7xm 22 WARSAW, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Financial Institutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: FISI) (the “Company”), parent company of Five Star Bank and Courier Capital, LLC, announced today that it has launched an underwritten public offering of shares of its common stock. The Company intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares of its common stock. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes which may include a balance sheet restructuring through the repositioning of a substantial portion of our available-for-sale debt securities portfolio to support continued growth as well as the repayment of indebtedness. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., A Stifel Company is serving as the sole bookrunner for the offering, and Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as the co-manager. Additional Information Regarding the Offering The offering of common stock is being made pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-283475) that was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 4, 2024. A preliminary prospectus supplement to which this communication relates has been filed with the SEC. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will be filed with the SEC. Prospective investors should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the offering. Copies of these documents are available at no charge by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement, the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering may be obtained by contacting Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., A Stifel Company by telephone at (800) 966-1559 or by e-mail at USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com . No Offer or Solicitation This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. There will be no sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Financial Institutions, Inc. Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI) is an innovative financial holding company with approximately $6.2 billion in assets offering banking and wealth management products and services. Its Five Star Bank subsidiary provides consumer and commercial banking and lending services to individuals, municipalities and businesses through banking locations spanning Western and Central New York and a commercial loan production office serving the Mid-Atlantic region. Courier Capital, LLC offers customized investment management, financial planning and consulting services to individuals and families, businesses, institutions, non-profits and retirement plans. Learn more at Five-StarBank.com and FISI-Investors.com. Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections, and statements of the Company’s beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as “may”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “would”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “aim”, “intend”, “plan” or words or phases of similar meaning. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company’s expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company’s control. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which change over time, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company. If one or more of the factors affecting the Company’s forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release. Therefore, the Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking information and statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time. The Company disclaims any duty to revise or update the forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking statements, except as specifically required by law. Investor Contact : Kate Croft Director of Investor and External Relations (716) 817-5159 klcroft@five-starbank.com

In a major blow to the CPI-M, Bipin C Babu, a prominent leader and former Vice President of the Alappuzha District Panchayat, formally joined the BJP on Saturday. Bipin, who previously served as a CPI-M Alappuzha Area Committee member and represented the Krishnapuram division in the district panchayat, received his BJP membership from the party’s National General Secretary, Tarun Chugh. A host of senior BJP leaders welcomed him during a leadership meeting in Thiruvananthapuram. Advertisement Over his political career, Bipin has held several key positions, including District Secretary of the SFI, DYFI District President, State Committee Member, and Kerala University Senate Member. Speaking to the media, Bipin criticized the CPI-M for allegedly losing its secular values and falling under the control of communal forces. He also hinted that more CPI-M members might follow him into the BJP. Bipin denied any personal ambitions behind his decision and announced plans to resign from his district panchayat role. Bipin expressed disappointment over the treatment of senior CPI-M leader G Sudhakaran, saying it was a significant factor in his decision to leave the party. “The sidelining of G Sudhakaran, one of the country’s foremost social activists and among the best ministers Kerala has seen, is deeply disheartening,” he said. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Bipin remarked, “In the last ten years, Modiji’s government has executed projects that have genuinely benefited common people. The National Highway project in Kerala is just one example. This convinced me to join the BJP.” However, controversy surrounds Bipin’s personal life. Allegations of domestic violence and witchcraft practices emerged, with reports of his wife seeking medical treatment after claiming physical abuse. The BJP, which has faced recent setbacks in Kerala, including Sandeep Warrier’s defection to the Congress and the loss in Palakkad, welcomed Bipin’s entry as a morale booster. BJP State President K Surendran expressed optimism, stating that more CPI-M leaders from Alappuzha are expected to join the party soon. Taking a swipe at former BJP leader Sandeep Warrier, Surendran remarked, “Sometimes, sewage must be removed to ensure clean water flows again.” Meanwhile, CPI-M leader G Sudhakaran was conspicuously excluded from the party’s Ambalapuzha area conference, held just a kilometer from his residence. Sudhakaran, currently a special invitee to the CPI-M district committee, has yet to comment on the developments. AdvertisementRJ Thompson scored 23 points -- including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 56 seconds left -- as Charleston Southern shocked host Miami 83-79 on Saturday afternoon. Miami entered the game as a 23.5-point favorite. Charleston (2-7) won its first game of the season away from home after losing its previous six road or neutral-court contests. The Buccaneers also got 21 points from Thompson Camara and 20 points and 11 rebounds from Taje' Kelly. Camara match his previous career point total. Miami (3-4), playing at home for the first time in two weeks, lost its fourth