-Krister Stendahl, a Swedish Lutheran bishop and former dean of Harvard Divinity School who became a leading voice for a progressive version of Christianity, has died at 86.

-A federal appeals court has ruled against a New Jersey high school football coach who bowed his head and knelt during student-led pre-game prayers, saying the act was an endorsement of religious activity at a public school.

-The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Kentucky’s use of lethal injection, a signal that states may proceed with executions that had been postponed until the court issued its decision.