info2020-03-02T06:57:04-06:00March 2nd, 2020|
Researchers are developing tools that could deliver severe weather warnings in a new way, offering more lead time when tornadoes and other violent storms threaten. Residents would also find out quicker when it is safe to leave the basement. The new warning system – called Threats in Motion– is at least five years away. (Read more: Local News |)
info2020-03-02T06:44:14-06:00March 1st, 2020|
The Federal Reserve is now prepared to reduce interest rates this month even though it recognizes monetary policy cannot completely shelter a U.S. economy increasingly threatened by the coronavirus. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell opened the door to a rate-cut at the Fed’s March 17-18 meeting by issuing a rare statement Friday pledging to “act as appropriate” to support the economy. He was pushed into making that assurance by spectacular losses in U.S. stocks as investors turned fearful that the spreading virus would significantly damage the American and global economies. (Read more: Bloomberg)
info2020-03-02T06:43:34-06:00March 1st, 2020|
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard said the Fed is ready to act if the COVID-19 virus develops into a destabilizing force on the world economy. Speaking to the Fort Smith, Ark., regional chamber of commerce on Friday, he said while COVID-19 cases appear to be contained in China, more cases are being reported globally. Global economic growth is likely to slow temporarily, he said, but much of the slowdown will be centered in Asia. Bullard said the Federal Open Market Committee is in a good position because previous policy rate cuts were designed to insulate the economy [...]
info2020-03-02T06:45:03-06:00March 1st, 2020|
If Ellis County voters this spring don’t pass two proposed quarter-cent countywide sales taxes, it will mean a reduction in services, said Jason Kennedy, director of the county’s emergency services and the health department. “None of us want that to happen,” said Kennedy, speaking to a handful of Ellis County residents who showed up on Ash Wednesday at the Hays VFW Post 9076 for a county-sponsored educational session on the sales taxes. EMS had a $3.1 million budget in 2019, and recouped $1.1 million of that, Kennedy said. “What would a reduction in service look like?” he asked. (Read more: Local [...]
info2020-03-02T06:45:12-06:00March 1st, 2020|
Equifest 2020, the premier equestrian event for Kansas, is coming to Salina Friday through Sunday. It will bring together as many as 5,000 people each day to the Tony’s Pizza Event Center and the Saline County Livestock and Expo Center to celebrate horses, and much more. This is the 23rd year of Equifest, but the first year in Salina, in what the Chamber’s Visit Salina staff hopes will be a long-term home. The event could mean $850,000 in economic development value for Salina. “Equifest is a three-year event for Salina, but I am always striving for a long-term commitment,” said Jo [...]
info2020-03-02T06:50:27-06:00March 1st, 2020|
The swirl of fresh coronavirus cases and signs of the severity of the hit on the global economy have seasoned strategists warning that U.S. growth could come to a halt this year and some Treasury yields may drop below zero -- possibly as early as this week. The warnings come as a rout in equities and rate-cut expectations sent long-term Treasury yields to unprecedented lows. Over the weekend, China’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index plunged to the lowest on record amid a surge in coronavirus cases and new fatalities -- including the first in the U.S. -- around the world. (Read more: [...]
info2020-03-02T06:47:31-06:00March 1st, 2020|
Longtime state legislator and former Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten was remembered Sunday as a devoted family man, a lifelong advocate for the capital city and the state of Kansas, and a respected politician who never forgot the value of a handshake or the importance of a man’s word. He was the “quintessential public servant,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. Bunten, who served as mayor of Topeka from 2005-2013, died Saturday from complications of pneumonia. He was 89. According to his obituary, Bunten started serving in the Kansas House of Representatives in 1962 and spent his life dedicated to public service. (Read more: [...]
info2020-03-02T06:48:18-06:00March 1st, 2020|
Taxable bonds and COVID-19 are two of the main catalysts that helped February municipal bond volume ascend to its highest level since at least 1986, which is as far back as Bond Buyer data tracks. There was $36.51 billion of volume in February, a 38.4% increase from the activity the market saw in February of 2019. Historically, the muni markets gets off to a slow start issuance wise at the beginning of the year. This was only the fifth time in the past 34 years that volume exceeded $30 billion for the second month of the year. January issuance totaled $29.6 [...]
info2020-03-02T06:42:53-06:00March 1st, 2020|
Louisburg City Council has signed off on two land-lease agreements for agriculture production on city-controlled acreage. Council members voted 4-0 to approve a five-year lease agreement with Babe Cutshaw for hay production on 39 acres of uncultivated land located in Lewis-Young Park. The agreement calls for an annual payment of $350. Cutshaw, who was the only bidder, has been farming the land since 2016, according to city documents. The council also voted 4-0 to approve a five-year lease agreement with Greg Foote Farms to farm 21 acres of city-owned land at 29146 South Rogers Road for $2,105 per year. (Read more: [...]
info2020-02-28T06:37:44-06:00February 28th, 2020|
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield plunged to a fresh record low on Friday as investors dumped riskier assets and searched for safer options amid the coronavirus outbreak. At around 6:20 a.m. ET, the benchmark rate traded around 1.18%. Friday marked the first time ever the benchmark rate traded below 1.2%. The 10-year yield ended last week at 1.47%. The 2-year rate, meanwhile, slid to 0.96%. Concerns about the global economic impact of the coronavirus have dented investor sentiment this week. The death toll in China from the virus has topped 2,700. Meanwhile, New Zealand and Nigeria reported their first coronavirus cases [...]
