Gov. Laura Kelly extends crowd limits to churches, funerals

Gov. Laura Kelly announced Tuesday she was imposing crowd limits on religious gatherings in advance of Easter Sunday, forcing churches to keep attendance below 10 to help avoid the dangerous risk of spreading COVID-19 among worshippers.
The new executive order, effective Wednesday, also applies to funerals. A previous order banning public gatherings of more than 10 individuals had exempted religious gatherings and funerals.
Taking action during Holy Week, the governor said, “brings me the greatest sadness” of all of the unprecedented executive orders she has signed in response to COVID-19.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-04-08T08:13:59-05:00April 7, 2020|News|

After many complaints and COVID-19 concerns, Overland Park postpones farmers market

After receiving several complaints from residents concerned about further spread of the novel coronavirus, the city of Overland Park announced Tuesday it will postpone its farmers market.
The city was planning to open the market for the season on Saturday, even as other Johnson County cities decided to postpone their own markets. Like grocery stores, farmers markets are considered essential operations under the metrowide stay at home order.
“Despite the efforts we’ve gone through with the safety and health protocols, we still heard from people who were concerned about the health of the public and vendors,” said city spokesman Sean Reilly. “So we heard them, listened to them and decided we would go ahead and close it.”
(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-08T08:14:10-05:00April 7, 2020|News|

Confusion reigns on the Fed and long-term muni purchases

Municipal market participants are confused, to say the least, about the Federal Reserve and its ability to buy long-term municipal securities. And there’s a good reason for the puzzlement.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorizes the Fed to purchase munis through a $454 billion Economic Stabilization Fund, and $150 billion is earmarked for direct federal aid to states and municipalities.
But, the language in the CARES Act is subject to interpretation, and can be misleading.
…
Steven Skancke, chief economic advisor at Keel Point, isn’t convinced the law allows the Fed to buy longer-term munis.
The Fed, he said, believes “its mandate is limited to assuring liquidity on all debt markets.” And if the Fed thought the municipal bond market needed to be propped up, “it probably could find a way,” but for now the market seems to be functioning well.
Congress would need to be more “explicit” in authorizing the Fed to step into buying or supporting longer-dated munis beyond six-month maturities.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-04-08T08:03:37-05:00April 7, 2020|News|

Municipal bond rates fall again on Fed hopes, potential coronavirus plateau

The municipal market again saw yields fall across the curve, dropping as much as eight basis points on the short end Monday and up to 15 on the long end.
The market is anticipating the Federal Reserve to step in as a buyer of last resort for munis, though how much, which credits, and what durations are still cloudy.
The Fed has already begun to buy variable rate demand obligations and has helped the short end of the market recover after massive mid-March losses of at least 2%.
“The overall dynamic of the market has been helped by the opening of the Federal Reserve’s Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility, which opened on March 23 and as of Wednesday, April 1, had lent out $52.67 billion,” said Patrick Luby, senior municipal strategist at CreditSights.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-04-07T08:50:20-05:00April 7, 2020|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for April 6, 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 Financial2026-10-22T10:29:40-05:00April 7, 2020|Finance|

Reno County releases ’self-reporting’ form for residents who suspect COVID-19

With its second case of suspected community transmission of the COVID-19 virus in Reno County, yet no expected immediate increase in ability to locally test people, the Reno County Health Department has released a new form asking people to self- report if they believe they may have the disease.
“Community transmission” means the individual contracted the disease from an unknown source while out in the community, indicating it is more widespread than test-confirmed cases might indicate, which health officials have long suspected.
All the other cases in the county before those two were related to travel to places that had outbreaks or to known direct contact with someone else who was a confirmed case.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-07T08:37:24-05:00April 6, 2020|News|

Siemens Gamesa to furlough 200 in Hutchinson

Siemens Gamesa confirmed Monday that employees at both its Hutchinson and Ford Madison, Iowa, plants will be furloughed for three or four weeks.
The company cited issues with its international supply chain.
Employees were informed Monday, according to a statement from the company, though it didn’t indicate when the furloughs would begin.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-04-07T08:38:11-05:00April 6, 2020|News|

Playing by the rules: Self-monitoring, strict guidelines keep golf courses open

Golf has long had the moniker of being a “Gentleman’s Game.”
The terminology more than likely began in reference to the gender of those playing the sport. But over the years, it’s come to define the etiquette and self-policing — or self-monitoring — that take place in a sport where there are no referees or umpires watching every move.
Now more than ever, those who play the sport know that adhering to guidelines laid out by courses nationwide allowing them to stay open for play during the COVID-19 pandemic is of utmost importance.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Ranson Financial2020-04-07T08:38:23-05:00April 6, 2020|News|

Social distancing map rates most SW Kansas counties at a D or lower

A map released by Unacast rates how well states and counties are at social distancing. The information is gathered by tracking the GPS on phones, but for those in Southwest Kansas, this may not be the grade deserved.
In Southwest Kansas, many may be practicing social distancing but it’s also a hub for Agriculture.
“There still seems to be a lot of activity in rural America particularly in the midwest but there’s a reason because farming and ranching can not stop, especially this time of year,” said KSN Agriculture Correspondent John Jenkinson.
This map from Unacast shows how well the state is at social distancing, many counties in the Southwest, getting a D or lower.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-04-07T08:38:43-05:00April 6, 2020|News|

Miss out on SBA loan program? You have other options

Not everyone is going to be able to get a relief loan from the Small Business Administration. But don’t worry, plenty of other options remain.
Dan Friederich, managing director of CBIZ MHM LLC in Kansas City, said businesses instead can take advantage of tax credits.
A biggie to pay attention to is the employee retention credit, which is available only if you don’t accept a relief loan from the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Friederich said.
(Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals)

Ranson Financial2020-04-07T08:41:12-05:00April 6, 2020|News|