Motherhood Moment

Monday, October 5, 2026

Movie Minute - Jimmy

The World Premiere of the new movie, JIMMY – the untold, true story of beloved actor Jimmy Stewart’s service in World War II and how it shaped his legendary role as George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life – will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 4, 2026, hosted by Papaian Studios, in conjunction with the Lone Star Film Festival.

Jimmy Stewart had deep ties to the Fort Worth community, serving as the celebrity ambassador to the city during the 1970s, supporting philanthropic efforts for the Fort Worth Zoo, recording tourism advertisements, and filming one of his most famous roles in the area, Strategic Air Command.

“Great storytelling matters. The right message matters even more,” said Hien Papaian, who felt God’s calling to Fort Worth to establish Papaian Studios, a media company created to support entertainment projects that positively impact culture. “Fort Worth has a special meaning to the Stewart family, and with Burns & Co. Entertainment, we hope to honor Jimmy’s legacy, celebrate his service, and remember his life of resilience, kindness, and achievement in film and as part of the American story. Papaian Studios is proud to host this special world premiere.”

“There’s something fitting about premiering JIMMY here, in a town Stewart genuinely loved. We’re proud to welcome this movie home to Fort Worth, where it will open the 20th anniversary Lone Star Film Festival,” Lone Star Film Festival Executive Director Chad Mathews said. “Jimmy Stewart would certainly have relished a festival premiere in a city he held such affection for. We’re honored to celebrate his legacy alongside Papaian Studios and Burns & Co., the filmmakers who brought this story to life.” In addition, the Lone Star Film Festival will present the Inaugural Jimmy Stewart Service Award to an actor who exemplifies Stewart’s qualities of service and sacrifice.

Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, executive producer and daughter of Jimmy Stewart, shared, “My parents loved Fort Worth because they had very dear friends there, Bess and Fran Johnson. The Johnsons introduced Mom and Dad to the world of the outdoors. They went on fishing trips to South America. They would visit Bess and Fran's beautiful Texas ranch, called Possum Kingdom. Best of all they would go on wildlife safaris together in East Africa, an experience that resulted in a deep commitment to African wildlife and conservation.”

JIMMY will open nationwide, through Fathom Entertainment, November 6, 2026. Tickets for JIMMY will be available this September and at participating theatre box offices. For more information and to be notified when tickets go on sale, please visit Fathom Entertainment.

To celebrate the United States’ 250th Birthday, Burns & Co. released a new trailer to honor the Greatest Generation. To watch, click here.

To learn more about JIMMY, visit the movie’s website: https://jimmythemovie.com/. JIMMY is also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @jimmystewartmovie and on X @jimmymovie2026.

About Burns & Co. Entertainment

Burns & Co Entertainment tells timeless stories that uplift, entertain, and inspire audiences worldwide. In addition to being the team behind JIMMY, Burns & Co. is in pre-production on its first animated feature THE MYTHMAKERS, based on the best-selling graphic novel about legendary storytellers C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien.

About Papaian Studios

Papaian Studios is a newly formed media company dedicated to creating and supporting projects that illuminate faith, inspire hope, and positively impact culture. Rooted in the belief that media can be a powerful instrument for good, the studio seeks to advance the Gospel and uplift culture through innovative, creative, and nostalgic storytelling. Learn more at papaianstudios.com

About the Lone Star Film Festival

Produced by the Lone Star Film Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Lone Star Film Festival (LSFF) is an annual celebration of film, storytelling, and creative talent in Fort Worth, Texas. Held in partnership with the Fort Worth Film Commission, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences for a dynamic week of screenings, educational programs, panels, and special events showcasing outstanding independent cinema from Texas and around the world. Through its festival and year-round programming, the Lone Star Film Society cultivates appreciation for the moving image as an art form, supports emerging storytellers, and champions Fort Worth as a thriving center for film and culture. Learn more at LoneStarFilmFestival.com.

About Fathom Entertainment

Fathom Entertainment is the leading global specialty distributor of content to movie theatres. For more than 20 years, Fathom Entertainment has pioneered theatrical distribution of events and special engagements across various genres and formats, including feature films, episodic content, documentaries, concerts, and live events. Fathom consistently ranks among the top 10 theatrical distributors in North America and distributes content to cinemas worldwide. Fathom Entertainment is owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), and Regal Cineworld Group (LSE: CINE.L). For more information, visit FathomEntertainment.com.

