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Veterans group issues strong rebuke of South by Southwest band boycotts over US Army sponsorship

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Veterans group issues strong rebuke of South by Southwest band boycotts over US Army sponsorship


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A Veterans Affairs group addressed the boycott by dozens of artists and bands who left the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, in protest of the U.S. Army’s sponsorship, claiming the groups supplied weapons to Israel to support “their violent oppression of the Palestinian people.”

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In February, the Austin for Palestine Coalition launched a campaign that called for a protest and boycott of SXSW because the U.S. Army was a “Super Sponsor” of the event. In response, 80 artists, bands and performers pulled their scheduled appearances as a show of support for Palestinians.

“We are heeding the call of Palestinian civil society to engage in Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israeli occupation and those supplying arms to Israel for its genocide against the Palestinian people,” an Instagram post by the Austin for Palestine Coalition read. “SXSW must disinvite Raytheon (RTX), its subsidiary Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems to the conference and festivals in the city of Austin.”

“Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems have direct ties to the arming of Israel, supporting their violent oppression of the Palestinian people,” the post continued. “Raytheon manufactures missiles, bombs, and other weapon systems for the Israeli military to use against Palestinians.”

A sign in front of Speakeasy on Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, on March 11, 2022, welcomes visitors back to SXSW for the first time in three years. (Jim Bennett/WireImage)

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On Tuesday, a few days after the conclusion of SXSW, National Commander Duane Sarmiento of the Veterans of Foreign Wars responded to the boycott, stating the organization “fully supports free speech,” but warned that the artists who pulled out of the festival “missed out on a great opportunity for needed exposure.”

“They seem to have forgotten it’s the good men and women of the U.S. Army who fought and died for their opportunity to perform in the U.S., or not,” he said. “Their decision will have lasting impacts on their careers, and if free speech enthusiasts like Horse Jumper of Love, Squirrel Flower, Lip Critic or any other artist who cancelled their appearance in Austin again get the opportunity to come to our great nation, we invite them to visit with some of our Army veterans to gain some insight into the positive world impacts they’re responsible for.”  

Squirrel Flower, also known as Ella Williams, who was named by Commander Sarmiento, wrote on Instagram on March 4 explaining she was pulling out of the SXSW festival because it was “platforming defense contractors including Raytheon subsidiaries as well as the US Army, a main sponsor of the festival.”

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“Genocide profiteers like Raytheon supply weapons to the IDF, paid for by our taxes,” she wrote. “A music festival should not include war profiteers. I refuse to be complicit in this and withdrawl [sic] my art and labor in protest.”

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From left: Peter Hall, Alex Garland, Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny and Wagner Moura appear at the premiere of “Civil War” as part of SXSW 2024. (Chris Saucedo/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)

Other artists posted public notices that they were pulling out for similar reasons. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told the bands and performers: “Bye. Don’t come back.”

“We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here,” he added. 

SXSW rebuked his statement in a post on Instagram that it “does not agree” with the Texas governor, adding it “welcomes diverse viewpoints” including the decision of performers to withdraw from the event.

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“These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives,” the statement said. “The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world.”

A view of 6th Street during the 2023 SXSW Conference and Festivals in Austin, Texas, on March 10, 2023. (Hutton Supancic/Getty Images for SXSW)

“We have and will continue to support human rights for all,” the statement concluded. “The situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice.”

Fox News Digital reached out to SXSW for comment. 

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Fox News’ Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report. 





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South-Carolina

Two from South Carolina charged with murder after Massachusetts man found dead in trash can

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Two from South Carolina charged with murder after Massachusetts man found dead in trash can


Two men have been charged after a Massachusetts man was found dead in disturbing fashion.

According to the City of Marion South Carolina Police Department, 31-year-old Shaiquan Ramaal Foxworth of Marion was arrested this week and charged in the murder of David Hutchinson which took place in January.

Hutchinson’s body was discovered inside a trash can that had been placed behind an abandoned residence on Pearl Street.

Foxworth has been charged with Murder (No bond set at this time), Desecration or Removal of Human Remains ($10,000 bond), Conspiracy ($5,000 bond), Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime ($5,000 bond), and Discharging a Firearm within City Limits ($1,087.50 bond). His total bond has been set at $21,087.50. Bond on the Murder charge will be determined at a later date by a Circuit Court Judge.

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Additionally, 31-year-old Travis Jermaine Godbolt, who is currently being held at the Marion County Detention Center on unrelated charges, has also been charged in connection with Hutchinson’s death. His charges include Murder (No bond set at this time), Desecration or Removal of Human Remains ($10,000 bond), and Conspiracy ($5,000 bond). Godbolt’s bond has been set at $15,000. As with Foxworth, bond on the Murder charge will be determined by a Circuit Court Judge at a later date.

Thomas Lee Brigman, Jr. was arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact of Murder. His bond was set at $15,000 surety.

While no details were revealed by authorities, a GoFundMe fundraiser created by family states that Hutchinson “was lured to South Carolina with the promise of making money by a woman who claimed to be an entrepreneur, but upon arrival, he quickly figured out it was all a set up. After being taken for his money, he was dropped off at a trap house where his phone was also stolen. In the time leading up to his disappearance there was an altercation with his barbering equipment being stolen as well. When Dave confronted the individual(s) he thought took his belongings, he was met with violence and a gun was pulled. Later that same day he vanished without a trace.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Marion Police Department at 843-423-8616 or submit information through the department’s mobile app. Tips may be provided anonymously.