straight game. Brandon Johnson led Miami with 23 points and freshman Austin Swartz scored a career-high 15. Swartz entered the game averaging just 2.3 points For the first time this season, Miami was without Nijel Pack, who has a lower-body injury. Pack leads the team in scoring (15.2) and assists (4.7). With Pack out, five-star freshman Jalil Bethea made his first start and had six points. The game featured quite a contrast in coaches. Miami's Jim Larranaga, 75, has won 743 games in 41-plus seasons. Charleston Southern's Saah Nimley, 31, is in his full first season as a head coach. He was named interim coach in November 2023. In the first half, Miami raced to a 17-10 lead. However, Charleston Southern posted an 11-0 run to grab a 21-17 advantage. The Hurricanes lost control late in the first half as Miami's Johnson hit a 3-pointer and was hit with a technical foul for taunting. Later in the first half, Larranaga was also hit with a technical. By the end of the half, the Buccaneers led 45-37. Camara led Charleston Southern with 16 first-half points on 6-for-7 shooting, including 4-of-5 on 3-pointers. Johnson scored 12 for Miami in the opening half, all on 3-pointers. In the second half, Charleston Southern stretched its lead to 13. Miami rallied as the clock wound down. With 38 seconds left, Miami called a timeout while trailing 81-79. With 15 seconds left, Swartz missed a 3-pointer and the Buccaneers got the rebound. Daylen Berry made two free throws with 11 seconds left to ice the game. Up next, Miami will host No. 19 Arkansas on Tuesday night as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Charleston Southern will return home to face Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday night. --Field Level Media

Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta’s (META.O) instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play (GOOGL.O) as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday. The Islamic Republic has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks. “A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play”, Iran’s official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday, referring to a meeting on the matter headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian. “Today the first step in removing internet limitations... has been taken,” IRNA cited Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi as saying. Social media platforms were widely used in anti-government protests in Iran. In September the United States called on Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries that heavily sensor the internet, including Iran.

George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, diesSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it's usually a backhanded compliment. They say he's a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn't try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here's the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that's hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. "I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they're a huge part of our success," Allar said Sunday at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. "For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don't do that, there's nobody more frustrated than us." The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for Tuesday's game against No. 3 seed Boise State. But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar's no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch, led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. "If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we'd all be pretty rich," offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. "I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism." The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that's largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. "I've been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy," Allar said. "I think that's been a huge difference for me this year." The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn't capable of winning the big games. He's 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks' 45-37 victory. He wasn't great in the CFP's first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. "For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm," Allar said. "Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game." Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that's not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback's ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. "He's a football player," Warren said. "He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he's just a football player and that fires up our offense." Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don't show up in big games. Not that he's worried about what other people think. "I think it's a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise," Allar said. "Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad." Get local news delivered to your inbox!By CHRIS MEGERIAN and COLLEEN LONG WASHINGTON (AP) — In the two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidency, he’s tried to demonstrate his dominance by naming loyalists for top administration positions, even though many lack expertise and some face sexual misconduct accusations. It often seems like he’s daring Congress to oppose his decisions. But on Thursday, Trump’s attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country’s top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed as attorney general. Trump chose for a replacement Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general who defended him during his first impeachment trial and supported his false claims of voter fraud. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump’s other picks might exceed his party’s willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he’s denied. So far, Republicans are rallying around Hegseth , an Army veteran and former Fox News host. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s other choices. He said they would be considered “one at a time.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump’s election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . The transition team hasn’t pursued federal background checks for Trump’s personnel choices. While some of his selections have extensive experience in the areas they’ve been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Related Articles Hegseth is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth’s lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn’t the only hurdle for Kennedy; he’s spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there’s grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale.” “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke,” Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed.

