Latest news with #Ballard
The Star
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Ballard' review: Solid crime procedural does justice to its legacy
What are crime drama fans doing right to get two "Dept Q" series in the same year? Ballard, the latest adaptation of Michael Connelly's (Bosch, The Lincoln Lawyer) books, has more than a passing similarity to the set-up of that Matthew Goode series from earlier this year. Consider: a disgraced detective who doesn't play well with others is consigned to a basement office with a motley group of non-cops (a retired detective, a police reservist, a volunteer and an intern, initially) and a stack of cold case boxes. (As for the "Q" connection, well...) It should be noted that in the first Connelly novel featuring Detective Renee Ballard (Maggie Q), she was not kicked out of the Los Angeles Police Dept's Robbery-Homicide division. Instead, she was banished to the graveyard shift while keeping her spot on the team, albeit for the same reason she winds up in the TV show's makeshift cold case unit. 'You bring the cold cases, we bring the heat.' The main reason for the unit even existing is because of pressure from LA Councilman Jake Pearlman (Noah Bean, Nikita mini-reunion alert!), who wants the cold case of his sister's murder solved for the family to get closure. With a 10-episode first season available to stream all at once – one of those rare departures from Prime Video's typical weekly release schedule – we can view it at leisure or binge it, depending on our preference. Chances are that it will be the latter, given the intrigue involved here, not just for the primary case but the far-reaching consequences of another case involving a John Doe murdered at a seedy motel. Being from the same literary and TV universe as Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, Ballard follows a similar pattern of character and story beats. (In fact, Ballard herself showed up in the closing segments of Legacy's final season, ICYMI.) The familiarity is comforting, as is the parade of familiar faces from the earlier shows as they help us get acquainted with this new cast of characters. Given the stresses of Ballard's situation and the cases, plus some unresolved trauma from a family tragedy, Maggie Q gives us a convincing lead character who is visibly restraining herself, but not so much that she doesn't occasionally call out her higher-ups for their BS in a few satisfying scenes. It's fortunate for Ballard that she has solid support at home (from her "Tutu", or grandmother, played by veteran Amy Hill) and at work. 'Do I need a court order or what? People are starting to think that word you guys keep inserting between Harry and Bosch is my actual middle name.' Her staunchest supporter on the job is Thomas Laffont (John Carroll Lynch, Fargo), her ex-partner brought out of retirement to work the cold cases. Remember how Lynch gave The Walking Dead an entire season's worth of heart from just a single episode (Here's Not Here, as the enigmatic Dr Eastman, who gave Lennie James' Morgan his trademark staff)? In Ballard, his palpable investment in the case of a missing baby provides extra depth to a character we already know must be full of compelling experiences. Ballard also finds a kindred spirit in ex-cop Zamira Parker (Courtney Taylor, The Invitation), whom she coaxes back to the force and who provides the show with one of its more redemptive character arcs. Ballard's showrunners, Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood, count the Mary McDonnell procedural Major Crimes on their resumes, and the experience of juggling a large cast – and keeping each character interesting – pays off here. None of the supporting characters feels obligatory or like dead weight, from the cold case squad's varied components down to the suspects, bureaucrats, even Ballard's kind-of boyfriend – so much so that when things happen to one (or more) of them, the impact is deeply felt. Buoyed by the goodwill left over from its predecessors, Ballard hits the ground running and carries us easily through its debut season. Right through to an ending that sets up a second season in so nail-biting a fashion that we're left with fingers and toes crossed in this streaming age of uncertain series longevity. And yeah, Prime Video/Amazon, I still haven't forgiven y'all for axing The Bondsman. All 10 episodes of Ballard are available to stream on Prime Video.