Money Matters - Fast Food Spending Survey and Tips

Fast food prices have risen by 3.2% over the past year, outpacing inflation and making quick meals increasingly expensive. To highlight where these purchases take the biggest bite out of Americans' wallets, the personal-finance company WalletHub released its report on the Cities Where People Spend the Most & Least on Fast Food.

To determine where consumers spend the most and least relative to their earnings, WalletHub analyzed the average prices of burgers, pizza and fried chicken sandwiches in 100 of the largest U.S. cities, then compared those costs with each city's median household income.

Highest % of Income Spent	Lowest % of Income Spent
1. Detroit, MI (0.73%)	91. Henderson, NV (0.27%)
2. Cleveland, OH (0.70%)	92. Durham, NC (0.27%)
3. Buffalo, NY (0.60%)	93. San Jose, CA (0.27%)
4. Hialeah, FL (0.58%)	94. Scottsdale, AZ (0.27%)
5. Toledo, OH (0.57%)	95. San Francisco, CA (0.27%)
6. Birmingham, AL (0.57%)	96. Irvine, CA (0.26%)
7. Newark, NJ (0.54%)	97. Austin, TX (0.25%)
8. Milwaukee, WI (0.54%)	98. Gilbert, AZ (0.24%)
9. Baltimore, MD (0.54%)	99. Plano, TX (0.24%)
10. Memphis, TN (0.53%)	100. Fremont, CA (0.21%)

To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-where-people-spend-the-most-least-on-fast-food/154077

“Fast food has grown more and more expensive in recent years, outpacing inflation. As a result, it’s worthwhile for consumers to think critically about whether the convenience of fast food really justifies the cost – and about how much room they have in their budgets for this luxury. The city in which you live can have a big impact on how much fast food costs, too. People in the most expensive cities shell out over three times more than residents of the least expensive cities, relative to the median income.”
–
“Detroit has the most costly food relative to residents' earnings, with a small pizza, a burger and a fried chicken sandwich totaling 0.73% of the median monthly household income. That may not be all that much on its own, but since it only represents three meals out of an entire month, it can really add up depending on people’s eating habits.”

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

Expert Commentary

What tips do you have to help people avoid overspending on fast food?

“Parcel out your at-home meals each week. A trip to the supermarket can save a lot of money that you might spend at fast food locations. The healthier you eat, the less likely you will be to go to fast food restaurants, which typically have higher calorie, higher fat, higher sugar, and higher carb meals. If you must go to a fast food establishment, get smaller portions.”
Daniel E. Goldberg, Ed.D. – Associate Professor of Instruction, Temple University

How important is budgeting when it comes to spending money on fast food?

“Budgeting is extremely important. Remember what you're buying and how it impacts your health. Smaller portions and fewer sugary drinks will help mitigate your spending.”
Daniel E. Goldberg, Ed.D. – Associate Professor of Instruction, Temple University

How is the current social and economic environment influencing household spending on fast food?

“When people are tight for time, they tend to get fast food meals. There are also the advertisements that entice people with special values. And while it saves prep time and cleanup, it may create health problems long-term. The economic environment also creates the impression that people will save money at fast food places. Before you frequent them, do an analysis of your grocery costs versus how much you spend on fast food. Keep your receipts!”
Daniel E. Goldberg, Ed.D. – Associate Professor of Instruction, Temple University

More From WalletHub

Book Nook - BOLD: How Women Play BIG by Leading Instead of Pleasing

Barrie Zucal is a powerlifter in more ways than one. Besides breaking records in the deadlift and bench press, she is a fierce advocate for women’s voices and rights, a global feminist, a former marriage and family therapist, and an executive coach to women in 75 countries. Now, she’s making a daring entrance into the self-help space with BOLD: How Women Play BIG by Leading Instead of Pleasing — a rallying cry against what she calls “debilitating goodness,” the quiet force that keeps many women from realizing their ambitions.

“Women worldwide are constrained by their conditioned conviction that they should serve others even at their own expense; as a result, they end up pleasing, performing, and perfecting instead of leading, living, and developing,” Zucal said.

A lifeline for women everywhere, BOLD blends inspirational stories, self-reflective exercises, and practical steps to help readers tap into their passion, trust their instincts, act on their behalf, and lead with courage and clarity. BOLD isn’t a diatribe; it’s a solution-driven antidote to the deeply rooted beliefs that have kept women playing small for generations.

“I want this book to inspire women everywhere,” Zucal said. “We were born for this moment. It’s time for women to claim their right to develop themselves and use their talents to create a rich future for themselves, their families, and their world.

