Two Killed and One Injured on Third Night of Unrest in Kenosha, Wis.
 

Three people were shot early Wednesday, two fatally, law enforcement officials said, during a chaotic night of demonstrations over the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black resident whose children were nearby as their father was shot this week by a white police officer.

In Kenosha, a third night of protests over the shooting of Mr. Blake stretched into the early morning hours of Wednesday, after demonstrators clashed with law enforcement officials near the county courthouse downtown. After an hourslong standoff, the crowd was eventually forced out of the park with tear gas and onto city streets, where the standoff continued.

Many protesters left the area, but others lingered and walked to a gas station several blocks away. There, a group of men with guns stood outside, promising to protect the property and verbally sparring with the arriving protesters. As the night stretched on, the gas station became a tense gathering spot, with bystanders watching from parked cars and people milling around in the street, arguing and occasionally shoving each other.

After midnight, shots were fired outside the gas station. Three people were struck, Sheriff David Beth said in an interview. The Kenosha Police Department said in a statement that there were two fatalities, and that one person had been taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Sheriff Beth said that the investigation was focused on the group of men with guns outside the gas station, and that investigators were scouring video taken just before the shooting. In one video, the men are shouting at each other, clutching their guns and occasionally pulling each other away to defuse the conflict.

On Tuesday, Mr. Blake’s mother, Julia Jackson, had told reporters that she opposed the sort of destruction that had been left by protests spurred by her son’s shooting. On earlier nights, buildings and trucks had been burned down in Kenosha, a city of 100,000 people, where more than 100 members of the Wisconsin National Guard have been deployed amid the unrest. nytimes.com

More than 120 photos from Kenosha's Tuesday protest, from peaceful speeches to deadly end

Kenosha County Board to Gov. Evers: Send 1,500 National Guard members with police powers

Graphic videos capture tense moment that led to deadly shootings in Kenosha

Armed civilians defend Kenosha gas station from arsonists amid protests

Portland: Riot declared Tuesday night after protesters smash City Hall windows, 23 arrested

Louisville, KY: Police arrest 71 Breonna Taylor protesters amid Tuesday 'massive demonstrations'

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea says claims of police ‘slowdown’ makes ‘blood boil’
 

Deadly Spikes in Retail Violence in the Continuing Surreal Year 2020

By Tony D'Onofrio, Global Retail Influencer

The Wall Street Journal recently reported a sharp rise in deadly violence in major USA cities. Their analysis of crime statistics among the nation's 50 largest cities found that reported homicides increased 24% so far this year.

Retail Related Fatalities Were Up 45% in Q2/2020
As reported by D&D Daily in their latest 'Retail Violent Fatalities Report', the year is off to a violent start. Through the first 6 months of the year, total violent incidents are up 20%. For the second quarter 2020, they are up an astounding 46%. More alarming are the spikes in fatalities. Through mid-year fatalities are up 22% and for Q2, up 45%.

Robberies Up Through Mid-Year, but Down in Q2
For the first half of the year, USA retail robberies are up 4%. For just Q2/2020, the peak of the lockdowns, incidents were down 5%.

Organized Retail Crime Declines
Good news from the latest USA D&D Daily Publicly Reported Mid-Year ORC Report. For the first half of 2020, ORC Incidents are down 35% and the value reported is nearly half last year at $54 million.

The Pandemic and Escalating Retail Violence
A Vox article pointed out that we know less about why there might be a homicide spike, but here are some of the theories: the pandemic has really messed things up; de-policing; lack of trust in police; more guns; overwhelmed hospitals led to more deaths; idle hands; and a bad economy. tonydonofrio.com

COVID Update

US: Over 5.9M Cases - 182K Dead - 3.2M Recovered
Worldwide: Over 24.1M Cases - 826K Dead - 16.6M Recovered

Private Industry Security Guard Deaths: 186   Law Enforcement Officer Deaths: 93
*Red indicates change in total deaths

Fitness chain Life Time seeks $130 million from insurer over COVID-19 losses
The Chanhassen, Minn.-based fitness giant Life Time Inc. has sued its insurance company for $130 million for allegedly failing to cover losses tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and the government-ordered business shutdowns that followed.

