Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and City of Wichita facing a lawsuit over violating the Americans with Disabilities Act

A former political candidate and current deaf activist is suing the City of Wichita and Mayor Brandon Whipple claiming he is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the complaint, Chris Haulmark of Olathe claims Whipple’s live streams on Facebook exclude members of the deaf and hard of hearing communities because those live streams do not have captions. The lawsuit claims Whipple’s use of his Facebook page to discuss public matters, like the pandemic qualify as a public forum that deaf and hard of hearing people cannot participate in. On top of that, the suit claims Whipple banned Haulmark from the page over requests for captioning. The City of Wichita said it will not comment because it is pending litigation.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T23:36:41-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Shawnee City Council considers new code of conduct, including provisions against ‘personal attacks’ and ‘bullying’

Following a string of tense meetings over the past year, which at times have included raised voices and heated debates, the Shawnee City Council will consider a new code of conduct f0r c0uncilmembers that includes provisions against “personal attacks” and “bullying” on the dais. City staff this week formally proposed changes to Policy Statement 7, the rules governing the conduct of city meetings. Of note is an entirely new proposed section that spells out the “do’s and don’ts” of city leader conduct. The proposed rules were discussed during the city governing body’s retreat in February 2021, according to city documents.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T23:32:50-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

RCHD, community entities offering incentives for vaccines

In an effort to encourage residents to get vaccinated, the Riley County Health Department and other entities are hosting vaccine events with incentives in August and September. Mall clinic The health department and Manhattan Town Center are hosting a vaccine clinic for those 12 years and older from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 14 in the mall across from Foot Locker. The first 50 people will receive a $15 mall gift card. In addition, those first 50 will get 45 points for an elementary of one’s choice for the Grand for Grade school points program. Nurses will administer the Pfizer vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome. People can schedule appointments by calling the department at 785-565-6560.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2021-07-30T08:15:11-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Kansas hospitals reporting surge in COVID-19 patients

A COVID-19 surge in Kansas fueled by the faster-spreading delta variant is filling up hospitals in some areas. A survey from the Kansas Hospital Association said four times as many patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections were hospitalized this week as were hospitalized in early June. The association said that 116 Kansas hospitals surveyed this week reported having 399 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. For early June, 125 hospitals reported having 99. For about a month, the Salina Regional Medical Center has sometimes has been near full capacity and its chief medical officer says it has struggled to find beds for patients who have needed a higher level of care.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T23:29:01-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

As cases surge in Kansas City metro, here’s when Johnson County will decide on masks

The Johnson County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote next week on whether to issue a new countywide mask mandate, although Chairman Ed Eilert made clear Thursday he is reluctant to do so. Eilert requested that health officials make recommendations to the board at their meeting next Thursday on how to best address the surge in COVID-19 cases. Commissioners would vote on whether to follow any recommendations, such as a mask mandate, or to issue new guidelines to school districts to determine how to open classrooms safely next month.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-07-30T08:24:40-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Damage from May storms in Kansas tops $76 million

The Kansas Insurance Department said severe storms in May caused more than $76.4 million in damage across the state. The estimate is based on a reported 12,745 insurance claims in 101 counties. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said the storms affected thousands of businesses, farms and residents. The estimates for May, 2021 property loss payments are up more than $15.8 million from a year earlier. So far in 2021, storm losses in Kansas have added up to more than $99 million in reported damage.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T23:26:44-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Why Electric Cars Could Take Off In Rural Kansas, And Why They Might Not

Electric cars and trucks might prove a perfect fit for rural Kansas. “They’re better vehicles. They’re more reliable. They’re less costly. They’ll save people money,” said Peter Zalzal, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund. “They’ll clean up the air and they’ll help to address climate change.” While the building of charging stations has come mostly in urban areas, Zalzal said rural areas have built-in advantages — along with some hurdles that urban areas don’t. Most people in rural areas live in single-family homes. That gives them easier access to electricity in a garage or carport to charge overnight than someone living in an apartment complex or high-rise. He said people in rural areas also on average drive longer distances than their urban counterparts. That actually makes a plug-in car more attractive.
Source: KCUR News

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T23:23:57-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Erie, KS received a loan to help operate the Erie Market

Erie is getting some help operating a fixture in the community. It’s received a $480,000 Rural Economic Development loan from the USDA. The money will help the city operate the Erie Market on West State Street, formerly Stubs Market, which the city purchased last year. The loan is part of a $14,000,000 investment by the USDA across 10 states, including Missouri and Illinois.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T23:21:42-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Reno County Commission may expand; decision will be on November ballot

The Reno County Commission voted Tuesday to place a question of whether to expand the county commission from three to five members on the Nov. 2 ballot. However, the board also agreed to ask the governor to allow the county to leave the two new seats vacant for a year, until the following year’s general election. The delay in seating the new commissioners would allow people to run for the office, rather than having partisan precinct committees select who would be on the ballot, which is the process spelled out in state law if there were a special election.
Source: Hutch News.

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:42:56-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Fed holds rates near zero, says economy has gotten better even with pandemic worries

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its benchmark interest rate near zero and said the economy continues to progress despite concerns over the pandemic spread. As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee concluded its two-day meeting by keeping interest rates in a target range near zero. Along with that, the committee reiterated its view that the economy continues to “strengthen.”… With the Fed likely on hold relative to interest rates at least until late-2022, investors have been looking for clues as to when the monthly bond purchases might start to be pulled back. … Heading into this week’s meeting, markets were pricing in zero chance of any rate increases this year, and a 54.4% chance of an increase before the end of 2022, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:40:39-05:00July 29, 2021|News|