More than two-thirds of economists at 23 major financial institutions expect the U.S. to have a downturn this year

3 Tuesday, January 3

More than two-thirds of economists at 23 major financial institutions expect the U.S. to have a downturn this year

info2023-01-03T10:32:03-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

Big banks are predicting that an economic downturn is fast approaching. More than two-thirds of the economists at 23 large financial institutions that do business directly with the Federal Reserve are betting the U.S. will have a recession in 2023. Two others are predicting a recession in 2024. The firms... cite a number of red flags: Americans are spending down their pandemic savings. The housing market is in decline, and banks are tightening their lending standards. ... The main culprit is the Federal Reserve, economists said, which has been raising rates for months to try to slow the economy and curb [...]

3 Tuesday, January 3

Municipal Bond Trends for December 30, 2022

Henry Schmidt2023-01-03T10:00:06-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

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, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.

3 Tuesday, January 3

Appeals court rejects Save Century II petition; mayor says C2 not in danger

info2023-01-03T09:53:49-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

Save Century II’s legal efforts to require a binding vote before the city tears down historic buildings has been rejected by the Kansas Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel upheld the district court’s ruling in an opinion published Friday, saying the organizers’ argument “fails to appreciate the specialized knowledge” required to make decisions about the fate of city-owned buildings. The court’s decision hinged on a provision of state law that allows citizen petitions to alter legislative policies but not administrative matters. “The ordinance would invade and permeate the city’s administrative assessments of these structures. And the ordinance would prevent the city [...]

3 Tuesday, January 3

Panasonic reveals De Soto’s new $4 billion battery plant

info2023-01-03T00:06:31-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

DeSoto City leaders reviewed the first set of plans for the new Panasonic $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant, Tuesday, December 20. A site plan was submitted to city leaders from SSOE Group, an architecture and engineering firm representing Panasonic. The tentative plans for the new battery manufacturing facility show a two-story, U-shaped building to be constructed near the southwest corner of West 103rd Street and Dual Drive. The plans for the 2,739,000 square-foot manufacturing building includes several parking lots surrounding the main building and three detention ponds to the east of the main facility. Source: Gardner News

3 Tuesday, January 3

Facade grant extensions OKed

info2023-01-03T00:05:20-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

Noting how the Barton County Facade Improvement Grant program has improved the appearance of downtown streets, the County Commission Wednesday morning approved deadline extensions and/or changes for three projects. These include: My Town LP ,1917 Lakin Ave.; Hammond, Inc. for two properties; and Boots Wine Bar LLC., 2022 Forest. During the Nov. 2, 2021, meeting, My Town, LP, was allocated $14,193. They were given an extension. During the Sept. 28, 2021, meeting, Hammond Inc, was allocated $20,000 for two Main Street properties, and they are seeking changes to the projects. Source: Great Bend Tribune

3 Tuesday, January 3

Davis was dedicated to serving Newton

info2023-01-03T00:02:29-06:00January 3rd, 2023|

Former Newton Mayor and City Commissioner Glen Davis had his family at the commission meeting when he became mayor. That’s according to current Newton Mayor Leroy Koehn. “He wanted them to share that moment and how much it meant to him,” Koehn said. “Newton was lucky to have a man like Glen who advocated for many people who couldn’t advocate for themselves.” Davis died Dec. 18 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center at the age of 74. Koehn said he first knew of Glen and Becky Davis 40 years ago when they were owners of Pizza Inn on Meridian. Source: Harvey [...]

2 Monday, January 2

‘It’s not just been work; it’s been family’

info2023-01-02T23:57:49-06:00January 2nd, 2023|

Miami County commissioners, during their Dec. 28 meeting, issued a proclamation honoring Elizabeth Sweeney-Reeder for her service as Miami County Attorney. Sweeney-Reeder began working at the Miami County Courthouse in 2006 under former Miami County Attorney David L. Miller. She was elected to the office in November 2012 and began her service as Miami County Attorney in January 2013. In December, Gov. Laura Kelly announced that Sweeney-Reeder of Paola and Richard M. Fisher Jr. of Osawatomie have been appointed to two judgeship positions in the 6th Judicial District, which is composed of Bourbon, Linn and Miami counties. Source: Local News | [...]

2 Monday, January 2

‘We’re losing too many young people in this city,’ Wichita official says

info2023-01-02T23:44:07-06:00January 2nd, 2023|

Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Council member, pleaded for the community's help in addressing recent violence involving gangs. Community leaders were part of a news conference led by the Wichita Police Department on Friday. Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

2 Monday, January 2

Man dies at North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness

info2023-01-02T23:41:05-06:00January 2nd, 2023|

A man died Friday at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness. At least two camp residents tried to perform CPR to resuscitate the man. One of them was a woman who trembled from shock afterward. She said she wished the camp had access to Narcan — an opioid overdose reversal drug. “We need Narcan in here,” she said. “Tell them to send in Narcan. Please.” Some other camp residents who asked not to be named said they thought the man had overdosed. Source: The Lawrence Times

2 Monday, January 2

City of Lawrence to hold meetings on proposed changes to historic resources ordinances

info2023-01-02T23:37:58-06:00January 2nd, 2023|

The community is invited to three public meetings on proposed revisions to the chapter of Lawrence city code that deals with conservation of historic resources. Chapter 22 of the city code creates the Lawrence Register of Historic Places and the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission, according to a news release from the city. “The Lawrence Register is the City’s official list of properties that represent all socioeconomic strata, residences, businesses and industries that illustrate the diversity that has been prevalent in Lawrence since its inception,” according to the release. “The chapter also sets design standards and criteria for the review of building [...]