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France passes law to regulate paid influencers, combat fraud

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(PARIS) — France is now the first country in Europe to regulate influencer marketing on social media, cracking down on what people can monetize and promote online with a new law passed on Thursday.

“The law was passed in record time and unanimously, which shows how much support it had in both government and parliament,” Stéphane Vojetta, one of the French legislators who championed this new bill, told ABC News. “There was a clear understanding of the need to urgently respond to the challenge at hand.”

Influencer marketing is a form of social media marketing that involves people leveraging their reputation to endorse products or services in exchange for money.

There are an estimated 150,000 influencers creating content on social media aimed at a French audience, according to France’s Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.

This new law makes it unlawful for influencers to create paid content promoting cosmetic surgeries, online sports betting sites or financial products like cryptocurrencies.

Influencers and companies caught violating the law could face up to two years in prison and 300,000 euros ($330,000) in fines, and see their ability to post on platforms potentially be revoked, according to the text of the bill.

Until Thursday, no law in France directly regulated commercial activity on social media leaving consumers vulnerable to scams and frauds.

Influencers will now be required to label all paid content, adding extra disclaimers if the content has been filtered or edited.

The law also closes an existing loophole when it comes to online advertisement, Vojetta tells ABC News. Now, content creators will have to abide by existing French advertising laws when it comes to the promotion of products and services.

For example, posts promoting sodas or processed food will have to include a message reminding consumers to undertake physical activity, similar to how it would be done on television.

The Senate unanimously adopted the law and will go into effect within the next two weeks. The Ministry of Economics and Finance has already released guidance for paid influencers on how to operate lawfully moving forward.

“It is a sector in which we believe in because it creates jobs and because it values French culture and creativity,” said Bruno Le Maire, the French economic minister, describing the influencer economy at a press conference in March.

“The best way to protect it is to define a framework and rules so that in this dynamic sector, there are no profiteers, stowaways, or people who can take advantage of the weakness of certain consumers,” Bruno Le Maire said.

Over 42 million consumers in France purchase goods or services online, according to a report by the government’s Directorate General for Enterprise.

Lottery addictions are not being addressed seriously, experts say

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Tvonia Thomas said that scratch-off lotto games were consuming every aspect of her life in Virginia.

Even though she rarely won big jackpots, Thomas told ABC News Live that the rush of going out to the convenience store for those tickets was stronger than the urge to eat a meal.

“It feels like your heart’s going to explode, but you love it,” the recovering gambling addict said. “You don’t know what’s going to be behind that glitter that’s underneath that ticket.”

Thomas is not alone. Some addiction specialists say more people are fighting these extreme compulsions for scratch-off tickets and that state officials need to step up to curb the problem that they say disproportionately affects minorities and low-income players.

A 2022 nationwide investigation of state lotteries by the Howard Center For Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland found stores that sell tickets are disproportionately clustered in lower-income communities in nearly every state where the game is played.

The Tax Foundation, a nonprofit think tank, said approximately 60% of state lottery earnings go directly to the winners.

Les Bernal, the national director for the nonprofit group Stop Predatory Gambling, told ABC News that while states use the revenue from lottery sales to fund services like education, they are doing so off the backs of low-income residents.

“This is definitely a form of systemic racism that has occurred,” he said. “They have shifted the tax burden away from middle-class taxpayers [and] from property.”

Billy Hoffman, a gambling counselor, told ABC News that even if they don’t win, gambling addicts still have the compulsion to seek out more attempts at the jackpot.

“They’re trying to find a way out, and it just gets them further and further in the hole,” he said.

Thomas said her addiction got so tough that she had suicidal thoughts. Eventually, she secured a scholarship to an addiction recovery program at Williamsville Wellness in Virginia.

“On the first day, it was like a breath of fresh air. I was saved from myself. I didn’t have the opportunity to gamble,” she said.

Lottery critics have called out states for failing to distribute revenue to necessary public services and programs to fight gambling addiction.

