State of the Union's Early Bird morning research for Sunday, May 13

Good Sunday morning. The staff is coming in and we're preparing for today's program. Prepare along with us – read what we're reading this morning.

On our radar: the latest on the killing of a former Taliban minister who was a member of the Afghan Peace Council, the latest from the campaign trail here in the U.S., and of course, Mother's Day.

Check out what we're reading, and be sure to watch our interviews with Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and John Cornyn (R-Texas); Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado); Sen. Joe Lieberman and Rep. Peter King; and finally, Tony Perkins and Gary Bauer.

Oh, and don't miss a special tribute to close the show.

State of the Union airs today at 9am/12pm ET.

Take a look at our morning news note.

Watch State of the Union with Candy Crowley Sundays at 9am ET. For the latest from State of the Union click here.