National

New Measures to Protect Pregnant Workers

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 Last December, President Biden signed into law a measure that has significant effects on companies with at least 15 employees. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants’ and employees’ known… more

The Stars Align for Kansas City

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 The pressures on the middle-class American lifestyle—a long-term trend that has been building over the past few decades—accelerated dramatically since 2020 and escalated further in 2022 as inflation skyrocketed. Steep increases in residential real-estate prices, coupled with… more

Take Control of Payments Processes and Curb Fraud Vulnerabilities

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 Despite growing attacks and attempts on digital payments —ACH debits and credits, wires, virtual cards, mobile wallets, and cryptocurrency—the payments most vulnerable to fraud continue to be a more traditional method of payment: checks.  The Association for… more

Has the Fed Orchestrated a Soft Landing?

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2023 The capital markets head into a post-FOMC meeting period with increasing confidence that the Fed has reached its terminal policy rate. Market developments painted a picture of a much cooler economy, slightly less-alarming Treasury borrowing needs, and… more

October Housing Starts Shows Signs of More Multi-Family Development

Posted November 21, 2023 Housing starts in the U.S. are increasing above pre-pandemic levels but high demand and mortgage rates are continuing to cause a slowdown in single-family development. The seasonally adjusted annual rate for housing starts reached 1.37 million… more

Park University Cuts Faculty and Degrees Following Low Enrollment

November 20, 2023 Park University is laying off faculty, cutting majors and closing campuses due to low enrollment numbers. In an emailed statement, the private university informed staff members it would be laying off 16 faculty positions in areas with… more

Top KC Accounting Firm Forvis To Form Global Network With Mazars

Posted November 16, 2023 Kansas City’s top accounting firm Forvis and Paris-based Mazars jointly announced the two companies will be forming a partnership to create a new global network launching next year. The new network— Forvis Mazars —aims to continue… more

Report: Healthcare Sector Reaches Record-Breaking Distress Levels

Posted November 15, 2023 The law firm Polsinelli released its TrBK Distress Indices report, which shows the economic distress for the healthcare industry is at its highest in 15 years. The US economy is seeing increased distress across the board,… more

Moody’s Cuts U.S. Gov. Outlook To Negative, From Stable Rating

Posted November 13, 2023 Moody’s Investors Service on Friday lowered its outlook rating on the United States government to negative from stable, citing spikes in interest rates and a lack of effective fiscal policy as key factors. Moody’s affirmed the… more

New Record For Americans Credit Card Debt Reaches $1.08T

Posted November 9, 2023 A new report on household debt from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows Americans have reached a cumulative $1.08 trillion in credit card debt. Credit card balances increased by $48 billion to $1.08 trillion… more