Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Kansas House advances constitutional amendment requiring elected sheriffs

Rep. Eric Smith encouraged House members Tuesday to support a constitutional amendment requiring counties to elect sheriffs, rather than risk the possibility of a county commission gaining authority to appoint the position. Smith, a Republican from Burlington who said his “real job” as a deputy sheriff for Coffee County supports his political hobby, joined other supporters of the proposal in arguing it is important to shield top law enforcement officers from the scrutiny of other elected officials. “I just want want you to consider the idea that when you have an elected sheriff out there, that individual serves you and serves your constituents as an individual who has to uphold those values that they were elected on, and you can hold them accountable for that,” Smith said.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2022-02-23T00:11:26-06:00February 23, 2022|News|

Wichita school board votes to drop mask mandate after debate over when it should end

Starting March 11, face masks will no longer be required in Wichita Public Schools, although they will still be “encouraged and welcomed.” The Wichita Board of Education voted 4-3 Tuesday to end a masking mandate that has been in place in Kansas’ largest school district since last August. A substitute motion supported by the board’s three most conservative members that would have immediately ended mandatory masking for students, staff and visitors failed 3-4. Face coverings will still be required on school buses, because of a 2021 federal order that they be worn on all forms of public transportation. And the motion that did pass includes a proviso for the board to reconsider and extend the mandate if COVID-19 spikes again in the district’s schools.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-02-23T08:50:00-06:00February 23, 2022|News|

Bonner Springs officers rescue injured bald eagle

Members of the Bonner Springs Police Department made a unique rescue Monday morning. Animal Control Officer Kendra Anthony and Cpl. Kyle Rector rescued an injured bald eagle. They found her in the tree line, flapping her wings and unable to stand. The nonprofit Operation Wildlife believes the eagle was hit by a car and may have broken her tail. The officers were able to reach the bird and named it Kendra after officer Anthony.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-02-23T00:00:36-06:00February 23, 2022|News|

Beer in farm wineries? New proposal would allow Kansas owners to sell

A proposal in the Kansas Legislature would allow farm wineries in Kansas to sell beer, according to some vineyard owners. The bill, House Bill 2688, is currently up for debate in the House. If it passes, it will move to the Senate. The plan requires that licensed farm wineries be issued a cereal malt beverage retailer license if the statutory requirements are met. Written testimony from Phillip Bradley, a representative for the Kansas Viticulture and Farm Winery Association (KVFWA), says the measure would help the response to the growing needs of customers.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-02-22T23:58:03-06:00February 22, 2022|News|

Masks now optional in Johnson County schools

Last week, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners lifted a countywide public health order requiring masks in all K-6 schools. That order was originally set to expire in May, but with new COVID-19 cases dropping sharply, the board acted to rescind the mandate effective immediately. Some public school districts in northern Johnson County had already begun lifting their own masking rules for students and staff or had put measures in place to end their mask requirements for younger students once the county order was lifted. Students return to class Tuesday and Wednesday after the long holiday weekend (made longer, in some cases, by canceled classes late last week due to inclement weather), and none of the four major public school districts in northern Johnson County is now requiring masks.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2022-02-23T08:50:32-06:00February 22, 2022|News|

Rising Rates Hit Municipal Bonds

Municipal-bond investors spent more than a decade fretting about state and local government finances. Now they are worried about interest rates. Municipal budgets are in far better shape than during the aftermath of the 2007-09 financial crisis or the early-Covid shutdowns when investors fled munis in droves. But the expectation that the Federal Reserve will begin ending pandemic stimulus measures has driven yields on state and local debt, which rise when bond prices fall, to their highest levels since April 2020. “Credit has just not been the boogeyman that anyone thought it might be,” said Matt Fabian, a partner with Municipal Market Analytics. “The real risk in the sector at least for now is rates.” … Many now consider the prospect of rising rates a more immediate threat, reducing the appeal of outstanding debt by offering better returns on newly issued bonds. Benchmark 10-year, triple-A general-obligation bonds were trading at 1.65% Friday, according to Refinitiv MMD, up from 1.04% at the start of the year.
Source: Wall Street Journal

Ranson Financial2022-02-22T07:54:44-06:00February 22, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for February 18, 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.

Ranson Financial2022-02-22T07:48:12-06:00February 22, 2022|News|

Kansas City, Kansas, mayor shares goals and frustrations two months into his term

Tyrone Garner, former Kansas City, Kansas Deputy police chief was sworn in as mayor/CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, on December 13, 2021. When asked about the on-going federal investigation into misconduct by the city’s police department from which he retired in 2019, Mayor Garner provided few details The KCKPD is under a federal investigation stemming from allegations of decades of abuse and corruption at the hands of law enforcement officers. As an internal affairs officer, Garner said at times he was responsible for investigating and disciplining officers for misconduct.
Source: KCUR

Ranson Financial2022-02-22T00:26:25-06:00February 22, 2022|News|

Historic Larned Opera House to be demolished

More than a century-old opera house in western Kansas is about to be obsolete. Larned officials say the building is a danger to public safety. The Larned Opera House sets on the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway. “This guy named John Schnack, he in 1886, decides he, the community can support and need a venue to show plays and stuff,” said Kevin Holt, historian. The opera house was built on top of five businesses.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-02-22T00:24:49-06:00February 22, 2022|News|

Kansas is looking to develop its agriculture industry

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has launched its second Agriculture Workforce Needs Assessment Survey. This is through a partnership with the Department of Agriculture Economics at Kansas State University. The survey is designed to help find current and future needs people in the industry face. It hopes to identify jobs and specific skills required in the industry and help promote growth in the state. Kansas farmers, ranchers, and producers are asked to contribute to the assessment.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-02-22T00:22:20-06:00February 22, 2022|News|

About Ranson Financial

Kansas House advances constitutional amendment requiring elected sheriffs

Wichita school board votes to drop mask mandate after debate over when it should end

Bonner Springs officers rescue injured bald eagle

Beer in farm wineries? New proposal would allow Kansas owners to sell

Masks now optional in Johnson County schools

Rising Rates Hit Municipal Bonds

Municipal Bond Trends for February 18, 2022

Kansas City, Kansas, mayor shares goals and frustrations two months into his term

Historic Larned Opera House to be demolished

Kansas is looking to develop its agriculture industry

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