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By John Hanna, The Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. — 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. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a strong support of requiring new voters to provide proof of their U.S. citizenship when registering, answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in his office in Topeka, Kan. (AP Photo/John Hanna) AP 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. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab gavels a meeting of the state’s presidential electors in the state Senate chamber to a close, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. Schwab championed a proof-of-citizenship requirement for new voters as a legislator but now says states shouldn’t enact one. (AP Photo/John Hanna) AP 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. 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TEHRAN - A team of Iranian researchers and archaeologists, joined by Chinese fellows, has embarked on new excavations in the highlands of Masuleh to uncover the region’s rich metallurgical heritage. The findings aim to strengthen Masuleh's case for World Heritage Site status under UNESCO, following the deferral of its nomination last year. The archaeological work, led by Iranian experts Solmaz Raouf and Behzad Ali Talashi, is centered on two key sites: the "Kohneh Masuleh" and the " Siyapasieh" areas, the latter located at an altitude of 2,500 meters. Siyapasieh, which translates to "burnt black" due to the abundance of ash darkening its soil, is believed to have been a significant center for iron smelting and metallurgy in ancient times. For the first time since its initial discovery in 2017, the site has yielded evidence of ancient metalworking furnaces. However, the excavation is challenging due to its steep 35-degree slopes, extreme weather, and avalanche-prone terrain. These conditions have slowed progress, leaving the full extent of the furnaces still buried beneath the soil. The ongoing research is further enriched by the involvement of a Chinese archaeometric team specializing in metallurgy. They are conducting detailed analyses of furnace samples to identify the sources of Masuleh’s iron ore, assess the technological sophistication of its metallurgical practices, and explore its trade links with neighboring and distant regions. Preliminary results from systematic surveys suggest that Masuleh was a hub for alloy production and iron smelting, with evidence pointing to interactions with cities like Ardabil, Zanjan, and Tabriz. Yet critical questions remain unanswered: When did the iron smelting industry in Masuleh begin, and how long did it thrive? What volume of tools and weaponry was produced, and which governing powers were its primary beneficiaries? The historical significance of Masuleh’s metallurgy is underscored by its later role during the Qajar era when it supplied cannonballs to the royal armory under Fath-Ali Shah’s administration. Despite this, the broader reach of its metallurgical industry remains unclear. Masuleh, a terraced village located 25 kilometers southwest of Fuman in Gilan province, was listed as a national heritage site in 1975 and temporarily registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2007. Following the deferral of its case by ICOMOS in 2023, Iran has been given the opportunity to address ambiguities and resubmit the nomination. The ongoing excavation is expected to provide crucial insights into the ancient metallurgical traditions of Masuleh, paving the way for its potential recognition as a World Heritage site. This research not only contributes to the understanding of Masuleh's cultural and historical legacy but also highlights its enduring significance in the broader context of Iran's metallurgical history. AMBBC pundit issues Everton relegation verdict after seeing Opta Supercomputer predictionPNC Financial Services Group Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Avery Dennison Co. ( NYSE:AVY – Free Report ) by 3.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 37,425 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 1,251 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.’s holdings in Avery Dennison were worth $8,262,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AVY. Swedbank AB acquired a new stake in shares of Avery Dennison in the first quarter valued at $102,117,000. National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in shares of Avery Dennison by 795.2% in the second quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 160,248 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $34,190,000 after acquiring an additional 142,348 shares during the last quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. lifted its position in shares of Avery Dennison by 179.5% during the second quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 216,135 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $47,258,000 after purchasing an additional 138,808 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Avery Dennison by 6.8% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,416,798 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $312,772,000 after purchasing an additional 90,250 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bahl & Gaynor Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Avery Dennison by 51.9% in the second quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 240,096 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $52,497,000 after purchasing an additional 81,993 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.17% of the company’s stock. Avery Dennison Price Performance Shares of AVY stock opened at $202.59 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. Avery Dennison Co. has a 12-month low of $187.93 and a 12-month high of $233.48. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $211.12 and a 200-day moving average of $216.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.89. Avery Dennison Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 4th will be paid a $0.88 dividend. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 4th. Avery Dennison’s payout ratio is currently 42.26%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Avery Dennison from $241.00 to $240.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Avery Dennison from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $230.00 to $210.00 in a report on Thursday, October 24th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on Avery Dennison from $252.00 to $247.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 24th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Avery Dennison from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Avery Dennison from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $207.