Topeka library using social media to connect people during stay at home order

Topeka librarians are on a mission to keep people reading, even though its doors are closed.
You can now ask a librarian for recommendations on the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s social media sites.
Every Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m., they make a post asking people to share what books or shows they’ve been loving. They use those answers to suggest more options they think you might like.
Miranda Ericsson, one of the employees who came up with the idea, said it’s been a great way for people to make connections online while staying at home.
(Read more: KSNT News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-14T08:01:02-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

City of Wichita to re-open 2 local golf courses with safety precautions

The City of Wichita says it will re-open two golf courses closed due to the coronavirus pandemic after an overwhelming response from local golfers.
The city said it will re-open Auburn Hills Golf Course and MacDonald Golf Course on Tuesday, April 14. A list of safety guidelines will be enforced, and golfers will need to follow social distancing practices and the health of our staff will be monitored to ensure our commitment to the community’s safety.
“Circumstances are constantly evolving as we navigate through the pandemic,” said the city. “With courses opening, all members of Golf Wichita will be charged for half the month of April. Staff from the closed courses will be assisting at Auburn Hills and MacDonald until the remaining two courses open.”
(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-14T08:01:14-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

EMS, hospital recycling masks

Local healthcare professionals are now relying on rows of paper sacks to help protect them in the battle against the novel coronavirus.

Both hospital personnel and emergency responders have been going through hundreds of high-quality N-95 facemasks daily since the outbreak reach Kansas and Hutchinson, to protect themselves from catching the dangerous virus that is spread through aerosolized droplets from those who are infected.

Under normal circumstances, a provider would discard all the gear after dealing with a single patient, to protect against the spread of the virus.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-13T15:26:53-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

Shawnee County commission authorizes departments to use Zoom

Shawnee County commissioners on Monday authorized county departments to use the Zoom videoconferencing application.
Commissioners Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays voted 3-0 to approve a consent agenda that included a proposal that enables employees to use Zoom to meet by video instead of face-to-face, with individual departments paying for the subscriptions.
Commissioners Cook and Riphahn were among the 10 people physically present for Monday’s meeting in the commission chambers in the County Courthouse, which is closed to the public. Also on hand were five other county employees and three journalists.
Mays took part by speakerphone, as did several county department heads.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-04-14T08:03:17-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

Munis emerge slowly as coronavirus weighs

The municipal bond market is taking it slow when it comes to new issuance as buyers and sellers move cautiously in the shadows of COVID-19.

(Read more: The Latest)

Ranson Financial2020-04-13T13:51:20-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

Shawnee County Commissioner: Strong financial reserves help county deal with crisis

The decision by Shawnee County commissioners to strengthen the county’s reserve fund is paying off in this time of crisis, Commissioner Kevin Cook said Monday.
He made reference at that morning’s meeting to an announcement Topeka’s city government made Friday indicating the coronavirus crisis had forced it to reduce salaries and implement a hiring freeze.
Shawnee County’s government doesn’t need to reduce salaries or workforce at this time, as its reserve balance rose from $3 million to $33 million after Cook and former Commissioner Bob Archer joined that body seven and a half years ago, Cook said.
“Fortunately, Shawnee County has a strong reserve balance to draw from in a time of crisis,” he said.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-04-14T08:09:27-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

NABL asks Congress, Treasury for direct-pay bonds, advance refunding

The National Association of Bond Lawyers proposed a plethora of actions Congress and the Treasury could take to help state and local governments weather the pandemic.
In a letter sent to the Treasury and Congress late last week, NABL asked for several legislative and administrative actions to help state and local governments as well as 501(c)(3) organizations dealing with cash flow and liquidity issues due to COVID-19. NABL wants those actions to be done as soon as possible in a new coronavirus stimulus bill.
“Adopting these proposals will enable state and local governments to access much-needed capital at a time when support to our communities is of paramount and immediate concern,” wrote Rich Moore, NABL president.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-04-14T08:07:23-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

State and local governments face budget crunch, hurting hopes for a quick economic recovery

Spiking unemployment around the country and dire predictions for second quarter economic growth have created a budget crunch for many state and local governments, and it could be a long-term drag on the United States economy.
Robert Dye, chief economist at Comerica, said that sharp declines in employment and consumer sales will hurt tax revenues for state and local budgets, which often have legal restrictions that keep them from filling shortfalls with debt, and weaken a key source of jobs in the country.
“That certainly is a big load of challenge for state and local governments … they can’t run deficit financing. And the other thing is that state and local government spending is bigger than federal spending, so it’s very important to the economy,” Dye said.
Read more: CNBC.

Ranson Financial2020-04-13T08:27:36-05:00April 13, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 9, 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 Financial2026-10-22T10:29:39-05:00April 13, 2020|Finance|

Sen. Moran Announces $325 Million to Kansas Hospitals & Health Care Providers

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced $325 million in relief funding to Kansas health care providers and hospitals. This information was confirmed to Sen. Moran by Vice President Mike Pence this morning. The funding, which will support hospitals fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines, is part of the $100 billion provider relief fund established in the Phase III Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and is being administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“The CARES Act created a fund to help meet the needs of hospitals and health care providers, and today over $325 million is being distributed across Kansas,” said Sen. Moran. “As hospitals are seeing significant revenue losses and others see their costs go up because of COVID-19, these new resources will be a necessary benefit not just to our hospitals, but to the communities and patients they serve. In the fight against COVID-19, these new resources will put our health care providers in a better position to keep us healthy and meet the needs of Kansans.”
(Read more: Sen. Moran)

Ranson Financial2020-04-13T08:16:39-05:00April 12, 2020|News|

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