Mayor launches Seven Days of Kindness for UG employees

Unified Government CEO and Mayor Tyrone A. Garner issued a proclamation on Thursday, April 7, for the Seven Days of Kindness for Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. A regional campaign with activities running April 13 through April 24, the initiative will be joined for the first time this year by the UG. “The Unified Government is proud to announce that we will be joining this year’s Seven Days of Kindness,” said CEO-Mayor Tyrone A. Garner. “Our goal is to remind ourselves of the importance of kindness in all that we do in service to one another, and in service to our community. It is through this effort that we hope to recognize those most deserving and to support a metro-wide initiative that also benefits us locally.”
Source: Wyandotte Daily

Ranson Financial2022-04-13T07:25:02-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Muni Bond Boom Is Sputtering as Interest Rates Rise

Rising interest rates are threatening the municipal-bond boom on Wall Street, leaving governments less willing to borrow and households less willing to invest in the $4 trillion market. Bond issuance by state and local governments dropped 8% in the first quarter from a year earlier, with public officials calling off refinancings and spending down stimulus cash. At the same time, spooked investors yanked their money from municipal-bond funds, which suffered their biggest quarterly outflows since 2013. States and cities have been forced to cut prices to sell their bonds to banks and insurance companies because muni bond funds are no longer offering top dollar, dealers said.
Source: Wall Street Journal

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T12:17:30-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Consumer prices rose 8.5% in March, slightly hotter than expected and the highest since 1981

Prices that consumers pay on everyday items surged in March to their highest levels since the early days of the Reagan administration, according to Labor Department data released Tuesday. The consumer price index, which measures a wide-ranging basket of goods and services, jumped 8.5% from a year ago on an unadjusted basis, above even the already elevated Dow Jones estimate for 8.4%. … The data reflected price increases not seen in the U.S. since the stagflation days of the late 1970s and early ’80s. March’s headline reading in fact was the highest since December 1981. Core inflation was the hottest since August 1982. … To combat inflation, the Federal Reserve has begun raising interest rates and is expected to continue doing so through the remainder of the year and into 2023.
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T07:44:02-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Market Closing: Oxford grocery-store owners cite high costs

Nearly 16 months ago, in December 2020, the Oxford Hometown Market reopened under the ownership of Beau and Stacie Gilliland. They felt the people in Oxford and surrounding area had a need for a grocery store. Now, the store will be closing on April 30 with the owners citing high energy prices and the increase in the cost of products among others. “We are sad that this is happening,” said Stacie. “Our sales are down, and with the utility and product costs increasing, we decided we had to close. “I feel badly for those customers who have supported us since we opened and for those who are confined to their homes or have difficulty coming to the store. We took their orders and delivered them.”
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T07:25:46-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 11, 2022

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.

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T07:11:42-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Girard Library install solar projects

A southeast Kansas library is working to take a modern approach with it’s newest project. Several new additions have been installed at the Girard Public Library. It includes an LED sign to display library activities and two solar powered benches and picnic tables — which are also wifi-enabled charging stations. This was made possible by ARPA grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services. “More people that are doing work are doing it off laptops or devices and if you can charge while you’re working outside, we just thought it would be a more modern opportunity,” said Barbara Bailey, Girard Public Library Director.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T01:39:51-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Four New Communities Join Kansas Main Street Program

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the cities of Eureka, Newton, Topeka, and Valley Center are the newest Kansas Main Street Program members. The program targets downtown districts by developing a comprehensive preservation and revitalization strategy. “When our main street businesses succeed, our economy succeeds,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “That’s why my administration restarted the Kansas Main Street Program in 2019 – to help our communities reinvest in our small businesses, recruit new families to our state, and grow our economy. The program’s expansion is further proof of its success, and I’m pleased to welcome these four additional communities.” The Kansas Main Street program, initially launched in 1985, has helped dozens of primarily rural communities work toward maintaining and enhancing the viability of their downtown districts. Unfortunately, the Brownback Administration ended the successful program in 2012. Governor Kelly restarted the program in 2019, with support from the Kansas Legislature.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T06:53:41-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Recognizes National Community Development Week

Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed April 11-15 as National Community Development Week in Kansas. This week will celebrate the critical value community development programs and resources bring to our state. “Community development efforts are essential in supporting the Kansas economy, quality of life initiatives and growth of Kansas communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our programs, partnerships, and support help build thriving communities and we are thrilled to celebrate community development success across our state.” The Community Development Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce was reestablished by Governor Kelly in 2019. The division is dedicated to developing strong and vibrant communities across Kansas.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T07:05:40-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

Newton’s Caleb Smith named top high school principal in Kansas

Newton High School Principal Caleb Smith is top of the class in Kansas. On Monday morning, USD-373 announced Smith had been named the 2022 Kansas principal of the year by the Kansas Principals Association. As previously written, Smith was a finalist for the state’s top designation among all secondary principals. “Mr. Smith has done an outstanding job of trying to create an amazing culture at Newton High School and within the Newton communities, and it shows,” Superintendent Fred Van Ranken said in a district press release. “I am so happy for Caleb to be recognized at the state level for what he and his team are doing at USD-373.”
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T07:06:06-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

When Kansans needs help, they call 911 — but first responders don’t always get the help they need

In Kansas, first responders have been trying for years to pass legislation that would allow their psychological injuries to be covered by workers’ compensation. Proposals that would have covered such injuries once again failed to gain momentum during this year’s session. Responders say their line of work involves experiences that could cause post-traumatic stress disorder. But in Kansas, workers’ compensation coverage must be associated with a physical injury — firefighters, police and other first responders are not covered by injuries such as stress, anxiety and depression from a physical injury or a physical change caused by factors at work.
Source: KCUR

Ranson Financial2022-04-12T07:06:48-05:00April 12, 2022|News|

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