NewsChat: Daily Podcast with Jack Norton – News 12/31/24
Teen Snapchat Crash Injures 22, Monkeys Seized at Border, Bigfoot Hunters Found Dead
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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Teen Snapchat Crash Injures 22
This is NewsChat: your source for the Truth in today’s news. Today is New Year’s Eve – Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and I’m your host Jack Norton from JackAndKitty.com.
A 19-year-old girl from northern Minnesota, has been charged with 24 crimes after a crash involving a school bus left 22 people injured, including 21 students.
On the morning of September 12, Svea Snickers (I honestly don’t know how to pronounce her name – and I honestly don’t care) ran a stop sign while driving a Toyota RAV4 and collided with a school bus traveling at around 50 mph in Cherry Township. The bus was forced off the road, rolling into a ditch.
The crash left the children on the bus with injuries ranging from concussions to broken bones.
Investigators later found that Snickers was using Snapchat at the time of the crash, admitting she had sent a video message while driving.
A search of her phone confirmed that she had been active on Snapchat just seconds before the crash. Snickers was driving between 48-53 mph before the collision and failed to apply the brakes. She now faces 24 charges including criminal vehicular operation causing gross bodily harm.
From a Christian perspective, this tragic incident reveals much more than a simple case of distracted driving – it exposes a deep spiritual crisis in today’s society.
A 19-year-old young woman, addicted to Snapchat, thoughtlessly caused a crash that injured 22 people, 21 of them innocent children.
This isn’t just about a careless teen not paying attention to the road; it’s a reflection of a generation consumed with selfishness, empty pursuits, and a lack of regard for the value of human life.
So what drives this behavior? An insatiable need for attention, validation, and recognition—fueled by social media and the influencer culture.
Behind this reckless driving is a profound emptiness, a hollowness that can’t be filled with likes, comments, or followers. People are so focused on seeking approval from strangers on a screen that they forget about the very real lives around them.
This emptiness can only be filled by a relationship with Jesus Christ, who offers a love that doesn’t require validation through virtual applause.
Our phones, and the attention-seeking behavior they encourage, distract us from what truly matters: real, meaningful relationships, personal growth, and living with purpose.
We must recognize that this incident, like so many others in a world ruled by distractions, shows just how desperately people need to lift their eyes off their screens and turn to something more lasting.
Put down your phone. Lift your head. Life is happening all around us, and the only way to truly find fulfillment is by focusing on the love and guidance that comes from God. Without Him, we remain lost, distracted, and spiritually numb.
Monkeys Seized at Border
Ready for some monkey business? Three live monkeys were recently seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. A 48-year-old U.S. citizen, attempting to enter Texas from Mexico in a 2020 Mitsubishi, was referred for secondary inspection.
During this inspection, CBP officers discovered three live monkeys hidden inside the vehicle.
Although the species were not identified, the monkeys are protected under international agreements, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and are prohibited from being imported as pets under U.S. law.
The driver was arrested, and Homeland Security Investigations initiated a criminal investigation.
The monkeys were handed over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are now being cared for at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.
CBP Port Director Tater Ortiz praised the officers for their vigilance, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to preventing animal exploitation and the spread of diseases.
This story offers us an opportunity to reflect on our responsibility to care for God’s creation, including animals.
The Bible teaches that animals, like all of creation, are made by God and have inherent value.
In Genesis 1:26, God gives humanity dominion over the earth and its creatures, but this dominion is not a license for exploitation. Instead, it comes with the responsibility to care for and protect them.
Animals are a vital part of God’s creation, and they are entrusted to us not for mistreatment or selfish gain but for stewardship.
Proverbs 12:10 says, “The righteous care for the needs of their animals,” pointing to the Biblical expectation that we should treat animals with respect and compassion.
The act of smuggling and exploiting animals for personal gain directly contradicts this call for responsible stewardship.
Now I’m not monkeying around here! As Christians, we are called to stand against cruelty and illegal trafficking, not only to protect animals but also to uphold justice and the values of compassion that reflect God’s love for all His creations. This story should encourage us to consider how we can better fulfill our role as caretakers of the earth, safeguarding both its creatures and the natural world.
Bigfoot Hunters Found Dead
Tragically, two men from Portland, Oregon, aged 59 and 37, were found dead in a Washington forest after a three-day search.
The pair had gone into the forest to search for Bigfoot on December 24, 2024, but failed to return as planned.
Their families reported them missing on Christmas Eve, and authorities used Flock cameras to locate their vehicle and begin the search.
Over 60 volunteers braved freezing temperatures, heavy rain, and rugged terrain, with assistance from drone and Coast Guard teams, in a massive search effort.
Unfortunately, the two men were found dead in a heavily wooded area on December 28. Officials suspect their deaths were caused by exposure due to the harsh conditions and lack of proper preparation.
The Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the families and thanked the volunteers for their efforts.
You know, this tragic story reminds me of both the beauty and the dangers that come with exploring God’s creation.
The world He made is full of mysteries and wonders, from the breathtaking landscapes of Pacific Northwest forests to the potential creatures like Bigfoot that many believe could be out there. I, myself, have no reason to doubt in the existence of Bigfoot. As I believer, I want to believe.
Humans are naturally curious beings, created in God’s image with a desire to discover and understand the world around us. Exploring the wilderness, seeking knowledge, and observing nature can be a way of honoring God by appreciating the vastness of His creation. It reflects a healthy curiosity that God Himself placed in us.
However, we are also called to exercise wisdom and caution in our pursuits. The tragic loss of these two men reflects the risks that come with venturing into the unknown, especially without proper preparation.
It is important that we always consider our safety and the potential dangers of our adventures, knowing that we are called to care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
My heart goes out to the families of the two men who lost their lives. I’m praying that God brings them comfort and peace during this incredibly tough time. As we think about this tragedy, I encourage everyone to explore the world God created with wonder, but to always do so with wisdom and caution.
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 – stay safe, enjoy the countdown and the ball drop and I’ll see you bright and early in good ol’ 2025. 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.
You know, last year, I was able to keep all of my New Year’s resolutions… tucked away in a journal on my bookshelf.
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