info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

The undead invade downtown for 15th annual Lawrence Zombie Walk

info2022-10-24T00:45:10-05:00October 24th, 2022|

Hundreds of goblins and ghouls gathered Thursday at the South Park gazebo in anticipation of the 15th annual Lawrence Zombie Walk. The horde of zombies started their walk down Massachusetts Street at sunset. Spectators gathered on the sidewalk in folding lawn chairs and on restaurant patios, cheering and taking photos all the way to Seventh Street. Residents showed off their creative costume skills, with characters ranging from undead Girl Scouts to zombie killers. Source: The Lawrence Times

If Chiefs decide to relocate to Kansas, here’s the most likely stadium site and the top incentives for moving

info2022-10-24T07:08:48-05:00October 24th, 2022|

Speculation about a Kansas City Chiefs relocation took off in late March after President Mark Donovan said developers had pitched him on stadium options in Kansas. Among hypothetical Kansas sites, the top several contenders almost certainly sit on parcels in the Village West area, said Jon Stephens, CEO of the Port Authority of Kansas City and a former economic development director for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Ottawa city manager to retire in March

info2022-10-24T07:14:36-05:00October 24th, 2022|

After 15 years serving the City of Ottawa, City Manager Richard Nienstedt will retire March 31. Nienstedt made the announcement during a special Ottawa City Commission meeting Wednesday morning. Fifteen years ago, the city commission then honored me and humbled me by asking me (wife) Rita and I to be a part of this community, he said. And this is a great community. It has had the best leadership on the elected level and on the appointed level that I ever had in my almost 43 years of doing this. The next five months, Nienstedt told commissioners, will be a busy [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for October 21, 2022

info2022-10-23T18:38:44-05:00October 21st, 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.

Fed Set to Raise Rates by 0.75 Point and Debate Size of Future Hikes

info2022-10-23T16:31:51-05:00October 21st, 2022|

Federal Reserve officials are barreling toward another interest-rate rise of 0.75 percentage point at their meeting Nov. 1-2 and are likely to debate then whether and how to signal plans to approve a smaller increase in December. “We will have a very thoughtful discussion about the pace of tightening at our next meeting,” Fed governor Christopher Waller said in a speech earlier this month. Some officials have begun signaling their desire both to slow down the pace of increases soon and to stop raising rates early next year to see how their moves this year are slowing the economy. They want [...]

Wichita City Council approves ordinance to fight catalytic converter thefts

info2022-10-21T08:20:54-05:00October 21st, 2022|

A new city ordinance aims to crack down on the soaring rate of catalytic converter thefts by allowing Wichita police to seize parts they believe to be stolen. According to police, 1,360 catalytic converters were reported stolen from Wichita vehicles in 2021. This year, there have been nearly 950 thefts so far. The new ordinance makes it illegal to possess, receive, reuse or collect the parts without proof of ownership or other documentation, including a service order requiring the removal of the part or a letter from the Wichita Police Department allowing possession of the catalytic converter. Source: Wichita Eagle

10-year Treasury yield climbs to fresh 14-year high

info2022-10-21T08:20:17-05:00October 21st, 2022|

Yield on the 10-year Treasury hit a fresh 14-year high on Friday, while the 2-year note traded in territory last seen in 2007 as signs of a recession worried markets. The 10-year Treasury yield was last at 4.2843%, after rising by close to six basis points. This marked the highest level the benchmark note has traded at since 2008. The yield on the 2-year Treasury climbed to a new 15-year high of 4.639% on Friday. It was last almost flat at 4.609%. ... Market concerns about a recession have been growing stronger in recent weeks, as data is reflecting signs of [...]

Lawrence leaders seeking public input about potential changes to sidewalk repair program

info2022-10-21T07:59:03-05:00October 21st, 2022|

City leaders are asking Lawrence residents to weigh in on whether changes should be made to the city’s sidewalk repair program. The program requires certain property owners to pay part of the costs to make repairs, and has been controversial with some residents, who say the city should treat sidewalks like other infrastructure and take full financial responsibility. The format of the current program has so far resulted in the city paying about 70% of repair costs, with the remainder being paid by property owners. Source: LJWorld

Municipal Bond Trends for October 20, 2022

info2022-10-21T07:48:34-05:00October 21st, 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.

Fed’s Harker sees ‘lack of progress’ on inflation, expects aggressive rate hikes ahead

info2022-10-21T07:15:59-05:00October 21st, 2022|

Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Patrick Harker on Thursday said higher interest rates have done little to keep inflation in check, so more increases will be needed. "We are going to keep raising rates for a while," the central bank official said in remarks for a speech in New Jersey. "Given our frankly disappointing lack of progress on curtailing inflation, I expect we will be well above 4% by the end of the year." The latter comment was in reference to the fed funds rate, which currently is targeted in a range between 3%-3.75%. Source: CNBC

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