News – Page 1743 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Legislative session reaches volatile end, GOP slashes Gov. Laura Kelly’s power in COVID-19 emergency

info2020-05-22T09:28:37-05:00May 22nd, 2020|

Kansas legislators pulled the curtain on the 2020 session after a tedious and combative 24-hour workday that ended early Friday with passage of restrictions on Gov. Laura Kelly’s authority to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and extension of the state’s emergency declaration through the end of the month. Republicans from the Senate and House crafted an emergency powers bill preserving the flow of federal aid to Kansas and compelling Kelly to secure approval for orders from a oversight panel. The governor is implementing a phased reopening of the Kansas economy, but has been criticized for pace of that transition. (Read more: Local [...]

Wichita flag inspires swimming pool design

info2020-05-22T09:31:14-05:00May 22nd, 2020|

The design of a Wichita pool is making a big splash. “It’s definitely something that we didn’t expect to take off. It was something to just truly give back to our residents and give them something nice and fresh and it has yeah, somewhat went viral,” said Mt. Carmel Village Property Manager Cody Stout. Stout said it was about time to give the complex’s community pool a facelift. He and some of his staff started tossing around ideas. (Read more: KSN-TV)

Flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Victims of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic, Friday to Sunday

info2020-05-22T09:06:05-05:00May 22nd, 2020|

In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, and following the proclamation of President Donald J. Trump, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff, from Friday, May 22, 2020, to sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020 in honor of the Victims of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic. “The death toll due to coronavirus is devastating in Kansas and beyond,” Kelly said. “We all have an obligation to honor those lost to the virus, to include courageous frontline workers who literally gave their lives to help and protect others during this pandemic.”

Municipal Bond Trends for May 21, 2020

info2020-05-22T08:58:08-05:00May 22nd, 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.

Kansas policy lets exposed meatpacking workers stay on job

info2020-05-22T08:48:23-05:00May 21st, 2020|

Kansas softened its quarantine guidelines for meatpacking plants after industry executives repeatedly pushed state officials to allow employees who were potentially exposed to the coronavirus to keep working, text messages and emails show. The Kansas City Star and The Wichita Eagle reported that they obtained messages through an open records request showing that executives at Tyson and National Beef pushed Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam to advocate more-lenient federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. Beam told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his role was to “emphasize internally” in Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration that there would be major [...]

Mortgage delinquencies surge by 1.6M in April, the biggest monthly jump ever

info2020-05-22T08:48:35-05:00May 21st, 2020|

Delinquencies among borrowers for past-due mortgages are soaring, a sign that Americans are struggling to pay their bills due to a wave of layoffs or lost income from the coronavirus pandemic. Mortgage delinquencies surged by 1.6 million in April, the largest single-month jump in history, according to a report from Black Knight, a mortgage technology and data provider. The data includes both homeowners past due on mortgage payments who aren’t in forbearance, along with those in forbearance plans and who didn’t make a mortgage payment in April. At 6.45%, the national delinquency rate nearly doubled from 3.06% in March, the largest [...]

Food, utility assistance available through new, extended programs

info2020-05-22T08:49:14-05:00May 21st, 2020|

The Department for Children and Families, in collaboration with the Kansas State Department of Education, announced the creation of a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program. The P-EBT program will help families who have been impacted by school closures due to COVID-19 to purchase food for their children. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which helps low-income households with utility bills, has also been funded for a new program, with applications accepted through May 29. (Read more: Community - Morning Sun)

KC’s Power and Light District set to reopen Friday

info2020-05-22T08:49:38-05:00May 21st, 2020|

The Power and Light District is planning to reopen on Friday, and that could include several street cafes. The plan is for 14th Street to be closed to traffic to allow street cafes room to operate. But there could be more on the way depending on what city council decides to do. City leaders have talked about street cafe options for several weeks. This would allow restaurants to serve food and in some cases alcohol on sidewalk and street space in front of the store front. (Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF)

Marion County decides to reopen county offices

info2020-05-22T08:49:52-05:00May 21st, 2020|

Diedre Serene, Marion County Health Department Administrator, gave her weekly update at the beginning of the May 18 Marion County Board of Commissioners meeting. She stated that it doesn’t make sense to test for COVID-19 if a person doesn’t have symptoms. “You could be negative today and turn positive tomorrow. Testing negative today does not even tell if you were exposed or not. It just tells if you are growing the virus,” said Serene. Serene explained how the Governor’s new orders for phase 1.5 impacts Marion County. She said the county is in line to follow the Governor’s orders so she [...]

Swimming during the pandemic: What the CDC wants you to know before you hit the pool

info2020-05-22T08:50:12-05:00May 21st, 2020|

Looking forward to hitting the local public swimming pool for the first time this summer? Prepare to put a face mask in your tote bag, although you won’t need to wear it in the water. On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new guidelines for operating swimming pools during the coronavirus pandemic. The documentation arrives just a few days before Memorial Day weekend, when many outdoor pools typically open for the summer season. “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water [...]