The lawsuit against Zurich American Insurance Co. said Life Time bought the insurance policy in December 2019 and had sufficient coverage for business-interruption losses related to communicable diseases. Life Time said in the complaint that it filed an insurance claim after losing more than $200 million due to COVID-19 business shutdowns that affected 150 fitness locations. While Life Time expected to receive many millions in insurance relief, it was offered just $1 million from the Illinois-based Zurich, according to the lawsuit filed Aug. 19 in Hennepin County District Court.

The complaint goes on to say Life Time bought an Edge Global policy with limits up to $350 million to ensure it had ample coverage for all of its locations. The policy included special coverage limits for “interruption by communicable disease,” the lawsuit said. startribune.com

Vaccine Will Bring New Business Challenges
Should employers force workers to get COVID-19 vaccine?
Some companies concerned about liability issues, health and safety may need to decide whether to force their employees to get vaccinated if they want to continue working or return to the office, experts say.

And some experts are already calling on employers to make it mandatory, which, they say, would generally be legal. But others caution against mandates, saying that they could backfire by making Americans more resistant to a vaccine they're already concerned about and more likely to embrace anti-vaxxer sentiment.

Three Case Western University professors argued in a recent op-ed for USA TODAY that Americans should be compelled to get vaccinated, saying one option is that "private businesses could refuse to employ or serve unvaccinated individuals."

Such a requirement could place employers in conflict with their workers, given that more than 1 in 3 Americans say they wouldn’t get a COVID-19 vaccine today even if it were free and approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to a Gallup poll conducted July 20 through Aug. 2. The most common reason why some Americans are nervous about the vaccine is the speed with which it's being developed, followed by fears that the risks will outweigh the benefits, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted May 13-19. usatoday.com

Retail is 'scrambling' to keep up with accelerated disruption in the COVID-19 era

20% of mall stores could close in five years amid faster-growing online shopping

Change is moving through the retail industry like a "wildfire" as the COVID-19 pandemic speeds up a transformation that began well before this year, according to a recent report from Moody's retail analyst team.

The analysts wrote that the online shopping surge, sparked by the pandemic, is "forever changing consumer habits," with the analysts projecting online sales to "shoot above" 25% of all retail sales over the next five years.

Over that same period, with margins under continuous pressure — as they have been for years amid heavy competition across sectors — "there will be far fewer stores," according to Moody's. The analysts estimate that mall store footprints could shrink by 20% in five years.

The Moody's team describes an environment where retailers are "scrambling to adapt," one where they are now activating transition strategies that were previously years away from being rolled out. retaildive.com

As shopping picks back up, the gap widens between retail’s haves and have-nots
Consumers with extra money in their pockets skipped the mall and shopped at big-box retailers instead. About halfway through their fiscal year, mall-based retailers have seen their earnings plunge 256%, according to data from Retail Metrics. Combined earnings of off-mall companies, such as Home Depot and Walmart, have declined 0.6%, the firm said. Big-box retailers also benefited from being able to keep stores open during lockdowns, having a huge merchandise assortment that made them one-stop shops for pandemic-related trends like DIY projects. On the other hand, many apparel and department stores have been hobbled further. cnbc.com

'The Big Mall Short'
Hedge funds have made hundreds of millions shorting mall stocks during pandemic
One of the most talked-about movies of 2015 was “The Big Short,” which tells the story of how hedge funds made heaps of cash off the mortgage crisis of 2008. Were a sequel to be made this year focused on the financial side-effects of the flu pandemic, it most likely would be called “The Big Mall Short.”

According to a report in the New York Times, Apollo Global Management made more than $100 million shorting CMBX 6, commercial mortgage backed securities with a strong exposure to malls. Mudrick Capital and Deer Park Capital were estimated to have banked about the same amount working the same game. chainstoreage.com

Retail bankruptcies subside, but will return with a vengeance in Q1 2021

SAFE Certification Launches Compliance Solution for Businesses to Combat Spread of Viruses, Infectious Diseases and Bacteria

COVID-19 prompts KFC to hit pause on ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ slogan
 

Hurricane Laura Forecast To Bring 'Unsurvivable' Storm Surge,
Making Landfall Near Texas-Louisiana Border as Category 4 Storm
Hurricane Laura is swirling in the Gulf of Mexico and is projected to hit the Texas and Louisiana coasts Wednesday night as a major hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters project that some coastal areas near the Texas-Louisiana border could see "unsurvivable" storm surge, which could impact areas up to 30 miles inland.