Erling Haaland becomes a dad for the first time after partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen gives birth - as Pep Guardiola accidentally reveals the big news! Man City's Erling Haaland has become a first-time father in the past few days Pep Guardiola accidentally revealed the big news in a post-match interview LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford By YASEEN ZAMAN Published: 18:52, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 19:20, 29 December 2024 e-mail 4 View comments Pep Guardiola accidentally revealed that Erling Haaland has become a first-time father in the past few days. The Man City manager let the news slip after his side's 2-0 victory at Leicester on Sunday. Haaland netted just his second goal in 50 days, as City ended their five-game winless run and earned their first away victory since October 20 against Wolves . The Norwegian announced that his partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, was pregnant in October 2024. Celebrating becoming Norway's all-time top scorer after a 3-0 win over Slovenia, the striker was snapped with the match ball under his jersey and with his thumb in his mouth to show that he will soon become a father. Guardiola expressed his sympathy towards his star No 9 amid his struggling form, while highlighting Haaland's big news in the process. Erling Haaland announced in October that his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen was pregnant Isabel, 20, met Man City's star striker when they both played academy football at Bryne Guardiola accidentally let the news slip that Haaland became a father in a post-match interview 'Sometimes Erling has been judged badly but it's part of football. He's tired, he's played a lot of minutes,' he said. 'He's become a father for the first time in the last few days, a lot of emotions and an exciting few days for him.' Isabel, 20, who is a footballer herself and also works part-time at a fashion store, is believed to have met Haaland at the youth academy at Bryne, who they both played for. Read More Fans are left shocked as Man City star Erling Haaland swears in post-match interview They started dating when he was at Borussia Dortmund, with Isabel making frequent trips to visit him. Haaland joined Bryne at the age of five and spent more than 10 years with the Norwegian side before later having spells at RB Salzburg, Dortmund and now City. Despite a quiet private life and no social media presence, she has been more regularly seen in the public eye during Haaland's time at Man City, celebrating with him during their trophy successes. Isabel was born and brought up in the small city of Bryne - a tiny town with a population of 12,465 - a far cry from the bustling city of Manchester. Erling Haaland Manchester City Pep Guardiola Share or comment on this article: Erling Haaland becomes a dad for the first time after partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen gives birth - as Pep Guardiola accidentally reveals the big news! e-mail Add commentMichael Kessler talks about being a social influencer in the digital age

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The big night is finally here - Santa, Rudolph and the gang have started their big journey and are expected to reach the first homes in the Rebel County at midnight tonight. But if you want to know when to get the milk and cookies out - and of course some carrots for the reindeer - we've got a few resources to help you track Santa's sleigh throughout Christmas Eve. Cork Beo received confirmation from the North Pole that Father Christmas left the toy workshop at 11am this morning, and is expected to give out approximately 115,000 presents to children in the Rebel County alone. As he zooms across the globe, there is a high-tech radar tracker that allows all the girls and boys to watch Santa on his journey. You can keep an eye on him to see when he gets near Cork on the Norad Tracker here The team at Cork's National Space Centre are also keeping tabs on Santa again this year with their 100ft radio telescope. Located in the aptly named Elfordstown in Cork, this dish is a cornerstone of Ireland’s space communications history and has been in operation for 40 years. Originally built in 1984 by Eircom to send trans-Atlantic calls to North America via satellite, it has also been used to listen for the birth of stars in the cosmos and as a teaching device. Santa’s annual round-the-world trip officially started at around 11 am Irish time this morning. A midnight sweep through Ireland will be one of his last stops before he heads towards chimneys in North and South America. As always, Santa is using the bright light of the International Space Station (ISS) to help guide him on his travels. Just like his sleigh, the ISS is a state-of-the-art piece of machinery that glows really bright in the night sky as the sun reflects off its metallic surface. Santa's sleigh will be set to 'sprint' mode - matching the speed of the ISS which can travel once around the world every 90 minutes in a furious orbit. Anyone looking for some behind-the-scenes info can use the Santa Tracker from emailsanta.com , which also shows a live chat between Santa and the North Pole communications team. The North Pole Chief Elf told CorkBeo that Santa is expected to reach the Rebel County at around midnight, and wants to thank all the boys and girls in advance for leaving out carrots to feed his reindeer.TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there's one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That's because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn't been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn't touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state's