info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed’s Powell Seals Expectations of Half-Point Rate Rise in May

info2022-04-22T06:26:22-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled the central bank was likely to raise interest rates by a half percentage point at its meeting next month and indicated similar rate rises could be warranted after that to lower inflation. A rate increase in May, following the Fed’s decision to lift rates from near zero by a quarter percentage point last month, would mark the first time since 2006 that the central bank increased its policy rate at back-to-back meetings. A half-point increase would be the first such move since 2000. Source: Wall Street Journal

In Austin, TX sign spat, U.S. Supreme Court declines to strike down billboard regulation under First Amendment

info2022-04-22T06:24:43-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a city ordinance that treats signs differently depending on whether they have a connection to the site where they are located is content-neutral – that is, it does not regulate speech based on content – and therefore not subject to strict scrutiny, the most stringent constitutional test. By a vote of 6-3, the justices sent the challenge to the ordinance in Austin, Texas, back to the lower courts for them to consider whether the sign code can survive under a less rigorous test. The decision was a victory not only for Austin but also for the [...]

Powell says taming inflation ‘absolutely essential,’ and a 50 basis point hike possible for May

info2022-04-22T00:39:49-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell affirmed the central bank’s determination to bring down inflation and said Thursday that aggressive rate hikes are possible as soon as next month. “It is appropriate in my view to be moving a little more quickly” to raise interest rates, Powell said while part of an International Monetary Fund panel moderated by CNBC’s Sara Eisen. “I also think there is something to be said for front-end loading any accommodation one thinks is appropriate. ... I would say 50 basis points will be on the table for the May meeting.” Powell’s statements essentially meet market expectations that the [...]

State and local governments well-placed to withstand inflation

info2022-04-22T00:37:37-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

The threat of an upcoming recession shouldn’t worry states and local governments who’ve already weathered COVID-19 related shutdowns, as many local governments are in the best fiscal shape they’ve ever been in. That’s according to panelists gathered on Wednesday for The Volcker Alliance and the Penn Institute for Urban Research’s briefing on inflation and recession for states and cities. “Given the ample rainy day funds that states have been able to accumulate and obviously a large part of that is due to the federal government support that has been provided throughout the pandemic in lots of different ways, directly and indirectly, [...]

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Launch of Startup Housing Program

info2022-04-22T00:34:37-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the launch of a new housing program for developers to help address the housing needs of communities across Kansas. The Startup Housing Opportunity Venture Loan (SHOVL) program provides funding to housing developers for expenses incurred before the closing of permanent financing for housing developments. “A shortage of quality, affordable housing is a barrier to economic growth and development throughout the state – and particularly in rural Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Affordable housing is a vital component of recruiting and retaining workers, families, and entrepreneurs to help rural and urban Kansas thrive. We can’t capitalize on our record-breaking economic success [...]

City of Wichita issues report on police misconduct review

info2022-04-22T06:58:45-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

Racism within the ranks of the Wichita Police Department will no longer be tolerated, an internal report issued by a City Manager’s Office committee says. The report calls for a crackdown on biased police officers, poor leadership, botched investigations, poor oversight, potential cover-ups and alleged improper influence by the police union into Wichita police disciplinary decisions. It also says former chief Gordon Ramsay and his deputy chiefs Chester Pinkston and Jose Salcido mishandled an internal investigation and resulting discipline of SWAT team members who sent racist, sexist and homophobic text messages first reported by The Eagle last month. Source: Wichita Eagle

KCMO, Prairie Village teaming up to fix pothole problem

info2022-04-22T00:25:45-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

Two Kansas City-area cities, on opposite sides of the state line, are teaming up to tackle a pothole problem. If you've driven along Stateline Road, you know there's room for repairs, but who's in charge of the pothole problem? Kansas City, Missouri and Prairie Village, Kansas are working together to get the road fixed. "Life without them would be good," Elisha Orama, who lives in Prairie Village, said. She knows the feeling of hitting a pothole hard. "It's scary. I know that they surprise you sometimes and it's always like, shoot, I hope I didn't just mess up my car," Orama [...]

Plans submitted to turn Overland Park golf course into homes, neighbors rally to save it

info2022-04-22T00:24:27-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

Owners of an Overland Park golf course that closed April 1 submitted plans Tuesday to replace the course with 70 more homes. More than 100 homeowners living along Deer Creek Golf Club banded together Wednesday trying to save their golf course. A lawsuit has been filed by a resident saying an implied covenant requires the property to be maintained as a gold course. Great Life, owners and operators of the course, announced the closure almost immediately after plans to build apartments along the course failed. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

Wyandotte County working to restore services after cybersecurity attack

info2022-04-22T07:00:05-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas is working through a full review on the impact of services from a recent cybersecurity attack on its systems over the weekend. The UG said work to restore services is underway, and as of Tuesday afternoon, services impacted include the appraiser's office, district attorney's office, district court, motor vehicle services, procurement and the sheriff's office. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

Great Bend’s Beautification Committee at work

info2022-04-22T07:00:23-05:00April 22nd, 2022|

Members of Great Bend’s Beautification Committee were busy adding flowers to downtown receptacles Thursday afternoon. Committee Chair Linda Dougherty said they would do at least 10 flower pots that day, starting on Forest Avenue’s Great Bend Alive Plaza where the Final Friday event is planned for April 29. They will tend to 20 or more planters in the coming days. Source: Great Bend Tribune

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