NewsChat: Daily Podcast with Jack Norton – News 12/30/24
Missing Indiana Woman Found Dead, Killer Cake Investigation, George Floyd Copycat Killers
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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Missing Indiana Woman Found Dead
This is NewsChat: your source for the Truth in today’s news. Today is Monday, December 30, 2024 and I’m your host Jack Norton from JackAndKitty.com.
A missing woman from Porter County, Indiana, was found dead in a remote field near Lake Station on December 26.
Jamie Vlamos-Jones, age 45, of Valparaiso, had been missing since December 18, after she was last seen at a business on Clay Street.
Her body was discovered by a volunteer search team with the help of a K9 unit, just yards from where her car had been left behind. An autopsy confirmed that she died from hypothermia, with no signs of trauma or foul play.
Her family had tried to file a missing person’s report on December 19 and 20 but were unsuccessful, leading them to contact a nonprofit search group.
Her family shared that she had been dealing with mental health challenges and the recent loss of her son, though they emphasized that her disappearance was out of character.
The case remains under investigation, with authorities asking the public for any information that could assist in their inquiries.
This tragic story from Indiana reminds us of the deep struggles many face with mental health and grief. As believers, we are called to show compassion and support to those who are hurting, as Christ did throughout His ministry.
In times of loss, like the one experienced by Jamie’s family following the death of her son, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by sorrow and confusion.
The Bible offers comfort, particularly in passages like Psalm 34:18, which says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God’s presence in our pain provides strength, even when the path forward seems unclear.
Mental health struggles, especially in the wake of grief, are not signs of weakness, but rather an invitation to seek healing and support in the community and through God.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, we are reminded that God is the “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Christians are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and it’s essential to reach out for help—whether through prayer, counseling, or trusted friends—when life feels overwhelming.
In such difficult times, we are reminded that God sees our pain, and He offers us hope through His love and the promise of His peace, even in the midst of our darkest moments.
Killer Cake Investigation
Tragically, three family members in Brazil have died after eating a homemade Christmas cake during a holiday gathering. The women – ages 43, 58 and 65, passed away on Christmas Eve due to shock from poisoning.
The cake, a traditional Brazilian dessert, was baked by 61-year-old relative, who ate two slices and was also hospitalized, along with several other family members, including a 10-year-old boy.
Authorities are now investigating whether arsenic in the cake played a role in the deaths, as blood tests from both survivors and victims showed traces of the poison.
The investigation also extends to the death of the baker’s husband, who died from food poisoning in September. Police are requesting his body be exhumed for further examination.
Suspiciously, expired food products, including a medicine bottle with a strange white liquid, were found in her home, raising even more questions. The investigation is ongoing, with no evidence – yet – of family disputes or foul play.
This story is deeply unsettling, but it also invites us to reflect on how we can respond to such darkness with faith.
As humans, we are naturally drawn to mysteries and true crime stories, often because they tap into our desire for justice and the resolution of wrongs. It’s a natural part of our fallen world to seek answers to the unknown and to try to understand the complexities of life, especially in the face of suffering and tragedy.
However, Christians are called to approach these stories not just with curiosity, but with compassion and a commitment to justice, rooted in our faith.
In a world marred by sin and suffering, we are called to be a light in the darkness, as Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:14-16.
True crime stories, especially those involving tragedy and possible injustice, can reveal the brokenness of the world we live in.
While it’s natural to seek answers and unravel mysteries, we must also remember our role as believers to shine God’s light in the world. This means offering comfort to those affected by such tragedies, praying for justice, and standing up for what is right.
Engaging with these stories is not inherently wrong, but it is an opportunity for Christians to practice discernment, uphold righteousness, and reflect God’s love in a world that desperately needs it.
George Floyd Copycat Killers
In a disturbing case from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 15-year-old white boy, John Sheeran, has pleaded guilty to attempting to drown a 15-year-old black boy in a pond last July.
Sheeran threw rocks at the victim and forced him into the water, then held his head underwater while hurling racial slurs, including the n-word. The victim, who could not swim and wore a lifejacket, begged Sheeran to stop, but his pleas were ignored.
Sheeran’s accomplice, a white teen who mocked the victim by calling him “George Floyd,” laughed throughout the ordeal.
A witness reported seeing the attackers smirking as the victim screamed for help. Sheeran faces charges of attempted murder and assault, while his accomplice is charged with harassment.
The victim’s testimony and witness accounts reveal the disturbing cruelty of the attack, which was driven by pure racism.
Sheeran’s plea agreement signals the possibility of a harsh sentence, including the chance for adult sentencing. The community is grappling with the implications of such a violent and racially charged attack carried out by minors.
From a Christian perspective, the incident in Cape Cod reveals the ongoing presence of racism and hatred in our society.
The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves, regardless of race or background. Jesus’ message of love and tolerance is clear—He calls His followers to treat others with kindness and respect, embracing all people as children of God.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus emphasizes, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
This command doesn’t come with exceptions for race or background—it’s a universal call to care for everyone. The tragic attack in this story stands in stark contrast to Jesus’ teachings, as it reveals the deep harm caused by prejudice and hatred.
Moreover, here’s a newsflash for you: many scholars believe Jesus, in His earthly life, would have likely had the features of a Black or Middle Eastern man. Shocking, I know, since Jesus was not from Cape Cod – but from the Middle East.
He identified with the marginalized and oppressed, calling for justice and mercy. The behavior demonstrated by these teens is not only an affront to the dignity of the victim but also to the teachings of Christ.
As Christians, we must actively oppose racism in all its forms and seek to love and uplift every person, understanding that each individual is made in the image of God.
This story calls for self-reflection within the church and in society: How can we better love others, particularly those of different races and backgrounds? How can we be voices for justice and peace, fighting against the hatred that breeds such violence?
In the end, the Christian response is clear: we must live out the love of Christ, extending grace, compassion, and understanding to all people, regardless of their race or status.
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 New Year’s Eve Eve, as for me, I’m gonna go rest up because I can never stay awake until midnight – and my wife Kitty told me that tomorrow I have to! Seriously though, always 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, I was at the bookstore yesterday and found a book called How to Solve 50% of Your Problems. So I bought two.
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