NewsChat: Daily Podcast with Jack Norton – News 1/5/25
Drunk Driver Kills 2—Says ‘So What?’, BASE Jumper Shuts Down Highway, Bernie Madoff Victims Get Payment
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.
Listen to Today’s Broadcast
Drunk Driver Kills 2—Says ‘So What?’
This is NewsChat: your source for the Truth in today’s news. Today is Sunday, January 5, 2025 and I’m your host Jack Norton from JackAndKitty.com.
Heartbreaking news from New York City today.
A New York man, Amandeep Singh, has pleaded guilty to causing a wrong-way crash that killed two 14-year-old tennis players, Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz, on Long Island in May 2023.
Singh, 36, had been drinking scotch and tequila and using cocaine before driving his Dodge Ram pickup truck at high speeds in the wrong direction.
The crash killed Drew and Ethan instantly and injured two other passengers. Singh’s blood alcohol level was found to be more than twice the legal limit.
Most chillingly, when confronted by officers after the crash, Singh showed little remorse, telling them, “So what if I drink and drive… maybe I did.”
Both families of the victims have established foundations to honor their sons’ memories. Drew’s foundation provides tennis scholarships to underprivileged youth, while Ethan’s aims at spreading his spirit of optimism and kindness.
Friends, this story is about more than just the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse; it paints a darker picture of a soul overtaken by demonic apathy.
When confronted about his horrific actions, Singh’s response (which we had to heavily censor for this story) was—“So what if I drink and drive… maybe I did.”
This reveals a chilling indifference to the devastating impact of his behavior. This apathy is a form of spiritual blindness, where a person is so consumed by selfishness and sin that they no longer see the humanity of others.
Scripture warns us about the dangers of letting our hearts grow cold and indifferent. Ephesians 4:18 says, “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”
When we turn away from God and the values He teaches, we open ourselves to forces that lead us down paths of destruction, not only physically but spiritually.
Singh’s response could be seen as a manifestation of a heart hardened and overtaken by demonic influence, a tragic reminder of what happens when a soul becomes disconnected from God’s love and mercy.
As Christians, we are called to pray for those who are lost, that their hearts might be softened, and their eyes opened to the reality of sin and redemption.
In the case of this senseless tragedy, we can look to the families of Drew and Ethan as examples of how to hold on to hope and love in the face of overwhelming grief. Their foundation efforts, built in their sons’ memory, embody the strength and compassion that can only come from God, standing in stark contrast to the apathy that we too often see in a world marred by sin.
BASE Jumper Shuts Down Highway
On Sunday evening, December 22, a BASE jumper was injured near Tunnel 2 in Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado.
BASE jumping, an extreme sport where participants leap from fixed objects like cliffs, bridges, or buildings before deploying a parachute, led to the accident.
The victim, located 60–80 feet up a hillside across a creek, was reached by fire and rescue crews as well as folks from the Colorado State Patrol.
Using a Stokes basket and technical rope systems, rescuers safely moved the victim to the other side of the creek, where they were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The multi-agency operation lasted from around 6 p.m. until just after 11 p.m., showcasing the expertise and coordination of the emergency teams.
Fire officials emphasized the importance of mutual aid and ongoing training for complex rescues like this one, noting their involvement with the North Area Technical Rescue Team.
BASE jumping, with its mix of intense freefall followed by the calm of parachute descent, can be enticing because it offers a rush of excitement that many people crave.
Psychologically, this craving often stems from a desire to feel alive, to escape from everyday routines, or to challenge personal limits.
Unfortunately, the death rate for BASE jumping is 1 in every 2,317 jumps—far higher than other forms of skydiving, indicating just how dangerous this activity can be.
While the extreme sport of BASE jumping might offer participants an adrenaline-filled rush and a feeling of freedom, as Christians, we can also find excitement and fulfillment through a relationship with God.
Christians can experience an even greater “rush” than extreme sports with a relationship with Jesus Christ, who offers eternal joy, peace, and purpose. Jesus invites us to take joy in His presence, saying in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” There’s no better rush than walking with the Lord.
Bernie Madoff Victims Get Payment
Finally today, after 15 years, the victims of Bernie Madoff’s infamous Ponzi scheme are nearing full recovery.
The U.S. Department of Justice has made its final distribution of $131 million, bringing the total payout to nearly 94% of the losses.
In all, more than $4.3 billion has been distributed to over 40,000 victims across 127 countries.
The funds were primarily collected through civil forfeitures from sources like the estate of Madoff investors, JPMorgan Chase, and the Madoff family itself.
Despite the lengthy process, justice has been served to those impacted by one of the largest financial frauds in history.
With Madoff’s death in 2021 and his 150-year sentence, this final distribution brings much-needed closure to those who suffered financial devastation.
The final distribution of funds to Bernie Madoff’s victims may bring a sense of justice for those affected by his deceit, but from a Christian perspective, we are reminded that ultimate justice belongs to God alone.
While the U.S. Department of Justice has made significant strides in compensating those who lost their savings in Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, we believe the full restoration and true justice come not from earthly measures but from God’s sovereign will.
Scripture teaches us that God is the ultimate judge, and only He knows the hearts of all individuals, including those who commit grievous wrongs like Madoff. In short, only God can judge.
As Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
While it is vital that society holds wrongdoers accountable and seeks restitution, we, as Christians, understand that only God can provide true and eternal justice.
Madoff’s punishment on earth, as severe as it was, does not compare to the eternal judgment he may face. As we celebrate this moment of earthly justice, we must remember that God’s justice is perfect and final, transcending any earthly restitution.
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 Sunday – do your best to avoid thinking about returning to work. I know I will. 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 producted 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, Kitty and I went to a fun dinner theater magic show last night. She just loves magic. The Spanish-speaking magician told the audience he was going to vanish on the count of three. He counted, “Uno, dos…” and then disappeared without a tres.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
