Treasury yields haven’t peaked yet as experts say 10-year rate could hit 2%

U.S. 10-year Treasury yield could inch higher, but that may not pose a risk to financial markets, according to Durrien Timmer of Fidelity Investments. “I think yields could push a little higher. So far, they’ve (got) up to about 1.75%. I have a simple bond model that suggests 2% should be the upper limit,” Timmer, who is the director of global macro at the firm, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Tuesday. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note jumped above 1.7% last Thursday, its highest level in more than a year. That came despite reassurance from the Federal Reserve that it had no plans to raise interest rates anytime soon, nor ease its bond-buying program.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:31:24-05:00March 24, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 23, 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 Financial2021-03-24T08:23:58-05:00March 24, 2021|News|

Reno County Commissioners Vote To Lift Mask Mandate

Reno County Commissioners voted 2 to 1 at a meeting Tuesday to opt-out of Governor Kelly’s statewide mask mandate.The new resolution will take effect on Wednesday, March 24th. Individual businesses and organizations may still require masks if they deem it necessary. County Commissioner Ron Hirst said “Respect one another. Respect another business.” He added that he hopes community members will be considerate. At the courthouse, masks will still be required in district court areas as well as at the main entrance. The Annex will encourage visitors to wear masks and increased sanitation efforts will continue at all county locations.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:19:25-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

Old golf course may become recreation hub

In recent years, a group of steely determined volunteers, equipped with various grants and an occasional assist from the city helped convert empty industrial land and an abandoned railroad right-of-way near Iola into one of the region’s signature trails complexes. The Lehigh Portland and Southwind Trails systems have since drawn hikers and bikers from near and far. Now, Thrive Allen County has set its sights on turning city-owned property at the old Cedarbrook Golf Course into another recreational mecca. Jon Castrella, left, and Jonathan Goering of Thrive Allen County speak with Iola City Council members Monday about their vision for a proposed recreation area on city-owned land encompassing a portion of the old Cedarbrook Golf Course.
Source: The Iola Register

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:20:34-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

3,000 small Kansas businesses received nearly $57 million from COVID Relief Fund

Governor Laura Kelly announced Monday that roughly 3,000 small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic received nearly $57 million in Small Business Working Capital (SBWC) grants. The grants were funded by the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Kansas businesses with less than 500 employees were eligible to apply for the SBWC grant funding. The funds could be used to pay working capital expenses such as payroll, insurance, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, inventory and more.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:21:06-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

Kansas wind energy supporters defend local control, economic investments

Kansas wind energy representatives and advocates guaranteed a senate panel Tuesday a bill currently under consideration would end industry investment and development in the state if approved. Senate Bill 279 would establish state regulation of wind generation facilities, replacing county commission discretions on the establishment of these sites. State law would define turbine setbacks from business, homes and parks, among other areas, and set caps on sound and light emitted by turbines. Proponents of the bill have urged legislators to give them leverage to block these projects, but opponents backed a decision-making process and zoning laws they said have worked well for years.
Source: Kansas Reflector

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:22:08-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

Kansas hopes to receive 100,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine next week

Kansas is hoping to get as many as 100,000 added doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week. Health officials said 100,000 more doses of the single-shot vaccine would be roughly a two-thirds increase in the state’s weekly vaccine supply. “The ramp up in production has been a big goal of the Biden administration and I’m hopeful, from what I hear from the folks in Washington, translates for more vaccine for Kansas,” said Dr. Marci Nielsen, Kansas’ COVID-19 vaccine advisor.
Source: KMBC.com

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:22:53-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

House advances bill expanding alcohol sales on Sundays, lawmakers cite Chiefs as big reason

Lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that increases access to beer and liquor in the state of Kansas. The House advanced a bill that would allow alcohol sales to begin at 9 a.m. on Sundays instead of noon. It also removes Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day from the statewide banned sales list, though it was allowed in some areas already. For Sunday, even with expanded hours, liquor stores would still need to close by 8 pm. For the other six days of the week the hours can be 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Supporters said a main reason for earlier sales in Kansas is because of the football team in Missouri.
Source: KSNT News

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:23:07-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

Lenexa bringing back many community events this year

Lenexa is planning multiple community events through July to bring people together safely this year. The “City of Festivals” has brought back many of its events for the first half of this year, although many of them have been reformatted for COVID-19 mitigation protocols. Logan Wagler, director of parks and recreation for Lenexa, said his team is excited to bring the community together again. At the same time, health and wellness of the community remains a top priority. “Given the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and public health orders we have had to reimagine how we can continue to provide our services safely,” Wagler said. “It’s important to understand that large events require lots of advanced planning and coordination to be successful. Because the pandemic has been a very fluid situation, decisions for all of our programs, services, and events can only be made on the information that is currently available.”
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:23:22-05:00March 23, 2021|News|

KCK school board votes to return to in-person classes March 31

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education voted Tuesday night to return to in-person classes on Wednesday, March 31, earlier than previously decided. Students still will have the option for remote learning, if their parents choose. District officials explained that the reason for changing from the earlier approved April 5 return date was that the Kansas Legislature had passed a bill requiring the March 31 return date. Different forms of the bill are expected to go to a conference committee before final approval, and after that, the bill would be signed or vetoed by the governor.
Source: Wyandotte Daily

Ranson Financial2021-03-24T08:23:32-05:00March 23, 2021|News|