info2021-12-16T08:16:16-06:00December 16th, 2021|
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.
info2021-12-16T01:08:20-06:00December 16th, 2021|
The Federal Reserve provided multiple indications Wednesday that its run of ultra-easy policy since the beginning of the Covid pandemic is coming to a close, making moves that were even more aggressive than markets had anticipated. For one, the Fed said it will accelerate the reduction of its monthly bond purchases. The Fed will be buying $60 billion of bonds each month starting January, half the level prior to the November taper and $30 billion less than it had been buying in December. The Fed was tapering by $15 billion a month in November, doubled that in December, then will accelerate [...]
info2021-12-16T01:05:49-06:00December 16th, 2021|
The days of rock-bottom rates are nearly over. The central bank will unwind last year's bond buying sooner than originally planned after recent reports on inflation continued to show a sharp rise in prices. While the Federal Reserve said Wednesday that interest rates will stay near zero for now, the tapering of bond purchases is seen as the first step on the way to interest-rate hikes. "For consumers, the writing is on the wall that interest rates are likely to start climbing in 2022," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com. Source: CNBC - Bonds
info2021-12-16T08:11:40-06:00December 16th, 2021|
Governor Laura Kelly announced the application window for Broadband Acceleration Grant Program submissions. “Access to high-speed internet is critical for Kansans to access health care, education, and compete in an increasingly digital economy,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration is committed to getting every Kansas home and business connected. I encourage anyone who qualifies to apply for this round of Broadband Acceleration Grants.” The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program is critical in Kansas’ plan to address broadband gaps statewide. Funds will be targeted to areas that are unlikely to receive broadband service without state or federal funding support. Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
info2021-12-16T00:59:14-06:00December 16th, 2021|
Main Street Kansas personnel paid a visit to Atchison for a working session and a look at the progress on the downtown area. The improvements are substantial with the canopy coming down and store fronts beginning to take on a life of their own. Main Street Kansas is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy. The local staff, board of directors for Main Street Atchison and local business leaders are all participating. Meeting with the staff and board of directors took up most of the morning and then [...]
info2021-12-16T00:48:49-06:00December 16th, 2021|
Interstate 70 was closed Wednesday from the Colorado border all the way through Hays, Kansas, due to low visibility and multiple vehicle collisions, according to Kansas Department of Transportation. The department announced the closure of the I-70 on Twitter around 1 p.m. KDoT officials encouraged commuters to delay any plans of travel until about midnight on Wednesday. The interstate was closed in both directions, from Russel County, Kansas, to the Colorado state line. People are being warned to look out for blowing dust. Source: Kansas City Breaking News & Sports | The Kansas City Star
info2021-12-16T08:12:54-06:00December 16th, 2021|
A “wall of dust” is moving east into western Kansas as hazardous wind warnings continue across the region. In some areas, high winds have reduced visibility to less than a mile, weather officials report, while gusts are expected to reach up to 80 mph. Schools in the area closed as a precaution, and roads continue to close as winds from Colorado reach Kansas. Gov. Laura Kelly addressed the dangers at a news conference. The winds are “a concern,” she said, “and I’m glad that our folks are on it.” Source: The Kansas City Star
info2021-12-16T08:13:05-06:00December 16th, 2021|
Kansas is preparing to spend $361 million on highways in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in areas that pose congestion and safety issues, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday. Four new projects in the Kansas City metro will receive nearly half of a broader statewide plan for $750 million in highway improvements paid for with local and federal dollars: Kansas 10 highway: The biggest project spends $223 million to study and expand K-10 between Kansas 7 and Interstate 435 in Johnson County. The state will determine if eight lanes are necessary and where six lanes are sufficient. Interstate 35: $74 million will go [...]
info2021-12-16T00:39:38-06:00December 16th, 2021|
The Barton County Commission emerged after a day-long special meeting Wednesday dominated by hours of closed-door meetings without selecting a new county administrator. It is anticipated a decision will come when commissioners meet for their regular weekly meeting this coming Tuesday morning. The Wednesday meeting was called to conduct interviews with administrator candidates. These were conducted in executive session over the course of Wednesday morning and afternoon. Commissioners reconvened in open session at 3:15 p.m. following the final interview only to go back into closed session to discuss the results of the discussions. They ruled out making a selection Wednesday because [...]
info2021-12-16T00:31:12-06:00December 16th, 2021|
The Johnson County Planning Commission on Tuesday approved regulations that have been dubbed some of the most restrictive in the country for solar-generated electricity farms, pleasing just about none of the spectators at the two-hour meeting. Supporters of the proposed solar farm said the rules were a disappointment and “not our desired result,” while opponents expressed anger that any arrays of the photovoltaic panels would be allowed at all in the unincorporated western part of the county. “Have a good night as you destroy our rural part of our county,” said Sharmen McCollum of Gardner after being told the commission would [...]