law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That's an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn't justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state's law was challenged. "If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different," he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call," Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted "a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement's impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver's license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn't accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn't know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven't traveled outside the U.S. and don't have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don't have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.Texas cheerleader, 17, is charged with animal cruelty for 'poisoning her rival's show goat'SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it's usually a backhanded compliment. They say he's a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn't try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here's the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that's hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. "I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they're a huge part of our success," Allar said Sunday at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. "For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don't do that, there's nobody more frustrated than us." The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for Tuesday's game against No. 3 seed Boise State. But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar's no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch, led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. "If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we'd all be pretty rich," offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. "I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism." The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that's largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. "I've been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy," Allar said. "I think that's been a huge difference for me this year." The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn't capable of winning the big games. He's 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks' 45-37 victory. He wasn't great in the CFP's first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. "For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm," Allar said. "Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game." Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that's not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback's ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. "He's a football player," Warren said. "He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he's just a football player and that fires up our offense." Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don't show up in big games. Not that he's worried about what other people think. "I think it's a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise," Allar said. "Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a storied five years, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan is all set to bid adieu to Kerala. Khan will assume charge as the new Governor of Bihar. Meanwhile, the president appointed the current Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar as the new Kerala Governor. Arif Muhammad completed his five-year term on September 5. The decision to make Khan the new governor of Bihar, one of the largest states in the country can be viewed as a pat on the back. BJP leader from Goa Rajendra Arlekar will soon become the 23rd Governor of Kerala. When late leader Manohar Parrikar was selected as the central minister, the BJP leadership considered handing over the chief minister post to Arlekar. He has served as Speaker and Minister in the cabinet. He was the Governor of Himachal Pradesh during 2023. He became the Governor of Bihar in February 2023. Arlekar is a music enthusiast with a gentle demeanour. Unlike the former Kerala Governors, Arlekar will be the first staunch RSS leader to take the place. Former Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla will become the new Manipur Governor. Mizoram governor Kambhampati Hari Babu has been appointed as the new Odisha governor. Instead, former Chief of Army Staff and Chief Minister General Dr VK Singh will take reigns as the new Mizoram Governor. Meanwhile, P S Sreedharan Pillai will continue as Goa governor. Uttar Pradesh native Arif Khan’s tenure in Kerala was erratic but the leader made everyone know the tentacles of power within the Governor. There were occasions when Khan brought the government to its knees and showed how far he would go to ensure the rule of law. There were fewer days in the last five years that didn’t have news about the Governor's tussle with the government. Hitherto the public perceived Governors as run-of-the-mill posts to carry forward the British-era trend. Khan was an anomaly. He craned his neck into breach of laws, actively engaged in public programs and made bonhomie with people through crucial interventions from Raj Bhavan. Despite the face-off with the left government, Khan undoubtedly made Kerala his home and for all his yeoman work, his tenure will enter the annals of Kerala’s political history. Khan is now in Delhi and will return to Kerala on December 28th. Assembly elections are scheduled for next year in Bihar. Arlekar, known for his reforms such as making the Goa assembly go paperless, the first in the country, will soon take up the reins in Kerala.

