally, during the 2025 budget cycle, Texas increased student financial aid funding by $328 million to expand access to state financial aid programs for eligible students.
What’s next:
Abbott indicated he plans to work with the legislature during its next session to extend the tuition freeze into future academic years.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Texas Governor’s office.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson has defeated his opponent Joe Jaworski for the Democratic primary nomination in the Texas State Attorney General’s Race.
Johnson grabbed nearly 60 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s runoff election.
“A Johnson victory means that Democrats will probably have the best candidate for a November run as their nominee,” said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University.
Johnson is campaigning on a focus on public safety, including building public relationships with prosecutors and law enforcement, and protecting competition in the marketplace for Texas consumers.
ALSO| Texas AG Ken Paxton wins GOP runoff for US Senate, ousting longtime Sen. John Cornyn
Johnson will take on either current U.S. Congressman Chip Roy or current Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton in the November election.
While calling Johnson the favorite in the Democratic primary, Jones says Johnson will be the underdog in a much different battle in November.
“Texas remains a reliably Republican state where Republican candidates start with a natural, high single-digit advantage,” said Jones. “And unlike the case of, say, Ken Paxton, who’s a deeply flawed candidate, neither Mays Middleton nor Chip Roy has any of those same flaws. They’re very conservative.”
The winner of November’s race will replace Ken Paxton as state Attorney General. Paxton has held the position since 2015, but is running for U.S. Senate in 2026. Follow all election results here.
A man votes at James Island Charter High School on Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Polls are now open across Texas for the primary runoff elections.
How you voted in March’s primary election determines which party’s runoff election you are eligible to vote in. If you did not vote in a primary election in March then you can pick either party’s runoff to cast your ballot.
Where are polls open in Texas on election day?
Polls are open across the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Once the polls close for the day, official counts will begin to decide winners.
Any registered voter can cast a vote on Election Day, but unlike early voting, you’ll be limited to your specific precinct in some counties.
How do I find my voting place?
In order to find where the polls are in that precinct, follow these steps:
- Visit VoteTexas.gov
- Enter your details to find your polling location.
- You can also contact your local county election office to get information about your polling location and anything else voting-related. Do a simple online search for “[Your County] elections.”
- If you have your voter registration card, it should include your polling location. Locations can sometimes change — be sure to double-check this with one of the other options before you get out the door.
Do I need an ID to vote in Texas?
In order to vote in person during early voting or on election day, Texas voters will be asked to present an acceptable form of photo ID. Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess an acceptable form of photo identification and cannot reasonably obtain one:
- Copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate
- Copy of or original current utility bill
- Copy of or original bank statement
- Copy of or original government check
- Copy of or original paycheck
- Copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document)
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