Powell says taming inflation ‘absolutely essential,’ and a 50 basis point hike possible for May

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell affirmed the central bank’s determination to bring down inflation and said Thursday that aggressive rate hikes are possible as soon as next month. “It is appropriate in my view to be moving a little more quickly” to raise interest rates, Powell said while part of an International Monetary Fund panel moderated by CNBC’s Sara Eisen. “I also think there is something to be said for front-end loading any accommodation one thinks is appropriate. … I would say 50 basis points will be on the table for the May meeting.” Powell’s statements essentially meet market expectations that the Fed will depart from its usual 25 basis point hikes and move more quickly to tame inflation that is running at its fastest pace in more than 40 years. A basis point equals 0.01 percentage point.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T00:39:49-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

State and local governments well-placed to withstand inflation

The threat of an upcoming recession shouldn’t worry states and local governments who’ve already weathered COVID-19 related shutdowns, as many local governments are in the best fiscal shape they’ve ever been in. That’s according to panelists gathered on Wednesday for The Volcker Alliance and the Penn Institute for Urban Research’s briefing on inflation and recession for states and cities. “Given the ample rainy day funds that states have been able to accumulate and obviously a large part of that is due to the federal government support that has been provided throughout the pandemic in lots of different ways, directly and indirectly, states and localities are in about as good a shape as they have ever been coming into something like this.” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics.
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T00:37:37-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Launch of Startup Housing Program

Governor Laura Kelly today announced the launch of a new housing program for developers to help address the housing needs of communities across Kansas. The Startup Housing Opportunity Venture Loan (SHOVL) program provides funding to housing developers for expenses incurred before the closing of permanent financing for housing developments. “A shortage of quality, affordable housing is a barrier to economic growth and development throughout the state – and particularly in rural Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Affordable housing is a vital component of recruiting and retaining workers, families, and entrepreneurs to help rural and urban Kansas thrive. We can’t capitalize on our record-breaking economic success if we don’t have affordable housing options for our workforce, and I’m pleased this new program will be another step in addressing this challenge.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T00:34:37-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

City of Wichita issues report on police misconduct review

Racism within the ranks of the Wichita Police Department will no longer be tolerated, an internal report issued by a City Manager’s Office committee says. The report calls for a crackdown on biased police officers, poor leadership, botched investigations, poor oversight, potential cover-ups and alleged improper influence by the police union into Wichita police disciplinary decisions. It also says former chief Gordon Ramsay and his deputy chiefs Chester Pinkston and Jose Salcido mishandled an internal investigation and resulting discipline of SWAT team members who sent racist, sexist and homophobic text messages first reported by The Eagle last month.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T06:58:45-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

KCMO, Prairie Village teaming up to fix pothole problem

Two Kansas City-area cities, on opposite sides of the state line, are teaming up to tackle a pothole problem. If you’ve driven along Stateline Road, you know there’s room for repairs, but who’s in charge of the pothole problem? Kansas City, Missouri and Prairie Village, Kansas are working together to get the road fixed. “Life without them would be good,” Elisha Orama, who lives in Prairie Village, said. She knows the feeling of hitting a pothole hard. “It’s scary. I know that they surprise you sometimes and it’s always like, shoot, I hope I didn’t just mess up my car,” Orama said.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T00:25:45-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

Plans submitted to turn Overland Park golf course into homes, neighbors rally to save it

Owners of an Overland Park golf course that closed April 1 submitted plans Tuesday to replace the course with 70 more homes. More than 100 homeowners living along Deer Creek Golf Club banded together Wednesday trying to save their golf course. A lawsuit has been filed by a resident saying an implied covenant requires the property to be maintained as a gold course. Great Life, owners and operators of the course, announced the closure almost immediately after plans to build apartments along the course failed.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T00:24:27-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

Wyandotte County working to restore services after cybersecurity attack

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas is working through a full review on the impact of services from a recent cybersecurity attack on its systems over the weekend. The UG said work to restore services is underway, and as of Tuesday afternoon, services impacted include the appraiser’s office, district attorney’s office, district court, motor vehicle services, procurement and the sheriff’s office.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T07:00:05-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

Great Bend’s Beautification Committee at work

Members of Great Bend’s Beautification Committee were busy adding flowers to downtown receptacles Thursday afternoon. Committee Chair Linda Dougherty said they would do at least 10 flower pots that day, starting on Forest Avenue’s Great Bend Alive Plaza where the Final Friday event is planned for April 29. They will tend to 20 or more planters in the coming days.
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T07:00:23-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

Firefighter falls through floor in Dodge City fire

A fire in Dodge City early Thursday was so intense that fire crews had to back out because of the danger of the building collapsing. One firefighter fell through a floor but only had minor injuries. By the time the fire was out, six families had lost their homes. The call came in around 2:15 a.m. of a structure fire on East Brier. Dodge City and Ford County firefighters responded and found an apartment building burning. Fire crews started to go inside to fight the fire, while the Dodge City Police Department helped get the residents out of the burning building and the nearby apartment buildings.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T07:00:37-05:00April 22, 2022|News|

Sleep out creates awareness, empathy and advocacy for homeless Wichitans

Every night around 600 people are sleeping on the streets of Wichita, according to HumanKind Ministries. The nonprofit has a way for people to support their mission and bring awareness to those experiencing homelessness. A lot of people can be guilty of it. For example, pulling up to a stop sign, your eyes dart away from the person sitting on the corner. Tameka Clark wants people to know, “it could be you tomorrow.” It’s her reality right now. But unfortunately, a series of events led her to be without a home.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-04-22T00:15:47-05:00April 22, 2022|News|