The Virginia Lottery, which uses revenue from games to fund public schools, received a “D” grade in 2022 from the nonprofit group, The Education Law Center, for how it allocates money to high-poverty districts.

In a statement to ABC News, the Virginia Lottery said it, “has a proven track record of working to raise awareness of problem gambling and gambling addiction, going far beyond what is required by law to do.”

“While Virginia law requires all lottery profits to go to K-12 education, the lottery has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in the industry when it comes to using its resources and high public profile to raise awareness and encourage responsible play,” the Virginia Lottery said.

Hoffman said that more lottery profits need to go to help people who are battling addiction.

Thomas agreed, and urged others who are struggling with these compulsions to seek help.

“It wasn’t about the money, it was about the continuing to play and to escape and to be in my dream world,” she said.

If you need help with a gambling problem reach out to 1-800-Gambler. If you are having thoughts of suicide or other mental health crisis call or text 988.

Drag show at Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base canceled by Pentagon

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(LAS VEGAS) — The Pentagon informed Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base that a previously approved drag show slated to take place on the base on the first day of Pride Month could not take place because it was not in line with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent comments, according to two defense officials.

The drag performance would have been held at the Officer’s Club at southern Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base on Thursday, June 1, and had been approved by base commanders, just as it had been over the previous two years.

Base legal officers and commanders had determined that the event was in line with DOD policy and no department funding would be used for the event, according to the official who spoke to ABC News.

The decision on hosting such shows is typically left in the hands of local commanders who follow guidance from military attorneys, but Nellis officials were told earlier his week by the Defense Department that Thursday’s event was not consistent with Austin’s recent comments to Congress and that it should be canceled or relocated off base, a defense official told ABC News.

“Consistent with Secretary Austin’s congressional testimony, the Air Force will not host drag events at its installations or facilities,” said Ann Stefanek, a U.S. Air Force spokesperson. “Commanders have been directed to either cancel or relocate these events to an off-base location.”

Military services were informed this week of the clarified guidance that only applies to drag shows held on military bases, another defense official confirmed.

Other LGTBQ+ events scheduled to take place at military bases during Pride Month will not be impacted by the new directive.

“Per DoD Joint Ethics Regulation (JER), certain criteria must be met for persons or organizations acting in non-Federal capacity to use DoD facilities and equipment,” Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, said in a statement.

“As Secretary Austin has said, the DOD will not host drag events at U.S. military installations or facilities,” said Singh. “Hosting these types of events in federally funded facilities is inconsistent with regulations regarding the use of DoD resources.”

Singh explained this is not a change in department policy.

“The Secretary has said DoD will not host drag events at U.S. military installations or facilities, consistent with long-standing policy,” she said.

“We are proud to serve alongside any and every young American who takes the oath that puts their life on the line in defense of our country,” she added. “Service members and their families are often involved in a host of special interest activities related to their personal hobbies, beliefs, and backgrounds.”

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, blasted the reversal as “sid[ing] with the politics of fear and discrimination peddled by extreme members of Congress.”

“For decades, our community has fought for our right to exist without shame or exception, yet [Austin’s] decision to ban an event that has happened in prior years reinforces false tropes about LGBTQ+ culture. At a time when we are under attack, the Pentagon is ceding to extremist forces focused on taking away our rights — leaders responsible for national defense ought to do better. Our people deserve better, the United States military deserves better, and all Americans deserve better,” HRC President Kelley Robinson said.

In late March, both Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed reservations about DOD facilities hosting drag shows when questioned about the matter by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

“Drag shows are not something that the Department of Defense supports or funds,” Austin said in response to a question from Gaetz.

Milley said he was unaware of the congressman’s reference to drag shows taking place at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Nellis and asked for more information “because I’d like to take a look at those myself actually — take a look and find out what actually is going on there.”

“I’d like to take a look at those because I don’t agree with those,” he said. “I think those things shouldn’t be happening.”

Gaetz applauded the cancelation of the planned Nellis drag show.

