As inflation gauge falls 0.1% for the month, is it time for the Fed to declare victory on inflation? Not yet

December’s monthly decline in the consumer price index gets the Federal Reserve a step closer to beating inflation, though they’re highly unlikely to signal an easing of policy anytime soon. The key inflation gauge fell 0.1% for the month, in line with market expectations and the biggest drop since April 2020. Though the CPI for all items is still 6.5% ahead of where it was a year ago, the arc has been steadily lower — from its peak around a 9% annual rate in June 2022 to a steadily declining rate amid a sharp drop in gas prices and some serious interest rate increases from the Fed. The question now is how much more evidence policymakers will need to see before they take their foot off the brake. “If they’re doing a forecast, which is what they should be doing, it strongly argues that their rate increases should be coming to an end soon,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “There’s nothing not to like about this report. Inflation is going to come in here.”
Source: CNBC

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:56:05-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

Leawood creating wildflower haven for monarch butterflies

The city of Leawood is building a haven of wildflowers for migrating monarch butterflies. The Parks and Recreation department will plant a mix of wildflowers for the butterflies to pollinate as they pass through the region. The now-endangered butterflies are expected to migrate through Johnson County later this year, after the flowers are planted.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:38:12-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

GCPD celebrating 100 years of service

One hundred years ago on Jan. 8, 1923, the Garden City Police Department was formed. On Jan. 9, 2023, GCPD held a Centennial Celebration to mark its 100th anniversary in Garden City Community College’s Pauline Joyce Fine Arts auditorium. Courtney Prewitt, GCPD Chief of Police, said 100 years is a long time and much has happened in the world since the department’s inception in 1923, including professional law enforcement. “One thing remains constant – the Garden City Police Department’s commitment to serving and protecting our community,” he said. Over the past century the department has grown and evolved, just like the city, Prewitt said. It’s adapted to the changing needs of the community and challenges that came with the change, but the department has remained “steadfast in our dedication to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and well-being of the people we serve.”
Source: Garden City Telegram

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:36:57-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

South Hutchinson City Administrator Joseph Turner makes ELGL’s Top 100 Local Government Influencers for 2022

… each year ELGL seek nominations for the Top 100 Influencers in Local Government. It is inspiring to read about these local government leaders, and we know even more superb public servants are doing incredible work across the country. … Joseph has developed a LinkedIn community aimed at helping aspiring city managers break into the field as well as supporting current managers.
Source: ELGL

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:36:10-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

KCK public school workers being trained to use Narcan for overdose emergencies

Preventative and proactive. That’s how educators in Kansas City, Kansas describe their training to use Narcan, the emergency spray that’s used to save anyone who’s overdosed on fentanyl. Fifty doses of the life-saving tool are now owned by KCK Public School administrators, 153 district employees have been trained to administer Narcan, including fellow nursing staffers and district police officers. “We want to make sure we have the necessary tools in place if we have a situation like this,” KCK Schools Police Chief Curtis Nicholson said.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:30:54-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee favors 4-day weeks, closing 3 buildings

The Lawrence school district’s Futures Planning Committee on Wednesday in a preliminary vote advanced a budget scenario suggesting a four-day school week, closing two elementary schools and a middle school, and cutting a district administration position. The committee members, divided into small groups, reevaluated items in the current budget scenario, offering their own suggested changes to budget cuts in preparation for upcoming public input sessions. Each committee member was allowed to vote for two out of the seven groups’ scenarios. The scenario that won, receiving 20 votes, also includes utilizing renewable solar power — which would not save costs but would reduce emissions — and cutting two electives at each high school instead of cutting student programs. Altogether, the group’s proposed cuts would save the district an estimated $7.6 million to $9.6 million. The four-day school weeks would save an estimated $700,000.
Source: The Lawrence Times

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:30:05-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

Miami County looks for cure to voting machine hiccup

Miami County commissioners learned an additional investment would be necessary to correct a flaw in the county’s election machines that allows voters to change ballot styles — whether it be done by accident or misdeed. The county in May 2019 purchased 125 ExpressVote Tabulators for $685,220 from Election Systems & Software. Angie Frison, an ESS sales representative for the Omaha, Neb.-based company, attended the County Commission’s study session Dec. 21 to talk about a hiccup that allowed two voters to change their ballot styles in November.
Source: The Miami County Republic

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:29:28-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for January 11, 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.

Henry Schmidt2023-01-12T10:04:32-06:00January 12, 2023|News|

Fed’s Collins leans toward downshifting to a quarter-point hike

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said she’s leaning toward supporting a quarter-point interest rate hike at the central bank’s next meeting ending Feb. 1 as officials near a peak in borrowing costs. Downshifting to a smaller move from the more aggressive rate increases the Fed rolled out last year would give officials more time to see how their actions are affecting the economy, Collins said Wednesday in an interview with The New York Times. The Fed raised its main rate by 50 basis points at the last meeting in mid-December, slowing down following four straight 75 basis-point increases. Inflation data due Thursday have the potential to make a quarter-point move more certain, if price gains continue to slow.
Source: The Bond Buyer

Ranson Financial2023-01-11T22:41:48-06:00January 11, 2023|News|

Hill’s Pet Nutrition to relocate HQ from Topeka to Overland Park

Hill’s Pet Nutrition will be shifting its global and U.S. headquarters to the greater Kansas City area later this year. An announcement from Hill’s reports that the company will be expanding in Kansas by bringing its headquarters to Aspiria Campus at 6180 Sprint Parkway in Overland Park towards the end of 2023. While the headquarters is moving, the company will continue to invest in its Topeka manufacturing hubs.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF

Ranson Financial2023-01-12T12:40:46-06:00January 11, 2023|News|