Lawsuit against Dodge City’s voting districts could affect other Kansas communities

6 Wednesday, March 6

Lawsuit against Dodge City’s voting districts could affect other Kansas communities

info2024-03-06T12:18:22-06:00March 6th, 2024|

More than half of the population in Dodge City, Kansas, is Latino. But in the past 20 years members of the community argue they have never had the power to elect city officials of their choice. A federal judge heard arguments last week in a lawsuit that aims to change this, with critics of Dodge City’s current local government structure arguing it denies representation and voting rights to its Hispanic and Latino residents. The outcome of the case holds major consequences for the Southwest Kansas city. And if Dodge City loses, other Kansas cities may face their own legal challenges or [...]

6 Wednesday, March 6

Municipal Bond Trends for March 5, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-03-06T09:25:18-06:00March 6th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

5 Tuesday, March 5

Municipal Bond Trends for March 4, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-03-05T10:22:34-06:00March 5th, 2024|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

4 Monday, March 4

After a 5-day trial, federal judge to decide whether Dodge City’s at-large elections discriminate against the Latino vote

info2024-03-04T14:43:00-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Voting rights lawyers offered a passionate rebuke of Dodge City’s at-large election system, arguing that the city’s current system deprives Latino voters of sufficient representation on the city commission. ... Attorneys for the city counter that a lack of Latino representation on the commission is the result of factors beyond local government’s control. In December 2022, ACLU Kansas and other voting rights groups filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that Latinos would overwhelmingly back other Latinos for seats on the City Commission but are restrained by an at-large system that favors white voters. ... The five-day trial went into recess [...]

4 Monday, March 4

110 new jobs coming to Wellington

info2024-03-04T14:39:55-06:00March 4th, 2024|

A company is investing $14 million in Wellington and creating 110 new jobs for the area. Elite Harness plans to refurbish an existing facility at 1515 North A Street on the north side of town. The goal is to make it into a 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing plant. “We have a sister company that is located in Tulsa, so we considered building there, but the State of Kansas and Sumner County really stepped up to the plate and made Wellington a wise choice for us,” Elite Harness President Nathan Smith said in a news release. Source: KSN-TV

4 Monday, March 4

How running with pancakes in southwest Kansas boosts community spirit and the economy

info2024-03-04T13:04:37-06:00March 4th, 2024|

This year marks the 75th anniversary of what’s known as the Pancake Day Race in the southwest Kansas town of Liberal. It’s an oddity, but these types of community festivals offer economic and less tangible benefits to smaller towns. Women dressed in aprons, skirts and headscarves line up in the middle of main street. They’re dressed in a traditional English kitchen outfit, but instead of cooking they are about to race. As the women get on their marks they prepare their other race essentials, frying pans and pancakes. This is the annual Pancake Day Race, a tradition in Liberal, Kansas, for 75 [...]

4 Monday, March 4

‘The lifeblood of the community’: States invest to save rural grocery stores

info2024-03-04T13:03:20-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Corliss Hassler rushes in the front door of Post 60 Market and heads straight for the produce case. “I’m back,” she announces. It’s around lunchtime, but it’s already her second trip in today — this time, she’s picking up a few items for the Friday fish fry at the local Catholic church. Hassler is a regular customer and investor in the small grocery store, opened in 2022 as a cooperative. The store provides convenience, sure: It’s the only place in town to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. But it’s also a social hub for the northeast Nebraska town of Emerson, [...]

4 Monday, March 4

Kansas considers $40 million fund to help local governments shelter homeless people

info2024-03-04T13:01:46-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Around 2,600 Kansans are experiencing homelessness on any given day, one survey estimates. Lawmakers tasked with reducing this number will decide whether a $40 million fund is the best way to provide support for struggling local communities. Andy Brown, deputy secretary for programs at the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, gave an overview of potential pathways to reduce homelessness in the state Thursday. “The fact that we have a high percentage of unsheltered folks means that the visibility of homelessness is high,” Brown told lawmakers on the House Committee on Welfare Reform. “As we’re able to reduce the percentage [...]

4 Monday, March 4

SoCe, a south-central Wichita neighborhood, sits at a crossroads

info2024-03-04T13:00:25-06:00March 4th, 2024|

As lovers of all things old, Larry and Cathy Mong were thrilled with the home they bought for $50,000 in Wichita 23 years ago: a 1906 Victorian in south central Wichita, less than a mile from the heart of downtown. The neighborhood was a little rough, but the Mongs had seen similar neighborhoods in the Dallas-Fort Worth area go through the gentrification process. “We thought in five to 10 years it would be like downtown Dallas, but it isn’t,” Larry Mong said. In fact, in some respects it seems to have declined. When they moved in, Larry remembers, every home on the block [...]

4 Monday, March 4

Lawrence plastic bag ban officially in full effect

info2024-03-04T12:59:20-06:00March 4th, 2024|

Plastic bags are officially banned in Lawrence, but will that ban stay? The City Commission passed an ordinance last year that took effect on Friday. The ordinance banned single-use plastic bags in an effort to reduce the use of plastics in the city. "We're very excited about it,“ Lawrence resident Misti Osbern said. "We've been trying to use our reusable bags for a long time." However, the changes could come to a halt, if new legislation is passed. There are ongoing efforts to prohibit plastic bag bans at the state level, after failed attempts in previous years. Currently, House Bill 2446, prohibiting cities and [...]