“HUGE VICTORY: The Department of Defense has CANCELED a scheduled “child-friendly” drag show after I demanded answers from @SecDef Austin and General Milley! Drag shows should not be taking place on military installations with taxpayer dollars PERIOD!” he tweeted Wednesday night.

Austin issued a statement Thursday celebrating the start of Pride Month and the contributions of LGBTQ+ service members.

“As Secretary of Defense, I remain dedicated to making sure that our LGBTQ+ personnel across the Joint Force can continue to serve the country that we all love with dignity and pride—this month and every other one. We thank you for your service—and we thank your spouses and your families, whose support makes your service possible,” said Austin.

ABC News’ Nate Luna contributed to this report.

How Vegas is changing the odds for blackjack players

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(LAS VEGAS) — Blackjack players say they’ve been noticing a difference at the tables in Las Vegas lately.

Even if they hit that lucky 21, they say they’re not getting the same amount of winnings as they did in the past.

Blackjack and casino experts, like Mike Aponte, who was part of the infamous MIT card-counting team, say this is no fluke, as casino owners have found ways to get more money from gamblers.

Aponte spoke with “Start Here” Thursday about the latest trend.

START HERE: [Aponte] says across the board, every game at the casino is designed for the house to win. But some are more tilted than others. You might have a good night or a bad night, but if you play thousands of hands the casino should only take a bit of your money.

MIKE APONTE: If you follow basic strategy, then the house edge only is about half a percent.

START HERE: But last year, according to data from the Nevada Gaming Commission, blackjack players lost more money than they have in nearly two decades. That’s not just because there are more people playing. In part, it’s because the odds have changed.

APONTE: It kind of started about 15 [or] 20 years ago where the casinos started introducing rule changes to kind of increase their advantage.

START HERE: So remember the basic rules of blackjack: You get two cards, the dealer gets two cards. Whoever’s closest to 21 without going over, wins. Simple. You put down 10 bucks, you get 10 bucks in profit.

Except when you get dealt exactly 21. That’s a blackjack.

APONTE: The beauty of blackjack is that the player will get a 3-to-2 [odds] payout on their wager, which is equivalent to 150%.

START HERE: Oh, so you put down $10 [and] instead of getting $10 now you get 15 bucks back next to your chips?

APONTE: Exactly.

START HERE: That little bonus payment, Mike says, is key. It’s one of the biggest reasons you can make back your money quicker. It’s why the house’s edge is so low. Well, casinos have slowly lowered that blackjack payout.

According to John Mahaffey, the founder of a group called Vegas Advantage which literally goes around counting table stakes, about two-thirds of blackjack tables now only give you 6-to-5 odds for a blackjack.

Which didn’t sound like a big deal to me at first. But Mike, our blackjack expert, says that means Vegas is taking more of its customers’ money.

APONTE: To simply lower that payout to 6-to-5 [odds], now the house edge goes up to 1.9%. I mean, it nearly quadruples.

START HERE: The reasoning for casinos seems pretty simple. If there’s more money to be taken, take it. But you might think: Wait a minute, won’t that stop gamblers from coming to Vegas? Mike says he thought it would, but it’s been just the opposite. Last year was a record year for casino gambling.

As Vegas becomes more of a tourist destination than a gambling destination, the gambling dollars actually get bigger. And that’s when Mike said something that blew my mind.

APONTE: They can really get away with it at the lower limit tables, because they don’t institute that at a higher limit table. They’re never going to do 6-to-5 [odds].

START HERE: There might be different odds in different areas of the casino. You’re saying high rollers are, all of a sudden, [seeing] different odds, maybe?

APONTE: Yes. So that’s a big change back from when I first started playing. When I started playing, the rules were the same throughout the entire casino for the most part.

START HERE: And this is the real takeaway here. High rollers were always treated differently in Vegas from the rest of us. But now, just like in so many aspects of life, the rich have a chance to get richer, quicker, while those with shorter stacks are seen as a bit more expendable.