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Tennessee

Alabama Baseball Capitalizes on Free Passes in 12-8 Win Over Tennessee

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Alabama Baseball Capitalizes on Free Passes in 12-8 Win Over Tennessee


Alabama did not play a great game of baseball on Thursday night in Knoxville. The Crimson Tide stranded 12 runners, committed a costly error, and gave up eight runs against the Volunteers. None of it mattered, as Tennessee played even sloppier, giving up 16 free passes as Alabama ran away with a 12-8 win.

“Really proud of just the way they fought, the way they competed,” head coach Rob Vaughn said. “There were some really tough at-bats. I know they walked us, it seemed like 20 times, but, man, there were some very hard-fought walks.”

Bryce Fowler had a massive day for the Crimson Tide, breaking out of a recent slump by hitting three doubles and driving in three runs. He was moved out of the leadoff spot for just the second time this season, and batted cleanup instead. His first RBI came in the top of the first, driving in Justin Lebron, who had walked to lead off the game.

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Alabama ended up loading the bases in the opening frame, but failed to put up a crooked number as Jason Torres struck out to strand the three runners. Tennessee responded in the bottom of the inning, as a leadoff home run from Garrett Wright set the tone for what would be a back-and-forth game through the early innings.

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Blake Grimmer drove in a second run to put the Volunteers ahead in the first, but the Crimson Tide tied it back up in the second on, of all things, a balk.

Wright then hit a second home run in the second to tie the game. Tyler Fay did not have his best game on the mound, giving up four runs over five innings while striking out six. He still earned the win, as the Crimson Tide added three runs in the third off a bases-clearing Peyton Steele double to pull ahead.

Wright drove in his third and final run of the day in the fifth inning, before Eric Hines demolished a baseball in the sixth, hitting a three-run homer 427 feet and out of the park. Tennessee continued to stay in striking distance, as Henry Ford responded with a two-run blast in the next frame, cutting Alabama’s lead to 9-6.

Tennessee’s bullpen imploded in the seventh. After Andrew Purdy flied out to start the inning, Peyton Steele drew a walk and then three straight Alabama batters were plunked. The third, Brady Neal, brought home Steele for the 10th run. Fowler then drew an insane 13-pitch walk that summed up the day for both sides — Tennessee’s control issues and Alabama’s plate discipline.

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Hines was then hit with the bases loaded, meaning that all three of Alabama’s seventh-inning runs came on free passes. The Crimson Tide ended the game with 16 free passes and six batters hit, both the second most of the season for the team. Tennessee added two runs in the bottom of the inning, putting the game at its final score of 12-8.

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The near-four-hour game was not Alabama’s prettiest performance. Lebron had a defensive error that contributed to one of Tennessee’s runs, and now sits at 16 on the season, doubling his 2025 total. Runners stranded also continue to be an issue for an Alabama team that left runners in scoring position in five innings. The biggest concern at the moment is the status of Justin Osterhouse, who appeared to injure his leg while stretching in the on-deck circle.

“I didn’t know if he slipped, I didn’t know what happened,” Vaughn said. “I thought maybe he was cramping, but that he was just stretching like he always does, and just something in his lower half, I don’t know if it’s hamstring, hip, I’ll get a better read from Stryker after this.”

Alabama and Tennessee will play a double-header on Friday, as inclement weather is expected in Knoxville on Saturday. The first game is set for a 1:30 p.m. CT first pitch, with game two beginning 30 minutes after its conclusion.

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Texas

Texas attorney raises concerns as investigation continues into 2 home explosions on North Side

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Texas attorney raises concerns as investigation continues into 2 home explosions on North Side


SAN ANTONIO – Barriers on Preston Hollow Drive have been moved back, but part of the North Side street is still blocked off. This is where the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into two home explosions.

The explosions happened on Tuesday night. In total, five people were hurt. The latest update on Thursday revealed three of those victims were still in critical condition.

While the focus right now is on what caused the blasts, Texas attorney Michael Lyons is already looking ahead and raising concerns about what comes next.

“This is a recurring issue that exists in not just Texas,” Lyons said. “Gas infrastructure can be really dangerous.”

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“I handle a lot of cases involving gas explosions nationwide,” Lyons said. “When there’s a gas explosion, my phone usually rings.”

At this time, Lyons, who is a partner at the Dallas firm Lyons & Simmons, is not directly connected to this case. But he has represented families here in the city with very similar stories.

“We tried the case in February of 2025 that resulted in a big verdict against CPS (Energy),” Lyons said.

He’s talking about Virginia Rymers and her son Robert. KSAT previously reported they survived a 2021 natural gas explosion at their East Side home but became severely injured as a result.

On Thursday, KSAT built a map showing all the house and apartment explosions we’ve covered since 2020.

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One of Lyons’ biggest concerns is making sure the homes are not demolished on Preston Hollow Drive before the investigation is complete. A spokesperson with San Antonio’s Development Services Department confirmed to KSAT on Thursday that “nothing will be done until the investigation is completed.”

“The city and the taxpayers ought to know what happened and why and who is responsible,” Lyons said.

CPS Energy sent KSAT an updated statement just before 10 p.m. on Thursday, where a spokesperson for the utility said for the first time, “Electric and gas services in the Preston Hollow subdivision are clear and safe.”

Marc Whyte, the District 10 councilman, said his office and the city are currently working on creating a website to give out updates on the investigation as they become available.

CPS Energy will keep its customer response unit at the Northeast Senior Center through Sunday.

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CPS Energy said if any customers at any point smell gas, they should leave the house immediately and call CPS Energy at 210-353-HELP (4357) or 911.


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