News – Page 1734 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Wichita civil rights leaders discuss relationship between local African American community, police

info2020-06-01T08:29:38-05:00May 31st, 2020|

George Floyd's death and charges against a now former Minneapolis, Minn. police officer has civil rights leaders in Wichita wondering what they can do to keep something like this from happening again. In 2016, a crowd gathered for a Black Lives Matter rally in northeast Wichita. A community barbecue, bringing the African American community together with local law enforcement followed that, but area civil rights leaders say more needs done. "I think that was good. However, we didn't follow through. We didn't keep that movement going," says Kansas Senate Minority Leader Oletha Faust Goudeau, of Wichita. "We didn't keep that ongoing [...]

Clubs in Wichita’s Old Town re-open after months of being closed

info2020-06-01T08:29:59-05:00May 31st, 2020|

A little bit of normalcy is returning to Wichita this weekend. Many bars and clubs in Old Town are opening for the first time in months. Mike Mansour, Owner of Heroes Sports Bar and Grill, says the response to the re-opening has been great, “People really couldn’t believe it! Like, are you guys really opening this week?” After sitting idle for weeks, clubs were busy Friday afternoon, checking light and sound systems, before the big night. “We’re excited to be open tonight! I think our staff is ready for it. I think our customers know what they’re up against and what [...]

Labette County extends disaster declaration

info2020-06-01T08:30:30-05:00May 31st, 2020|

Labette County commissioners on Friday extended for 60 days the county’s declaration of a local disaster emergency. The declaration is in place so the county can recoup money from state and federal sources in case it spends money related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, commissioners voted that the county could return to normal business without restrictions after Gov. Laura Kelly lifted her executive orders that shut down portions of the economy and forced some Kansans to stay home and others to work from home. Kelly issued her stay-home order March 30 and lifted state restrictions Tuesday, but she recommended [...]

Kansas counties mull their approach to virus restrictions

info2020-05-29T08:43:47-05:00May 29th, 2020|

Kansas counties had various reactions on Wednesday to Gov. Laura Kelly's decision to give them the authority to determine their own coronavirus restrictions, with some deciding to keep the current rules in place and others effectively allowing most activities to resume. ...Wyandotte, Douglas, Lyon and Coffey counties issued news releases saying they would continue to stick to the governor's plan, while Johnson, Reno, Sedgwick and Ford counties said restrictions on the size of gatherings and how businesses can operate would now be only guidelines. (Read more: DerbyInformer.com - news,news/)

Rebuilding America: Officials shift Topeka tourism target to locals

info2020-05-29T08:43:21-05:00May 29th, 2020|

The slogan “stay local, play local” hasn’t been officially adopted by Topeka in its quest to stimulate the city’s tourism. But as the city and state slowly reopen and start to trend toward normalcy following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a philosophy that city leaders are starting to fully embrace as a means of bridging the gap until widespread travel becomes commonplace again. “Our normal reach is far and wide,” said Jessica Schenkel, vice president of Visit Topeka. “We know our persona, we know our target markets and we’re trying to reach them in every way possible. But [...]

Shawnee County to open courthouse June 1, not require mask use

info2020-05-29T08:42:49-05:00May 29th, 2020|

With public health concerns and practical considerations in mind, county commissioners voted 2-1 to reopen the Shawnee County Courthouse to the public on June 1 and opted to recommend but not require the use of masks when visiting the courthouse for county functions. Before entering the courthouse to conduct business, patrons will be asked to complete a screening questionnaire to identify potential COVID-19 symptoms. Though masks won’t be required of those visiting county offices, there will be masks on hand for courthouse visitors who request them. (Read more: News - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

South Central Kansas Medical Center hospital finances slowly improving

info2020-05-29T08:41:40-05:00May 29th, 2020|

After going through several hard months financially due to the impact of COVID-19, South Central Kansas Medical Center and its clinics are beginning to see at least some improvement. “We’ve done more surgeries by May 14 than we did the entire month of April,” CEO Jeff Bowman said during a trustee board meeting Thursday. Bowman said the daily census at the hospital had remained consistent during March. Expenses remained consistent, he said, but the medical center saw a total income loss of $473,000. (Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com - RSS Results)

Municipal Bond Trends for May 28, 2020

info2020-05-29T08:27:15-05:00May 29th, 2020|

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.

A sense of credit caution is being felt in the municipal market

info2020-05-29T08:20:55-05:00May 29th, 2020|

The municipal bond market was steady Thursday amid the pricing of several new issues, including a low-rated Guam Waterworks $134 million deal. Despite the market’s recent firmness, however, a real sense of caution is coming into play. Some sources say the municipal market needs to begin pricing in downside risk from the coronavirus-led revenue losses for issuers across the country, and that the market is largely ignoring the potential of real risk of impairments and defaults. Municipal to U.S. Treasury ratios have been a focus for many participants of late. Historically attractive ratios, low supply, and continued fund inflows are creating [...]

Emporia discusses budget, appropriations concerns amid pandemic

info2020-05-29T08:21:45-05:00May 29th, 2020|

City of Emporia Finance Director Janet Harouff spoke with city commissioners about estimated decreases in the transient guest tax fund during a Wednesday morning study session. The decrease, which has been spurred on by the novel coronavirus pandemic, could affect some remaining appropriations payments for 2020. Without such economic drivers as the Glass Blown Open and Dirty Kanza over the summer, Harouff estimated the city could see an approximate $400,000 decrease in guest tax revenue. She advised that commissioners could be facing some tough decisions in the realm of appropriation requests moving forward, especially for entities such as Emporia Granada Theatre, [...]