More than a book, BOLD is a wakeup call — motivating women to explore who they exist for, why they exist, and how they will exist.

“The world needs more women leading unapologetically,” writes author and CEO of Few & Far, Sarah Dusek, in the book’s introduction. “Step into this book with courage, and I promise you will emerge with a stronger, bolder, more empowered version of yourself.”

Releasing in October 2026, BOLD arrives at a moment when women’s leadership is urgently needed — in boardrooms, classrooms, and communities worldwide.

About the Author

Barrie Zucal is a writer, speaker, global entrepreneur, executive coach, and social justice advocate who has spent decades helping women lead with power and purpose instead of playing small. A lifelong learner and fierce advocate for women’s rights worldwide, she founded and led a global executive coaching firm with 300 coaches operating in 75 countries. She served as a marriage and family therapist, a healer with a master’s in Family Studies from the University of Maryland, a guidance counselor in war-torn Beirut, and even a nanny to the Jordanian Royal Family in her late 20s.

At 70, Zucal walked into a gym, picked up a barbell, and went on to break Maryland State Records in both the deadlift and bench press. Today, she teaches Intersectional Feminism with Conscious Revolution and serves as Chair of the Cultural Committee at the Arts Club of Washington.

For more information, please visit www.barriezucal.com or connect with her on Instagram (@barriezucal).

Fun Freetime - Bluey's Happy Snaps

Gameloft, a leader in the creation and publishing of games, is delighted to announce that players will soon be able to play BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS, a brand-new video game launching globally on PC and consoles, in-store and online, on October 15, 2026. *The game will also be available day one with XBOX Game Pass and supports XBOX Play Anywhere. The game invites kids and families to play together in Bluey's world, and is developed in Bluey's hometown by Gameloft Brisbane in close collaboration with Bluey's producers, Ludo Studio, and BBC Studios.

Players can preorder BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS now on Nintendo Switch™ 2, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, XBOX Series X/S, XBOX One, XBOX on PC, and the Epic Games Store. As a limited time offer, players who preorder on these digital platforms will receive the Deluxe Edition content at price of the standard edition. While preorders are not yet available for Steam, the same offer will be available to players on the platform at launch**.

In BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS, players can play, explore and capture moments alongside Bluey and Bingo using Dad's old camera, turning adventures into memories to add to their own unique scrapbook. Set across beloved locations from Bluey's hometown of Brisbane, and made in Brisbane, Australia itself, BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS brings the world of the series to life through familiar characters, favorite toys and games, Australian wildlife and authentic local details inspired by the show. Players can fill their own scrapbook and capture the moments that matter to them.

To celebrate the game's release on October 15, the latest gameplay trailer showcases how BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS can inspire playing "for Real Life" and creativity beyond the screen.

BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS' unique approach to gaming is reflected in research led by Professor Daniel Johnson of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Digital Child, which found that BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS strongly supports children's autonomy, competence and creativity through open-ended play and meaningful choice. These findings reflect the game's focus on giving children the freedom to explore and make their own choices, with opportunities for that curiosity to continue beyond the game.

The research review described BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS as an exemplar of developmentally enriching digital play, highlighting its emphasis on creativity, family relationships and safe, offline play.

BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS is filled with the playful moments and authentic details fans know and love from the series. Up to 2 players can discover familiar Brisbane locations together, including New Farm Park (from the episode "Spy Game"), South Bank (from the episode "Ice Cream") and Mount Coot-tha (from the episode "The Sign"), alongside plenty of recognizable details inspired by Bluey's world. Along the way, players can meet their favorite characters including Muffin, Coco, Winton, Lucky and more of Bluey's friends and family. Players can also play games inspired by the series, including Shadowlands and Magic Cauldron.

*Disclaimer: BLUEY'S HAPPY SNAPS in Japan will release digitally on October 15, 2026, and physical editions will release on November 26, 2026.

** Pre-orders end 11.59pm October 14th 2026

Find all the resources HERE.

About Bluey

Bluey follows a loveable, inexhaustible blue heeler dog who lives with her mum, dad and little sister, Bingo. Bluey uses her limitless energy to play games that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family and the whole neighborhood into her world of fun. Celebrated for its humor, warmth and relatable portrayal of everyday family life, Bluey has earned a devoted global audience through stories grounded in play, emotional truth and authentic moments that resonate across generations. A true phenomenon, Bluey is one of the most loved and watched family entertainment brands, captivating adults and children alike.