Laura is currently a Category 3 hurricane that is forecast to grow into a Category 4 hurricane Wednesday afternoon. The hurricane's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 125 mph, with stronger gusts.

Laura is expected to rapidly weaken after it makes landfall Wednesday night into Thursday morning, but the projected storm surge could still cause the most life-threatening damage, the hurricane center said.

If peak surge occurs during high tide, the water along Johnson Bayou to Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge on the Louisiana coast could rise between 15 and 20 feet. Along Sea Rim State Park, Texas to Intracoastal City, La., water levels could rise between 10 to 15 feet. npr.org

McDonald’s Probe Into Ex-CEO Investigates HR Department, Coverups

Former employees say complaints about conduct of co-workers, executives including Steve Easterbrook were ignored

McDonald’s Corp. said its continuing investigation into former CEO Steve Easterbrook’s conduct is examining whether he covered up improprieties by other employees alongside allegations of potential misconduct within the human-resources department.

McDonald’s filed suit against the former CEO following a tip that board chairman Rick Hernandez received last month about an alleged sexual relationship between Mr. Easterbrook and an employee. That tip also raised concerns about the HR department and possible improprieties by other employees, McDonald’s executives said. The company declined to provide details on allegations that it said involved the HR department.

Some former managers told The Wall Street Journal they felt HR leaders under Mr. Easterbrook ignored complaints about the conduct of co-workers and executives. Some of those people said they feared retaliation for reporting the conduct of co-workers and executives to HR. wsj.com

Workforce drug testing positivity at highest rate in 16 years
The rate of workforce drug positivity hit a sixteen-year high in 2019, according to a new analysis released by Quest Diagnostics. Positivity rates in the combined U.S. workforce increased in urine drug tests, climbing to the highest level since 2003 (4.5%) and more than 28% higher than the 30-year low of 3.5% recorded between 2010 and 2012.

The Quest Diagnostics findings generally align with other research. Drug deaths in the United States rose 5% in 2019, driven largely by methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, following a decline in 2018. During the first few months of 2020, drug deaths increased about 13% compared with last year, attributable partly to social isolation and other disruptions caused by COVID-19.

“There is no question that before COVID-19, rates of workplace drug positivity were trending in the wrong direction, based on our Quest Diagnostics data, The enormous strain caused by COVID-19 may prove to be an accelerant on this disturbing trend,” said Dr. Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology, Quest Diagnostics. “Organizations will need to consider the impact of COVID-19 not only on workplace safety but also as a health concern for their employees for some time to come.” questdiagnostics.com

Governor Cuomo signs bill allowing NY businesses to administer opioid antidotes
New York businesses will be able to administer opioid antidotes to customers under expanded Good Samaritan protections signed this week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The legislation is aimed at helping drug users during COVID-19 as the pandemic has put many more people at risk. Commercial businesses, including restaurants, hotels, bars, malls, theaters and other retail establishments will be allowed to use antidotes such as Naloxone without facing lawsuits or other repercussions. thecrimereport.org

Flint, MI: Testimony begins in case of security guard killed
in Family Dollar face mask argument
A Family Dollar employee testified Tuesday that he chased after the person who shot and killed 43-year-old security guard Calvin J. Munerlyn following an argument between Munerlyn and a woman over wearing a face mask. Testimony began Tuesday, Aug. 25 in Genesee District Court Judge Christoper R. Odette’s courtroom as part of a preliminary exam for four people in the May 1 shooting death of Munerlyn. mlive.com

Germany: Masterminds running massive illegal tobacco factory arrested
On 18 August, 12 individuals who ran one of Germany’s largest illegal tobacco factory have been arrested in the German city of Kranenburg located near the border with the Netherlands. The illegal factory could produce 10 million cigarettes per week. Around 200 officers were involved in the raid of the illegal factory. The 12 workers arrested on site were all Polish and Ukrainian nationals, aged between 28 and 59 years old. 11 million cigarettes were also seized as they were being loaded onto a lorry. europol.eu

