Hospitals in Kansas turn to overseas workers to combat nurse shortage but immigration law gets in the way

Kansas recruiters are looking as far away as the Philippines in Southeast Asia because 21% of registered nursing jobs in the state went unfilled last year. That’s what the Kansas Hospital Association found in a recent report. “Just to kind of put that in perspective, we need four nurses on a unit,” said Cindy Samuelson with the KHA. “If we’re thinking of percentages 25%, that means we only have three.” Prior to the pandemic, the U.S. was already experiencing a shortage of nurses. During COVID-19, the issue was only exacerbated as fatigued nurses left the workforce. Samuelson said the association held its very first virtual job fair to try to reach more potential workers. The group is also partnering with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and rural organizations to raise awareness of the job opportunities in the medical field.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe

Ranson Financial2023-06-30T10:22:58-05:00June 30, 2023|News|

Governor Kelly Joins Sen. Moran Rep. Davids to Break Ground on De Soto Road Project Near Panasonic

Governor Laura Kelly today joined U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, and other state, local, and private sector leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the De Soto Local Road Improvement Project. The Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) 4.5-mile street improvement project will support the $4 billion, 4,000-job Panasonic Energy electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility currently under construction. The project, which represents the largest private investment in Kansas history, was announced last July.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Ranson Financial2023-06-30T10:22:07-05:00June 30, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 29, 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.

Henry Schmidt2023-06-30T09:41:29-05:00June 30, 2023|News|

Topeka leaders say they took ‘future of hotel’ into city’s own hands

Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla recalls feeling helpless as Topeka’s West Ridge Mall was auctioned off in December 2021. “There was little that we were able to participate in at that time, and the result wasn’t what we hoped for,” he said Tuesday during his first monthly news conference with acting city manager Richard Nienstedt. What happened with that mall was one reason Padilla supported Topeka’s city government bidding $7.6 million in an auction this month to win the right to buy Hotel Topeka at City Center, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd., he said.
Source: CJonline

Ranson Financial2023-06-29T07:53:43-05:00June 29, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for June 28, 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.

Henry Schmidt2023-06-29T06:49:31-05:00June 29, 2023|News|

Powell says more ‘restriction’ is coming including possibility of hikes at consecutive meetings

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell talked tough on inflation Wednesday, saying at a forum that he expects multiple interest rate increases ahead and possibly at an aggressive pace. “We believe there’s more restriction coming,” Powell said during a monetary policy session in Sintra, Portugal. “What’s really driving it … is a very strong labor market.” The comments reiterate a position taken by Powell’s fellow policymakers at their June meeting, during which they indicated the likelihood of another half percentage point of increases through the end of 2023.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2023-06-29T00:27:41-05:00June 29, 2023|News|

Garden City hires new Parks & Rec chief

Ticia Herd, Executive Director of the Mulvane Recreation Commission for the past 15 years, has been named the new Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Garden City. “Ticia’s excitement about the growth and diversity of Garden City was evident throughout the search process. We look forward to her arrival in early August,” Matt Allen, Garden City City Manager, said. Herd replaces former director Aaron Stewart. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and a minor in psychology from Pittsburg State University, completed MBA coursework from Friends University, and is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP).
Source: Greater Garden City » Feed

Ranson Financial2023-06-29T00:26:05-05:00June 29, 2023|News|

Temporary water treatment facility one of Kansas largest

A water treatment facility that would temporarily become the seventh largest in Kansas was built on site to treat water from the creek. The operation could treat 3,600 gallons of water per minute and put treated water back into the creek that exceeded the obligated water quality criteria.
Source: Backroads News

Ranson Financial2023-06-29T00:22:55-05:00June 29, 2023|News|

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $43.6M in Grant Funding Creation of Over 4200 New Child Care Slots

Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund announced funding awards to 52 statewide organizations for the purpose of creating new, sustainable, high-quality licensed child care slots across the state and accelerating capacity-building in support of families, businesses, and economic development. These grants are part of the Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program, which was designed to advance the rapid development of additional child care slots statewide. The program will provide $43,593,294 in grant funding, which will create 4,211 new child care slots across the state.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

Ranson Financial2023-06-29T07:36:42-05:00June 29, 2023|News|

Wacky Wednesday returns in Crawford County

The Crawford County Historical Museum in Pittsburg, Kansas today hosted its Wacky Wednesday children’s series. This free and family-friendly event featured various themes tailored for children from preschool to 6th grade. Held from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the activities took place both on the museum grounds and inside the museum itself. Bart Taylor, an award-winning educator specializing in US History and Will Rogers, served as the event’s host. As the Creative Curator and Interpreter at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma, Bart brought his expertise and passion for history to engage and entertain the participants.
Source: KOAM News

Ranson Financial2023-06-29T00:13:53-05:00June 29, 2023|News|