Flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Victims of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic, Friday to Sunday

In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, and following the proclamation of President Donald J. Trump, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff, from Friday, May 22, 2020, to sunset on Sunday, May 24, 2020 in honor of the Victims of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic. “The death toll due to coronavirus is devastating in Kansas and beyond,” Kelly said. “We all have an obligation to honor those lost to the virus, to include courageous frontline workers who literally gave their lives to help and protect others during this pandemic.”

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T09:06:05-05:00May 22, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for May 21, 2020

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 Financial2020-05-22T08:58:08-05:00May 22, 2020|News|

Kansas policy lets exposed meatpacking workers stay on job

Kansas softened its quarantine guidelines for meatpacking plants after industry executives repeatedly pushed state officials to allow employees who were potentially exposed to the coronavirus to keep working, text messages and emails show. The Kansas City Star and The Wichita Eagle reported that they obtained messages through an open records request showing that executives at Tyson and National Beef pushed Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam to advocate more-lenient federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. Beam told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his role was to “emphasize internally” in Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration that there would be major problems with the nation’s food supply if the plants shut down. Beam worked for the Kansas Livestock Association for 38 years before becoming agriculture secretary in 2019. “It was a balancing act, and I basically was feeding that into the mix,” he said.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:48:23-05:00May 21, 2020|News|

Mortgage delinquencies surge by 1.6M in April, the biggest monthly jump ever

Delinquencies among borrowers for past-due mortgages are soaring, a sign that Americans are struggling to pay their bills due to a wave of layoffs or lost income from the coronavirus pandemic. Mortgage delinquencies surged by 1.6 million in April, the largest single-month jump in history, according to a report from Black Knight, a mortgage technology and data provider. The data includes both homeowners past due on mortgage payments who aren’t in forbearance, along with those in forbearance plans and who didn’t make a mortgage payment in April. At 6.45%, the national delinquency rate nearly doubled from 3.06% in March, the largest single-month increase ever recorded, and nearly three times the prior record for a single month during the height of the financial crisis in late 2008, Black Knight said.
(Read more: andoveramerican.com)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:48:35-05:00May 21, 2020|News|

Food, utility assistance available through new, extended programs

The Department for Children and Families, in collaboration with the Kansas State Department of Education, announced the creation of a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Program. The P-EBT program will help families who have been impacted by school closures due to COVID-19 to purchase food for their children. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which helps low-income households with utility bills, has also been funded for a new program, with applications accepted through May 29.
(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:49:14-05:00May 21, 2020|News|

KC’s Power and Light District set to reopen Friday

The Power and Light District is planning to reopen on Friday, and that could include several street cafes. The plan is for 14th Street to be closed to traffic to allow street cafes room to operate. But there could be more on the way depending on what city council decides to do. City leaders have talked about street cafe options for several weeks. This would allow restaurants to serve food and in some cases alcohol on sidewalk and street space in front of the store front.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:49:38-05:00May 21, 2020|News|

Marion County decides to reopen county offices

Diedre Serene, Marion County Health Department Administrator, gave her weekly update at the beginning of the May 18 Marion County Board of Commissioners meeting. She stated that it doesn’t make sense to test for COVID-19 if a person doesn’t have symptoms. “You could be negative today and turn positive tomorrow. Testing negative today does not even tell if you were exposed or not. It just tells if you are growing the virus,” said Serene. Serene explained how the Governor’s new orders for phase 1.5 impacts Marion County. She said the county is in line to follow the Governor’s orders so she has not added any extra orders for the county but has issued some guidance.
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:49:52-05:00May 21, 2020|News|

Swimming during the pandemic: What the CDC wants you to know before you hit the pool

Looking forward to hitting the local public swimming pool for the first time this summer? Prepare to put a face mask in your tote bag, although you won’t need to wear it in the water. On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new guidelines for operating swimming pools during the coronavirus pandemic. The documentation arrives just a few days before Memorial Day weekend, when many outdoor pools typically open for the summer season. “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas,” the CDC said on its website. “Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.”
(Read more: Lifestyle – The Garden City Telegram)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:50:12-05:00May 21, 2020|News|

Reno County salt and historical museums announce reopening

The Reno County Museum and Strataca: Underground Salt Museum will both reopen to the public on Tuesday, museum officials announced. “During the interim, the organization is making all the necessary preparations to ensure the protection and safety for the staff and our guests,” said executive director Michael Ables. “When the museums reopen, our guests will see some necessary changes.” For example, frontline staff will wear face masks, Ables said.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:50:18-05:00May 21, 2020|News|

How To Safely Enjoy Kansas State Parks During Memorial Day Weekend

Kansas’ 28 state parks, 63 state fishing lakes, and more than 100 wildlife areas remain open to the public and will be popular destinations over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. From camping and horseback riding, to boating and disc golf, there’s no shortage of fun to be had at Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) areas, but visitors must remain steadfast in practicing social distancing, among other safety measures, to ensure these special places remain open and accessible to all. “We want visitors to enjoy themselves, so long as social distancing is practiced,” Kansas State Parks director Linda Lanterman said. “Our staff have done an incredible job maintaining our parks, and ensuring that facilities remain open, but it’s ultimately up to the public to look out for each other and practice social distancing so we can all remain in good health and continue having these beautiful places to recreate.”
(Read more: All Web News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-22T08:50:31-05:00May 21, 2020|News|