Bluey is the creation of writer and director Joe Brumm and is produced by multiple Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio. Commissioned by BBC Studios Kids & Family and ABC Children's, BBC Studios brings Bluey to audiences internationally through distribution and licensing. The first-ever feature film, The Bluey Movie, lands in cinemas on August 6, 2027. Written and directed by Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio in collaboration with BBC Studios, the CG-animated feature marks the big-screen debut for Bluey and her family. BBC Studios is financing and licensing the picture with theatrical distribution through Walt Disney Studios.

About Gameloft

Leader in the development and publishing of multiplatform games, Gameloft® has established itself as a pioneer in the industry, creating innovative gaming experiences for 25 years. Gameloft creates games for all digital platforms, from mobile to cross-platform titles for PC and consoles. Gameloft operates its own established franchises such as Asphalt®, Dragon Mania Legends, March of Empires, and Dungeon Hunter, and also partners with major rights holders including LEGO®, Universal, Illumination, Hasbro®, Fox Digital Entertainment, Lamborghini®, and Ferrari®. Gameloft distributes its games in over 100 countries and employs 3,000 people worldwide. Every month, 1 billion unique users can be reached by advertisers in Gameloft games with Gameloft for brands, a leading B2B offering dedicated to brands and agencies. Gameloft is a Vivendi company.

About Ludo Studio

Ludo Studio is a BAFTA, multi-Emmy®, Logie and Peabody Award-winning Australian studio, and one of TIME's Most Influential Companies of 2024, that creates and produces original scripted drama, animation and digital stories that are authored by incredible local talent, distributed globally and loved by audiences everywhere. ludostudio.com.au

About BBC Studios Brands & Licensing

The BBC Studios Brands & Licensing division is the driving force in extending BBC Studios IP through innovative brand extensions, fostering deep fan engagement worldwide. Partnering our iconic brands—including Doctor Who and Bluey—with the world's biggest brands, promoters, and publishers, ignites the imagination of fans and creates memorable brand-fame moments. Our diverse portfolio spans consumer products, live entertainment, gaming, and publishing, while BBC Studios Digital drives over 1 billion views per month, offering advertising and branded content opportunities. Supported by award-winning teams, we focus on finding visionary opportunities to enhance global brand impact and digital growth.

About Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S.

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is a leading global publisher, developer, and distributor of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.

In producing intellectual property for a global audience, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™ and the production capabilities of Reflector Entertainment.

Based in Lyon, France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is known for bringing many of the entertainment industry's top franchises such as PAC-MAN™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, ACE COMBAT™, DARK SOULS™, and ELDEN RING™ to EMEA and ANZ markets.

For more information, please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu

Smart Safety - 10 Things to Know in a Medical Emergency

If someone you loved suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest, began choking, or stopped breathing, would your family know what to do before first responders arrived?

Fire captain, paramedic, EMS educator Brad Newbury and emergency medical technician Kiera Newbury, BA, NREMT draw on more than 40 years of emergency medical experience and the remarkable true stories featured in The Saved Effect: True Stories of Lives Reclaimed by People Who Were Ready to Act (Mission Driven Press; August 18, 2026). They explain why saving one life is really about preserving an entire family.

One story follows an 80-year-old grandfather who survived cardiac arrest because bystanders immediately began CPR. The additional months he was given allowed him to watch his granddaughter marry, help launch her nursing career, spend precious time with his family, and leave behind memories that continue to shape their lives today. Another follows an eight-year-old girl whose life was saved after choking in a restaurant. That experience inspired her to become a CPR instructor, train hundreds of people, and advocate for CPR education in schools, creating ripple effects that continue today.

Ten Things Every Family Should Know in a Medical Emergency

Learn CPR before you need it.
Call 911 immediately. Don't wait to "see if they get better."
Put your phone on speaker. This lets you keep both hands free while following the dispatcher's instructions.
Unlock the front door before EMS arrives and send someone outside to meet first responders.
Know where the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is. Many schools, gyms, churches, airports, community centers, and office buildings have them.
Create a family emergency plan. Decide in advance who will call 911, meet first responders outside, gather medications and medical information, and care for children or pets.
Make sure your house numbers are visible at night.
Teach everyone in the family where emergency medications are stored.
Talk with older relatives about their medical history and wishes before an emergency happens.
Keep a current list of medications, allergies, and medical conditions in an easy-to-find place.

