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UT Austin protests descend into chaos, anti-Israel students yell at police: 'Pigs go home!'

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UT Austin protests descend into chaos, anti-Israel students yell at police: 'Pigs go home!'

One hundred or more protesters gathered on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday to participate in an unruly anti-Israel demonstration.

The rowdy protests invited hundreds of onlookers, some of whom joined in on the anti-Israel chants on the school’s South Lawn. UT Austin is one of many American universities where anti-Israel protests have intensified over recent days, as the Israeli military’s war against Hamas continues in the Middle East.

The Austin Police Department (APD) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were observed making arrests. Some officers monitored the protests on horseback.

“APD, KKK, IDF / they’re all the same,” the group was heard chanting.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MOVES TO HYBRID LEARNING ON MAIN CAMPUS AMID ANTISEMITIC PROTESTS

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At least 20 people were arrested at an anti-Israel protest at UT Austin on Wednesday. (Bryan Preston / Fox News Digital)

Protesters also chanted “Pigs go home!” at the Texas law enforcement officers on the scene. The keffiyeh-wearing protesters attempted to set up a few tents but were quickly thwarted by police. 

The DPS later told Fox News Digital that it made more than 20 arrests. The department said that the arrests were made “in order to prevent any unlawful assembly and to support UT Police in maintaining the peace by arresting anyone engaging in any sort of criminal activity, including criminal trespass.”

On X, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott denounced the protests as lawless and antisemitic.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS: 5 DRAMATIC MOMENTS FROM A WEEK OF CHAOS

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Protesters set up tents on the campus of UT Austin, but law enforcement quickly intervened. (Bryan Preston / Fox News Digital)

“These protesters belong in jail,” Abbott wrote. “Antisemitism will not be tolerated in Texas. Period.”

“Students joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled.”

UT Austin told Fox News Digital that it “does not tolerate” disruptive protests early Wednesday afternoon. Later that evening, UT Austin President Jay Hartzell released a statement about the protest activity, calling it a “challenging day.”

“We have witnessed much activity we normally do not experience on our campus, and there is understandably a lot of emotion surrounding these events,” Hartzell wrote.

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Around 100 protesters gathered at UT Austin, which is a fraction of its student body. (Bryan Preston / Fox News Digital)

“Today, our University held firm, enforcing our rules while protecting the Constitutional right to free speech,” he continued. “Peaceful protests within our rules are acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies and disrupting others’ ability to learn are not allowed.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Jury says it is deadlocked in trial of man accused in Palisades Fire

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Jury says it is deadlocked in trial of man accused in Palisades Fire

Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.

A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.

Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.

  • A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025.
  • Palisades Fire Suspect

Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.

“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”

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The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.

Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.

“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.

Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.

Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report

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