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $244.96. Check Out Our Latest Report on AVY About Avery Dennison ( Free Report ) Avery Dennison Corporation operates as a materials science and digital identification solutions company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Latin, America, and internationally. It provides pressure-sensitive materials comprising papers, plastic films, metal foils, and fabrics; performance tapes products, including tapes for wire harnessing, as well as cable wrapping for automotive, electrical, and general industrial applications; mechanical fasteners, which are precision-extruded and injection-molded plastic devices used in various automotive, general industrial, and retail applications; and other pressure-sensitive adhesive-based materials and converted products under the Fasson, JAC, Yongle, and Avery Dennison brands. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AVY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Avery Dennison Co. ( NYSE:AVY – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Avery Dennison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avery Dennison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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This article documents the behind-the-scenes work of volunteers at the Goldstream ‘Howard English’ Hatchery, from the moment salmon are harvested from the river during the fall spawning season to the return of their progeny years later. --- Born in the first half of the 20th century, Howard English began fishing and hunting in the South Island’s Goldstream area as a young adult. In the '60s, English started noticing the declining salmon population of the Goldstream River as he witnessed firsthand the impact of increasing extraction of water for drinking purposes, urban encroachment, highway construction, logging, and overfishing. After urging the federal government to take action and prevent a full-stream collapse, his plea fell on deaf ears. Taking this issue upon his shoulders and embarking on years of lobbying, English finally secured both the permits and funding required to build a small hatchery in the 1980s. Decades later, the Goldstream ‘Howard English’ Hatchery, which began as a one-man volunteer project with a single gravel incubation box, now operates a full-fledged salmon enhancement program and provides stock assessment research for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Open year-round, operating six days a week, the facility relies on some 100 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, united by the shared goal of sustaining coho and chum populations in the Goldstream River system, explained hatchery president Ian Izard. Salmon harvesting Starting in early fall, and continuing to late November, volunteers head down to specific sections of the Goldstream River where fish traps were set earlier that same year. Day after day, wearing waders, they hand-pick salmon from the stream. Coho and chum considered ready to spawn are momentarily placed in a tank at the back of a pickup truck, while those not yet ready are released back into the water. Once the traps are emptied, the team returns to the hatchery, where the fish are transferred and triaged by species and gender into containment tanks. At this point, the salmon are held in line to have their semen, known as milt, and eggs harvested. Fertilization During the spawning season, the hatchery process sees anywhere from 30 to 60 fish daily. After a single well-placed blow to the head with a short metal club, volunteers provide salmon with a swift death. Sorted between male and female, the egg and milt intake is ready to begin. For females, a blade akin to a milk bag cutter is introduced in their vent to cut open the fish’s belly and give way to their bright-orange-red egg sac which is carefully placed in a metal bowl. For the males, one volunteer firmly runs their thumb down the salmon's belly while another holds a small plastic bag to collect the milt. Once both roe and semen are collected, they are combined, and water is quickly added to harden the eggs and ensure fertilization. Excess sperm, ovarian fluid, and blood are rinsed away before the eggs are transferred into incubation trays, explained Izard. He added that all fish carcasses accumulated throughout the spawning season are frozen and, in early spring, will be disposed of in strategic locations across Greater Victoria to return vital nutrients to the forest. Incubation Stored in a dark room, these incubation trays – designed to simulate river gravel nests, also called redds – will serve as homes for the eggs until they hatch and fledgling salmonids are ready to swim. Successfully fertilized eggs will develop a dark spot within the first month, marking the “eyed stage.” Unfertilized eggs, which look and feel similar to a hard-boiled egg yolk, are removed by hand. On average, coho eggs hatch in about seven weeks, while chum emerge after roughly four months. Once hatched, these nascent fish are now known as alevin. Without a fully formed mouth or digestive system, they live off the nutrients provided by a small yolk sac located on their belly. This phase spans from three to five weeks for coho and chum salmon. As they mature and undergo various physiological changes, the yolk sac is fully absorbed by the alevin which then becomes a fry. Maturing In the wild, once coho reach the fry stage and emerge from their gravel nests, they leave the river system, rushing out to begin their journey at sea. In parallel, when hatchery coho reaches this stage, it signals to volunteers that the fry are ready to be released back into the Goldstream watershed. Chum, however, spend up to a year-and-a-half in freshwater, where they feed, gain weight, and prepare for life in the ocean. To mimic these conditions, hatchery chum fry are transferred from their incubation trays to rearing tanks where they spend approximately 12 months and are fed a blend of fish meal and kelp. Before any salmonids are returned to the river, volunteers clip their small fleshy adipose fin to mark that they have been hatchery-raised. Throughout the entire process, the operation maintains a consistent survival rate of around 90 per cent year after year, noted volunteer Gladys Schreiner. Salmon return Despite experiencing several consecutive years of below-average returns, including last year’s 'disastrous' numbers when only 65,000 eggs were raised, this year looks more promising, highlighted Schreiner. With hatcheries across the province seeing their best returns in 20 years , the Goldstream facility is on track to collect around a quarter of a million eggs, with one-tenth being coho and the remainder chum. Already at work to raise the next generation of fish, volunteers are looking forward to welcoming some of the survivors back in three to five years.
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