Wichita.gov would become ‘official city newspaper’ under council proposal

4 Thursday, April 4

Wichita.gov would become ‘official city newspaper’ under council proposal

info2024-04-04T11:11:58-05:00April 4th, 2024|

City Hall’s own website, Wichita.gov would be recognized as the “official city newspaper” under a proposed charter ordinance the City Council will vote on Tuesday. Doing so would allow the city to terminate its contract for publishing copies of new ordinances and notices of other official actions in The Eagle, including notices about imposing taxes, creating benefit districts and amending the zoning code. The publication of legal notices in a designated newspaper is required by state law. In supporting documents, the city cites a July 2023 nonbinding legal opinion by Attorney General Kris Kobach declaring that second-class cities — those with [...]

4 Thursday, April 4

Cold War exhibit coming to Abilene

info2024-04-04T11:09:55-05:00April 4th, 2024|

A new temporary exhibit is now on display at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene. The exhibit, “Cold War: Soviets, Spies and Secrets,” displays pieces from the Cold War, which was an integral era of history. The information, activities, and artifacts highlight the Cold War era from spies that infiltrated governments to the stockpiling of nuclear weapons. The exhibit is on loan from the Nixon Presidential Foundation and Library and will be available to view through March 2025. Source: Derby Informer | News

4 Thursday, April 4

New $10 million library opens in Newton

info2024-04-04T11:09:16-05:00April 4th, 2024|

A $10 million library in Newton is complete and opens to the public Monday at 10 a.m. The 30,000-square-foot facility is southeast of the old library. On Dec. 27, 2022, the Newton City Commission voted to accept a bid for the construction of the new library, and the ground was broken in early 2023. The new facility includes a children's library with a learn-play-grow area, early literacy computers, and a family restroom and nursing room. The new teen area has a game zone and book collection. There are also six study rooms and a digital access lab for individuals and small groups to [...]

4 Thursday, April 4

Governor Kelly Announces KMW to Invest $105M in Sterling, Create 251 New Jobs in Kansas

info2024-04-04T11:06:14-05:00April 4th, 2024|

Governor Laura Kelly today announced that KMW, a precision manufacturer of agricultural front loaders, backhoes, and other attachments, will invest $105 million to construct a new North American headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility in Sterling. The venture will create 251 new jobs, resulting in a local workforce of 485. “There’s no doubt – this investment will grow our economy and create more opportunities for Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our efforts to make Kansas one of the most pro-business states in the country is paying off for workers everywhere, including our rural communities.” KMW selected Sterling in Rice County after a [...]

4 Thursday, April 4

Kansas is one step away from harsher penalties for those who kill law enforcement animals

info2024-04-04T11:03:37-05:00April 4th, 2024|

Kansas could soon have harsher penalties for anyone who kills a police animal after lawmakers voted Tuesday on a bill that was introduced after a wanted man ran from police and hid in a storm drain where he then strangled Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy Bane. Bane, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, died at the scene of the Nov. 16 police standoff in southeast Wichita. The state House approved HB 2583 115-6 on Tuesday. It is now up to Gov. Laura Kelly to sign or veto the bill. The current punishment for killing or harming a police dog ranges from 30 [...]

4 Thursday, April 4

Fed officials still expects rate cuts this year, but not anytime soon

info2024-04-04T10:55:59-05:00April 4th, 2024|

Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester said Tuesday she still expects interest rate cuts this year, but ruled out the next policy meeting in May. Mester also indicated that the long-run path is higher than policymakers had previously thought. The central bank official noted progress made on inflation while the economy has continued to grow. Should that continue, rate cuts are likely, though she didn't offer any guidance on timing or extent. "I continue to think that the most likely scenario is that inflation will continue on its downward trajectory to 2 percent over time. But I need to see more data to raise [...]

4 Thursday, April 4

City of Lawrence seeks input to develop brick streets and sidewalks policy

info2024-04-04T18:18:44-05:00April 4th, 2024|

The City of Lawrence wants community feedback as staff members look to develop a policy on maintenance, restoration and preservation of brick streets and sidewalks. City staff members and members of the Multimodal Transportation Commission’s Brick Streets and Sidewalks subcommittee will hold an open house this week to discuss community values, according to a news release from the city. The policy will also consider standards for reconstruction of brick streets and sidewalks, according to the release. “The Brick Streets + Sidewalks policy should reflect the community’s values and priorities, as well as have attainable and practical implementation strategies for the City of Lawrence,” according [...]

4 Thursday, April 4

Municipal Bond Trends for April 3, 2024

Henry Schmidt2024-04-04T09:14:07-05:00April 4th, 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 Thursday, April 4

Moving to these Kansas counties could come with financial incentives

info2024-04-04T07:35:43-05:00April 4th, 2024|

If you’re looking to move and haven’t considered Kansas, a state program aimed at attracting new residents to more rural areas could be worth investigating. Ninety-five of Kansas’ 105 counties are designated “rural opportunity zones,” which means anyone who moves there could receive student loan repayment assistance or might qualify for a tax credit to cover 100% of their state income taxes. In some cases, a new resident could qualify for both incentives. The Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program was introduced in 2012. It has grown from 50 counties 12 years ago to the 95 counties that offer the financial incentives [...]

4 Thursday, April 4

Judge rejects ‘infamous’ commenter’s assertion that Lawrence’s rules are unconstitutionally vague

info2024-04-04T07:23:32-05:00April 4th, 2024|

Lawrence’s “most infamous” commenter has failed to demonstrate that the City Commission’s rules about comments at public meetings are unconstitutionally vague or that the city engaged in unlawful viewpoint and content discrimination against him. Federal Judge Julie Robinson in an order this week, using Justin Spiehs’ self-identification as “the most infamous and outspoken public speaker,” dismissed those claims from Spiehs’ lawsuit against the city and two of its former mayors, but she has allowed other claims to move forward, including Spiehs’ contention that the city retaliated against him and denied him equal protection. Source: LJWorld