U.S. Representative Chip Roy, whose district 21 includes gerrymandered chunks of Austin, is considering a run for the chair of the House GOP Conference, following the ouster of Wyoming's Liz Cheney. Austin's camping ban is back in place but so are encampments - the city is taking a gradual, phased approach to enforcement. Travis County DA Jose Garcia announces a firearm surrender policy as a requirement for bond for certain defendants. Austin Public Health thinks Austin may now or soon be in "herd immunity" territory, while AISD relaxes rules for outdoor masking and quarantine times. Barton Springs Pool now requires reservations for most pool-goers. Austin is to gain a new Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame member as Kathy Valentine will be inducted this year with her band The Go-Go's. And get ready, it's gonna rain.

The UT sports and Westlake communities mourn Texas football player Jake Ehlinger, who has died at 20. The Texas Legislature presses forward on bills related to voter access restrictions, abortion restrictions and punishment for Texas cities that cut policing budgets, while a state lawmaker who has been vaccinated since February tests positive for COVID. Prop B's passage has the City of Austin scrambling to find temporary encampment space for Austin's homeless. Dr. Mark Escott of Austin Public Health transitions into a new position. A second Tesla operation is announced for eastern Travis County. U.S. Women's Soccer will officially break in Austin FC's new home stadium. Austin Animal Center reopens to public visits after over a year as they exceed capacity for medium and large dogs. And two new Moody family-supported Austin music venues - neither open yet - issue concert announcements.

Our weekly survey of the re-awakening of the Live Music Capital of the World finds worthy action from Robert Earl Keen, Gina Chavez, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sun June, Kevin Fowler, a rescheduled Bob Schneider gig, Dale Watson, Sir Woman, Clint Black, two New Orleans acts and a fun day-show benefit for local farmers. Be sure to fire up our playlist Incoming! to explore and immerse yourself in the sounds of the town this week. Enjoy!

Busy and controversial times at the Texas Legislature as bills allowing permitless carrying of handguns, limiting abortion access and banning public camping statewide make progress towards law. A bill that would have handicapped Austin's ability to regulate loud, late-night sound from live music venues effectively dies in the House. Two 17-year-old accused murderers are loose in Austin after having been kept in custody for less than two weeks. A former car dealership sales manager is accused of trafficking firearms from the business. Student tour guides at UT go on strike over "The Eyes Of Texas". Round Rock Express baseball returns to the Dell Diamond tonight after over 600 days away. Again, Austin is the fastest-growing metro in the country (and has been for a decade now). Live music: Continental Club, C-Boy's and the Mohawk announce live music returning to their stages, the future of the Cactus Cafe remains under discussion, and the Statesman runs down the pandemic comeback of several beloved local festivals, including the ACL Fest.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Lots of news from the Legislature: a Senate-approved bill targeting transgender student athletes in Texas stalls in committee. Another broadside from corporations against new laws limiting voting access arrives. Faith leaders and Texas doctors weigh in against new laws limiting abortion access. The Texas House overwhelmingly votes in favor of dropping the "law of parties" in death penalty cases. Austin's Police Academy nears its new beginning in June, while the Williamson County Sheriff's Office is sued yet again in a case related to the TV show Live PD. Austin Public Health releases new COVID guidance including what's expected of the fully vaccinated, gets ready to deliver shots to Austinites over 12, and considers offering incentives to the vaccine-hesitant. The "DWI Dude" is on his way to the Federal clink. After a pandemic, Austin's average rent rates are again headed skyward. And the New York Times says Austin ranks the fastest-growing city in the U.S., as well as the biggest in the top 10.

Resolution of yesterday's Amber Alert as 4-year-old Wyatt Crowley is found safe, and his father Joshua Crowley is arrested for a Sunday morning shooting in Burton. City officials scramble for solutions as the restored ban on public homeless encampments is one week from returning, while neighbors of the Candlewood Suites hotel in Williamson County continue their opposition to a City of Austin homeless project planned there, and the ban on evictions during the pandemic is set to expire on June 1. A KVUE Defenders report says toxic blue algae in Austin waterways is partly due to the environmental impact of booming development. Barton Springs Pool reopens, and Waterloo Greenway is set to debut this summer. And while all this recent rain hasn't been convenient, it has broken a mild drought.

BREAKING: an Amber Alert has been issued for four-year-old Wyatt Crowley. Brown hair, brown eyes, last seen wearing a Spider-Man shirt. Wyatt was last seen with his father Joshua Crowley who was driving a black 2011 Mazda MZ3, license number 737-763-C. Saturday's high-turnout election sees the passage of Prop B, which will restore the ban on public camping lifted in 2019 next Tuesday, May 11. Also passing were Props A, C, D and E. Governor Greg Abbott takes part in a memorial service for fallen law enforcement officers at House Park. Round Rock parents are divided on what masking policy should look like for kids returning to on-campus learning. Faculty at UT weigh in on the debate over "The Eyes Of Texas" via a new petition calling for it to be dropped. Six Texas Longhorns football players go pro via the NFL Draft. And Austin FC is over .500 for the first time, with a second straight win at Minnesota United.

Lots of action at the Capitol yesterday: allegations of a date-rape drugging are found short of criminal charges by investigators. "Constitutional Carry" legislation continues progress thru the Senate. Two marijuana-decriminalization bills also continue making progress. And the Texas House lifts the requirement for indoor masking in its chambers, which critics say they'd been ignoring anyway. Locally, AISD receives nine figures worth of overdue Federal funding from the State, while Austin tenants impacted by the pandemic may find themselves losing protection against eviction as of this weekend. A drive-thru vaccination session at COTA Saturday and Sunday focuses on our hospitality professionals. Alamo Drafthouse announces a wave of re-openings, including Mueller and the Village. Austin FC continues their inaugural road run at Minnesota United on Saturday night. Saturday is also the last chance to vote on Prop B, the potential reinstatement of Austin's camping ban, and seven other municipal proposals. Austin is found amongst the "trendiest" U.S. cities - shocker, we know. And grab your rubbers, because it's gonna rain.

Welcome to the FIRST of our weekly bonus episodes covering the best live music options in Austin over the next week, plus a heads-up on tickets for future shows going on sale tomorrow, Friday April 30th. These bonus episodes will be posted each Thursday, after the regular Austin Daily Drop.

Plus, check out our weekly-updated playlist, Incoming! It features about three hours of music from the artists highlighted in this episode, and is a great way to immerse yourself in what live music in Austin really sounds like! We hope you find your faves, and also make new discoveries. Excited for the return of live music to the Live Music Capital of the World - let's go!

Austin hits high turnout marks during early voting on those eight municipal propositions - one day left to vote, Election Day on Saturday May 1. Austin Police Department Interim Chief Joe Chacon will join other law enforcement leaders across Texas this morning to discuss pending "Constitutional Carry" legislation. The State has released most of that large Federal stimulus outlay for schools, but are still holding back about 7 billion dollars. HEB announces daily two-hour windows for appointment-free COVID vaccinations. McCallum High School student athletes will NOT have to be vaccinated to play, and three local high schools receive top national performance honors. The new Moody Center will replace the Frank Erwin Center in about a year, and is already booked for over 120 of its first 365 nights. Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, fave of President Joe Biden, opens a ghost location in Austin. And, following a stormy Wednesday night, looks like a wet weekend after all.