Brad and Kiera believe preparedness isn't about becoming medical experts. It's about making sure that when someone you love needs you most, you'll know how to respond.

Music MInute - Celeste Marie Wilson: Southern American Princess

Rising Texas singer-songwriter Celeste Marie Wilson has released her new full-length album, Southern American Princess. Featuring 10 songs, the album takes listeners on an emotional journey filled with honesty, vulnerability, and unexpected turns, while showcasing Wilson’s distinctive songwriting style and powerful vocal delivery. Following the release of previous singles including “Marie,” “Willow,” and “Jesus, Tequila, and Whiskey,” Southern American Princess offers a deeper look into the artist behind the music and proves that Wilson is only beginning to make her mark.

To purchase/stream, visit HERE.

“Making Southern American Princess has been such an exciting and rewarding experience for me,” shares Wilson. “To finally see this album come to life and share it with the world feels like so many of my dreams are becoming a reality. I’m incredibly thankful to my family for always believing in me and supporting me through every step of this journey. And to everyone who takes the time to listen to my music, share a song, or simply press play, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It truly means more to me than you know.”

Celeste Marie Wilson continues to build momentum with several career milestones, including a main stage performance at the annual Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C., where she joined celebrated songwriters recognized for their contributions to music. She also earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Music Video from the Josie Music Awards Foundation for her music video “Ever Wanted;” as her single “Jesus, Tequila and Whiskey” gained traction on country radio. Throughout the year, Wilson has released new music, including "What Else Could I Need?," performed at multiple SpringBoard Festivals showcases across the country, and continues to record new music for upcoming releases. Her latest music video for “Willow” is out now.

For more information, visit celestemariewilsonmusic.com.

More about Celeste Marie Wilson
Celeste Marie Wilson is a Texas country and Americana singer-songwriter carrying on a family legacy of poets, painters, and musicians. Inspired by the timeless artistry of Patsy Cline, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Bonnie Raitt, she crafts what she calls "whiskey in a teacup" songs, blending heartfelt storytelling with quiet strength and undeniable grit. Produced by Jim Reilley, Wilson records under her own imprint, Little Dipper Record Company, distributed by Select-O-Hits. A 2026 Women Songwriters Hall of Fame ambassador and International Songwriting Competition semifinalist, Wilson continues to earn recognition for her authentic songwriting and distinctive voice. Her debut album, Southern American Princess, is slated for release later this summer.

Book Nook - Spooky Season Books from Marble Press

A Misfortune of Lake Monsters by Nicole M. Wolverton

An ambitious teen girl is forced to continue her family’s legacy of secretly impersonating the town’s famous lake monster, but suddenly finds a real monster in the lake who wants to eat its way through the populace.

Claw Heart Mountain by David Oppegaard

On their way to a remote mountain cabin, a group of college friends discover fifteen million dollars in an abandoned armored van. They take the money, unaware that a killer is after the cash and a legendary creature haunts the mountain.

The Immortal Twin by D. B. Woodling

Celeste Torok lives an ordinary life, aside from her immortal parents, a paranormal romance, and the future of the human race depending on her.

Touch of Death by Taylor Munsell

George, a sixteen-year-old death witch and medium, hates her “gift” of experiencing someone’s future death with a touch, but when she sees herself killing the new student, she must embrace her magic before blood stains her hands.

Hunterland by Dana Claire

Hearts are on the line in more ways than one as experienced monster hunter Liam and novice Oliva are forced to make hard choices between love and duty when a pack of werewolves descends on their small town.

Book Nook - My Guardian Dear

Founder of storytelling collective, HiVe5, and debut author Brittany Druker is releasing “My Guardian Dear” (Blue Hat Publishing, October 13, 2026). This faith-based interactive picture book is designed to help kids ages 6-10 connect with their own creativity, prayer, and faith through a combination of engaging storytelling and hands-on learning activities. In addition to the touching story and vivid illustrations, each book includes activity pages and collectible trading cards for kids to keep and share.

This heartwarming picture book shares the story of a boy who learns to call on his guardian angel for help in both big things and small, including his dearest wish: becoming the MVP of his basketball team! Thanks to an easy-to-remember prayer, he learns to have faith that God will guide his steps, and he learns to share his faith with his friends. With a fun rhyme scheme and three customizable trading cards, readers will be inspired to pray, share, and reflect on faith in a new, unique way.

