The Federal Reserve may not hike interest rates this week

18 Monday, September 18

The Federal Reserve may not hike interest rates this week

info2023-09-18T14:19:22-05:00September 18th, 2023|

The Federal Reserve is likely to pause its aggressive interest rate hikes when it meets this week, experts predict. But consumers may not feel any relief. The central bank has already raised interest rates 11 times since last year — the fastest pace of tightening since the early 1980s. Yet recent data is still painting a mixed picture of where the economy stands. Overall growth is holding steady as consumers continue to spend, but the labor market is beginning to loosen from historically tight conditions. At the same time, inflation has shown some signs of cooling even though it remains well above [...]

17 Sunday, September 17

Municipal Bond Trends for September 15, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-09-17T20:17:08-05:00September 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.

15 Friday, September 15

Governor Kelly Announces 27 Cities to Receive $22M for Highway Improvements

info2023-09-15T08:45:21-05:00September 15th, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that 27 cities across Kansas will receive a total of $22 million for projects to improve intersections and state highways extending through cities as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP). ... KDOT was able to increase CCLIP funding for this selection cycle due to additional federal funds coming to Kansas as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL). The program will provide $5.1 million in state fiscal year 2025 and $16.9 million in state fiscal year 2026. Both federal and state funds are designated for the CCLIP program. Local [...]

15 Friday, September 15

Walnut Valley Festival in full swing for its 51st year

info2023-09-15T08:33:02-05:00September 15th, 2023|

The 51st annual Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield has kicked off. It runs through Sunday, Sept. 17. Everything you need to know is listed on the Walnut Valley Festival website. There are four stages with music all day long from over 30 performers, some new and some old. There are all sorts of food vendors and arts and crafts vendors with everything from tie-dye shirts to art pieces. "It's kind of a city in itself," Larry Junker said. "You don't really have to go outside." Larry Junker started writing the WVA (Walnut Valley Association) Daily in the 90s after starting to [...]

15 Friday, September 15

Municipal Bond Trends for September 14, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-09-15T08:14:06-05:00September 15th, 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 Friday, September 15

WPD launches new drone program

info2023-09-15T08:00:11-05:00September 15th, 2023|

The Wichita Police Department announced Wednesday that it will be creating a new drone program. The department took to social media Wednesday morning saying they will be partnering with Axon Air to create a new drone program to enhance their law enforcement capabilities. "The cutting-edge drones equipped with high-resolution cameras will help us monitor public events, traffic situations, and emergency scenes more effectively," WPD said. "This means quicker response times and improved situational awareness." The department added that drones will be "invaluable" in locating missing persons, assisting in natural disasters and allowing them to provide support in the Wichita community in [...]

15 Friday, September 15

Wichita City Council passes regulations, licensing for short-term rentals like Airbnbs

info2023-09-15T07:58:29-05:00September 15th, 2023|

Short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs will need to get a license and pay a fee to operate in the city of Wichita after the council passed new regulations Tuesday. Many of the short-term rentals that operate in residential areas currently do so against existing city codes. “I would venture to say there are very few short-term rentals in Wichita today that are in compliance with the zoning, unless they’re renting for seven days or more,” said Scott Wadle, the city’s planning director. The policy change City Council approved means short-term rentals can now operate legally, if they obtain the required licensing [...]

15 Friday, September 15

Parsons Police Dept. strengthens community bonds

info2023-09-15T07:55:12-05:00September 15th, 2023|

Parsons Police Department recently hosted a Coffee with a Cop event, breaking from tradition by holding it in the evening. On September 12, 2023, at 6:00 pm, community members gathered for a unique opportunity to engage with their local law enforcement. The event, organized by host Shannon Schibi and Officer Mark Raney, responded to requests from residents unable to attend morning sessions. This shift in timing aimed to ensure that as many members of the community as possible could participate. "We had a remarkable turnout, with approximately 30 citizens joining us during the two-hour duration. The event fostered meaningful conversations, allowing [...]

15 Friday, September 15

Paola firefighter to be honored 66 years after his death

info2023-09-15T07:53:46-05:00September 15th, 2023|

Assistant Paola Fire Chief Wendell O. Phillips was fighting a house fire at 107 E. Wea St. on April 7, 1957, when he had a heart attack. Thinking he was just feeling ill, Phillips went home, but he suffered another heart attack that evening and grew steadily worse. Phillips was taken to the hospital, but he died two days later on April 9, 1957. It was a tragic loss for the community, and the fire department, but, for whatever reason, as the years and decades passed by, fewer and fewer people could recall Phillips’ service and sacrifice. Source: Local News | [...]

15 Friday, September 15

Experience history during Freedom Festival

info2023-09-15T07:52:13-05:00September 15th, 2023|

Osawatomie’s rich history from the Bleeding Kansas time period will come to life this weekend during the Freedom Festival in John Brown Memorial Park. The two-day event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17. Freedom Festival will feature reenactments of the Battle of Osawatomie and other reenactments from the pre-Civil War and Civil War periods. Several speakers will present talks about this historically significant time for Osawatomie and the surrounding region. Source: Local News | republic-online.com