News – Page 1407 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

A full rundown of what to expect from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday

info2021-06-16T08:02:14-05:00June 15th, 2021|

The Federal Reserve is not expected to take any policy actions after its two-day meeting this week, but it is likely to signal that it is thinking about them. Stock futures were flat on Wednesday morning as investors awaited the 2 p.m. ET Fed statement and Chairman Jerome Powell’s news conference 30 minutes later. Some economists expect the Fed to mention a coming tapering of its bond-buying program and give preliminary guidance on the discussion but not fully commit to tapering yet. The Fed will also release new economic forecasts, which it does quarterly. There’s a chance it could pencil in [...]

Hillsboro Downtown Cruise a big success

info2021-06-16T08:02:31-05:00June 15th, 2021|

Main Street in Hillsboro was busy Saturday evening thanks to an event put together by the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. It all started earlier in the day with the 23rd Annual Car Show in the park. Guests could check out the cars for free. Then later that day was the Hillsboro Downtown Cruise. From 5-6:30 p.m. there was a contest for all the cars that entered. There was plenty to do though even for those without cars. Lots of fun food was available from various vendors and restaurants and several businesses were open. There was also lots of music with DJ Darcy [...]

Women in policing

info2021-06-16T08:02:55-05:00June 15th, 2021|

When you think lights and sirens, handcuffs and arrests, most of us picture men in these uniforms. But there's a changing dynamic in law enforcement sweeping not just the nation but Wichita Police Department...it's women. They're stepping up to back the blue and you on the streets while breaking barriers and smashing stereotypes that've kept women off the force for years. "I think over the years we've proven we're just as capable, we're just as necessary for this job." WPD Community Policing Officer Lori Kimrey and detective Anna Hoyt set the tone when it comes to power women in policing. "We [...]

New report on food insecurity in southwest Kansas indicates barriers to assistance

info2021-06-16T08:04:53-05:00June 15th, 2021|

A new report examining barriers to food access faced by many southwest Kansans shows that participation in nutrition assistance programs remained flat during the pandemic even though the need for help increased. The report by the Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is focused on food insecurity in Stevens, Seward, Grant, Ford and Finney counties. In these areas, the report indicates, the number of households receiving federal benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program declined slightly while unemployment spiked. This finding stood out to Martha Terhaar, a new campaign advocate for Kansas Appleseed, because unemployment is directly linked to food [...]

Express Lanes Could Ease Traffic Jams On Highway 69, But Proposed Tolls Raise Concerns About Equity

info2021-06-16T07:53:42-05:00June 15th, 2021|

The Kansas Department of Transportation is inching closer to adding express toll lanes to relieve major traffic jams on U-S Highway 69. After two decades contending with traffic congestion and high collision rates on the Overland Park stretch of the highway, KDOT proposed the solution at a Overland Park City Council Monday night. The project would add an express lane going each direction between 103rd Street and 179th Street. Under the current proposal, drivers would have the option of paying the toll to use the faster lane or not. Deputy Transportation Secretary Lindsey Douglas sought to reiterate that tolls are associated [...]

End of emergency brings changes to Kansas Open Meetings Act, profiteering laws

info2021-06-16T07:55:41-05:00June 15th, 2021|

The expiration of the state’s emergency declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic also brings an end to temporary provisions of Kansas law regarding open meetings and profiteering put into effect to address the emergency, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said. On Tuesday, the Legislative Coordinating Council declined to meet to consider a request by the governor to extend the state of emergency, meaning the emergency will expire at midnight. "Public health issues related to the pandemic remain, but the emergency is ending," Schmidt said. "That means ordinary laws and procedures, not emergency orders and rules, will now be fully in effect." Source: KSN-TV

Shawnee County health officials looking to improve access to food in community

info2021-06-16T07:59:23-05:00June 15th, 2021|

Local health authorities are working to improve access to food in Shawnee County. Officials are running a "food system analysis." This report is going to help health workers decide what needs to change to help those who are most vulnerable. The first study performed by the health department confirmed that there are food deserts in certain areas around Shawnee county. Those are areas with limited access to fresh, affordable food. The analysis will show what has changed, but also identify additional challenges caused by the pandemic. Source: KSNT News

Department of Commerce OKs STAR bonds for new Museum of Art and Light

info2021-06-16T07:59:46-05:00June 15th, 2021|

The new Museum of Art and Light project is moving forward following the approval of $23 million in sales tax and revenue (STAR) bonds from the Kansas Department of Commerce. David Toland, Kansas lieutenant governor and secretary of commerce, confirmed the issuance of the bonds to the city via letter earlier this month. City manager Ron Fehr received the letter June 7, said Vivienne Uccello, public information officer. "We are certainly very pleased with the Department of Commerce approval for the project and eligibility for STAR Bond financing," Fehr said in an email to The Mercury on Tuesday. "It certainly has [...]

Kansas public schools calculating how to spend $830 million in federal pandemic aid

info2021-06-16T08:00:08-05:00June 15th, 2021|

The Kansas Department of Education plans to use a slice of $830 million in new federal funding for public education to address COVID-19 learning deficits by training K-3 teachers to help students absorb more from their reading about science. Half of the 10% set aside for the state agency must be dedicated to rebounding students from the pandemic, while 1% has to be allocated for summer session and 1% for after-school programs. These dollars are to be invested in 286 public school districts across Kansas to counter the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on certain student populations and take into account the [...]

Contract negotiations stall between Topeka police union and city

info2021-06-16T08:00:12-05:00June 15th, 2021|

The Fraternal Order Of Police and the city of Topeka are in a deadlock over contract negotiations, the union announced Tuesday. In a release, the union said the two sides had started to meet in February and sessions were expected to end May 27. The union said it agreed to extend negotiations through June 9 at the city's request, but issues couldn't be resolved. The Topeka Police Department is facing "an alarming staffing shortfall" with an unusually high number of resignations and retirements, according to the union. Source: KSNT News