NewsChat keeps you informed with clarity, integrity, and honest insights. Stay updated with news that matters and perspectives that guide.

NewsChat: Daily Podcast with Jack Norton – News 1/20/25

Florida Man’s Unspeakable Act With Horse, Minnesota Hate Crime Charges, Cop Saves the Day for Pizza Driver

WINONA, MN – Tune in daily to NewsChat, the podcast that brings you the truth in news. Hosted by Jack Norton, this show delivers honest, straightforward reporting on the day’s top stories, paired with a thoughtful, sensible take. Presented by the Jack and Kitty News Network in association with Voices of Faith Ministries, NewsChat keeps you informed with clarity, integrity, and honest insights. Stay updated with news that matters and perspectives that guide.

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Florida Man's Unspeakable Act With Horse, Minnesota Hate Crime, Cop Saves the Day for Pizza Driver

Florida Man’s Unspeakable Act With Horse

This is NewsChat: your source for the Truth in today’s news. Today is Monday, January 20, 2025 and I’m your host Jack Norton from JackAndKitty.com.

Well, here’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear myself say: a Florida man has been arrested and charged with having relations with a horse in Lake Wales.

A witness reported seeing him commit the act in late December.

The 53-year-old suspect initially denied the allegations when confronted by Polk County deputies, but later admitted to what he called a “dumb decision,” blaming his actions on financial stress from living in Florida.

The man, whose identity was not released, has a prior criminal record including burglary, theft, and marijuana possession across multiple states including Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.

He was booked into Polk County Jail on a felony charge of a special relationship with an animal.

The sheriff’s office noted with evident disgust that this was “one of those charges that we can’t believe even has to exist.”

So how do I start my Christian response to this news story? Well, friends, it’s pretty obvious: God made Adam and Eve – not Adam and Mr. Ed!

This disturbing incident demonstrates how far some have strayed from Biblical teachings about morality.

In Leviticus 18:23, the Bible calls this perversion.

Such acts defile both the individual and the community, showing complete disregard for God’s natural order and His design for intimate relationships.

While we must condemn this sinful act, as Christians we’re also called to recognize that every person, no matter their sins, has the potential for redemption through Christ.

This Florida man needs both earthly consequences for his actions and spiritual guidance to understand the gravity of his offense against God’s law.

The church community should pray for his repentance and transformative healing through faith.

Finally, friends, the rise of such moral degradation points to a deeper spiritual crisis in society.

As you can clearly see from this story, when people abandon Biblical principles and godly values, the results can be truly shocking.

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Minnesota Hate Crime Charges

Now for some disgusting news from my home state, Minnesota.

A Minnesota man, 35-year-old Justin Kudla of Belle Plaine, has been indicted on federal hate crime charges following a brutal assault on a Black man outside a bar in February 2024.

Kudla, who was already facing state-level charges, is now accused of interference with federally protected activities and committing a hate crime.

The attack occurred when Kudla allegedly used a racial slur before punching the victim, leaving him unconscious.

The victim later required hospitalization for critical injuries, including skull fractures and a brain bleed.

Witnesses reported that Kudla had been intoxicated and escorted out of a nearby bar earlier that night.

One witness stated that she heard him use the N-word during the altercation, while another recounted prior incidents of harassment, including Kudla allegedly using racial and anti-gay slurs toward the victim weeks earlier.

If convicted, Kudla faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Friends, let me clear: racism and hatred are abominations before the Lord.

They are a direct affront to His creation and His command to love one another.

Racial slurs, violence, and hatred are not just crimes against a fellow human being; they are sins against God Himself.

Scripture is clear: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar” (1 John 4:20).

Racism has no place in the heart of anyone who claims to follow Christ.

God’s Word calls His people to confront evil and expose darkness.

The hatred displayed in this attack is rooted in pride, sin, and the lies of the enemy, and it is our duty as Christians to call it out.

Isaiah 1:17 commands us to “seek justice, correct oppression.” The church must not remain silent when people are dehumanized based on their race or identity.

Those who engage in such wickedness must repent or face the righteous judgment of a holy God.

This is not a time for complacency. Christians must rise and proclaim that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and are equally valuable in His sight.

Hatred, bigotry, and violence are sins that lead only to destruction.

Let us pray for justice, stand with the oppressed, and boldly proclaim the Gospel of peace, knowing that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

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Cop Saves the Day for Pizza Driver

A pizza delivery in Brownsburg, Indiana, turned into an extraordinary tale when Connor Stephanoff, a driver for Rock Star Pizza, braved a snowstorm to deliver a $40 order to a wealthy neighborhood.

With roads blocked by a school bus crash and covered in snow, Stephanoff parked his car and hiked half a mile in freezing conditions, wearing only sweatpants, a sweater, a beanie, and sneakers.

His dedication earned him just a $2.15 tip, leaving Avon Police Lieutenant Richard Craig, who witnessed the ordeal, stunned and frustrated. Keep in mind, this delivery was made to a wealthy family in a fancy part of town.

Moved by Stephanoff’s commitment, Officer Craig gave him $15 and later started a GoFundMe campaign to recognize his efforts.

What began as a modest $500 goal quickly soared to over $16,000

Rock Star Pizza praised Stephanoff’s work ethic, noting his decision to work during the storm despite the risks.

Stephanoff, who insisted that any condition wouldn’t stop him from delivering pizza, became the center of a viral story about perseverance and unexpected kindness.

Friends, this story should cut straight to the heart of anyone with even a shred of conscience.

It reveals the chilling reality of greed and selfishness that plague our modern world.

Scripture warns us repeatedly about the dangers of these sins, yet here we see them on full display, even in the most affluent circles.

This family had every opportunity to show generosity and compassion but instead chose to hoard their wealth and give a token tip that insults the very labor God calls us to respect.

Their actions echo the sin of the rich man in Luke 16, who ignored the suffering of Lazarus at his gate.

For their callousness, the rich man found himself in eternal torment.

Let this serve as a warning: greed and selfishness do not go unnoticed by the Lord.

Friends, God’s justice will not be mocked.

The kindness shown by Officer Craig and the outpouring of generosity through the GoFundMe campaign reflect the true spirit of Christ.

They remind us that God works through others to expose sin and bring light into darkness.

Let this story convict us to examine our own hearts. Are we reflecting God’s love in our actions, or are we storing up treasures on earth at the cost of our eternal souls?

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Repent, lest we fall into the same trap of greed and face the consequences before a righteous and holy God.

Thanks for listening to NewsChat – now if the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise, I’ll see you again tomorrow morning. I hope you have a great Monday – Martin Luther King Jr. Day. My favorite MLK quote? “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Today, we honor a dream of equality, justice, and peace for all. Remember, Jesus loves you and you deserve to feel good today! Take care.

NewsChat is a co-production from the Jack and Kitty News Network and Voices of Faith Ministries, visit us at JackAndKitty.com. Have a news tip, prayer request or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@jackandkitty.com. NewsChat is written and produced by my wife Kitty Norton, with additional research by our team of news reporters Maria Garcia, Todd Johnson, Thomas Miller and Emma Smith. It is recorded and hosted by me, Jack Norton and edited by Todd Johnson. Music composed and performed by Jack and Kitty Norton.

Finally, why did Martin Luther King Jr. love to write speeches? Because he had a dream job!

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