The University of Texas raised $26 million in athletic donations in 2006, putting it 16th among all U.S. universities. A study by The Chronicle of Higher Education found that money for athletics accounts for more than one-quarter of all contributions to some universities. The Chronicle survey reported that the country's largest athletic departments and booster clubs raised more than $1.2 billion in 2006 and 2007. The University of Texas wasn't the top athletic fund-raiser in......

Warning to UT season ticketholders with seats on the north end zone: Porta-potties will be used at the stadium because of unfinished construction. 27-year-old man dies when his canoe tips over in a Hutto pond. The Chronicle live-blogged the city council budget talks today. Mommymixers help Austin mothers meet up with college students willing to babysit to pay for books. Texas lawmakers may lengthen the tax-free time to two weekends. Received a jury summons......

They're all over the place these days. The deck at Spiderhouse: on the cover Austin Music Magazine. Eating a taco at El Chilito, on the cover of The Chronicle. Pick up a copy of XL at Jo's on 2nd: there are their sweet faces yet again. The handsome Austin quintet Voxtrot, it seems, are kind of a big deal. We already knew they've been loved up by bloggers the world over, but magazine covers?......

Pitchfork reports that Okkervil River have settled on Stage Names for their upcoming release (slated for August 7), featuring artwork by William Schaff (featured left). The album was recorded here in Austin with Brian Beattie and Jim Eno. Follow the cut below for the track listing and tour dates for the summer (hint: there's only three). The Chronicle has taken note of the Tonewheel Collective's recent Beerland extravaganza / farewell show. The news here, incidentally,......

Tacks, the Boy Disaster's Daytrotter Session features four free songs, one of which is slated to appear on their forthcoming album. "Dying to Know" is one of the band's oldest songs, but one that needed some help before it became clear how to deal with that pesky bridge. Although the charm of the Daytrotter Session songs is their live and impromptu nature (complete with borrowed instruments and auxiliary musicians), we're anxious to hear this......

The Texan reported today about a survey released in November by The Chronicle of Higher Education that compared the annual salaries of university presidents and leaders in the United States. UT President William Powers ranked second, earning an annual base salary of $552,500. In addition, he has access to a retirement package of around $47,000. Powers responded, "I am surprised by this." He says the figure is skewed, claiming other presidents earn just as......

There’s always a group of youth, every three years or so, who is “on the cusp of DOING something!” Something amazing. Massive in potential scope! Probably artistic and important! Maybe even important on a national if not international scale!...

We've been a bit lax in our celebration of Austin's bloggers, but we're back, baby. Our favorite posts for this week of November 27th: Austin Real Estate Blog ponders real estate east of IH-35. Sarah at BondBlog caught the quick reference to the Alamo Drafthouse on Heroes Monday night. Rocky Balboa has caused some strong audience reaction already, Jette at celluloid eyes noticed. It's probably not the reaction the studio is hoping for. Red......

We've been trying to figure out for a couple days just what to make of this show. We know that our official reviewer didn't care for it. Some of our commenters enjoyed it for what it was, while others apparently think reunion tours are shams. We know the whole night could've been improved without the huge line to get in or the heat or the ridiculously loud, screeching music during the soundcheck. Eh, in......

A very kind reader (yo Josh G., hollaback!) forwarded us this from The Chronicle: Stray SXSW tidbits: Expect an announcement in the next day or two about the date and time for additional SXSW wristbands to go on sale. Notice will be given via SXSW's text-messaging service (sxsw.com), as well as on KLBJ, 101X, and KGSR. This will happen no later than Wednesday, March 15. Limit one wristband per person, which will be cash-priced......