Politico
6 hours ago
- Business
- Politico
K Street rakes in record cash thanks to Trump
But the gusher has benefited the entire lobbying industry, new firms and old, the analysis shows. Of the top 20 firms by revenue, only two saw their lobbying revenues decline last quarter compared to the same time a year ago. The lobbying figures reported this week don't include revenue from public affairs or consulting work, or foreign agent work. 'The number of people who feel they need representation at this point is huge, and we're really just getting into sort of the day-to-day of governing,' said Rich Gold, who heads up the public policy and regulation group at law and lobbying firm Holland & Knight. Gold's firm, which ranked fifth among the top earners on K Street last quarter with $13.8 million in revenue, signed 57 new clients during the first half of the year, a record intake for the firm. 'The largest driver of business right now is the overarching trend of uncertainty and the need for C-suites to try to minimize uncertainty and political risk as much as possible,' he said. While specific legislation like the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act has certainly drummed up lobbying business, 'the number of people who needed political intelligence work and advocacy' in D.C. this year stretches far beyond that one law, Gold said. As for Ballard, its blowout earnings were enough to dethrone Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, which has topped the quarterly revenue rankings since 2021. Brownstein reported $18.5 million in lobbying revenues during Q2, setting the firm's own quarterly record. Ballard's Trump-linked competitors are also cashing in. Miller Strategies, which is run by top GOP fundraiser Jeff Miller and employs several former Trump administration alumni, brought in nearly $13 million during the second quarter from clients like Zoom, OpenAI, Apple, Softbank, and Blackstone. That's up almost 80 percent from the beginning of the year, and four times what it brought in during the second quarter of 2024. Continental Strategy, whose staff includes former Trump appointee Carlos Trujillo as well as a former top aide to then Sen. Marco Rubio, reported $6.5 million in lobbying revenues last quarter, making it the 15th biggest firm by lobbying revenue in Q2. During the same time last year, Continental reported just $292,000 in lobbying fees.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Bear was suspiciously familiar, Mississippi man says. Turns out they had history
Black bears may look alike to most of us, but Anthony Ballard swore he encountered one in the Mississippi wilderness that seemed familiar. Turns out he was right, only the bear weighed less than 5 pounds at their previous encounter. That was in 2023 when Ballard, a state biologist, found two adorable cubs in a den and implanted them with microchips as part of the Mississippi's bear tracking program. That microchip confirmed Ballard wasn't imagining things. 'When it is scanned, the scanner will display a unique number (like a serial number). I had my suspicions about who she was before, but when the reader picked up the tag I knew for sure,' he told McClatchy News in an email. 'Her litter mate (a male) was killed by a car in winter 2024, so I was glad to confirm she was still alive.' The reunion happened this month in Warren County, just over a mile and a half from where the two originally met, he says. The bear is now known as F60 in record books, and she roams turf near Eagle Lake, about a 65-mile drive northwest from Jackson. A July 21 Facebook post highlighting the bear's reappearance had more than 3,700 reactions and comments as of July 23, including from some who wondered if she was eating enough. 'To many, she may appear skinny but don't worry, this is normal!' the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks said in its Facebook post. 'Young bears often appear this way as their bones grow faster than their muscle and fat. She's still growing — similar to the human pre-puberty stage — so her frame looks lean and leggy for now. As she matures, she'll bulk up and grow into that build.' Mississippi's black bears were nearly wiped out a century ago due to overhunting and habitat destruction, the state says. In 1974, bears were added to the state's 'list of rare and threatened vertebrates of Mississippi.' 'Biologists currently estimate the Mississippi bear population to be about 150 bears in the state, which is a major improvement over the estimated 40 individuals in 2002,' the wildlife department says.
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
'One big beautiful' lobbying effort propels law firms, K Street revenues
July 22 (Reuters) - Top lobbying firms in Washington reported a surge in cash for the second quarter of the year, as companies, industry groups and others grappled with President Donald Trump's policies and sought to shape his "big, beautiful" tax-and-spending bill, which was signed into law earlier this month. One firm, Ballard Partners, said its federal lobbying revenues rose more than 300% compared to the second quarter of 2024, and were up 47% from the first quarter of this year, reaching $20.6 million. The firm's founder, Brian Ballard, was a top Florida fundraiser for Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Its connections to the second Trump administration include Pam Bondi, who worked at the Tallahassee-founded firm before she was tapped to serve as U.S. attorney general. Two of the firm's largest second-quarter receipts came from Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. The two law firms each paid Ballard Partners $300,000 to lobby on matters related to employment practices, disclosures show. Both firms paid Ballard Partners $100,000 during the first quarter. Kirkland and Simpson Thacher were among nine prominent firms that cut deals with the White House to evade Trump's crackdown on a swath of the legal industry. The firms did not immediately respond to requests for comment on their work with Ballard. Ballard Partners declined to comment on its lobbying for the law firms. Ballard said in a statement the firm is "thankful for the unwavering trust our clients have shown in us." Close behind Ballard in lobbying revenue was Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, which reported $18.51 million for the second quarter, a new record for the Denver-founded law firm showed. The firm's top clients include Bloom Energy and Apollo Global Management, both of which spent more than $250,000 to lobby on Trump's tax-and-spend bill, according to disclosures. The bill, which made Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent and delivered new tax breaks, "occupied the time and attention of just about every committee in Congress," said Will Moschella, co-chair of Brownstein's government relations department. Hunter Bates, co-head of Akin Gump's lobbying and public policy practice, in a statement cited the legislation as a "key growth driver" for the firm. Akin Gump reported $16.37 million in lobbying revenue, which Bates said was the firm's best second quarter ever. Lobbying firm BGR Group said it earned $17.6 million during the second quarter, a 58% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Loren Monroe, who leads BGR's state and local advocacy practice, said it was the best quarter in the firm's 35-year history. Cornerstone Government Affairs reported a revenue of $13.7 million, a 15% increase from last year. Beyond the tax bill, U.S. trade and tariff policy continued to be a major focus for law and lobbying firms, lobbyists told Reuters. The Trump administration has set an August 1 deadline for countries to secure trade deals or face steep tariffs. "It's hard to come up with a word to adequately describe how busy our trade team is on the issue of tariffs," Akin Gump's Bates told Reuters, noting the firm's May hire of Kelly Ann Shaw, a former Trump trade adviser. Lobbyists in Washington are required to report revenue tied to the federal government each quarter under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. Companies, trade groups and other entities have continuously spent more money on lobbying since 2016, according to non-profit group OpenSecrets, which compiles lobbying records. In 2024, companies spent more than $4.44 billion to lobby Congress and federal agencies. Companies have spent more than $1.26 billion on lobbying in 2025 as of May 14, with about 10% of that money coming from the pharmaceutical and health products industry, according to OpenSecrets. Internet and electronics manufacturing industries accounted for about 8% of lobbying spending in the same period.