That said, if you want to keep more of your money, Mike says the answer is not to find a table with higher stakes and better odds. The answer is to treat it like entertainment and set a limit, because the house is winning either way.

Indianola mayor urges ‘patience’ amid probe into police shooting of 11-year-old boy

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(INDIANOLA, Miss.) — Ken Featherstone, the mayor of Indianola, Mississippi, urged his community to “trust the process” amid an investigation into the police shooting of 11-year-old Aderrien Murry after he reportedly called 911 for help during a domestic disturbance at his home.

Featherstone spoke out about the incident, which has drawn national attention, in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday after the shooting rocked Indianola – a small town with a population of less than 10,000 located in the northern part of Mississippi in Sunflower County.

He told ABC News that “emotions are raw” and that there’s “a lot of unease right now.”

“To the citizens of Indianola – trust the process, please be patient. We’re trying to do everything by the book, and not make any mistakes that will embarrass our town,” Featherstone said. “A lot has happened and we’ve gotten a lot of negative press as a result of this. I’m a brand new mayor, just a little over a year into my office. [This is] certainly not the kind of media attention I would have liked to bring to Indianola.”

Aderrien was shot by an officer in the early morning of May 20 after the boy called 911 when his mother’s ex-boyfriend showed up at their home and his mother asked him to call police, she told ABC News. The boy was released from the hospital last week.

The 11-year-old spoke about the harrowing experience in an exclusive interview that aired on “Good Morning America” and “GMA3” on Tuesday.

“I came out of the room like this,” Aderrien said with his hands above his head as he reflected on the incident in an interview with “GMA3” co-anchor DeMarco Morgan.

“It felt like a Taser, like a big punch to the chest,” he added.

Featherstone said that he met with Aderrien after the shooting and he and his wife delivered a care package to the Murry home over the weekend.

“Our thoughts and our prayers go out to him as well as his family,” the mayor said, adding that he knew Aderrien before the shooting because he supported the boy’s little league football team.

“We would see each other at football games … we would see each other around town,” he said. “He’s a big hugger, great kid, wishing all the best for him. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to him as well as his family for [a] full recovery.”

The Murry family filed a federal lawsuit against the city and police on Tuesday, claiming that the boy was shot without warning after he and his family members were ordered by police to leave their house.

The suit, filed in Mississippi federal court on behalf of Aderrien and his mother, Nakala Murry, claims the officer who fired the gun, Greg Capers, was “reckless.”

“This is a claim for negligence and excessive force,” said the complaint.

The Indianola Police Department did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.

ABC News has also attempted to reach the officers named in the lawsuit.

Featherstone, who previously identified Capers as the officer who shot Aderrien to ABC News, confirmed Wednesday that Capers “was suspended with pay pending psychological examination.”

The lawsuit was filed amid an ongoing investigation into the incident by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

Featherstone said that the MBI “will complete their investigation very soon” and the case will be turned over to the state’s attorney general’s office.

“They will make their recommendations from that point,” he said.

Featherstone addressed the “public outcry” calling for the release of the police body camera video of the incident and said that the video is currently “in the possession of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.”

“At some point, they will render their findings and they will be turned back on over to us,” he said.

Asked about a timeline for its release, Featherstone said that the city had a special meeting on the incident with the city aldermen on Tuesday and they decided not to release it yet due to “pending litigation.”

“We didn’t want to taint the process at all,” he said. “The board voted overwhelmingly to follow the advice of legal counsel.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the state AG did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.

Ron DeSantis’ wife joins him on the campaign trail as voters say they want to ‘see the man’

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(SALEX, Iowa) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pitches himself as a “fighter” for conservative values. But as he continues his initial presidential campaign swing through three early nominating states, he’s working to highlight another side — as a dad and husband — as he adjusts to the intimate events often required to persuade primary voters.

At one Wednesday morning event in the western town of Salix, Iowa, DeSantis and his wife, Casey, engaged in a living room-style conversation, swapping anecdotes about their three young kids that sought to give voters a rare glimpse into the home life of Florida’s leader, who has generally avoided the mainstream press.

