New redistricting plan approved by Topeka City Council

1 Tuesday, November 1

New redistricting plan approved by Topeka City Council

info2022-11-02T07:08:46-05:00November 1st, 2022|

A lot took place at Tuesday night's Topeka City Council meeting, but a big part of the agenda came from the vote to change district lines. Only seven of the eight council members were present at Tuesday's meeting, but with seven yes votes, district lines will be changed to better even out the population of all nine districts in the capitol city. The previous census showed a decline in population coming from districts one and two while districts eight and nine saw an increase. Before going into Tuesday's meeting, members considered five different map proposals. The council ultimately approved Plan A: [...]

1 Tuesday, November 1

City of Topeka opens new rental assistance program

info2022-11-01T23:28:01-05:00November 1st, 2022|

A new program launched by the City of Topeka aims to create a more collaborative community approach to ensuring equity and access to housing and shelter. Equity Access Shelter (EAS) will enhance homeless services to ensure all people receive rent assistance with a single point of access. EAS is located within Topeka's Housing Services Division. "No longer does a person needing rent assistance have to call multiple agencies to try to get help," said Carrie Higgins, senior program administrator for the City of Topeka. "One phone number means individuals are able to access help quickly, and without further trauma. EAS uses [...]

1 Tuesday, November 1

Municipal Bond Trends for October 31, 2022

Henry Schmidt2022-11-01T09:51:03-05:00November 1st, 2022|

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.

1 Tuesday, November 1

Analysts looking past the week’s FOMC meeting

info2022-11-01T09:52:46-05:00November 1st, 2022|

With a 75 basis point rate hike expected, analysts will focus on clues about the Federal Open Market Committee's thought about slowing future increases. "We expect the Federal Reserve to raise the fed funds rate by another 75 basis points at the November meeting, followed by a 50 basis points hike in December," noted Scott Colbert, director of fixed income and chief economist at Commerce Trust. "... We don't anticipate a rapid decline in interest rates going forward." Inflation hasn't cooled "enough to warrant easing interest rate hikes just yet," said Steve Skancke, chief economic advisor at Keel Point, "but also [...]

1 Tuesday, November 1

A fire that erupted Sunday evening north of Wichita continues to burn

info2022-11-01T09:55:39-05:00November 1st, 2022|

Firefighters still were working to contain a large fire at the Evergreen Pallet Recycling Center in Park City on Monday afternoon. The fire was reported around 6:48 p.m. on Sunday at the center, 300 W. 53rd Street N. in Park City. The intensity of the fire closed a portion of 53rd street between Arkansas and Broadway that has since been reopened. People are being asked to drive safely through the area as the fire is still burning, the Park City Police Department said. The fire is “consuming multiple piles of pallets and mulch, covering approximately 10 acres of the grounds,” Sedgwick [...]

1 Tuesday, November 1

Two Overland Park police officers help out trick-or-treaters on Halloween

info2022-11-01T09:56:16-05:00November 1st, 2022|

Overland Park police officers Amanda Burns and Shelbe Piggie were riding around town to find the perfect trick-or-treaters. The officers wanted to use their down time to connect with the community. It was also a way to make sure kids were being safe. “Whenever we're not on calls, we are encouraged to go into the neighborhoods, not only for the safety of the kids, but to be around making sure they're using their crosswalks,” Officer Burns said. “We like for them to cross at street corners, but also looking for drivers speeding through neighborhood and not stopping for the kids." Neighbors [...]

1 Tuesday, November 1

Traders Expect Higher Interest Rates to Stay

info2022-11-01T09:14:19-05:00November 1st, 2022|

Wagers on rates remaining higher for longer have crept upward most of the year and are now nearing their highest levels since 2013. Ahead of the Federal Reserve’s next decision on Wednesday, derivatives markets show the federal-funds rate sitting at around 3.5% for the long run. That is a full percentage point higher than the central bank’s own latest forecast. Those wagers have crept higher throughout most of the year, and are now nearing levels not seen since the 2013 bond-market rout known as the “Taper Tantrum.” Source: WSJ.com: Markets

31 Monday, October 31

Gage Park mini-train to stay in Topeka

info2022-10-31T23:53:16-05:00October 31st, 2022|

The Gage Park mini-train is officially retired, giving it's last ride over the weekend, but that does not mean it is going anywhere anytime soon. Although the train will most likely never be giving anyone rides ever again, Shawnee County Parks and Rec is already making plans to preserve the locomotive. The train will be replaced with an electric counterpart, but the old steam engine will remain in Gage Park on display. There is currently no official placement, but the Director of Parks and Rec says it will be staying home. Source: KSNT 27 News

31 Monday, October 31

Shawnee Mission launches pay incentives for some staff in effort to fill vacancies

info2022-11-01T10:00:37-05:00October 31st, 2022|

Shawnee Mission has launched a pilot pay incentive program aimed at attracting and retaining paraeducators and custodians at a time when the district is struggling to fill those positions. Shawnee Mission’s Board of Education last week unanimously approved spending more than half a million dollars on the program, which is aimed at addressing staffing shortages for classified, or non-teacher, staff. Source: Prairie Village Post

31 Monday, October 31

Panasonic to break ground on new Kansas battery plant in November

info2022-10-31T23:49:47-05:00October 31st, 2022|

Panasonic Energy will begin construction on a new EV batter plant in De Soto, Kansas, in November. The new facility will produce batteries that will be used in electric vehicles. “As the global shift to EVs accelerates, we are looking into ways to strengthen our battery production capacity in North America and meet the growing demand from our automotive partners,” Kazuo Tadanobu, President, CEO of Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., said. The company says the batteries are in high demand, and the De Soto site will help expand production capabilities with goals of mass producing EV batteries in 2025. Source: fox4kc.com | [...]