The market thinks the Fed is going to start cutting rates aggressively. Investors could be in for a letdown

17 Friday, November 17

The market thinks the Fed is going to start cutting rates aggressively. Investors could be in for a letdown

info2023-11-17T11:17:06-06:00November 17th, 2023|

Markets seem to have taken this week's positive economic data as the all-clear signal for the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates aggressively next year. Indications that both consumer and wholesale inflation rates have eased considerably from their mid-2022 peaks sent traders into a frenzy, with the most recent indications on the CME Group's FedWatch gauge pointing to a full percentage point of cuts by the end of 2024. That may be at least a tad optimistic, particularly considering the cautious approach central bank officials have taken during their campaign to bring down prices. "The case isn't conclusively made yet," [...]

17 Friday, November 17

Municipal Bond Trends for November 16, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-11-17T08:37:03-06:00November 17th, 2023|

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.

16 Thursday, November 16

Shawnee County is seeing record revenues at its golf courses this year

info2023-11-16T11:03:05-06:00November 16th, 2023|

Shawnee County's government has set a record this year for golf revenue, with one key reason being COVID-19, an official says. Many new golfers took up the game during the pandemic, when it was among the few activities available. Now, they continue to play, Josh Maike explained Monday to The Capital-Journal. County golf revenues eclipsed $2 million for the first time this year, county commissioners learned at a work session Monday from Maike, recreation superintendent for Shawnee County Parks and Recreation. The previous record was $1,805,080, set last year, he told The Capital-Journal. Other reasons Shawnee County set the record include [...]

16 Thursday, November 16

Municipal Bond Trends for November 15, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-11-16T07:22:07-06:00November 16th, 2023|

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.

15 Wednesday, November 15

Newton hires McPherson’s Daniela Rivas as its next city manager

info2023-11-16T08:15:50-06:00November 15th, 2023|

The Newton City Commission approved a contract to hire Daniela Rivas as its next city manager. Rivas, who works as an assistant city administrator/finance director for the City of McPherson will replace Kelly McElroy, who left the city position in October. According to information released by the city, Rivas grew up in Wichita and has family in Newton, and her familiarity with the community is one of the factors that drew her to the job. “Having spent my summers in Newton growing up, I know what a special community it is,” Rivas said. “I’m honored and excited to contribute to the [...]

15 Wednesday, November 15

Pickleball noise causing issues at this Prairie Village park

info2023-11-16T08:10:00-06:00November 15th, 2023|

Prairie Village is looking at four different options for alleviating pickleball noise coming from public courts at Windsor Park. Residents near the park at 7200 Windsor St. have shared concerns about the incessant noise of paddles hitting balls at six pickleball courts that were installed at the park in June. ... The Prairie Village City Council last week gave city staff the green light to explore options for four different types of possible sound mitigation at the park. Source: Prairie Village Post

15 Wednesday, November 15

Lawrence Police Department prioritizing calls by solvability; non-officer responders working out well, chief says

info2023-11-16T08:10:31-06:00November 15th, 2023|

The Lawrence Police Department is prioritizing calls by how solvable they are, LPD Chief Rich Lockhart told city commissioners Tuesday, and the addition of four non-officer responders has helped with efficiency. The department is now using a solvability matrix to guide its members’ efforts, he said. They’re going to focus and investigators’ time on violent crimes against people and the most severe and solvable crimes. Emergency dispatch will help classify calls as they’re received, and Lockhart said someone with the department will call people and let them know they’re going to have a delayed response and offer to schedule a time [...]

15 Wednesday, November 15

Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 Superintendent announces retirement

info2023-11-16T08:10:55-06:00November 15th, 2023|

Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 Superintendent Richard Proffitt has announced his plans to retire in a statement from the district office on Tuesday morning. Proffitt has served as the USD 250 Superintendent of Schools since 2018, guiding the district through the pandemic and capping off his career with the renovation of the Pittsburg Community Middle School. “It has been my pleasure to have worked with the Board of Education, administration, staff, students and community in Pittsburg,” Proffitt said. “I am proud of the accomplishments that have been made during my tenure and I have been honored to work with such wonderful professionals that [...]

15 Wednesday, November 15

A look into Topeka’s next multimillion dollar park

info2023-11-16T08:11:16-06:00November 15th, 2023|

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation gave county commissioners a sneak peak into the nearly $4 million dollar Southwest Topeka Family Park project. Talks have been in the works for nearly a decade to turn the plot of land at southwest 21st and southwest Urish by the Midwest Health Aquatic Center into Family Park. At Monday's Shawnee County commission meeting, parks and rec were able to show the commissioners what those talks are turning into. The design, which is still an evolving concept, includes a "Destination Playground," pickleball courts and a shelter house. It's the latest phase of a master plan, which [...]

15 Wednesday, November 15

Labette County explores use of repeaters for rural firefighters

info2023-11-16T08:11:40-06:00November 15th, 2023|

Labette County commissioners on Monday heard about a portable repeater that could improve radio communication for rural firefighters. Firefighters have struggled in certain areas of the county to reach the 800 megahertz tower in the center of the county with 2-watt handheld radios. The county received a grant to purchase for firefighters 100 handheld radios programmed to the state’s 800 radio system. The grant brought in $212,500, and the local match will be $37,500. Many fire departments haven’t updated their 800 MHz radios since 2012. Charlie Morse, the county’s emergency management director, brought in two L3Harris radios for testing in the [...]