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Doyel: As Colts report to camp, GM Chris Ballard awaits Anthony Richardson vs Daniel Jones
WESTFIELD – Colts GM Chris Ballard doesn't understand your hurry to get rid of Anthony Richardson. 'To flush him,' as Ballard was putting it Tuesday, when the Indianapolis Colts reported to training camp at Grand Park. So there was Ballard, being asked hours after the arrival of Richardson – and his competition for the Colts' QB1 job, Daniel Jones – if this is a 'make or break year' for Richardson, who turned all of 23 in May. Ballard considers the timeline. Two years since the Colts chose Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Three years since Richardson became a first-time starter at Florida. Ballard sounds ready for the question. Then again, he always sounds ready. Hard to catch someone this polished off-guard. Maybe he was going off the cuff, but it sounded so good, so perfect, that he might've had this answer in his back pocket. 'Do you think people regret Baker Mayfield's timeline?' he asks rhetorically. 'Sam Darnold's timeline?' Mayfield and Darnold went No. 1 and No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL draft, Mayfield to Cleveland and Darnold to the New York Jets. It took Mayfield five years to make the first of his two consecutive Pro Bowls, in 2023 and '24 with Tampa Bay. It Darnold six years to reach the Pro Bowl, in 2024 with Minnesota. Both were on their fourth NFL team. A reporter points that out. Ballard doesn't see that as an argument against his plea for patience – but a point in his favor. 'Exactly,' he was saying triumphantly. 'Sometimes you've got to have a little patience with a guy, and let him grow through things. Like, if you just know this guy, no – he can't do it. 'But if you think, 'Hey, he's on the right trajectory,' why are you going to flush him? Just because people on the outside think you should flush him? I don't agree with that. I think we need to give Anthony every chance to be the best he can be. And I think he can be really good.' Training camp is less than 22 hours from starting at Grand Park, with fans in the grandstands and players on the field. This is a time for optimism. And after a rocky start Tuesday, Ballard showed he's still good at being optimistic. Ballard climbs out of the golf cart and steps into the muggy sunshine at Grand Park. He walks into a tented area near the main practice field, sits down heavily and looks around. This is different. Used to be, here at training camp in Westfield, Ballard conducted this annual news conference in the air-conditioning inside – back at the Indy Eleven facility the Colts share for three weeks every summer. But the Eleven have made changes, and long story short, the interview room has become an interview tent, outside in the mugginess. 'We lost our spot, huh?' Ballard says glumly. 'Over there? Indy Eleven?' Reporters are grumbling about it, and someone teases Ballard. Don't you have any juice over here? 'None,' he says, then starts cackling. He's fine here. He's fine anywhere, which is why – just like he doesn't understand the outside world's hurry to 'flush' his 23-year-old quarterback – he doesn't understand why he should be bummed by the idea that this could be a make-or-break year for himself, too. It's the ownership change, you understand. Colts owner Jim Irsay hired Ballard in 2017, calling him 'the best candidate for general manager that's come about so far in the 21st century,' and Irsay was patient with Ballard. But Jim's gone, having died in May, replaced by his three daughters. Will they be as patient? Doesn't seem likely, not after Carlie Irsay-Gordon told reporters in June during her first press conference as owner that 'we have a standard here – and it hasn't been good enough." Later, she added: 'We know we have some things to fix.' So someone's asking Ballard if he feels pressure. Ballard sounds ready for the question. Then again, he always sounds ready. 'Ah, pressure – people talk about pressure,' he says, his tone cutting that eight-letter word in half. 'They understand what Jim wanted. They'll do things differently, and they'll do things their way, but also with their father on their minds the whole time.' Now he revs into the rest of his answer, the part where it's possible he was going off the cuff, but it sounded so good, so perfect, that you just don't know. 'When you talk about pressure,' he says, 'we get to play football for a living. For me, the journey is the reward. The good and the bad. When you roll up at the end of your life and you look back, it's not all going to be roses. To be able to do what I do – and what we're able to do is play football every day – I don't ever take that for granted. That's not pressure in my mind. That's being blessed. 