Jury rules KCK government discriminated against Black firefighter, awards him $2.4M

A federal jury found that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, discriminated against a Black firefighter and then retaliated against him when it fired him for raising complaints. The 10-member jury returned a verdict in favor of former Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department employee Jyan Harris on Thursday after deliberating for about eight hours. The jury awarded Harris $2,432,000, an amount that represents back pay, future pay and compensatory damages for both his discrimination and retaliation claims. “Hopefully now it shows them that you can’t do people like that,” Harris said after the verdict was read. “You have to do your due diligence before you take somebody’s livelihood away, especially somebody who’s giving you their livelihood.”
Source: KC Star Local News

Ranson Financial2021-04-22T07:01:01-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Partnership proposes area that would boost heritage tourism

The Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership, a diverse, bi-state partnership of cultural, historical, economic development and tourism organizations and individuals, has formed in hopes of establishing a National Heritage Area within 49 counties between north central Kansas and south central Nebraska. The area includes Marshall County. The mission of the Heritage Area Partnership is to connect communities and attractions, instill pride of place, and promote immersive experiences for residents and visitors to enhance appreciation for the region’s unique landscape and nationally significant cultural history.
Source: The Marysville Advocate

Ranson Financial2021-04-22T07:01:16-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Lenexa Crisis intervention team program recognized

The Lenexa Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program was one of just four agencies, and the first municipal agency, across the United States to earn national certification this year by CIT International. “It is a high honor to be the first municipal agency in the nation to earn this certification and I believe it reflects our commitment to best serving those individuals who live with mental illness in our community,” said Chief of Police Dawn Layman. The CIT program is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their families and other advocates. It is an innovative community response model, including police-based crisis intervention training, to help those in crisis access treatment rather than entering the criminal justice system.
Source: Lenexa

Ranson Financial2021-04-22T06:55:36-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office announces first detention K-9

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday announced it has its first ever detention K-9. The sheriff’s office said Turbo began working at the detention facility on April 21. “After weeks of rigorous training, Turbo and his handler, detention deputy Rachel Wingfield, are prepared to assume their duties in side the detention facility,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Turbo’s primary task is assisting with the reduction of contraband in the jail. Contraband is an issue troubling detention facilities throughout the country and a problem the sheriff’s office strives to constantly address. Last month, a contract kitchen worker was arrested on suspicion of bringing contraband into the jail and a sheriff’s deputy was arrested and suspended for allegedly bringing contraband into the jail.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-04-22T06:57:48-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Lawrence commission approves ban on conversion therapy

Lawrence will no longer allow licensed providers to practice conversion therapy on minors in the city. The city commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban the practice, which is designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Commissioners said research has shown the practice is harmful to children’s mental health and increases the risk of suicide, The Lawrence Journal-World reported. “The very most basic thing that we have to do is to protect each other and to protect children, and I feel that this does that,” said Vice Mayor Courtney Shipley, who originally proposed the ban. Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia previously told the commission that 20 states and numerous municipalities, including Roeland Park in suburban Kansas City, have banned conversion therapy.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-04-22T06:56:41-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Supply shortage in Kansas causing problems for businesses

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of the economy, but now that things are starting to get back to normal, there’s another issue – businesses can’t get the supplies they need. “That was a holy smokes moment to start the week,” said Wichita restaurant worker John Webb. After getting to work, Webb realized his supplier didn’t send him something vital to the business – fryer oil. We tried Sam’s Club, they happened to be out that day. We wound up going to Costco, and they were able to get us through,” said Webb. “I’m not sure what we would have done, honestly.”
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-04-22T06:57:26-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Market Easily Absorbs New Bond Issues; Yields Little Changed

“…it’s business as usual for the muni market lately,” Mousseau, director of fixed income at the Sarasota, Florida, investment management firm, said. “There is no question in my mind that the market smells a tax increase in the federal marginal tax rate coming,” he added.
Source: Bond Buyer.

Ranson Financial2021-04-21T07:15:51-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Affected by COVID-19 and 2019 law, Kansas alcohol seeks loosened regulations to help out industry

As the pandemic subsides and focus turns toward reopening the economy, lobbyists for Kansas alcohol businesses are pitching changes to loosen regulations around when and how alcohol establishments can operate as helpful to the industry’s recovery. The state has one of the nation’s strictest alcohol laws. … Allowing carryout and curbside alcohol has been a big priority. It was made allowable under the COVID-19 emergency, but making it permanent beyond the pandemic would be a boost, some said. … Kansas liquor stores can only sell between noon and 8 p.m. on Sundays if the city or county allows it. Sales are prohibited on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Easter Sunday and Labor Day.
Source: CJonline.com.

Ranson Financial2021-04-21T07:08:44-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Salina voted to keep mask mandate. Now businesses threaten lawsuits.

At this week’s city commission meeting, several members of the public indicated they would be filing lawsuits against the City of Salina in response to the continuation of a face mask mandate in the city. A Kansas Senate bill allows a channel for citizens to seek recourse if they’ve been damaged by the mandates. Salina faced its first of these suits last week. It was dismissed, noting that a Kansas city has “home rule authority,” or final say in how to interpret a state mandate. Mayor Melissa Hodges said she understands that each individual that plans to file a suit has a different set of circumstances. “At this point, we are prepared to address those (suits) as they come,” Hodges said.
Source: Salina Journal.

Ranson Financial2021-04-21T07:05:05-05:00April 21, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 20, 2021

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 Financial2021-04-21T07:03:51-05:00April 21, 2021|News|