News – Page 1059 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Why Rural Americans Keep Waiting for Fast Internet, Despite Billions Spent

info2022-06-16T08:09:51-05:00June 16th, 2022|

The U.S. government has spent billions of dollars on several rounds of programs to upgrade internet speeds in rural areas over the past decade. Despite those efforts, many residents are still stuck with service that isn’t fast enough to do video calls or stream movies—speeds that most take for granted. Many communities have been targeted for broadband upgrades at least twice already, but flaws in the programs’ design have left residents wanting. Source: WSJ

Municipal Bond Trends for June 15, 2022

info2022-06-16T08:09:11-05:00June 16th, 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.

Powell says the Fed could hike rates by 0.75 percentage point again in July

info2022-06-16T08:05:48-05:00June 16th, 2022|

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday he expects the central bank to raise interest rates by a similar magnitude again at the next policy meeting in July. "From the perspective of today, either a 50 basis point or a 75 basis point increase seems most likely at our next meeting," Powell said a press conference following the central bank's policy decision on Wednesday. "We anticipate that ongoing rate increases will be appropriate." "The pace of those changes will continue to depend on incoming data and evolving outlook on the economy," Powell said. "Clearly, today's 75 basis point increase is an [...]

Fed hikes its benchmark interest rate by 0.75 percentage point, the biggest increase since 1994

info2022-06-16T08:04:55-05:00June 16th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday launched its biggest broadside yet against inflation, raising benchmark interest rates three-quarters of a percentage point in a move that equates to the most aggressive hike since 1994. Ending weeks of speculation, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee took the level of its benchmark funds rate to a range of 1.5%-1.75%, the highest since just before the Covid pandemic began in March 2020. Additionally, members indicated a much stronger path of rate increases ahead to arrest inflation moving at its fastest pace going back to December 1981, according to one commonly cited measure. According to the [...]

Newton resident makes a case to quiet trains

info2022-06-16T08:03:45-05:00June 16th, 2022|

Zelly Walker asked the Newton City Commission to do something about train noise. That something she suggested would be to put in a partial quiet zone during the evening in Newton. To do so, the city of Newton would need to apply for a variance with the Federal Railroad Administration. She mentioned multiple communities in Kansas, such as Dodge City, Parsons, Fort Scott Overland Park, Lenexa, Edgerton and Belle Plaine had all been successful in establishing quiet zones – places where trains don’t have to blare their horns going through intersections. Walker said Newton is having more trains and they seem [...]

Pottawatomie County employees to receive mid-year pay raise of 3.5 percent

info2022-06-15T19:38:17-05:00June 15th, 2022|

Pottawatomie County employees will get a slight mid-year pay increase following commission action Monday morning in Westmoreland. Commissioners unanimously settled on a 3.5 percent increase, effective July 1 to help assist employees struggling to stay afloat amid rising inflation. The increase was agreed upon after an initial proposal Monday from County Administrator Chad Kinsley, seeking a 10 percent pay increase for employees, rivaling a 10.5 percent increase Riley County approved last month. Source: 1350 KMAN

Kansas universities get $24 million to research disaster response tools

info2022-06-15T19:36:43-05:00June 15th, 2022|

A new research initiative is providing universities and colleges in Kansas with $24 million to research how the state can better support residents before and after disaster emergencies. The Adaptive and Resilient Infrastructures Driven by Social Equity, or ARISE, project is a federally funded program through the National Science Foundation. The five-year initiative will partner 17 institutions ranging from universities to business leaders, health professionals and other community stakeholders to advance the resiliency of the state infrastructure. The project involves $20 million in federal funding, and an additional $4 million from the state. Source: Atchison Globe Now

NOTO bike ordinance changed by Topeka City Council

info2022-06-16T08:08:22-05:00June 15th, 2022|

The Topeka City Council is changing the rules on a recently-passed ordinance that bans bikes from sidewalks in North Topeka. On Tuesday, the Topek City Council voted to continue to allow bicycles, scooters, skateboards and roller skates on sidewalks on Northeast Morse Street and the bridge from Oakland to North Topeka. Starting next month, riders will no longer be allowed on the rest of the sidewalks in the North Topeka Arts District. Shop owners and people who frequent NOTO might be aware of the small sidewalks. This is the main reason for this new city ordinance. Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala says to [...]

It could cost more to rent a golf cart, buy a membership at Wichita golf courses

info2022-06-15T18:43:08-05:00June 15th, 2022|

Wichita golfers could pay 15% more for memberships and $1.50 more for golf carts if park board-approved increases receive City Hall’s OK. The Board of Park Commissioners will propose the price increases to the City Council sometime next month. The park board agreed on the proposal during a meeting June 13. The plan to raise prices comes roughly three months after the council voted not to privatize the city’s four golf courses. Annual golf memberships vary in price, with the most expensive one $114.44 for a couples’ membership. That means the biggest dollar increase for memberships would be around $17. Director [...]

ReConnect Program Webinars FY2022

info2022-06-15T10:52:49-05:00June 15th, 2022|

Preparing for ReConnect Round 4 Presented by USDA Rural Development's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), this webinar will provide information about the ReConnect Program, and help prepare applicants ahead of the next Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Staff from RUS will conduct two webinars that provide a brief overview of the ReConnect Program and helpful tips about assembling portions of the application ahead of time. Both webinars will cover the same information: What applicants can do now to prepare for the next FOA System registration and applicant identification requirements A high-level look at eligibility requirements Tips on the application system An opportunity to [...]