Book Nook - Chasing Goodfellas: Lufthansa, Henry Hill, Point Shaving, and Making Movies

With one ad-lib — "Don't give me the babe-in-the-woods routine, Karen!" — Edward McDonald went from being an enormously successful prosecutor of organized crime to a recognizable personality for playing himself in the iconic Oscar-winning film Goodfellas.

Ed has taken that same confident and entertaining panache and applied it to his debut memoir, Chasing Goodfellas: Lufthansa, Henry Hill, Point Shaving, and Making Movies (Post Hill Press, October 13, 2026). For the first time, he takes us inside the real-life investigations, prosecutions, and trials of two front-page courtroom battles, the Lufthansa Heist and the Boston College point-shaving scandal; behind the scenes of his iconic movie-making experience; and shares unforgettable anecdotes from his humorous, exciting, and sometimes sad three-decade relationship with Henry Hill, the incorrigible mafia character he turned into a witness.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview.

What's one fact that might surprise people to know about the Italian-American mafia? How few Italian Americans have and have had anything to do with the Mafia.This has become more true as the children and grandchildren of Italian immigrants have moved into the American mainstream and out of their ethnic neighborhoods. Italian American boys now face far less discrimination, have greater educational opportunities, and are more inclined to aspire to professional employment rather than a life in the underworld. They might enjoy watching Goodfellas – but they wouldn’t want to be them.

What are point-shaving scandals and why do sports scandals and bribery continue today? Point-shaving occurs when athletes, usually basketball players, keep their team’s margin of victory below what oddsmakers have set as the “betting line.” For example, if the odds are that a team will win by more than 10 points, and players intentionally keep the final winning margin below 10, point shaving occurs. Of course, the players can also intentionally lose. Generally, such schemes are organized by gangsters who are able to maximize profits by the use of networks of bookmakers who take significant numbers of bets.

The potential for an increased incidence of point-shaving today is the result of the explosion of and popularity of legalized sports betting in the last few years. Over 60 individuals, including active NBA and college players, have been indicted in cases in federal courts in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, indictments that were returned in October 2025 and January 2026. Many defendants have pleaded guilty and will continue to do so. The trial of Chauncy Billups, a retired NBA star who has been suspended as the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, on charges of sports bribery and facilitating the operation of fixed high stakes poker games, is scheduled in Brooklyn for November 2. The trial of suspended Miami Heat player Terry Rozier on sports bribery charges is scheduled for February 2026 in Brooklyn. So this remains a timely topic.

Knowing the fallout of the Lufthansa heist and how far some people involved in organized crime will go to avoid prosecution, have you ever been afraid during your role as prosecutor? I was usually unconcerned with the potential for violence. That was probably naive and wishful thinking. My colleagues and I also bought into the then common wisdom that if you prosecuted gangsters fairly, they would not resort to violence. In addition, at the end of the day, if the bad guys resorted to violence against law enforcement, there were always many more cops and agents to retaliate. And the bad guys did not want to take the risk.

What do you hope readers take away from your book? The book does not have a profound message. It tells several unforgettable inside stories about extremely interesting landmark criminal investigations and trials, as well as the colorful and sometimes murderous characters who were involved. It also provides riveting accounts of the prosecutor's unlikely experience in getting to play himself in a movie classic and his even more improbable 30 year relationship with the gangster who was his critical witness and the subject of the movie.

About the Author:

Edward McDonald, author of the debut memoir Chasing Goodfellas: Lufthansa, Henry Hill, Point Shaving, and Making Movies, headed the Justice Department’s largest and most successful Organized Crime Strike Force in Brooklyn throughout the 1980s. He was responsible for the convictions of the leaders of 4 of the 5 Mafia families in New York, over 60 La Cosa Nostra (LCN) capos and soldiers, more than 70 corrupt labor union officials, and countless others associated with the LCN. He also successfully tried New Jersey Senator Harrison Williams and successfully prosecuted 5 US congressmen.

A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Ed played himself in Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award-winning film Goodfellas and appeared in three other films. He has been a fixture on television, with appearances on news shows including Good Morning America and Today, and countless organized crime documentaries, including GOTTI: Godfather & Son on History/A&E/Bio and The 5 Families on Netflix.

In private law practice in New York since 1990, he has been praised by the Legal 500, which said, “the ‘excellent Edward McDonald’ lives up to his reputation as ‘one of the best criminal defense attorneys in New York.’” A graduate of Boston College and Georgetown Law School, he lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Mary, a short walk from his 3 sons and 5 grandchildren.

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Monday, October 5, 2026