Security Management Named 2020 Magazine of the Year
ASIS International, the world’s largest membership association for security management professionals, took home 17 awards for its Security Management magazine at the annual Azbee Awards of Excellence, including the national Magazine of the Year award for the Under $3M revenue category. The Azbees - an awards program sponsored by the American Society for Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) - honor the best in business-to-business media, recognizing outstanding work by B2B, trade, association, and professional publications. asisonline.org

Bed Bath & Beyond to Eliminate 2,800 Jobs in Restructuring Plan

J. Crew’s reorganization plan is approved, will emerge from bankruptcy early next month

UK's Largest Grocer - Tesco Adding 16,000 Jobs to Support Online Growth

Walmart, Tesco, Ahold Delhaize CEOs Lead Coalition to End Food Waste Worldwide

TSA collected almost $1M in forgotten cash last year


Quarterly Results
Dick's Q2 comp's up 20.7%, digital sales up 194%, net sales up 20%
Best Buy Q2 comp's up 5%, online up 242%, revenue up 3.9%
The Buckle Q2 online sales up 99%, net sales up 6%
Nordstrom net sales down 53%, Rack sales down 43%, digital sales down 5%

 

Canada's Jeffrey Epstein
Class-action lawsuit against Peter Nygard on hold after U.S. government requests stay of proceedings

57 women accuse fashion mogul of sexual assault or rape dating back to 1977

A class-action lawsuit against Peter Nygard involving 57 women who allege the former fashion executive sexually assaulted them has been put on hold. The judge presiding over the case in the Southern District of New York entered a stay of proceedings on Friday, court records show.

The judge's order is sealed, but a screenshot of the court docket posted to Twitter on Friday by Pete Brush, a reporter on New York courts for the news service Law360, shows the U.S. government was granted leave to intervene. It also shows "the government is directed to inform the court within 48 hours of the completion of its proceedings, and advise the court whether it may lift the stay."

A stay of proceedings means the case has been put on hold, but it doesn't mean it's been dropped. The court can later lift the stay and continue the proceedings. In February, the FBI raided Nygard's New York offices as part of a criminal sex-trafficking investigation shortly after the class-action was filed. No charges have been laid. cbc.ca

Click here to read the full story of Peter Nygard

 

Plymouth Township, PA: Police looking for info on three suspects in theft from Dick’s Sporting Goods
The Plymouth Township Police Department is seeking information on three suspects believed to have stolen $3,000 worth of merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Plymouth Meeting Mall on Saturday, June 27th at 4:18 p.m. According to the notice, the suspects concealed lacrosse equipment in a hockey goalie pad box that they paid cash for. The notice goes on to say that the store believes the suspects have committed similar acts at other stores in other towns. morethanthecurve.com

Arnold, MO: Over $1,000 in merchandise stolen following Smash & Grab at Advance Auto
Authorities are trying and identify the person who drove a vehicle through the front door of Advance Auto Parts in Arnold in order to steal merchandise. The incident happened at about 5:40 a.m. Aug. 10, Arnold Police Capt. Rich Shular said. Police were called to the store when the building’s alarm went off, following the vehicle crashing through the door. More than $1,000 worth of merchandise was stolen and the suspect had already driven away, the report said. The damage to the front door was estimated at $1,000. myleaderpaper.com

Nashville, TN: Serial Thief caught again trying to steal over $240 of merchandise from Walmart
50-year-old Mark Artis was charged with burglary and theft of merchandise after he was caught trying to steal $243 worth of merchandise from Walmart on Dickerson Pike. According to court records, he has been convicted of theft 8 times since August 2012 and had 2 other charges dismissed. scoopnashville.com

St. Augustine, FL: Polo Ralph Lauren Outlet shoplifting suspects sought
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office is working to identify two people they say stole more than 20 items from the Polo Ralph Lauren store. firstcoastnews.com

Hoover, AL: Belk Shoplifting Suspects Wanted By Hoover Police; theft of over $1,200 in merchandise

Clarkston, ID: Shoplifter allegedly attempted to steal Dyson vacuums, tools, electronics, alcohol and batteries valued at $2,418 from Costco