News – Page 312 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Fed holds rates steady and notes progress on inflation

info2024-08-02T12:41:49-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday held short-term interest rates steady but indicated that inflation is getting closer to target, which could open the door for future interest rate cuts. Central bankers made no obvious indications, though, that a reduction is imminent, choosing to maintain language that indicates ongoing concerns about economic conditions, albeit with progress. They also preserved a declaration that more progress is needed before rate reductions can happen. Source: CNBC - Bonds

Overland Park will soon break ground on its newest park, which will have a touch of Germany

info2024-08-02T12:41:08-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Overland Park announced the name of the park as part of the city’s festivities celebrating the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany, back in 2019. With that connection in mind, Overland Park has drawn “architectural and cultural inspirations” from the German city and incorporated that into the park’s design, according to the city. Source: Johnson County Post

Lenexa could get parkland out of rare land swap with developer

info2024-08-02T12:40:36-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

The city of Lenexa is exploring a trade with developers that would net the city about 12 acres of parkland in the vicinity of Prairie Star Parkway & Mize Road. It’s a rare move and a precursor to an as-yet undefined residential project that could eventually be proposed in the city’s far western reaches. Source: Johnson County Post

Johnson County school districts see small number of transfers

info2024-08-02T11:43:33-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

In Kansas, it’s the first year of open enrollment, where parents can apply to send their kids to any public school district they want, no matter where live. One of the stipulations though is that the desired building in that other school district has to have room or capacity for that student. Early estimates from two of Johnson County’s largest public school districts show that a small amount of parents took advantage of this new law this year. Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Chief Communications Officer David Smith says 38 students are transferring into the school district from outside of its [...]

Governor Kelly Announces Summit Truck Bodies Investing $50M, Creating 80 New Jobs in Wathena

info2024-08-02T11:40:03-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Summit Truck Bodies (STB), a leader in service and lube truck body manufacturing, will invest $50 million to construct a new state-of-the-art facility in Wathena. The strategic expansion, which will double the company’s production output and create 80 new jobs, aims to meet the rising demand for high-quality service trucks. The new plant is being built next to its existing facility, and construction is expected to be completed in 20 months. “Summit Truck Bodies’ expansion is proof that our dedicated workforce, quality of life, and central location draw businesses across various industries,” Governor Laura Kelly [...]

Fed holds rates steady and notes progress on inflation

info2024-08-02T11:38:19-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday held short-term interest rates steady but indicated that inflation is getting closer to its target, which could open the door for future interest rate cuts. Central bankers made no obvious indications, though, that a reduction is imminent, choosing to maintain language that indicates ongoing concerns about economic conditions, albeit with progress. They also preserved a declaration that more progress is needed before rate reductions can happen. “The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals continue to move into better balance,” the Federal Open Market Committee’s post-meeting statement said, a slight upgrade [...]

Outdoor watering limited to once a week in Wichita as historic drought continues

info2024-08-02T11:37:06-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Wichitans will soon see mandatory restrictions on lawn and flower watering as the city copes with an ongoing drought. City pools also will close earlier than usual. Officials announced Thursday that the city is entering Stage 2 of its drought response. When the restrictions go into effect on Monday, Aug. 5, Wichitans will be limited to watering lawns and flower gardens once a week and will be prohibited from watering between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. “We must all come together to change our lawn care practices in order to preserve our most precious resource,” City Manager Robert Layton said. “We’re [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for August 1, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-08-02T11:20:31-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

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.

Trees down all over Lawrence after storm; meteorologist says harsh winds were likely a downburst

info2024-08-02T09:36:41-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Trees were destroyed and damaged all across Lawrence in a storm late Wednesday. Thursday morning light revealed the extent and the collateral damage from felled limbs and branches. Damage was widespread across town. Robert Bieniecki, director of Douglas County Emergency Management, said there were 40-plus reports of trees or limbs down, 12 reported power lines down, 14 reports of arcing power lines and two reports of traffic signals out. They did not receive any reports of injuries, he said. The city is canceling its city-load compost event set for Saturday and will instead open the compost facility to Lawrence residents only [...]

Kansas maternal health care deserts mean hardships on mothers, communities and providers

info2024-08-02T09:30:57-05:00August 2nd, 2024|

Thirteen counties in Kansas ceased to offer obstetric care services from 2013 to 2023 — a statistic that points to a shrinking availability of maternal care in Kansas, the lack of which can cause poor outcomes in pregnancy and delivery, overburdened hospitals and long drives for women seeking adequate care. Jennifer Cunningham drove more than six hours for care at the University of Kansas Health System for two of her four, high-risk pregnancies because she didn’t feel the limited obstetrics department in her home area of Garden City could take care of her. Garden City, with a population of about 30,000, [...]