'Pressure is the family that's living week-to-week on a paycheck and trying to feed their kids. That's pressure.' Ballard looks around. Any more questions? Anything else about the 23-year-old quarterback with 15 career NFL starts? Hours earlier the sun was still rising, still low above Grand Park. It was peeking over the trees, into the eyes of cornerback Kenny Moore II, who wore sunglasses. Moore's the first Colts player to visit with reporters, and he's saying it feels like the 'first day of school all over again.' Last year's grade? Give the Colts a C-minus. They went 8-9, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. 'It'll be joyful to turn the page and begin a new season,' Moore said. The first day was encouraging, with Ballard giving a nearly pristine injury report. First, and more importantly, Richardson will be ready to go immediately after missing some of minicamp with soreness in a right shoulder that was surgically repaired in 2023. He might sit out a few drills, perhaps even a practice early in camp – those are my words, not Ballard's – just to avoid overdoing things. 'Limit his volume some,' Ballard said, 'but no real restrictions.' Linebacker Zaire Franklin, coming off ankle surgery in the spring, won't be ready for the start of camp but won't be out long, Ballard indicated, and defensive end Samson Ebukam – the Colts' sack leader in 2023 (9½) who missed last season with a ruptured Achillies – 'is cleared and ready to hit.' Franklin showed up with some silliness, carrying an enormous, eight-speaker stereo contraption in one hand, and a pair of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's signature shoes – CC22's – in the other. Franklin got serious when asked about a fan base that is growing impatient. Four years without a playoff appearance? That's the Colts' longest drought since 1991-94. 'They're upset,' Franklin said, 'and they're demanding. And to be quite honest, I wouldn't have it any other way.' Franklin kept going, saying he was inspired by the Indiana Pacers' run to the 2025 NBA Finals, and concluded this way: 'It's about time we make some great memories.' It starts at quarterback. Even Chris Ballard will say that publicly, now. Remember when he was hired in 2017? That was the middle of Andrew Luck's chaotic run of injury, and Ballard was up there saying, 'It will never be about one guy.' He was saying something a little bit different Tuesday. 'I think we've done some good things with the team, but at the end of the day we have – the one position we all know we have to get the quarterback settled,' said Ballard, who's seen some things at quarterback in Indianapolis. 'That position carries such an importance to almost the state of your team when you've got that position solidified. He's one of 53, and it's not all about him, but he's an important piece.' Who will it be, Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones? Ballard doesn't know. When will the decision be made? Ditto. 'I can't put a timeline on it,' he said. But he likes the new guy, Jones. Likes the way Jones conducted himself as the No. 6 overall pick by the New York Giants in 2019, likes the mobility in Jones' legs and the talent in his right arm. 'Good dude,' Ballard said of Jones, 'really good guy. He's centered. He's been through a lot. Being in New York, the scrutiny on being a top 10-pick, is not for everybody. I thought he handled it with grace and class. That's who he is. Daniel's talented – Daniel's a very talented player. It'll be a fun competition to watch between these two guys.' Advantage, Daniel Jones? Not necessarily. Ballard spoke equally glowingly of Richardson. 'When you're young, sometimes when you get hurt it's easy to go into a shell – but his mindset stayed very positive,' Ballard said of Richardson. 'I'm proud of Anthony. He's growing. Growth does not happen through success. Grow happens when you go through a lot of (stuff). Lot of times, people don't have success because they don't want to go through it. He's somebody that's gonna go through it.' How that competition plays out will determine how far the 2025 Indianapolis Colts go – and perhaps how much longer Chris Ballard stays as GM. On the one hand, he gets it, this is not a forever job. 'One day they'll have a different GM,' Ballard said of the Colts. 'That's part of our league. I don't sit around and worry about that.' On the other hand, nobody can project optimism like Ballard. He looks at a franchise that hasn't won its opener for 11 consecutive seasons and has finished poorly in recent years – 'In '21,' he says of the Colts' late-season collapse, 'we're in the driver's seat and we piss it down our leg' – and sees a franchise in pretty darn good shape. 'We have got to finish the season better,' he acknowledges. 'We've had some really good football teams and did not get it done.' Heat? Chris Ballard isn't feeling the heat on a muggy Tuesday in a tent at Grand Park. He's feeling something else. 'How about that breeze we got here?' he says. 'I think this is better than that indoor room.' Ballard walks away from the podium, cackling. Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
