NPR News: 06-27-2026 12AM EDT

Dale Willman· Host0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Trump's Religious Liberty Commission has provided its recommendations. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports.

Danielle Kurtzleben0:10

The commission interviewed more than 100 people, some of whom said their religious liberty had been threatened. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick served as commission chair.

Dan Patrick· Soundbite0:19

And what was used against them was one phrase that's not in the Constitution, and that phrase is separation of church and state. The left has used that one phrase that was one line out of one of hundreds of letters by Thomas Jefferson to batter and hammer people of faith for the last 70 to 80 years.

Danielle Kurtzleben0:37

The report recommends that the Justice Department clarify the meaning of separation of church and state. It also recommends strengthening school choice and issuing know your rights posters about religious freedom. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

Dale Willman· Host0:52

A federal judge has declared a mistrial in the case of the man accused of starting last year's deadly Palisades fire in Los Angeles. As Steve Futterman reports, a new trial date has been set for October.

Steve Futterman1:04

After three days of deliberating, the jury told the judge it was deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict. After the mistrial was declared, the jury foreman told the court jurors were split 10 to 2 in favor of acquittal. Defense attorney Steve Haney said he would have preferred a not guilty verdict, but was generally pleased.

Steve Haney· Soundbite1:24

You know, anytime you get a hung jury, some attorneys look at that as a victory. A 10 to 2