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“The ‘Russia-ASEAN: World of Opportunities’ Forum became one of the largest business events of its kind in the country and region in recent years, providing a unique platform to enhance trade relations between Russia and Southeast Asian countries. In 2023, Russia’s trade turnover with ASEAN countries reached a record high, growing by 14.6% compared to the previous year. This positive trend continued in the first half of 2024, with a 20.5% increase. The business forum was a response to the growing interest of Russian businesses in ASEAN countries, particularly Malaysia, and further solidified Russia’s strengthening trade position in Southeast Asia. I am confident that the Forum will serve as a significant discussion platform for addressing and broadly covering issues related to deepening trade and investment ties between Russia and ASEAN countries across various sectors,” said Anton Kobyakov , Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation. The Forum’s business agenda centered on trade and export interaction, energy, digital transformation, information security, technology, and innovations. Dedicated sessions also explored healthcare, tourism, education, and the impact of alumni communities in fostering international business connections. “Russia-Malaysia relations are dynamically progressing across a wide range of areas, providing optimism for their future. I believe this Forum served as an excellent starting point for creating and implementing new projects, fostering cooperation, and promoting open dialogue between the business community and government representatives. I hope the event’s outcomes bring ASEAN countries and Malaysia closer to Russia, enabling the peoples of our nations to learn more about each other and explore new horizons for mutually beneficial relationships,” emphasized Nail Latypov , the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Malaysia. He described Kuala Lumpur as a fitting choice for the event, noting that Malaysia will assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and highlighting the city’s strategic location as a regional hub, within a two-hour flight of any ASEAN capital. The main highlight of the Forum was the plenary session, which featured participants such as Alexey Gruzdev , Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; Ayrat Khayrullin , Minister of Digitalization of Public Administration, Information Technologies, and Communications of the Republic of Tatarstan; Tan Sri Nazir Razak , Founder and Chairman of Ikhlas Capital and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia; Oudet Souvannavong , President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council; Alexander Stuglev , Chairman and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation; and Abu Bakar Yusof , Deputy Director of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Daniyar Akkaziev , Executive Director of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, moderated the session. The business program on the first day continued with a panel discussion titled “The Energy Dimension of Strategic Partnership between Russia and ASEAN: Lessons Learned and New Directions” and the EAEU-ASEAN business dialogue. Discussions focused on exploring new formats of cooperation among businesses for sustainable, long-term development. The second day of the Forum featured panels on enhancing cooperation between Russia and Southeast Asian countries in digital transformation, healthcare, and medicine. Additional focus was given to strategies for increasing tourist flows and fostering educational partnerships. The “World of Opportunities: Russia-ASEAN” International Business Forum was held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Malaysia. The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) served as the co-organizer. The Forum’s general partner was the Tatarstan Trade House, while program partners included the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, the Eurasian Economic Commission, and Coalstar LLC. Hashtag: #RoscongressFoundation The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented, non-financial development institution and the largest organizer of Russian, international, congress, exhibition, business, public, youth, sports, and cultural events. It was established in 2007 by presidential decree to promote economic potential, advance national interests, and strengthen Russia’s image. The Foundation comprehensively studies, analyzes, and highlights issues on Russian and global economic agendas. It facilitates business project administration, investment promotion, social entrepreneurship, and charitable initiatives. Events organized by the Foundation attract participants from 209 countries and territories, with over 15,000 media representatives working at Roscongress venues annually. More than 5,000 experts from Russia and abroad are involved in its analytical and expert activities. The Foundation collaborates with UN structures and other international organizations, develops diverse partnerships with 212 foreign economic institutions, industrial and business associations, and financial and trade organizations in 86 countries. Domestically, it partners with 293 Russian public organizations and federal and regional executive and legislative bodies of the Russian Federation. Official Roscongress Telegram Channels: In Russian – t.me/Roscongress, in English – t . me / RoscongressDirect , in Spanish – t . me / RoscongressEsp , and in Arabic – t . me / RosCongressArabic . Official website and information-analytical system: roscongress . org .SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it's usually a backhanded compliment. They say he's a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn't try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here's the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that's hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. "I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they're a huge part of our success," Allar said Sunday at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. "For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don't do that, there's nobody more frustrated than us." The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for Tuesday's game against No. 3 seed Boise State. But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar's no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch, led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. "If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we'd all be pretty rich," offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. "I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism." The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that's largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. "I've been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy," Allar said. "I think that's been a huge difference for me this year." The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn't capable of winning the big games. He's 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks' 45-37 victory. He wasn't great in the CFP's first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. "For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm," Allar said. "Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game." Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that's not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback's ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. "He's a football player," Warren said. "He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he's just a football player and that fires up our offense." Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don't show up in big games. Not that he's worried about what other people think. "I think it's a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise," Allar said. "Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad."