info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Prairie Village tackles zoning laws in effort to create attainable housing

info2022-06-22T07:55:39-05:00June 21st, 2022|

Living in Prairie Village is becoming less and less affordable, and as fewer people can afford to reside there, some officials are working to create opportunities for attainable housing. On Tuesday evening, the City Council will vote on recommended changes to zoning regulations to create opportunities to develop and preserve attainable housing — and to solidify the city's position to advocate for attainable housing in regional initiatives. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

IRS boosts business mileage rates as gas prices soar

info2022-06-22T07:57:03-05:00June 21st, 2022|

The Internal Revenue Service has some good news for taxpayers who use the federal mileage rate for business use of a vehicle. With gas prices soaring at the pumps, the IRS has increased the standard business travel reimbursement rate to 62.5 cents per mile, up 4 cents from the rate of 58.5 cents that went into effect in January. The new rate goes into effect on July 1 through Dec. 31. The rate applies for use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck. Source: IRS

Wichita considers changing charges for fentanyl test strips

info2022-06-22T07:59:41-05:00June 21st, 2022|

Right now it is illegal to possess a fentanyl test strip in the City of Wichita. But some members of the community say that the strips save lives, and the penalties for possession should be relaxed. On Tuesday, members of the Wichita City Council came together to discuss the issue. In the end, they decided to table any action on fentanyl test strips, and during their discussion, there were mixed opinions about what the city council should do. "I think we need to get moving of these fentanyl test strips as soon as possible. This is something that could save lives," [...]

Up to $500 fine waits for those who break Emporia fireworks ordinance

info2022-06-21T22:50:19-05:00June 21st, 2022|

The City of Emporia is reminding residents about the city's fireworks ordinance ahead of the July 4 holiday. Fireworks are allowed within the corporate limits of Emporia between June 27 and July 5 from the hours of 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Other rules are as follows: No fireworks may be discharged in the streets. No fireworks may be discharged in parks, the golf course, city parking lots or recreational fields, the zoo, the rec center or the aquatic center parking lot. No fireworks may be discharged within 200 square feet of the property line of a hospital, a school or [...]

KCKCC receives $1.4 million grant to serve local high school students

info2022-06-21T19:03:53-05:00June 21st, 2022|

Kansas City Kansas Community College has been awarded $1.4 million by the U.S. Department of Education to implement the Upward Bound program. The grant begins in fall 2022 and will continue through August 2027. “Being awarded the Upward Bound grant allows Kansas City Kansas Community College to expand services into schools to help those students who need it the most. These expanded services, built around intensive and intentional academic and student support services, will help increase high school graduation rates and college preparedness,” said Dr. Greg Mosier, president of KCKCC. “The Upward Bound program expands KCKCC’s ability to positively impact workforce [...]

State Board of Regents freezes tuition for students of state universities

info2022-06-22T08:01:20-05:00June 21st, 2022|

On Wednesday, June 15, the Kansas Board of Regents voted to hold tuition flat at state universities during the upcoming school year, something they were able to do because of the historic level of funding provided by the budget Governor Laura Kelly signed in May. As part of her budget, Governor Kelly restored university funding to pre-pandemic levels to enable state universities to freeze tuition and knock down barriers to higher education. “I’m pleased that my call to freeze tuition at state universities has been taken up, especially as pandemic-induced inflation impacts the lives of Kansan students and their families,” Governor [...]

Unemployment rate lowest recorded in Kansas history

info2022-06-21T07:33:08-05:00June 21st, 2022|

Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday celebrated Kansas hitting the lowest unemployment rate in the state’s recorded history, at 2.3 percent. Unemployment continues to decline in the state, even as the unemployment rate nationally holds flat. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas has the sixth lowest unemployment rate in the country relative to other states. “My Administration has worked to ensure that every Kansan who wants a job, can have a job,” said Gov. Kelly. “I’m proud that we have achieved the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history at 2.3 percent, over a full percentage point below the [...]

Governor Laura Kelly Promotes Rural Economic Development with Stops in Independence and Cherryvale

info2022-06-21T07:28:49-05:00June 21st, 2022|

Today, Governor Laura Kelly celebrated new beginnings for rural economic development during a several-stop visit to Southeast Kansas. First, she traveled to Cherryvale to break ground on Bartlett Grain’s new, $375 million soybean processing facility, which will create 50 high-quality jobs for local residents. Governor Kelly also toured Indy Brew Works, a family-owned brewery in Independence, where she talked with the owners, economic development leaders, and city officials about the work the state is doing to assist small businesses. “When I took office, I brought back the Kansas Main Street Program to help cities access technical services, networking, and training opportunities [...]

City of Wichita offers free swim lessons, encourages parents to enroll kids for safety

info2022-06-21T02:00:42-05:00June 21st, 2022|

The City of Wichita is offering free swimming lessons to kids at McAfee Pool this summer with help from two community donors. The second session of classes started Monday morning. The program was in such high demand, all the spots, at least free ones, are filled. “It’s definitely at least a known issue in our community that a lot of young kids, especially that grow up around here, don't learn how to swim,” Kyle Ellison, executive director of Real Men Real Heroes, said. Real Men Real Heroes and Skaer Veterinary Clinic helped fund the program. Ellison said that it’s been two [...]

Hutchinson looking to add more hotels as shortage impacts state fair, local events

info2022-06-21T01:59:19-05:00June 21st, 2022|

More than 200,000 people are excepted to visit Hutchinson in September for the Kansas State Fair, but the big question is, where will everyone stay? "We sell out everything here in town that we can. We go up to McPherson, and we sell out most of that, and we have actually had to put people up as far as Maize," said Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz. Some said this is a big issue for the fair, the city, and visitors. "Right now, our quantity of hotel rooms is less than what we would like it to be because we [...]

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