5 things you need to know Wednesday

1. Five years later, balloon boy still a joke

The country's fascination with balloon boy deflated five years ago on Wednesday after the news-dominating saga was revealed to be a hoax. Readers and viewers throughout the U.S. quickly latched on to the story of Falcon Heene, who was believed to have been swept away in a giant plastic balloon. The balloon floated 50 miles for two hours before crashing gently into a field — without the boy. It turns out Falcon was nowhere near the balloon and was safe at home all along. The Heene parents were seeking TV fame. They got their 15 minutes and then landed in jail. But the tale lives on. This summer, a high school student from New York produced a musical comedy about the hoax at a thespian festival in Nebraska.

Sheriff: Boy in balloon was hoax

The story that a little boy had floated away in a giant helium balloon in October 2009 captivated the nation. It was a hoax concocted to land a reality television show, authorities said. (Oct. 18, 2009)

2. A funeral for former WHO spokesman who died in MH17 crash

One of the victims of this summer's doomed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 will be laid to rest in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, nearly three months after the July 17 crash. Former World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman Glenn Thomas' body was returned to the U.K. earlier this month. Thomas was one of 298 fatalities in the crash.

3. Protests planned in New York after death of transgender person

Activists in the U.S. are planning to protest the Philippine Consulate in New York on Wednesday after the killing of a local transgender person. They are calling for a Marine being held aboard a Navy ship to be turned over to local authorities, and for the incident to be labeled a "hate crime." The unnamed Marine is being held aboard assault ship Peleliu as an investigation into the death of Jeffrey Laude, a Philippine national who the Daily Mail says went by the name Jennifer, is carried out.

4. King James returns to preseason play against Pacers

His royal highness LeBron James will continue his reign after a very brief game off from preseason play against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Cavs coach David Blatt insists James is not injured, saying this is "just part of our process and part of our management of how we want to approach preseason and best get him ready for the start of the season." The countdown to the NBA's opening day on Oct. 28 is in full swing.

Player GMs would start their team with: LeBron or Durant?

USA Today Sports' Sam Amick breaks down the top candidates.

5. Hong Kong police crack down on protesters

Hong Kong police tightened its grip on the city Wednesday as officers dragged away dozens of pro-democracy activists, tore down barricades and removed concrete slabs protesters have been using for over two weeks to call for free elections.

Bonus: Happy National Fossil Day

Dust off those dusting brushes. It's National Fossil Day! Go dig to find what history could be in your own backyard.

And, the essentials:

Weather: Most of the eastern third of the nation will see soggy conditions Wednesday due to a slow-moving cold front that's heading for the East Coast.

Wednesday's forecast: Big storms hitting the East

The national weather forecast for Wednesday, October 16 calls for big and possibly severe storms in the East, and rain across much of the U.S.

VPC

Stocks: Asia stocks rose and stock futures pointed higher.

TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at American Horror Story: Freak Show and Law & Order: SVU.

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Contributing: Jolie Lee, Paste BN