Empire State Games to return this summer

The New York State office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation recieved a much-needed $500,000 endowment from First Niagra Financial Group to help fund the Empire State Games in Buffalo this summer, the Post-Standard reports.

The games took a one-year hiatus after last year's funding efforts came up short and the event was cancelled.

First Niagra Financial Group president and CEO John Koelmel said he will be working with businesses in Western New York and across the state in order to raise $500,000 more to reach the $1 million private sector funding goal for the games, which are expected to bring $15 million to the Western New York region this summer.  The games are scheduled to take place July 21-25.

Democrats report increase in threats, vandalism

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) says more than 10 house Democrats have reported trouble since the health care reform bill was passed on Sunday.

Although Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has urged opponents of the bill to demonstrate legally, Democratic congressmen have indicated that they have been victims of vandalism, death threats, and racial slurs, according to CNN.com.

Democratic congressional leaders have called on Republicans to condemn the reported threats and acts of vandalism. 

"Democracy is not about violence," Hoyer said in a press conference.  "to remain silent in the face of such activity gives the impression of either condoning or sanctioning such actions."

Supreme Court holds off execution of Texas death row inmate

The Supreme Court has granted temporary stay of execution to death row inmate Henry "Hank" Skinner, 47, who was found guilty for the 1993 murder of his girlfriend and her two sons, according to CNN.com.

Skinner was granted a temporary stay pending the results of a DNA test which, his attorney says, could establish his innocence and determine the real killer.

Skinner was notified of the stay less than an hour before he was scheduled to be executed, during what was supposed to be his last meal.

According to Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Michelle Lyons, Skinner said he is "eager to get the DNA testing so I can prove my innocence and get the hell out of here."