info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed says more rate hikes are needed to curb inflation

info2023-03-03T12:54:15-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

The Federal Reserve said further interest-rate hikes would be required to restore price stability. "The committee is strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective," the Fed said in its semi-annual report to Congress released Friday. Officials expect "ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate in order to attain a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive." The Fed report, which provides lawmakers with an update on economic and financial developments and monetary policy, was published on the central bank's website ahead of Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the Senate Banking panel on Tuesday and the House [...]

Kansas town comes in second place second year in a row for ‘best historic small town’ contest

info2023-03-03T12:53:30-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

The town of Abilene fell short of coming in first place for the second year in a row in USA TODAY's "Best Historic Small Town" contest. Visit Abilene Kansas made the announcement on Friday, March 3, more than a month after Abilene was named as a finalist in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Contest. While first place went to San Elizario, Texas, Abilene's tourism director is still excited to see that the town placed so highly again in the contest. Source: KSNT 27 News

Topeka offers free trip to Capital City for New York City residents

info2023-03-03T12:53:03-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

Residents of New York City could be visiting the capital of Kansas for free following remarks from NYC Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week. Bob Ross with the Greater Topeka Partnership said Visit Topeka and Kansas Tourism have partnered together to offer a free trip to Topeka after NYC Mayor Eric Adams mentioned the Capital City during a recent speech. ... The offer was extended to all residents of the Big Apple including the five boroughs of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, according to Ross. NYC residents are eligible for the chance to win an all-inclusive three-day, two-night [...]

Bar-hopping, liquor on Sundays: Kansas pushes to change alcohol laws

info2023-03-03T12:51:50-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

Kansas lawmakers are moving forward with several bills to rewrite alcohol laws in the state. The Kansas House voted 116 to six to pass House Bill 2059 on Thursday. The proposal could change where people drink alcohol in the state. In some cases, it could mean buying a drink at a local bar, then walking down the street with your drink in hand. "Local governing bodies are best situated to interact with stakeholders and make decisions on how best to build out and police common consumption areas," said Representative Ron Bryce, R-Coffeyville, who carried the bill. The bill makes changes to [...]

Tammy Baird ready for new title, new responsibilities at USD 386 Madison-Virgil

info2023-03-03T12:51:12-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

As her education career has developed, Tammy Baird says she didn’t consider being a superintendent until recently — and it wasn’t originally her idea. After serving as Madison-Virgil’s junior-senior high school principal the last two years, she applied to be superintendent and was approved by the board as part of a short interview process earlier this week. The biggest immediate challenge facing Madison-Virgil is recruiting and retaining teachers. She wants to push to have the district in a good financial and academic position so students can be successful after high school. She says Madison-Virgil is a “fantastic” district because of the [...]

Salina looks at opioid settlement funds

info2023-03-03T12:47:01-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

Hundreds of millions of dollars has already been awarded to the state of Kansas related to the opioid crisis, and with some of that money coming to local communities within the state, Salina is looking at options for how it will spend its share. The Salina City Commission discussed these settlements during a study session Monday, with several groups, including first responders and the main addiction treatment center on hand to give their thoughts on what the current state of the crisis in the community and how the funding could be used locally. “Hopefully, by the end of this (study session), [...]

“Bittersweet” retirement for Fort Scott police chief

info2023-03-03T12:45:24-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

A local police chief officially retired on Tuesday. He spent his last day on duty celebrating with hundreds of family, friends, and colleagues. "We've been blessed. And I've been blessed to serve in a community like this," said Travis Shelton, Retired Chief, Fort Scott Police Dept. After 26 years of serving the Fort Scott community, chief Travis Shelton officially retired today at 5 o'clock. His retirement party is nothing short of sharing memories, laughs, hugs, and handshakes. The gathering included Shelton's childhood friends, who came from Drexel, Missouri to Fort Scott to celebrate him. Source: KSNF/KODE

Emporia drinking water finishes fourth at international contest

info2023-03-03T10:23:55-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

Emporia’s drinking water is among the best in the world — at least as judged at the internationally-known contest in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Emporia’s tap water finished tied for fourth with Miryang-Si, Gyeongsangdam-do, Republic of Korea, in the international contest. Gold went to Clearbrook, British Columbia, Canada, while silver was claimed by South Muskoska, Ontario, Canada, and bronze went to St. Paris. Ohio. Water samples were rated by appearance, taste, mouth feel and aftertaste. Source: KVOE Emporia Radio

Why I love Winfield

info2023-03-03T00:40:22-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

A couple of weeks ago I sat in a restaurant in Wichita catching up with some of my friends who live in the city. “Are you all enjoying living in Winfield?” one of them soon asked. The three of us are similar in many ways, young working professionals with elementary-aged children and parents living close enough to engage in our kids’ lives. My immediate affirmative responses drifted to conveniences so often craved in my current life stage. My kids’ ability to attend a school a few blocks away. The experience of a college basketball game and bluegrass festival practically in my [...]

Kansas movie theater owners write legislative script for two-year state sales tax break

info2023-03-03T00:35:38-06:00March 3rd, 2023|

Scott Zaremba owns the world’s oldest purpose-built cinema in downtown Ottawa, and asked the Kansas Senate for help keeping the two-screen venue’s doors open to movie fans. “We’re working very hard to keep it, and keep it operational. We’re at 116 years and counting,” he said. “The Plaza has been through its share of challenges, from floods, fire, wars. We’ve been through two pandemics, right, not just one, because its been open that long.” On Thursday, Zaremba requested senators endorse a bill that would enable Kansas movie theater owners to retain the state portion of sales tax collected on ticket admissions [...]

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