NewsChat: Daily Podcast with Jack Norton – News 1/6/25
Deadly Minnesota Shootout, $100K Stolen in Home Invasion, Arctic Cat Closes Two Plants
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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Deadly Minnesota Shootout
This is NewsChat: your source for the Truth in today’s news. Today is Monday, January 6, 2025 and I’m your host Jack Norton from JackAndKitty.com.
A 29-year-old Minnesota man, Luke Joshua Cain, is facing second-degree murder charges after firing at a pickup truck containing people who had stolen items from his van.
The shooting, which occurred outside Cain’s home in Richfield on December 6, struck and killed 26-year-old Sofia Rose O’Hotto from Minneapolis.
Cain told police he saw the suspects stealing from his van and fired two shots at their fleeing vehicle.
While he initially denied firing the gun, Cain later admitted to shooting, though he said none of the thieves had threatened him or been armed.
Surveillance video and stolen items found in the truck helped corroborate his story. Cain has since been arrested and is set to appear in court.
From a Biblical perspective, the situation in Richfield calls for a reflection on patience and self-control.
Proverbs 14:29 says, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
While it’s natural to feel upset when wronged, particularly through theft, the Bible teaches that we should not act in anger.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:39—“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also”—remind Christians to respond with grace rather than violence.
Cain’s decision to take matters into his own hands, especially when the thieves were unarmed and did not pose a direct physical threat, stands in contrast to the Biblical call for patience and trust in God’s justice.
Romans 12:19 advises, “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.”
This is a call for Christians to trust in God’s justice and avoid vigilante actions. Cain could have sought the authorities’ help, trusting the legal system rather than responding with violence. In short, Cain shouldn’t have been… raising Cain.
$100K Stolen in Home Invasion
A safe containing over $100,000 was stolen on December 18 in a violent, armed home invasion in rural Sherburne County, Minnesota.
The victim, a homeowner, identified one of the suspects as 22-year-old Brandon Marlon Garcia-Becerril, a former employee.
Police quickly connected Garcia-Becerril to the crime, along with two other suspects, 31-year-old Yonathan Jose Gamboa Zambrano and 21-year-old Jennifer Barrera Henriquez.
Evidence, including security footage and vehicle tracking, led authorities to uncover a rental truck used in the burglary.
While three suspects have been arrested, Garcia-Becerril is believed to have fled to Mexico.
So far, $36,000 of the stolen money has been recovered, but the investigation continues as police work to locate the last suspect.
Zambrano is being held in custody with bail set at $600,000. The case remains ongoing as authorities pursue all leads.
This armed home invasion in a peaceful place like the rolling hills of rural Sherburne County, Minnesota illustrates the unpredictable and often violent reality we face living in a fallen world.
As believers, we are called to be wise and vigilant, not only in our spiritual lives but in the safety and protection of our families.
The Bible teaches us that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), and while we may not know the exact moment violence might enter our lives, we are called to prepare.
God has given us the responsibility to protect our loved ones. Proverbs 24:11-12 reminds us that “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”
This doesn’t mean we trust in our own strength or abilities but rather prepare ourselves for challenging circumstances, knowing that God is our ultimate protector. While we should never live in fear, we also shouldn’t ignore the practical steps that can make a difference in a time of crisis.
This is where our new book, How to Survive the Unthinkable: 10 Ways to Protect Your Family from Violent Intruders, comes into play. It’s not about living in constant fear, but about making sure you are ready when the unthinkable happens.
As we explore in the book, preparation involves more than just locks and alarms; it’s about knowing how to fight back, how to create a safe space, and how to respond quickly when every second counts.
We encourage you to take this seriously. Take proactive steps to safeguard your home, your loved ones, and your peace of mind. God has entrusted you with the care of your family, and it is our duty to be prepared. Find How to Survive the Unthinkable by Jack and Kitty Norton wherever you get your paperbacks or ebooks or help support indie authors and buy direct from us at JackAndKitty.com.
Arctic Cat Closes Two Plants
Arctic Cat, the well-known Minnesota snowmobile manufacturer, has announced it will cease production at its Thief River Falls and St. Cloud facilities after the first half of 2025.
The closures come in response to ongoing business challenges in the power sports industry, including inflation and declining consumer demand.
The company, owned by Textron since 2017, will continue to sell 2025 model snowmobiles throughout the year but will not produce any new vehicles beyond mid-2025.
The closures will impact approximately 560 employees, with 530 workers at the Thief River Falls plant and 30 at the St. Cloud facility.
Earlier in November, Arctic Cat laid off 65 workers in Thief River Falls due to low demand.
Textron has stated that it is exploring future options for its power sports division and will maintain key services like customer support and aftermarket sales.
The closure of Arctic Cat’s Minnesota plants is a heartbreaking development for the workers and their families who rely on these jobs to support themselves and their communities.
As we reflect on this situation, we are reminded of the importance of showing compassion and care for those in need.
The Bible calls us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), and in times of economic hardship, it is crucial that we extend support, encouragement, and prayers to those facing uncertainty.
Let us pray for the employees affected by these closures, that they may find comfort, peace, and new opportunities in the midst of this challenge.
May God provide them with the strength to navigate these difficult times and lead them toward new paths.
We also lift up the American economy and the job market, asking for God’s guidance in the midst of inflation and shifting industries.
We pray for wisdom for business leaders and policymakers, that they may make decisions that benefit all people and help foster a stable and just economic system.
Lord, may your will be done in all of this, and may you bless those affected by these changes. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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. You know, we didn’t plan this – but I just realized all of today’s stories were from my home state of Minnesota. Sorry, to pain you such a grim picture of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Maybe next time I’ll share with you the wonders of tater tot hotdish and Jucy Lucys. But until then, 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, did you hear about the Minnesota man who wore only one boot? He heard there was a 50% chance of snow.
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