Maryland Governor Wes Moore, another rising star in the Democratic Party, is now talking about the collapse of a major bridge in his state earlier this year.

He says Kamala Harris is one of the first people who called him in the aftermath of the emergency in Baltimore.

He also praises the six workers who were killed in the disaster while working on the Francis Scott Key bridge, saying they represent what it means to be American.

Sam Cabral
US reporter

Image source, Josh Jagdfeld

We've now just seen a video of former students of Tim Walz, all of them praising him as a teacher.

At Mankato West High School, years before he joined the political scene, a young Mr Walz taught geography and social studies, supervised the lunchroom and coached the football team.

Those who knew him back then told the BBC that his teaching history is a guide to the politician he has become and the vice-president he could be.

It was 1999 and Jacob Reitan - the first openly gay student at Mankato West - was part of an effort to form the first gay-straight alliance at the school. GSAs, student-run organisations focused on supporting LGBTQ youth, emerged across the country through the 1990s.

When the new GSA required a faculty advisor, Coach Walz stepped up.

"It really needed to be the football coach, who was the soldier and was straight and was married," he said in a 2018 interview, explaining why he took the role.

You can read more about Walz's time as a teacher here.

This election is not about us and them, there are choice to be made at the ballot, Oprah says.

"Sweet promise of tomorrow, we're not going back," she says.

The crowd begins chanting of not going back.

Caitlin Wilson
Reporting from the convention

If you're just joining us, you may be a bit confused - what is Oprah Winfrey doing at a political convention?

We've already seen several entertainment celebrities tonight, including Stevie Wonder, Mindy Kaling and Kenan Thompson - and there are rumours there could be more yet to take the stage.

The Democratic Party is calling upon its famous members to help get eyes on this convention, hoping their presence will get voters to pay attention - and then maybe cast a vote for Kamala Harris in November.

It's a common tactic in US politics - at the Republican National Convention last month, we saw appearances from Kid Rock and wrestler Hulk Hogan.

Image source, EPA

Oprah is talking about her experience with school segregation.

"It was the courage of [Oprah's friend] who paved the way for another girl who, nine years later, became part of the second class to integrate the schools in Berkley, California," she says.

At school and at home, this young girl was taught how to challenge people at the top "and empower the people at the bottom".

Oprah then reveals she's talking about Kamala Harris.

Oprah says she's seen racism, sexism, and income inequality.

"But more often than not, what I've experienced are human beings, Democrats and Republicans, who would still help you," she says. "These are the people that make me proud to say that I'm an American."

Most Americans, she says, "do the best we can" to help people, even if they are "childless cat ladies" - a reference to JD Vance's now-famous comment on childless women.

Oprah does not have any children.

Image source, Reuters

Oprah is urging Democrats to remember that this election is about "freedom".

"There are people that want you to see our country as a nation of us against them," Oprah says. "People who would have you believe books are dangerous and assault weapons are safe."

"But here's the thing: when we stand together, it is impossible to conquer us."

Oprah Winfrey has just made a surprise appearance here in Chicago - the town where she built her media empire.

Image source, Getty Images

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from the convention

I just ran into Representative Ilhan Omar coming back into the arena. She says Minnesotans look to Governor Tim Walz - who is set to speak soon - as a “great servant”.

“My grandfather used to say, in a representative democracy, you want the person who represents you to have fluency in your day-to-day struggles. And Walz has always been someone who listens and acts to address your concerns,” she says.

Omar has been an outspoken critic of the US’s support for Israel in the war in Gaza. She says she’s not surprised the topic - which has divided Democrats - has not been featured much during the convention.

“Interestingly, foreign policy never really is a huge topic that’s talked about,” she says. “But I’ve always thought of foreign policy as domestic policy.

Omar says she’s grateful that at least 10 speakers have mentioned the issue during the past few days.

Image source, Getty Images

We're now hearing a brief poem from Amanda Gorman, a 26-year-old poet who famously spoke at Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021.

"While we all love freedom, it is love that frees us all," she says. "Empathy emancipates.....that is the American promise."

The future of the US, she adds to some applause from the crowd, depends on the "audacity of our hope".

