Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

Vote like the wind 🗳

Your voting guide for the Saturday, May 6 election

Have you made a voting plan yet? | Gif via Giphy

Travis County residents have until Tuesday, May 2 to participate in early voting ahead of the Saturday, May 6 special election.

This round’s ballot is small, so don’t be surprised if you only have a few measures to vote on. Pro tip: If you don’t want to memorize your answers, a paper key is allowed inside the polling place.

Austin residents have two propositions regarding police oversight on the ballot.

Proposition A: If passed, this ordinance created by Equity Action will amend City Code to strengthen oversight and encourage officer accountability in the Austin Police Department.
Proposition B: Created by the group Voters for Oversight and Police Accountability, passage of this proposition would increase the transparent civilian oversight.

What’s the difference? The groups that back each proposition, and the specific language referencing police misconduct. Officials say passing both ordinances could lead to contradictions.

The following school districts have propositions and/or school board positions on the ballot: Pflugerville, Eanes, Leander, Dipping Springs ISDs, and Hays CISD.

Residents of Lakeway, Round Rock, and Briarcliff have a mayoral election on the ballot. Round Rock voters will have a different Prop A, a $230 million bond for parks and recreation improvements — and Prop B, a $44 million bond to improve its safety training center and fire stations. Find a sample ballot here.

Now that you’ve got the guide, check for when your polling location is open. Last but not least, don’t forget your accepted form of ID.

Events

Monday, May 1

Yoga & Sound | Monday, May 1 | 6 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin | Free | Start your week with a free yoga class led by Castle Hill Fitness.
Patti LuPone: Don’t Monkey with Broadway | Monday, May 1 | 8 p.m. | The Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin | $39-$129 | The Broadway legend is bringing her one-woman show to Austin.

Tuesday, May 2

Healthy Living with Herbs & Mediterranean Brunch | Tuesday, May. 2 | 9:30-11 a.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free with RSVP | Hear Gayle Engels of the American Botanical Council speak about the best way to use homegrown herbs with a free Mediterranean brunch buffet.

Wednesday, May 3

Tom Jones | Wednesday, May. 3 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $79-$89 | The award-winning musician will select from 50 years of hits on his “Ages & Stages” tour.

Thursday, May 4

Kalu & The Electric Joint | Thursday, May. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $20-$25 | Catch Kalu James’ Nigerian roots with Afrobeat flourishes as well as the sounds of his new home in Austin.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

The Climate Prediction Center is predicting a rainier-than-average month ahead. Usually Central Texas’ stormiest month of the year — coming with an average 5 inches of rain — May has a 33%-40% chance of above average precipitation.

Sports

The next time you see Longhorn football alum Bijan Robinson on the field, he’ll be wearing an Atlanta Falcons jersey. Check in on the five UT players who were picked in the NFL draft.
Austin FC may have ended its Saturday home match against the San Jose Earthquakes in a draw, but during the game, the Verde and Black ended a nearly 400-minute goal-free streak. Get the highlights. (KXAN)

Civic

Tomorrow — aka Tuesday, May 2 — is the last day to have your feedback heard about upcoming light rail plans by Austin Transit Partnership. The original plan was estimated to cost $5.8 billion, but after scaling back, the new plan is expected to cost almost twice as much, with a price tag of $11.6 billion. Reach out to ATP. (KVUE)

Ranked

Travis County Airbnb hosts led the state in most revenue earned in 2022: $72 million. Harris and Dallas counties were next in line, with $43 million and $29 million respectively, while the median host in Texas earns about $10,800 per year. (Austin American-Statesman)
According to a study by Stacker and Niche, six Austin-area public schools rank within the top 30 in Texas. Top ranked schools include Liberal Arts & Science Academy, Westlake High School, Westwood High IB World School, Vandegrift High School, Meridian World School, and Westlake Academy.

Number

14 days. That’s how long you have until Mother’s Day. The good news? That gives you just enough time to order a gift from Quince — a brand offering high-end and sustainable products at affordable prices. Think: European linen shorts, silk slip dresses, cashmere crewnecks + Italian leather totes. Shop now.

Community

Take a look, it’s in a book 📚

Where to find a Little Free Library near you

Whether you’re looking for a new read or want to donate used books, there’s a Little Free Library near you. | Photo by @littlefreelibrary

Looking to get your nose in a book? You’ve come to the right place.

Nonprofit Little Free Library (LFL) — which is based in St. Paul, MN — is on a mission to spread a love of reading via its network of volunteer-led tiny libraries.

How it works

No need for a library card, LFLs operate on a take a book, leave a book model. So, if you have an old book that’s collecting dust, you can drop it off at a library and grab a different book in exchange — no due dates.

Generally, LFLs stand on wooden posts and are decorated because they want to be seen. There are more than 200,000 LFLs in the world, including ~50 mapped locations across Austin.

Here are a few little Austin libraries that are worth a visit — but if you get lost, you can use the app to get back on the right page.

Little Free Library located in the Oaks at Twin Creeks neighborhood.
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Photo via ATXtoday

Central Austin

Since 2017, the charter #58740 library has been helping Austinites discover new books. All books are welcome here, but it places a special emphasis on children’s titles.
Find it: 4610 Depew Ave.

North Austin

Be on the look out for this coffin-shaped library on Hilltop Street in Eubank Acres. Charter #159216 claims it might be haunted, so we’re guessing it’ll have a scary story or two.
Find it: 11501 Hilltop St.

South Austin

If you find yourself at the traffic circle at Oaks at Twin Creeks, you’ll find Charter #103558. In addition to books, it tends to have games + snacks you can check out.
Find it: Island Oak Drive + Auction Oak Drive traffic circle

East Austin

Howdy, this Central East Austin library is sponsored by the Buy Nothing Project and features art by Ruby Bean, who grew up in the neighborhood. Charter #195509 is dedicated to providing young readers with books that showcase diversity.
Find it: 1909 New York Ave.

Southwest Austin

Discover this, charter #26320 was built to share mystery novels by female authors. Need a clue finding it? It’s up the street from The Vegan Yacht.
Find it: 2315 Southern Oaks Dr.

Interested in starting your Little Free Library? Find info on how to volunteer.

Search near you

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

As a Vandegrift High School alumna, I’m so proud to see my alma mater on Stacker’s list of best public schools. I might be a little biased, but I fully believe it deserves the accolades. Go Vipers!

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Hold onto your handlebars — we’re ranking Austin’s bike-friendliness score.

Missed yesterday's archive?

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