Seated in grey armchairs on a stage inside a vast welding warehouse, where a massive green John Deere served as a backdrop, the couple, each in jeans, told stories that elicited laughs from the audience of roughly 100.

The governor joked that when he and Casey, a former TV reporter, brought two of their children to Japan in April on a trade mission, “We never got on a schedule time wise, so they’d be up at 2 in the morning.”

“The one thing I learned is I learned when breakfast room service starts — because they needed food,” he said of his kids.

He then remembered a solo parenting outing, going to visit a new Tallahassee restaurant, and the curveball moment when his 3-year-old daughter needed to use the bathroom.

“So we’re literally just in a drive-thru just sitting there. And so she had to go, so I was like, OK I’ll take her inside, so we go in and we get in there, and she shakes her head and I’m like, ‘What?’ And she’s like, ‘Little potty, little potty.’ And I’m like, ‘They don’t have little potty in Slim Chickens!'” he said.

The chat, designed to emphasize its informality, followed a 30-minute, policy-dense stump speech from the governor bashing bureaucratic Washington and liberal institutions that mimicked his remarks the previous night, at his kickoff event at a large church near Des Moines.

But even in a setting meant to reveal a relatable side of the governor, DeSantis sometimes slipped back into speech mode, touching on his and Casey’s efforts to combat the spread of fentanyl and touting his decision to appoint conservative board members to a small Tampa-area college.

The battle over the New College of Florida, with an enrollment of less than 700, reached the pages of certain national news outlets, but it’s unclear how much Iowans were aware of the controversy, billed by DeSantis as another of his efforts to fight the “woke.”

“So we’ve got a small liberal arts college in Sarasota called New College. I don’t think anyone in this room probably heard of it,” said the governor, who admitted to having never known of the institution until being informed of its “ideology.”

Dave Christensen, a 58-year-old attendee and a Navy veteran, told ABC News before the event that he was drawn to DeSantis’ policy stances and was hoping “to see the man.”

“I want to see what’s he’s like, what his personality is like,” Christensen said. “I want to see him talking to me.”

As he left the venue, Christensen, who interacted briefly with DeSantis as the governor worked the crowd, seemed satisfied, though he acknowledged he was staying “open-minded” about who to support for the Republican nomination early next year.

“So far, he’s answered everything I was kind of after, today anyway. He answered my questions,” Christensen told ABC News.

The governor did not replicate the “fireside chat” with Casey at his other three events on Wednesday, opting to spend his time behind a lectern, ceding the stage to his wife for several minutes at each stop to share more about their life as parents.

A spokesperson for the campaign said the Salix event was not the first time the couple has held informal conversations on the trail about their home life, saying they did so before the governor announced his candidacy for president.

The spokesperson did not answer a question about whether the campaign plans to feature similar events in the future. DeSantis campaigning with Casey is not unusual: Candidates include their spouses on the trail in order to show a different side of themselves to the public.

Katie Dodge, 31, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, who crossed state lines to see the governor speak in Council Bluffs, said she was “all in” on DeSantis, whom she called a “no-nonsense politician” who “just goes in and lets the work that he does show for where he stands and what he’s fighting for, and I think that he’s fighting for all Americans.”

Dodge’s mother, Mindy, also a DeSantis supporter, acknowledged there was space for the governor to appear more personable but insisted he offset that quality with his policies and work ethic.

“OK, does he maybe need some more charisma to connect with audiences? Yeah, probably. But you know what he does have? He’s a hard worker and he gets things done. And more than anything right now, that’s what we need,” she said.

Before DeSantis’ kickoff rally on Tuesday night in Clive, Alex Greadel, 45, said he had “seen [DeSantis speaking with voters] in some of the video interactions that I’ve seen online, but that doesn’t concern me at all.”

Still, the scrutiny continues: In New Hampshire on Thursday, DeSantis was making the round with attendees at one stop when a reporter with the Associated Press asked him why he didn’t take questions from voters.

