The Kansas Water Office (KWO) announced the opening of the State Water Infrastructure Grant Program, previously called the HB 2302 Grant Program, which provides funding for up-front technical assistance and on-the-ground actions needed to address water quantity and quality issues around the state. This program was made possible by increased funding to the State Water Plan Fund with Sen. Sub. for HB 2302, a bipartisan bill signed by Governor Kelly from the 2023 legislative session. Read more: The Sabetha Herald

The Hutchinson City Council approved temporary regulations for large-scale data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to provide safeguards and create a public process for any potential future development at its meeting Tuesday evening. The regulations prohibit large-scale data centers and utility-scale BESS in all residential districts and require conditional use permits in commercial and industrial districts. Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

A McPherson official asked Reno County Commissioners at their June 24 meeting to consider groundwater usage a regional issue instead of on a county-by-county basis, due to deepening wells in McPherson County. Jon Kinsey, director of planning, zoning and environment for McPherson County, said McPherson and Reno, Harvey and Sedgwick counties are included in the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District, formed in 1975 to manage groundwater supplies within the counties. According to a June Water Information Management and Analysis System Program (WIMAS) study, McPherson County has seen its wells deepen by 7.75 feet from the late 1970s to today. Read more: [...]

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Kansas’ Largest Night Rodeo returns to Pretty Prairie from July 15 through 18, with a full slate of events every night for its 89th year. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)-sanctioned rodeo begins each night with mutton bustin’—kids’ sheep riding—at 6 p.m., with the rodeo proper starting at 8 p.m., with bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, breakaway roping, and barrel racing events every night, drawing cowboys from the length and breadth of the Great Plains. Read more: The Hutchinson Tribune

Federal Reserve officials were split last month about the future of interest rates, with policymakers entertaining scenarios in either direction, according to meeting minutes released Wednesday. In Kevin Warsh's first meeting June 16-17 as chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee, participants saw outcomes where inflation could ease and allow lower rates, while others envisioned a scenario where price increases stay elevated and lead to hikes. Read more: CNBC Bonds

A new immersion center in Arkansas City is highlighting a settlement that has been called one of the most influential cities in ancient North America. Some estimates say the city of Etzanoa housed up to 20,000 ancestors of the Wichita Tribe in a complex society. It flourished along the Walnut River from about 1450 to 1700. Read more: www.derbyinformer.com

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The largest city in Kansas is looking to join two cities across the globe — Big Spring, Texas and Windhoek, Namibia — in converting what is flushed down the toilet into what comes out of the water tap — treating sewage to drinking water standards and pumping it directly into the water supply. Read more: Wichita Eagle

Topeka Mayor Spencer Duncan is open to a local data center if it benefits residents. The mayor's support is conditional on the developer paying taxes and not causing utility rate hikes. Any potential data center must also have a plan for limited water usage and be located away from neighborhoods. Read more: CJonline