Nation: Tennessee’s governor has signed a law to bring back the electric chair for executions if lethal injection drugs are not available. States are beginning to have trouble obtaining drugs for lethal injection as the method becomes increasingly controversial. Some prisoners have appeared to suffer during the execution and drug companies have become reluctant to supply the drugs. Eight states still have working electric chairs as a choice for electrocution.

> Sales of single family homes hit a 3 ½ year high in April, an indication that the housing market is continuing to recover. Despite that good news, rising mortgage rates and higher prices still weigh on the market.

> President Obama is expected today to announce the nomination of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro as the new housing secretary. Castro’s star has been rising in recent years. He gave the keynote speech at the Democratic convention in 2012 and he’s becoming one highest-profile Hispanic politicians in the country.

Ukraine: Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country will honor the results of Ukraine elections, but also said he’d like to see Ukraine end military actions against separatists in the east. Sixteen people, both soldiers and separatists, died in fighting today. Twenty-one candidates are running in elections Sunday to become Ukraine’s next leader. In a dig at Putin, Ukraine’s acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said, “We will never allow anyone to rob us of our freedom and independence, turn our Ukraine into a part of the post-Soviet empire.”

The Troubles: Police in Northern Ireland say they’re going to sue to get access to audio tapes and transcripts of interviews conducted by Boston College researchers with members of the Irish Republican Army about the bloody times of troubles. Some of the interviewees talked about the 1972 kidnapping and execution of Jean McConville, a widowed mother of 10 believed by the IRA to be an informant. Gerry Adams, leader of the civilian wing of the IRA, was recently questioned by police about the McConville murder. Police are looking for more evidence, but the people who talked for the Boston College oral history project did so under the agreement that what they said would not be released until after they die.

Thailand: The army has detained deposed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several members of her family. Other politicians also were ordered to report to the military as it tightens control over the country. The army chief says reform must come before elections.

Scout’s Honor: Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been elected President of the Boy Scouts. It’s an odd choice because the Scouts have resisted recognition of homosexual scouts and staff while Gates opposed the military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy that kept gay troops in the closet. The Scouts have since allowed gay kids but continues to ban gay adults from leadership positions. Gates issued a statement saying, “The Boy Scouts of America had a profound influence on my childhood and helped form the foundation of my career in public service.” It might be a signal that the Scouts are ready to join the world.

Booted: Landon Donovan, one of few well-known professional soccer players in the US, failed to make the US team heading to the World Cup in Brazil. In the last three World Cups Donovan has been America’s highest-scoring player. The coach said other player were better.

Word to the Graduates:

Sandra Bullock: “Stop being scared of the unknown because anything I worried about didn’t happen. Other stuff happened — but not what I worried about.” 

Madeleine Albright: “I hope you can imagine how pleased I am to receive a doctorate without attending a single class.”

Adm. William McRaven: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

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