Video shows DeSantis asking the reporter, “What are you talking about?”

“I’m out here [with] people,” he said. “Are you blind?”

ABC News’ Hannah Demissie contributed to this report.

Biden falls at US Air Force Academy graduation ceremony

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) — President Joe Biden took a fall on stage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado on Thursday.

Biden, who delivered the commencement address and proceeded to shake hands with graduates, fell near the podium and was quickly assisted by those around him in returning to his feet.

Biden, 80, walked away unassisted once he was upright. He continued to stand and greet people for the remainder of the ceremony.

Biden appeared to trip on a black sandbag, according to pool reporters traveling with the president, and pointed back at it after he got up.

“He’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director, tweeted as videos of the incident circulated online.

Biden didn’t take questions as he boarded Air Force One following the hourslong commencement.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also said Biden is “totally fine” while she boarded Air Force One, according to the reporters traveling with Biden.

Biden’s age and fitness have been a factor in his reelection campaign. At 80, he is the oldest sitting president in history and would be 86 at the end of second term should he win again in 2024.

Asked about his age after he announced he was running again, Biden said it will be up to voters to judge “whether or not I have it or don’t have it.”

“I respect them taking a hard look at it — I’d take a hard look at it, as well. I took a hard look at it before I decided to run, and I feel good. I feel excited about the prospects,” he told ABC’s Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce in April.

Former President Donald Trump, who would also be in his 80s if elected, responded to the fall while campaigning in Iowa.

“I hope he’s not hurt. The whole thing is crazy … even if you have to tip-toe down the ramp,” he said, poking fun at his own experience at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2020 when his cautious descent down a ramp opened him up to similar criticism about his age.

“At the Air Force Academy? That’s not inspiring,” Trump added.

When speaking to graduates, Biden celebrated their work so far as he laid out the challenges that lie ahead.

“We have the finest military in the history of the world,” he said. “And you’ve earned it. This day is the day to celebrate. And as your commander in chief, I’m honored to be here as you take on the duties of serving and defending our nation.”

“In the years to come, you’ll have even more asked of you,” he continued. “You’ll take on greater responsibilities, and you’ll be challenged even beyond everything you’ve yet experienced.”

ABC News’ Libby Cathey contributed to this report.

Child accidentally kills another child with father’s gun

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(RIVER GROVE, Ill.) — A child accidentally shot and killed another child in River Grove, Illinois, on Wednesday, according to police. The gun used in the incident belonged to the father of the deceased child, police said.

River Grove police said the child was severely injured and later succumbed to their injury. Both children lived in the same household.

There have been at least 122 accidental shootings by children in the U.S. this year, as of May 16, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Fifty-three of those have been fatal. The total number of accidental shootings — 0.9 per day — is down slightly from last year, when there were 0.97 per day, according to data from Everytown.

The father of the child who was killed told police he was outside when he was alerted of the accidental shooting.

The father immediately called 911 for emergency services and is cooperating with investigators, police said. He holds a valid Illinois gun license and a concealed carry permit. He admitted to investigators that he owned the handgun used in the accidental shooting.

The father claimed the gun was stored on a high shelf in a closet, according to police.

The incident is still being investigated and those involved are being interviewed by police. Police said they would not release any additional information at this time.

Search suspended for man who fell overboard from Carnival cruise ship near Florida

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a Virginia man who fell from a cruise ship balcony earlier this week.

Ronnie Peale Jr., 35, went overboard from a Carnival Magic cruise ship traveling off the coast of Florida on Monday, the Coast Guard said.

After searching more than 5,171 square miles over the course of 60 hours, the Coast Guard said Wednesday night that it has suspended search efforts for Peale.

“The decision to suspend the active search efforts pending further development is never one we take lightly,” Coast Guard District Seven search and rescue mission coordinator Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper said in a statement. “We offer our most sincere condolences to Mr. Peale’s family and friends.”

