National

VA begins deployment of Cerner EHR system

The beginning of a nationwide electronic health record (EHR) system launch for has begun this week for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A Veterans Affairs (VA) center in Washington state is the first to begin the transition from its… more

September home sales fall from August, up from last year

Homes sales in September 2020 experienced a slight lull, dropping 3.5 percent from the month prior, in August 2020. Despite the subtle dip, homes sales remained modestly elevated, displaying a strong 32.1 percent rise in sales from one year ago,… more

Case-Shiller reveals fastest price rise in two years

The remarkable surge in home prices continued into August as prices showed no signs of cooling down heading into the fall. By some measures, home prices are rising at a faster pace than they ever have – an incredible feat… more

Coping with COVID: Missouri to receive nearly 2 million rapid tests from White House

A shipment of over half of 1.8 million rapid COVID-19 tests from the White House is on its way to Missouri, the Trump administration announced Monday. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the rapid tests being… more

DFA moves up as second largest cooperative in U.S.

Noted among the top 100 Co-ops in the U.S., regionally headquartered Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has shifted in an annual ranking by National Cooperative Bank. The Kansas City, Kan.-based milk marketing company is now considered the second largest cooperative… more

Coping with COVID: New information prompts CDC to change guidance on close contacts

As experts study COVID-19, new information comes out almost daily, changing guidance on how to stay safe. “The information is coming much quicker than it might have prior to COVID," said Dr. Mark Steele at Truman Medical Center. Since the… more

Beige Book report shows KC economic activity increased slightly in September

In the latest Beige Book, overall economic activity continued to increase across all districts, with the pace of growth characterized as slight to modest in most districts. Changes in activity varied greatly by sector. Manufacturing activity generally increased at a… more

New Senate bill to tackle purported bank discrimination

This week Congress members introduced a new bill called the Fair Access to Financial Services Act to the Senate Banking Committee. The bill seeks to outlaw discrimination against bank customers, supporters claiming that a loophole in federal law allows discrimination… more

Single-family home prices rise to record high

Homes sales continued to climb in September, no shortage of buyer yet despite COVID-19 and an unrelenting inventory shortage. Building on an already strong pace set in July and August, sales figures in September rose at their fastest annual rate… more

Jobless claims now under 800K since March

In the week ending October 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 787,000, a decrease of 55,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 56,000 from 898,000 to 842,000. The… more