Scott Slade pulls back the curtain to offer you a behind-the-scenes glimpse at notes he takes every day, hosting Atlanta’s Morning News:

AUTHOR TOM WOLFE has died...88. He pioneered a novelistic form of journalism in the 60's and 70's with bestsellers like The Right Stuff and Bonfire of the Vanities. A lot of people think Wolfe pegged 1990 Atlanta with A Man in Full.

Kirk Mellish does NOT expect damaging, severe weather the next few days, we will be in and out of showers and a few storms.... about an inch of rain between now and the weekend on average, though some folks could see more and some, less.

NOTE TO SCOTT: TURN OFF the sprinkler system. We've got a bunch of rain coming the next few days.

(About an INCH between now and Friday)

I moderated last night's ATL Press Club debate between the Democratic candidates for governor – first Stacey Abrams and then Stacey Evans. Greg Bluestein's piece in the AJC this morning is headlined DEMOCRATS RENEW HOPE SCHOLARSHIP FIGHT. They were in agreement on several issues, however, including an immediate veto of ANY religious liberty legislation.

11Alive Survey USA poll on the GA Gov's race will be one of the last before the May 22 primary. HEADLINE: Cagle and Abrams solidify leads but a runoff still looms.

GOP:

Casey Cagle 35%

Brian Kemp solid 2nd place with 17%

Hunter Hill 10

Clay Tippins 8

Michael Williams 3

Around 25% undecided

DEMS

Stacy Abrams 43%

Stacey Evans 24%

Around a third undecided

The survey says in a head to head matchup, Cagle leads both Abrams and Evans by about 4 points.

I HOPE SOMEBODY studies the GA campaign for governor... there’s been some great TV and radio spots. (SOUND) Michael Williams is driving the Deportation Bus...Brian Kemp is handling every conservative icon from chainsaws to skeet guns in 30 seconds...While Clay Tippons is emerging from a swamp in Navy seal camo, Hunter Hill is running an obstacle course with a Casey Cagle lookalike FAR behind...and Casey Cagle is running a straight-laced TV ads with a graphics package that looks a LOT like the one they use on Chan2 Action News.

North Korea's threat to PULL OUT of next month's summit with Pres. Trump - they say they're upset over US/South Korea military exercises...that are routine. A North Korea official also says they have no interest in a summit with the US if it's based on what they call ONE SIDED demands to give up nuclear weapons. No one who watches North Korea regularly is surprised that they are being flaky.

THE CURRENT TREND IN POP MUSIC - it’s not glad, it's SAD. the new survey showing we're singing more SAD songs. 500K since 1985... songs with happy themes are declining, while songs about sadness are RISING. HOWEVER: THE STUDY FINDS DANCE AND POP ARE THE MOST POPULAR GENRES.

GA ranks either 1st or 2nd for auto insurance rate increases the past few years...adding some extra interest to the GA Insurance Commissioner race.

AJC has reported the insurance industry is blaming increases in traffic, accidents and the cost to repair autos in GA for rates jumping as much as 25% in ONE YEAR.

TODAY

Braves/Cubs 730 at Suntrust Park (rain could interfere)

EPA Administrator Pruitt testifies to Senate Appropriations subcommittee on budget 9:30 AM.

Senate votes on resolution to reverse FCC decision to end net neutrality 9:30 AM.

Senate Intel Committee vote this morning on the nomination of Gina Haspel as CIA Director; DUPREE says look for a positive committee vote today and for the full Senate to confirm her Thursday.

The so-called red state teachers rebellion has spread to North Carolina. Today/Wednesday, thousands of public school teachers and their supporters will march of the state's capital, Raleigh. They want better pay and more resources for their classrooms. State Republican leaders tried to get ahead of the walkouts today/Tuesday by getting their message out. State G-O-P Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse says a local restaurant in North Raleigh is being paid to watch children for parents.

Talk to you Thursday on AMN.