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from the convention floor

Congresswoman Nikema Williams, the chair of the Democratic Party in Georgia, tells me her eight-year-old son was filled with dread when President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. “Does that mean that Trump is going to win?” Williams says her son asked her.

But ever since, the state’s party has been filled with hope.

“She has united this country,” Williams says, adding she expects to cry when she sees another black woman take the stage on Thursday when Harris delivers her speech.

Still, the race is tight in Georgia, a critical battleground state.

“We have to fight for every vote,” she says. “So, we're going to continue to take our message to voters and make sure that we make her the next president."

Madeline Halpert
Reporting from the convention floor

Shapiro - one of Harris’s final contenders for vice-president, is rousing the crowd tonight.

Several times, the audience on the floor has cheered loudly for the governor and some have remained standing during his entire speech as he praises Harris and Walz, the man who beat him for the second in command job.

Shapiro tells the crowd the party is fighting for real freedom.

It's not just Harris and Walz's names on the ballot, he says.

"It's our future and freedoms that are on the line, and you have the power to shape the future of this country," Shapiro says.

Image source, Reuters

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is on the DNC stage now putting his full endorsement behind Harris.

He's telling the crowd Trump is not offering people in the US freedom.

"It's not freedom to tell women what they can do with their bodies," Shapiro says, while listing a number of examples.

"Democrats, we are the party of real freedom."

Ione Wells
Reporting from the convention

For the first time, more than 200 content creators have been invited to the Democratic National Convention, where they've been granted insider access to the party's biggest names.

Most of them are young political activists, using social media to reach young voters. That's great for the Harris campaign - and an added bonus is that they often push the Democrats' message without challenge.

I spoke to some of these influencers on the floor of the arena earlier today.

Katty Kay
US special correspondent, in Chicago

As we get ready for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to take to the podium, I’ll be listening for how much he focuses in on his own state - which is seen as the must-win for Kamala Harris if she wants to win this election.

Mike Wendling
Reporting from the convention

As Bill Clinton was delivering his speech, the group of 30 "uncommitted" pro-Palestinian delegates announced that they won't be given a main stage slot at the convention.

Abbas Alawieh, a spokesman for the group and an uncommitted delegate from Michigan, was emotional as he relayed the news outside the United Center.

The uncommitted delegates were selected in state Democratic primaries earlier this year - part of an internal Democratic Party protest against US support for Israel's war in Gaza.

"We were hopeful because Vice President Harris's team was engaging with us," Alawieh told reporters. "We just want to be heard."

The delegates wanted a Palestinian-American political leader to be given a speaking slot, and Alawieh said it was "unacceptable" that their request was turned down.

"We're not going anywhere before November," he said. "You're not going to get rid of us. We're going to engage the system."

There have been a series of pro-Palestinian protests in Chicago this week, with another march scheduled tomorrow.

Ahead of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's speech tonight, the mayor of Minneapolis is defending the governor's record.

Mayor Jacob Frey is speaking with our colleagues on the BBC News channel about Walz's handling of the violent 2020 protests over George Floyd's death.

He only deployed the National Guard three days into the violence - something Republicans have criticised the governor over.

Frey says it shows how Walz has been tested in a tense moment and "had to make hard decisions on a moment's notice" - qualities Frey says that will do him well in the White House.

"This was an incredibly difficult time," he says. "Things were moving extraordinarily fast."

Watch live BBC News channel coverage by clicking play at the top of this page.

Image source, Reuters

Tony West, Harris's brother-in-law, is speaking about the bond he shares with his sister-in-law.

He tells the crowd he gained a sister when he married into the family. "I've seen Kamala fight for her family," West says.

"As president I know she'll fight for you, she'll fight for all of us," he adds. "Because when Kamala fights, we win."

Image source, Reuters / Kamala Harris / Getty

Three of Kamala Harris's niece and nephews have taken the stage to talk about what she's like personally.

"She'll be a president who cares for all of us," one says.

One nephew was concerned about Trump's election, but Harris calmed his fears, he says.

He recalls Harris telling him: "You know what superheroes do? They fight back."

Image source, Reuters