Carnival Cruise Lines personnel contacted Coast Guard watchstanders at 6:36 p.m. on Monday to report that a passenger had fallen off the ship, which was 186 miles east of Jacksonville, the Coast Guard said.

Peale’s companion reported him missing late Monday afternoon and “an initial review of closed circuit security footage confirms that he leaned over the railing of his stateroom balcony and dropped into the water at approximately 4:10 a.m. Monday,” Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement to ABC News.

His partner, Jennilyn Blosser, told Richmond ABC affiliate WRIC that the footage showed him leaning over the railing and that it looks like he accidentally fell.

“It’s not like he was like jumping, like you know, it wasn’t like that at all,” Blosser told the station.

Blosser said she woke up at 11:30 a.m. that morning and spent hours trying to find Peale. His mother, Linda Peale, told WRIC she knew something was wrong when her son didn’t call that day to check in on his dogs.

Peale, from New Hope, Virginia, was on his first cruise and was celebrating Blosser’s birthday with her family, Linda Peale said.

She described her son as “full of life” and someone who loved old cars, gardening and cooking.

“My son was a wonderful man,” Linda Peale told WRIC.

Son of Home Depot worker who was fatally attacked during theft seeks crackdown on organized retail crime

June 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(HILLSBOROUGH, N.C.) — On Gary Rasor’s 80th birthday, his children asked him to retire because there was no financial need for him to work. Rasor refused and told his children that he loved working at Home Depot, where he trained young employees and enjoyed interacting with customers.

Rasor continued to work for more than two years at The Home Depot in Hillsborough, North Carolina, until he was confronted by a man stealing three pressure washers last October. The man violently pushed Rancor, who crashed to the floor and was taken to the hospital — where he died of his injuries a few days after turning 83.

“He was just going to ask him for a receipt,” Rasor’s son Jeff said of the man who attacked his father.

The elder Rasor was attacked in the course of what authorities call organized retail crime — the large-scale theft of high-value items, which are then illegally resold.

In an interview airing tonight on “Nightline,” Jeff Rasor told ABC News’ Erielle Reshef that he wants authorities to crack down on the growing phenomenon.

“There has to be consequences in my mind, and the consequences have to fit the crime,” he said. “I can’t imagine that any piece of equipment in Home Depot is worth a life — and so when you find out it’s $837, it’s just pretty bad.”

Five months after Gary Rasor’s death, another Home Depot employee was killed after confronting a shoplifter in a California store. Blake Mohs, a 26-year-old loss prevention employee, was shot in the chest while trying to stop a theft at a Home Depot in April. Two people have been arrested on murder charges in the case.

The two deaths come as law enforcement officials and advocates warn of an increase in violent and brazen acts during the commission of organized retail crimes.

According to a report released by the National Retail Federation in April, stores and retailers reported that the number of organized retail crime incidents increased by an average of 26.5% between 2020 and 2021.

“It’s growing double-digit year over year,” Scott Glenn, The Home Depot’s vice president of asset protection, told ABC News. “We don’t have enough resources to handle, [so] we have to prioritize the biggest impacts.”

“More and more we’re seeing the risk being brought into the stores, and people being hurt or people even being killed in many cases because these folks, they just don’t care about the consequence,” Glenn said.

In response, Home Depot stores across the country have implemented increased security measures, including more cameras and security guards, and have added new technologies to track merchandise.

“The 500,000 orange hooded associates that are working in our stores and distribution centers, we want them to feel safe when they come to work,” Glenn said.

Jeff Rasor told ABC News that his father would want the “appropriate measures” to be implemented to discourage retail theft and to help people avoid a life of crime.

“He [wouldn’t want] this guy to be in jail the rest of his life,” Jeff Rasor said of the man who fatally attacked his father and has since been arrested on a murder charge. The case against him is still pending.

“He would rather that guy be graduating from law school and be on an internship right now somewhere,” Jeff Rasor said. “That’s what he’d want. But he’s not, he’s sitting in jail.”

ABC News’ Claire Pedersen contributed to this report.

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