Steve Inskeep talks to Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager of the Obama Campaign, about preparations for the fall presidential campaign and how the state of the economy will affect the debate.

Thursday was supposed to mark the end of medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles. But a petition drive and legal challenges have stymied the city in its effort to shut down the hundreds of pot shops within its borders.

Massachusetts Prison officials say they are still going over a federal court decision ordering them to provide sex change surgery to a prison inmate. Critics are urging officials to appeal what they call an "outrageous abuse of taxpayer funds." The decision reflects a national trend of treating gender identity disorder as a legitimate medical condition deserving treatment like any other.

Michelle Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday. On Wednesday, she made the rounds in Charlotte, N.C. talking to groups of delegates. The way to fight back, she said, was for delegates to step up their person-to-person ground game aimed at winning more votes for her husband.

On the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., former President Bill Clinton made a rousing case for President Barack Obama to be re-elected to a second term. Clinton went through all the GOP arguments — answering each charge.

Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, N.J., presented the Democratic Party platform this week at the convention in Charlotte, N.C. Booker tells Steve Inskeep the economy is in a much better place than it was four years ago when Barack Obama first ran for president.

President Obama was to deliver his acceptance speech at an outdoor football stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday. But citing a chance of thunderstorms, the campaign decided to move the speech indoors to the smaller convention center. Some Republicans say the move was made because Democrats couldn't fill all the stadium seats.

Scientists have found that the aquatic birds are good indicators of toxins in the environment. That's why researchers have taken to the waters of western Maine for what's believed to be the longest-running loon monitoring study in North America.