News – Page 1105 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed raises rates by half a percentage point — the biggest hike in two decades — to fight inflation

info2022-05-05T02:18:46-05:00May 5th, 2022|

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point as the most aggressive step yet in its battle against generational highs in inflation. Along with the move higher in rates, the central bank indicated it will begin reducing asset holdings on its $9 trillion balance sheet. The Fed had been buying bonds to keep interest rates low and money flowing through the economy, but the surge in prices has necessitated a dramatic rethink in monetary policy. The plan outlined Wednesday will see the balance sheet reduction happen in phases as the Fed will allow a [...]

Sedgwick County extends local disaster declaration for April 29th tornado

info2022-05-05T07:03:59-05:00May 5th, 2022|

Sedgwick County commissioners have voted to extend the local disaster emergency declaration for the April 29th tornado that left destruction from the southeast part of the county into western Butler County. Commissioners were told that the initial declaration issued by Commission Chairman David Dennis would only be valid for up to seven days, and action would be needed to extend it. The commission voted to extend it through at least May 18th. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Andover issues guidelines for building repair work

info2022-05-05T07:04:32-05:00May 5th, 2022|

In response to the tornado event on April 29, 2022, the City of Andover Community Development Department has conducted Damage Assessment of over 180 structures to determine the level of damage caused by the storm. All structures were given a rating of Safe, Unsafe, Habitable, or Limited Entry. As these structures are considered for re-occupancy, certain requirements must be met in order to have utilities re-energized and once again be suitable for occupancy. Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Hillsboro sets rules for container homes

info2022-05-05T07:06:07-05:00May 5th, 2022|

Hillsboro city council members approved a process Tuesday for development of alternative construction homes, such as a container housing development planned for the north side of 3rd St. Under the plan, a developer would need to present the planning commission a site plan for each structure, either one at a time or several at the same time. Mayor Lou Thurston called the process “a good compromise.” Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

Hundreds of volunteers flock to Andover, Kansas, to help clean up after tornado

info2022-05-05T07:07:00-05:00May 5th, 2022|

Hopeful volunteers filled Andover United Methodist Church on Tuesday to help clean up after a tornado shook the town over the weekend. Organizers estimate more than 500 people signed up to volunteer. Some volunteered on behalf of groups like churches or McConnell Air Force Base, while others showed up to help on their own accord. Rev. Hollie Tapley is a disaster response coordinator for the Great Plains United Methodist Conference. She came into town from Topeka over the weekend to help organize the volunteer efforts. Source: KCUR News

JoCo police departments creating online feedback forms in response to local group’s petition

info2022-05-05T07:07:29-05:00May 5th, 2022|

It may soon be easier for some Johnson County citizens to give feedback to their local police department. Following the release of a local civil rights group’s proposed 5-point plan for improving police transparency, the group’s leaders say some Johnson County police departments have begun establishing new online methods for residents to give their feedback, including filing complaints. According to an update posted to Facebook by the Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County, multiple local police departments are working to create online feedback forms since the group issued its call for greater transparency and accessibility in March. Source: Prairie Village Post

Why Rural Communities Struggle to Bring in Much-needed Federal Grants

info2022-05-05T07:13:23-05:00May 5th, 2022|

Researchers examined 10 factors that influenced how well-equipped communities were to apply for grant funding, and then used those factors to calculate each county and community’s “rural capacity” score. For instance, Missoula County, Montana, home to the state’s second-largest city and flagship university campus, scored 94 out of 100, while Carter County, Montana, where there is no county head of planning and just 20 percent of adult residents have attended college, scored just 45, the lowest in the state. Within the West, Montana stands out: More than three-quarters of its communities have index scores below the national median. The state’s low [...]

Douglas County commissioners discuss First Amendment rights in regards to public comment

info2022-05-05T02:04:46-05:00May 5th, 2022|

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday had their own comments following a public comment about public comment. Michael Eravi, of Lawrence, raised concerns during the general public comment portion of the meeting about the commission’s admonition at the beginning of meetings regarding public comments. Eravi noted this line, which Commission Chair Shannon Reid read at the start of the meeting: “The county reserves the right to mute or remove any speaker who is vulgar, rude or inappropriate.” Source: The Lawrence Times

15th anniversary of Greensburg Tornado

info2022-05-05T02:03:31-05:00May 5th, 2022|

On May 4, 2007, Greensburg was hit by an EF-5 tornado that devastated the town, killing 11 people in the town and injuring 63 others. On the 13th anniversary of the Greensburg Tornado, KSN’s meteorologist Ronelle Williams spoke with a survivor, former mayor of Greensburg, Bob Dixson: That evening, supercell thunderstorms formed across the Midwest, spawning tornadoes in several states. The intense supercell that developed southwest of Greensburg formed 12 tornadoes. One formed in northwest Comanche County at around 9 p.m. and moved northeast through Kiowa County. The tornado stayed on the ground for 65 minutes, hitting Greensburg at around 9:45 p.m. [...]

10-year Treasury yield hovers under 3% as investors anticipate aggressive Fed rate hike

info2022-05-04T07:54:28-05:00May 4th, 2022|

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield were calm on Wednesday morning with investors anticipating a big Federal Reserve interest rate decision later in the day.... The 10-year rate crossed the 3% mark on Monday, its highest point since late 2018. The benchmark yield has since eased back, though it remains high. Respondents to the May CNBC Fed Survey expect the U.S. central bank to announce on Wednesday that it will be hiking interest rates by half a percentage point. Nearly three-fifths of respondents also believed that the Fed's aggressive tightening of monetary policy would end in a recession. The Federal Open Market [...]