| 1. PARENTS WANT REFUNDS FROM YOUTUBE STAR’S TOUR THAT STARS IMPERSONATOR: Blippi, a YouTube star known for his live-action videos geared toward young kids, is getting criticized for launching a North American tour that will star an impersonator, not Stevin John, who plays the character on YouTube. The fact that the character would be played by an impersonator was listed in the fine print on the tour website, and now parents who purchased tickets are demanding refunds. BuzzFeed: “Stephen Shaw, the producer and promoter of the Blippi Live show, said they will be sending out a letter to ticket holders reminding them Stevin John will not be appearing and offering a refund. … Ticketmaster has inconsistent messaging on the details of the event. On the page for the Daytona, Florida, meet and greet, there is a small disclaimer at the top right of the screen that says Blippi will be played by an actor. On the Ticketmaster pages for other cities, this warning doesn’t exist at all. Ticketmaster told BuzzFeed News that it would be issuing refunds upon request.” 2. BETO O’ROURKE PLANS EVENT TO COUNTER TRUMP RALLY IN TEXAS: Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is planning a counter event to Donald Trump’s upcoming rally in Dallas. O’Rourke will hold the “Rally Against Fear” on October 17 at the Theatre at Grand Prairie at the same time Trump addresses supporters at the American Airlines Center. Associated Press: “O’Rourke told the Associated Press that his event will be open to anyone who wants to stand up for the truth at an important moment in the nation’s history. … The Republican president flew to O’Rourke’s hometown of El Paso in February for a rally at a packed arena in support of expanding the U.S.-Mexico border wall. As he spoke, O’Rourke headlined an event that drew thousands protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policy at a nearby baseball diamond. The two venues were so close that at moments when the cheering quieted during O’Rourke’s speech, the echo of Trump’s address being broadcast on speakers outside the venue where he was speaking could be heard.” 3. CHINA CANCELS N.B.A. EVENT AMID TENSIONS: The Chinese government canceled an event that was supposed to be hosted by the Nets, following controversy that spawned from a tweet about the Hong Kong riots by Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, which angered people in mainland China. As part of a weeklong tour, Nets players were slated to participate in an N.B.A. Cares event at the New York Experimental School in Shanghai. New York Post: “The Education Bureau shut down the event—a dedication ceremony for the new N.B.A. Cares Learn and Play Center in Shanghai—with no explanation given to the media. The event was nixed not so much because of fear the players would be put in the awkward position of answering questions about the festering situation, but more out of the Chinese government’s hurt feelings over Morey’s comments.” 4. ACTING HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF WALKS OUT OF IMMIGRATION CONFERENCE DURING PROTESTS: Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan walked out of an immigration conference after attempting to speak over protesters. McAleenan was set to keynote the event in Washington, but once he was on stage he was met with protesters chanting, “When immigrants are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!" CNBC: “McAleenan said he would like to discuss the challenges the agency has faced over the past year with the immigration crisis, ‘above the politics and the daily news cycle.’ But after persistent shouts, McAleenan walked off the stage without delivering his speech. … The conference comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s proclamation Friday that seeks to bar legal immigrants from entry if they cannot prove they can obtain health insurance.” 5. BOSTON MUSEUM MAKES CHANGES AFTER ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM: The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is making changes after it was accused of racism by a group of black middle school students on a field trip last spring, who said they were told by museum patrons and an employee: “No food, no drink, and no watermelon.” Museum director Michael Teitelbaum publicly apologized, banned two patrons, and launched an internal investigation. In an attempt to become a more diverse institution, the museum has launched new exhibits focused on women and Native Americans, and has created a new position of senior director of inclusion. Associated Press: “In a nod to the need for greater gender equity, it has given over an entire wing to female artists in ‘Women Take the Floor,’ an exhibition timed to coincide with next year’s centennial of U.S. women winning the right to vote. And this month, for the first time, it will open its doors for free to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It’s also been using its website to keep the public updated on its efforts to make things right.” | 