Infomaniacs: August 31, 2011 (Full Audio)

Press release 10/06/2026: AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that the Fugitive Apprehension Unit (“FAU”) has made 18,291 arrests since the division’s inception. Additionally, his office has secured hundreds of convictions and arrests of child predators. This reflects Attorney General Paxton’s commitment to bringing the full force of the law against criminals and his tireless work to protect the people of Texas. “Throughout my time as Attorney General, I have fought to find and arrest dangerous fugitives that threaten our communities. This has included putting thousands of fugitives behind bars,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Additionally, we have secured hundreds of convictions and arrests within my units that are dedicated to combatting child exploitation and human trafficking. I have done everything in my power and will continue to fight relentlessly to protect the children of this state and put dangerous criminals behind bars.” Since the division’s inception, investigators with the Office of the Attorney General’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit have made over 18,000 arrests. This includes 68 individuals on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Top 10 Most Wanted List. Additionally, the FAU has recovered 186 missing and endangered children throughout the state. Attorney General Paxton’s Child Exploitation Unit has made 278 arrests for Online Solicitation of a Minor, resulting in 214 convictions, with many cases still pending. The unit has also made 610 arrests for Possession of Child Pornography, resulting in 1,410 convictions, with many cases still pending. Attorney General Paxton’s Human Trafficking Unit has made 373 human trafficking arrests and secured 126 convictions, with several cases still pending. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

69-year-old Angela Sera, the owner and operator of the Dogtown Ranch in Rockdale is facing new charges of animal cruelty. A grand jury declined to indict her in September. Today, the Milam County Sheriff’s Office served an arrest warrant on Sera for a single charge of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals, a class A misdemeanor. Last week, the Brandywine Valley SPCA took in 82 animals from the facility. The current charge stems from one of the animals surrendered, a pit bull terrier mix. The dog was taken to a Travis County animal clinic where the veterinary report listed numerous issues including worms, dehydration, fleas, ticks, and malnutrition. That veterinary report also noted substantial and longstanding unmet medical and nutritional needs. Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said, “We are grateful for the generous assistance of Brandywine Valley SPCA. Their expertise and willingness to take in these animals made all the difference. I appreciate their willingness to step in and assist. This case will now move through the court process where Sera is presumed innocent of the underlying charges unless and until proven otherwise in court.” Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X. Previous related stories: https://wtaw.com/milam-county-sheriffs-office-releases-statement-on-dogtown-ranch-sanctuary/ https://wtaw.com/grand-jury-declines-to-indict-dogtown-ranch-owners-on-animal-cruelty/  

Texas A&M is mourning the loss of former head football coach Dennis “Coach Fran” Franchione, who passed away today at 75. Franchione, a native of Girard, Kansas, began his coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State in 1978. He served as Texas A&M’s head football coach from 2003-07. He compiled a 32-28 record during his time in College Station. He guided the Aggies to three bowl games, highlighted by the 2004 Cotton Bowl. He also served as head coach for Alabama and TCU, and led the Horned Frogs to 3 straight bowl games and a 10-1 season in 2000 with LaDainian Tomlinson. In his second time at the helm in San Marcos, he helped bring Texas State into the FBS. Franchione’s record was 213-135-2, including 9 conference championships. He was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Franchione was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and again in 2021, but had been in remission. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the cancer returned earlier this year and had recently been in hospice care. His coaching career: Southwestern College 1981–1982  Early collegiate head coaching stop Pittsburg State University 1985–1989  53–6 record, five conference titles, two-time NAIA Coach of the Year Texas State (Southwest Texas State)    1990–1991  Compiled a 13–9 record New Mexico 1992–1997  Revamped the Lobos program, coaching star linebacker Brian Urlacher TCU 1998–2000  Turned around a 1–11 team with LaDainian Tomlinson Alabama 2001–2002  Went 17–8, winning the SEC West in 2002 despite bowl bans Texas A&M 2003–2007  Compiled a 32–28 record with three bowl appearances Texas State 2011–2015 Returned to guide the Bobcats through their transition to the FBS; retired in 2015 Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.