Ryan Loyd

The Democratic Party released its platform that calls for higher taxes on wealthier Americans, abortion rights, and marriage equality, something that’s never been a part of the platform before.

The platform now says the Democratic Party “supports the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law.”

In the shadows of the big bank buildings on College Street in Uptown Charlotte, protestors danced in the street, waved signs and played instruments.

Charlotte is known as "Wall Street South" because of its huge financial centers. Some of the hundreds of demonstrators want the money taken out of politics, some are against the war, and others want to preserve a woman’s right to choose.

This coalition, including 20-year-old Sebastian Feculak, believes elected leaders need to know what they think.

On this late summer evening in Travis Park, people are spending more time and more money at the mobile food trucks camped out. Kai Kamaka strums a ukulele while the trucks offer up their specials.

“We love to do this kind of stuff all the time and bringing entertainment to anywhere gathers people together," said Kamaka. "When you get entertainment and food, makes it a great party.”

Several months ago, the city revised when and where food trucks would go for its pilot program that lasts until the end of October.

“I’m excited and of course a little bit nervous, and I know that it’s a very important moment,” said Mayor Julián Castro, who will deliver the keynote address tonight and tell how far his family has come in his American story.  

“It’s a 'made in America' story that is so common throughout the generations, no matter where folks have come from,” said Castro.

Speaking at the Latino Leaders Lunch as chairman of the Democratic National Convention, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he doesn’t cry much, but he did when President Barack Obama instituted deferred deportation of young Americans brought into the country by their undocumented parents.

“Because," said Villaraigosa, "these people are not only our future, they’re the best and brightest; they’re the strongest!”

Familiarity with simple things is what 84-year-old Lois Lohff cherishes most these days. Lohff used to work with senior citizens herself, and is now in the role of the one being helped. Over coffee each week, she and Sue Vara talk about their lives, their commonalities, and their plans for the future.

While enjoying a cup of coffee with the two friends, you’ll see Sue and Lois are quite a pair.

District 7 Councilman Cris Medina said he believes it’s bad timing to issue bonuses to City Public Service executives and staffers because of a tough economy.

“People are trying to make ends meet and CPS energy is issuing out these types of bonuses; very surprising," said Medina. "And certainly the comments I’ve gotten from my constituents are that they’re excessive.”

Halfway between San Antonio and Laredo on I-35 is the town of Cotulla. In the middle of the harsh South Texas brush country, the county seat of La Salle County has been struggling for decades – but not these days.

Cotulla is a thriving. Big trucks are everywhere hauling miles of pile, gravel and fracking sand for oil rigs that have popped up to cash in on the Eagle Ford Shale oil and natural gas boom.

In light of the sex scandal at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, General Edward Rice has met with the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) to find ways to better educate trainers and support women in the Air Force.

More than a dozen instructors have been convicted or are under investigation for sexual misconduct involving about 30 female trainees.

SWAN’s mission is to support, defend and empower women in the military, as well as female veterans, through advocacy and initiatives.