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.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates by another three-quarters of a point Wednesday, and it could surprise markets by sounding even more unrelenting about tightening policy. That means the Fed would sound “hawkish,” or in a mode where it is bent on raising interest rates as much as it needs to in order to curb inflation. The central bank is expected to announce the rate hike Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell then briefs the media at 2:30 p.m. ET. A 75-basis point, or three-quarter point, hike would put the fed funds rate in a range of 2.25% to 2.5%. The Fed started raising interest rates in March, when the fed funds range was zero to 0.25%. Investors will be looking for guidance from Powell on what the Fed could do at its next meeting in September. For a period this month, markets had even braced for a full-point hike, but Fed officials discouraged that view.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
The City of Wichita is asking employees and contractors to wear masks inside City facilities when they cannot maintain social distancing. The City said it is due to the rising number of positive coronavirus cases in Wichita. The city manager’s office said it continues to encourage the general public to wear masks while in City buildings. Last week, Sedgwick County moved into what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls its high-risk category for the coronavirus. The CDC says people in that category should wear masks indoors in public.
Source: KSN-TV
It is a familiar sight in smaller Kansas communities throughout the state: vibrant downtown districts whose allure is somewhat diminished by one or two vacant or dilapidated buildings. In many cases, a major barrier to making these structures useful again is the high cost of renovation. Last fall, the Kansas Department of Commerce launched a new community revitalization program, the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL), to address the issue. With HEAL, the state assists building owners with matching grants to cover eligible expenses as historic properties are revitalized. HEAL was made possible through a collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation, which has been dedicated to strengthening rural communities since 2007.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Low-cost cities with strong economies fared well in the second quarter as high prices and rising mortgage rates caused a swift slowdown in the housing market. As remote or hybrid work schedules have become more common, households are willing to relocate for cheaper housing or a better quality of life. That migration helped push small, affordable markets to the top of the Housing Markets Index in the second quarter. The index identifies the top metro areas for home buyers seeking an appreciating housing market, a strong local economy and appealing lifestyle amenities.
Source: WSJ.com
Down more than 100 employees. Currently, the Sedgwick County Jail is only 50% staffed. The shortage is now at crisis levels. He said the only solution is upping pay. Employees at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office received a 2% increase in pay this month. It bumped up the starting salary for detention deputies to more than $19 an hour. However, Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said people are still not applying. During some shifts, there is only one deputy to every 70 inmates. “I knew of a place in ‘such and such’ part of the United States that raised the pay to $27 an hour, and now they are only down 9 staff. It’s about the pay,” said Sheriff Easter.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita council members are in a tussle with the police department over decriminalizing marijuana. During a workshop on Tuesday, interim chief Lemuel Moore told council members that even if they repealed the city ordinance on marijuana, officers would have to enforce state law. “We can have discretion when it comes to infractions, but when it comes to the law, the law is the law,” Moore said.
Source: Wichita Eagle
A pack of about eight or 10 skunks called the Newton High School track field home this past weekend. The high school track, which is open to the public, is commonly used by Newton residents. “Lots of people run here and walk here in the evenings. I’ve seen bikes and people bring their dogs. It’s a very utilized space,” said Carly Stavola, director of communications for the Newton school district. Stavola added that one skunk even chased a resident over the weekend.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Iola city crews are well on the way to extending a walking trail to the new Iola Elementary School site. Iola Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock told City Council members Monday that limestone screenings have been placed along much of the 10-block stretch, from where the MoPac Trail ends near Iola High School to the elementary school site on North Kentucky Street. Next up is to cut out and replace curbs where the trail intersects with the various streets to make it more accessible for bicyclists.
Source: The Iola Register
Allen County Clerk Sherrie Riebel is retiring after holding the office for 26 years. Riebel informed commissioners of her decision at Tuesday’s meeting. She said she was submitting a letter of resignation to Gov. Laura Kelly, effective Sept. 30. As county clerk, Riebel carries several responsibilities, perhaps most prominently as the county’s chief elections officer. The county clerk also handles the county’s financial reports; audits budgets and computes tax levies; and maintains records for the County Commission. She was first elected to the post in 1996. She was hired to work in the office as a clerk in 1993. Allen County Republicans will need to appoint a replacement to fulfill her current term, which expires in January 2025.
Source: The Iola Register
200 W Douglas Ave, Suite 110
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 264-3400
info@ransonfinancial.com
Registered municipal advisor with the MSRB and SEC
© 2026 Ranson Financial Group LLC. All rights reserved.
