info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

10-year U.S. Treasury yield inches higher with focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

info2022-02-25T09:04:55-06:00February 25th, 2022|

U.S. Treasury yields inched up Friday, as investors monitored the latest developments around the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose by 3.5 basis points to 2.009% by around 8:10 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond moved 1.5 basis points up to 2.308%. Yields move inversely to prices and 1 basis point is equal to 0.01%. The 2-year note yield, meanwhile, ticked 7.6 basis points higher to about 1.622%. Friday's moves come after a volatile session Thursday across assets, including bonds. The 10-year traded as low as 1.85% on Thursday — pushing [...]

Survey Results Reveal How Cities Are Investing in Young People During the Pandemic

info2022-02-25T09:04:20-06:00February 25th, 2022|

The National League of Cities (NLC) is releasing the results of a new National Municipal Afterschool and Summer Learning survey which reveals the evolution of municipal investments in afterschool and summer learning programs throughout the pandemic. Afterschool and summer learning opportunities are vital for student success and have played a particularly supportive role in the lives of children and families throughout the pandemic. These programs often serve as a lifeline for young people to access essential enrichment and recreational activities, nutritious snacks and meals, academic support, and career exposure, while also assuring working families that their children are safe and engaged. [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for February 24, 2022

info2022-02-25T09:02:45-06:00February 25th, 2022|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Answers sought in price gouging investigation

info2022-02-25T00:05:25-06:00February 25th, 2022|

The Kansas state treasurer, a legislator and a former school board member Wednesday called on Attorney General Derek Schmidt to advance a slow-moving investigation of potential price gouging tied to spikes in natural gas prices during Winter Storm Uri one year ago. Last February, Schmidt launched an investigation into the natural gas prices, which left Kansas with more than $1 billion in economic fallout. Gas prices rose by nearly 200 times, and experts expect Kansas utility payers will be feeling the aftereffects for a decade. Seven months after the storm, as utilities were negotiating plans to pass higher rates onto costumes, [...]

Lenexa’s annual State of the City address

info2022-02-25T09:00:51-06:00February 25th, 2022|

Lenexa in 2021 saw high resident satisfaction, a return of some popular local events and continued growth and development at some much-watched sites, including the Lenexa Public Market and City Center. These were some of the key takeaways in a virtual State of the City video released Wednesday by the city. Mayor Mike Boehm had been set to give an in-person address earlier this month during a Lenexa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, but that event was canceled due to rising COVID-19 cases at the time. Here are a few takeaways from the State of the City video: Once again, Lenexa has [...]

Senate passes bill limiting regulations of plastic bags

info2022-02-24T23:57:19-06:00February 24th, 2022|

A bill barring local governments from regulating plastic grocery bags and other material easily cleared the Senate on Wednesday. The Senate passed the bill 27-13, answer calls for the Legislature to bring consistency to state regulations for so-called “auxiliary containers,” which include bags, cup, packages, containers and bottles. The bill now goes to the House. Supporters of the legislation said that when cities try to limit or ban certain types of containers it leads to a “hodgepodge” of regulations that vary from one jurisdiction to the next and cause confusion for businesses. “This does not prohibit anyone from choosing to use [...]

Appraisal shock: tax valuations rise for nine out of 10 Sedgwick County homeowners

info2022-02-24T23:54:33-06:00February 24th, 2022|

When you get your property tax appraisal notice in the mail early next month, prepare to see a higher number than you’re used to. As a result of an overheated housing market, the median sale price of homes in Sedgwick County topped $200,000 for the first time. Consequently, tax appraisals are up this year for 88% of residential property owners, appraiser Mark Clark reported to the County Commission on Wednesday. Only 3% of homes declined in value. The median increase is 7%, largest for homes in the coveted $175,000-$225,000 band where the market is hottest, Clark said. Source: Local News | [...]

Rural entrepreneurship highlighted during 2nd Rural Revitalization Conference

info2022-02-24T23:47:54-06:00February 24th, 2022|

The Riley County Extension held its second ever Rural Revitalization Conference Wednesday in Riley. The event is an opportunity for those interested in rural economies and starting their own business. Extension Director Gary Fike says the most important aspect is hearing from local entrepreneurs . One of the speakers Wednesday was Trish Purdon, who is the Director of the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity. She says the most fundamental aspect of supporting a rural community is to be a community of the future. Ron Wilson, owner of the Lazy T Ranch and is the director of the Huck Boyd National Institute [...]

Johnson County Charter Commission delivers final report to BOCC

info2022-02-24T23:36:20-06:00February 24th, 2022|

Johnson County Charter Commission Chair Greg Musil presented the 2021 Charter Commission’s final report to the Board of County Commissioners today, Feb. 24. The presentation during the regular BOCC meeting included a summary of the Charter Commission’s activities. The Johnson County Charter Commission is required to convene every 10 years to review Johnson County Government operations and can propose amendments and/or recommendations to the BOCC. Any proposed amendments must then be placed on the ballot at the next general election for Johnson County voters to accept or reject. “Everybody took it very seriously and worked very hard through a year-long process,” [...]

Sedgwick County Commissioners and Wichita City Council discuss mental health changes

info2022-02-24T23:31:12-06:00February 24th, 2022|

A new report says that higher pay, more resources, and new facilities are just a few things that would help mental health services in Wichita and Sedgwick County. The 55-page report from the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition came out in late February. It lays out solutions for what some are calling a "mental health crisis" in the Wichita community. On Thursday, February 24, Leaders in Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita took a closer look. "We can make an impact, I think we can make a real positive impact and the leadership I have a lot of faith [...]

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