5 Things to Know This Morning

— -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. 13 Hurt After Demonstration Goes Awry at Reno Museum

At least 13 people, including eight children, were injured after a science project mishap at the Discovery Museum in Reno, Nev. Wednesday, police said.

Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said at a Wednesday briefing that a demonstration that simulates a smoke tornado malfunctioned, causing a "flash" that "entered" eight children, burning some of them.

Hernandez described the injuries as minor to moderate. Museum patrons were quickly evacuated, he said. The injured were transported to the hospital.

2. Venomous Albino Cobra on the Loose for Days in Southern California

A rare and venomous albino cobra is on the loose in southern California after it bit a dog Monday night, authorities said.

"This is a venomous and very dangerous animal that the public should not approach for any reason," a Los Angeles County official told ABC News.

The albino monocled cobra has been on the loose for days in Thousand Oaks City and has officials from the county and state on the hunt.

3. Steven Sotloff's Family Breaks Silence: 'A Mere Man Trying to Find Good'

The family of slain American journalist Steven Sotloff broke their silence, saying through a spokesperson that Sotloff was not a “war junkie” but “merely wanted to give a voice to those who have none.”

Barak Barfi, a family spokesperson and close personal friend of Sotloff’s, said the writer was torn between choosing a comfortable life in the U.S. and his desire to travel to the embattled region. His on-the-ground work appeared in international publications like TIME and Foreign Policy.

“Steve was no hero. Like all of us, he was a mere man who tried to find good concealed in a world of darkness," Barfi said. “He ultimately sacrificed his life to bring their story to the world… He had a gentle soul that this world will be without."

4. Stunning NASA Video Shows a Solar Eruption

Newly-released video offers a stunning look at a solar eruption.

The footage, released Wednesday, was recorded by NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory – known as STEREO – on Aug. 24.

In the video, material can be seen being ejected from the sun’s surface and into space, with some of the material collapsing back, unable to break free from the sun’s gravity.

5. Somehow, Police Weren't Fooled by This Fake License Plate

A Massachusetts driver was caught with a homemade license plate – made from cardboard and featuring handy work with pens and colored pencils.

The cardboard plate even features the state’s motto, “The Spirit of America,” along the bottom edge, as well as “Massachusetts” at the top, a poor attempt to replicate a real license plate.

But police weren’t fooled, pulling over the driver Tuesday along I-391 in Chicopee, in the southern part of the state.

“The operator of the vehicle was charged with several violations, including having a suspended license and revoked registration,” Massachusetts State Police wrote on Facebook, sharing an image of the homemade plate. “Moral of the story, if you shouldn’t be driving, please don’t.”