NewsChat: Daily Podcast with Jack Norton – News 2/6/25
Parents Stop 83-Year-Old Shooter, Man Steals Police Car with Victim Inside, Amazing $5 Goodwill Find
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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Parents Stop 83-Year-Old Shooter
This is NewsChat: your source for the Truth in today’s news. Today is Thursday, February 6, 2025 and I’m your host Jack Norton from JackAndKitty.com.
An 83-year-old gunman, Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr., was tackled and disarmed by heroic parents after he opened fire at a Texas high school band competition, injuring a 26-year-old man.
The incident occurred at Pasadena Memorial High School during the Texas Color Guard Circuit drum line competition.
Brandl entered the school around 6 p.m. Saturday and fired a small-caliber weapon just minutes later, according to Pasadena Police. The victim was hospitalized in stable condition.
Brandl reportedly claimed he believed someone was chasing him and feared for his and his wife’s safety.
Parents at the scene quickly subdued him, preventing further injuries. Brandl was taken into custody and is now facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
This incident calls us Christians to reflect on the power of courage and selflessness in the face of danger.
The parents who intervened demonstrated a profound act of love and protection, aligning with the Biblical command to “defend the weak and the fatherless” (Psalm 82:3).
Their actions serve as an example of how God’s people can act as protectors in moments of chaos, putting others’ safety above their own.
Additionally, this story points to the need for prayer and compassion toward those struggling with fear and confusion, as seen in the gunman’s behavior.
As Christians, we are called to pray for healing and seek ways to support individuals facing mental and spiritual distress, fostering peace within our communities.
Man Steals Police Car with Victim Inside
A domestic violence suspect in North Carolina is facing a string of felony and misdemeanor charges after stealing a police car – with his alleged victim locked inside. How terrifying is that?
Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Troutman, Norkalina where they found 23-year-old Bradley Gage Johnson, who was already under pretrial conditions forbidding contact with the victim, Heaven Jones.
Deputies temporarily placed Jones in the back of a patrol car while they investigated, but Johnson forced his way inside the vehicle and sped off, prompting a police chase.
The pursuit ended in Statesville, where Johnson tried to flee on foot but was quickly captured. Jones was recovered unharmed.
Johnson is now facing multiple charges, including second-degree kidnapping, larceny of a motor vehicle, and possession of a weapon of mass destruction.
His bond was set at $125,000, and authorities say further charges could follow.
Friends, this story reflects the brokenness of human nature and the need for accountability, repentance, and grace. It’s just so tragic.
A domestic violence victim, trapped in a stolen cop car with the man who’s making her life a living hell.
I honestly don’t even know what to say right now. This is just… too much.
Aren’t you tired of hearing stories like this? Sometimes, it makes me want to walk away from everything. Can you relate? Don’t you just want to escape it all?
Kitty and I feel the same way. As pastors, we understand the toll it can take on your soul. We feel called to minister through the news, but even we need a break sometimes. And that’s okay.
If you’re feeling like we are, I want to share a special resource with you…
Imagine this: you, curled up with a warm cup of tea, wrapped in your favorite blanket, and diving into stories that lift your spirits.
That’s exactly what you’ll find in our new book, Jack and Kitty’s Feel Good Stories for Women. This isn’t just any book—it’s a collection of 51 heartwarming, laugh-out-loud, tear-jerking stories that Kitty and I wrote with love.
Whether you need encouragement, a reminder that kindness still exists (because we sure need it after the stories we hear every day on this podcast), or just something to make you smile at the end of a tough day, this book will be your perfect companion.
Here’s the thing: you can grab this book on Amazon for about $20. Or you can get it directly from us, skip supporting giant corporations, save yourself $10, and support our ministry. But if you’re looking for an escape right now, well, you’re in luck…
Head over to JackAndKitty.com/IFeelGood and grab the eBook for just $1.
That’s right, for just a dollar, as a thank you for tuning in today and supporting our ministry, we’re giving you this book.
A dollar. You can’t even get a coffee for that price anymore. And here’s the best part: 100% of that $1 goes straight back into our ministry. When’s the last time you dropped a dollar in the church collection plate? I know Kitty gives me a hard time if I put in anything less than $10.
Again, visit JackAndKitty.com/IFeelGood to escape the madness of this crazy world.
So if you need a little inspiration, comfort, or a reminder that life might not be perfect, but it sure is beautiful, Jack and Kitty’s Feel-Good Stories for Women will have you smiling long after you’ve finished reading.
Getting back to the story, in situations like this, prayer is essential—for the victim’s safety and recovery, and for the offender’s repentance.
Scripture calls for the protection of the vulnerable, such as in Psalm 82:3-4, which says, “Defend the weak; uphold the cause of the oppressed.”
At the same time, it challenges believers to seek redemption for those who have fallen. Justice can coexist with grace, and through God’s mercy, even the most troubled lives can be redeemed.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, know that help is available and there is hope. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential support 24/7. You don’t have to go through this alone. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 for immediate assistance. Visit www.thehotline.org for more resources and guidance on how to safely move forward. Healing and support are within reach. You are loved – and your life matters.
Amazing $5 Goodwill Find
Hey, this story is just too much fun not to share with you! An Illinois man, John Carcerano, bought a plate for just $5 at Goodwill, not realizing it was worth thousands.
After using Google Lens, he found out it was an 18th-century Chinese piece, valued between $4,000 and $6,000.
Needless to say, John quickly snatched up the plate. Experts later confirmed its authenticity, and Carcerano’s patience paid off, proving his decades of thrift store hunting were well worth it.
Well, we all know the Bible says not to store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, but after hearing about this $5 plate, I gotta admit—thrifting suddenly looks like a spiritual calling!
Jesus may have said to lay up treasures in heaven, but hey, a little earthly treasure now and then doesn’t hurt, right?
It’s like God’s little wink at us in the thrift store aisle—just don’t forget where your real treasure lies! Are me and Kitty heading to Goodwill later today? You betcha!
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 day. 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, what’s it called when you have your grandmother on speed dial? Instagram.
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