Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Governor Kelly expands visitation for nursing homes

Tuesday, Governor Laura Kelly announced expanded visitation for nursing homes and long-term care facilities, which would allow outdoor and more indoor options for families to see their loved ones. “I feel very blessed that I can be here,” said Larksfield Place resident Mary D. Lounsbury. Lounsbury said in the past year she has felt lucky to be where she is and taken care of. “Sometimes older people don’t like to think going to a place like this. I’d go to it again at the drop of a hat. It’s just, they’re all just nice,” said Lounsbury. But when the shutdown happened, communication with family got more complicated as many nursing homes and long-term care facilities closed their doors.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:16:14-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

Kansas schools are returning kids to in-person learning, but concerns over ventilation linger

After the pandemic hit, the largest school district in Kansas set to calculating how much outdoor air it should pull into its buildings. Wichita Public Schools turned to the nation’s top sources for expertise, then boosted ventilation and filtration in ways that scientists say dramatically cut the risk of inhaling COVID-19. Evidence that schools — as well as operators of other buildings that bring people together — should take those steps has solidified, buoyed by scientific findings that the virus spreads primarily through particles in the air, not by lurking on doorknobs and table tops. Yet scientists say most American schools probably don’t bring in enough outdoor air or filter indoor air the way they should. In some schools, the windows don’t even open.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:23:56-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

State to come out with more guidance soon on vaccine Phases 3 and 4

Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health, said on Tuesday that the state will come out with more guidance by Monday on Phases 3 and 4 of the state vaccine plan. Gov. Laura Kelly and Dr. Norman announced Monday that Phases 3 and 4 of the vaccine plan would start Monday, March 22. One of the questions raised about the new phases is how will vaccination sites know if a person has a chronic disease and is in one of the phases. The topic was discussed at the Tuesday morning media update at the University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Norman said the state will come out with some guidance on that topic soon. He said that people will be on the honor system, but they might want to bring a pill bottle with their name and the medication name on it, or a copy of their prescription with them when they get a vaccine.
Source: Wyandotte Daily

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:25:22-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

Fed sees stronger economy and higher inflation, but no rate hikes

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday sharply ramped up its expectations for economic growth but indicated that there are no expected interest rate hikes through 2023 despite an improving outlook and a turn this year to higher inflation. As widely expected, the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee also voted to keep short-term borrowing rates steady near zero, while continuing an asset purchase program in which the central bank buys at least $120 billion of bonds a month. The key changes came in how central bankers view the economic road ahead and what impact that could have on policy. “Following a moderation in the pace of the recovery, indicators of economic activity and employment have turned up recently, although the sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic remain weak. Inflation continues to run below 2 percent,” the committee said in its post-meeting statement.
Source: Economy

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:28:11-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

A Kansas bill would expand a rural workforce recruitment tool, address housing issues

A bill before Kansas legislators Wednesday would extend and revamp a state program providing financial incentives to those moving to rural areas struggling with workforce retention. The Rural Opportunity Zones program provides designated counties an opportunity to offer income tax credits and student loan repayments in an effort to reverse population decline. Previously, these zones were decided by population loss, but under House Bill 2341 any county with a population of less than 35,000 would qualify. This would expand the program by 16 counties, bringing the total qualifying counties to 93. … a 2020 study indicated 30 counties did not commit any resources to the program and 80% of student loan recipients would have moved to the county regardless. While the study indicated the program has not reversed population decline as expected, supporters of the program believe a lack of incentive does not mean it has failed.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:29:34-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

Does Wichita need a leash law for cats? A city board is considering it

A city board is considering a leash law for Wichita cats to reduce the number of felines running wild. Wichita Animal Control Advisory Board member Richard Ruth has proposed a city ordinance change that would make it illegal to let a cat roam the neighborhood, with penalties including a fine and sterilizing and microchipping the cat. The proposal would also limit the number of cats a person can own at four and require owners to annually license their cats and vaccinate against rabies.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:30:14-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

Kansas launches program to help residents with rent. payments, utility bills

The state of Kansas has launched a new program designed to help individuals and families financially impacted by COVID-19 pay rent, utility and internet bills. The Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program is being run by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). “Keeping Kansans in their homes and businesses – and ensuring they have access to the high-speed internet needed for telehealth, telework, and virtual school – has been a top priority for my administration since day one.” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a news release. “This program will be critical in ensuring Kansans can stay secure in their homes, stay warm, and maintain access to the internet.”
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:14:15-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

Local Govs Will Spend Stimulus Relief in Different Ways

With the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), states and localities will once again receive billions of dollars to reduce the financial losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But this time local government spending of those funds will look different from before. The ARP works to restart the economy through a well-established plan that encourages vaccine development and pumps massive amounts of federal funding into the economy. In addition to stimulus checks for most people, state and local governments will receive an extra $350 billion, with $65.1 billion in direct federal aid for counties and an additional $1.5 billion for public land counties. A report by CivicPulse found that local governments plan to spend this stimulus payment differently than previous relief packages. While officials still want to ensure health safety measures and PPE demands are met, there will be a shift to make sure that communities will succeed through the pandemic’s duration and beyond.
Source: GOVERNING

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:16:06-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

Hillsboro utility bills may soar for 2 1/2 years

Hillsboro electric customers will likely see their household electric bills go up 8.4% — an average of $15.33 a month — for the next 24 to 30 months. The increase, motivated by the same factors that could increase bills in Marion, too, will be decided at a city council meeting April 6. City administrator Matt Stiles told city councilmen Tuesday that the rate increase would be necessary to offset a dramatic spike in energy prices during February’s subzero temperatures and a resulting surcharge imposed by the city’s electricity provider.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:36:07-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

Winfield gas bills to increase for 6 years

The City of Winfield’s plan to spread out natural gas costs accrued during February’s cold weather emergency will result in customers paying an average of $29 more per month over a six-year period to help pay off a state-backed loan the city took out to help pay suppliers. Customers should expect to see utility bills reflecting the increased usage costs beginning with the March 17 billing cycle, according to a press release Wednesday from city manger Taggart Wall.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2021-03-18T07:51:38-05:00March 17, 2021|News|

About Ranson Financial

Governor Kelly expands visitation for nursing homes

Kansas schools are returning kids to in-person learning, but concerns over ventilation linger

State to come out with more guidance soon on vaccine Phases 3 and 4

Fed sees stronger economy and higher inflation, but no rate hikes

A Kansas bill would expand a rural workforce recruitment tool, address housing issues

Does Wichita need a leash law for cats? A city board is considering it

Kansas launches program to help residents with rent. payments, utility bills

Local Govs Will Spend Stimulus Relief in Different Ways

Hillsboro utility bills may soar for 2 1/2 years

Winfield gas bills to increase for 6 years

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