Kansas

In a Nutshell: Fed Optimistic, But Are Investors?

Stocks swung wildly following last week’s FOMC's highly anticipated meeting as the yield curve pulled back, steepened, then pulled back once more.  The central bank sharply upgraded its 2021 GDP growth forecast to 6.5%, the largest annual output since 1984,… more

Coping with COVID: Kansas executive order extending statewide mask policy struck down by state council

A series of executive orders signed Thursday by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly aim to encourage Kansas counties to keep COVID-19 mask mandates. Among them was an order to extend the mask mandate, although it was revoked by the Republican-controlled Legislative… more

Kansas opens vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 and older

While both Kansas and Missouri have been making the COVID-19 vaccine available to more residents, the former this week has expanded eligibility to all residents 16 and older. The expanded rule began Monday as part of Kansas' start to its… more

U.S. nursing facilities see 96 percent drop in COVID cases

Representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the U.S., a report from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living shows  nursing homes in the U.S. continue to see a rapid decline… more

Amazon employees in Mo., Kan. receive on-site COVID vaccine

Amazon employees in Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City, Kan. and other areas across Missouri and Kansas can now participate in an on-site COVID-19 vaccination program put on by the company and local government. The multinational e-commerce giant started the program… more

Kansas Senate vote confirms Shultz as Labor Secretary

In a 40-0 vote today, the Kansas Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment of Amber Shultz as the Kansas Secretary of Labor. Shultz will oversee the state Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation, Labor Market Information Services, Labor Relations, Legal Services and Industrial… more

Kan., Mo. selected for national cybersecurity policy initiative

The National Governors Association selected Kansas and Missouri as part of a four state collaboration on cybersecurity governance. “We’re honored to be chosen to collaborate with NGA for this prestigious academy,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said. “With rapid changes in… more

March manufacturing activity kicks up in Kansas City Federal Reserve District

Kansas City's Federal Reserve District which encompasses the western's portion of Missouri, all of Kansas and other territory stretching into Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma Wyoming and New Mexico, shows manufacturing at a steady incline in March. Manufacturing activity in the central… more

In a Nutshell: Rapid Economic Rebound In 2021 – Fasten Your Seatbelts?

As with any economic recovery interest rates and bond yields rise. Historically it’s been a bullish development for stocks because the earnings rebound (fueling the “risk on” appetite) typically far exceeds that of the “risk off” fear of rising rates.… more

U.S. jobless claims fall to lowest count since onset of COVID-19

First-time claims for unemployment insurance unexpectedly fell sharply last week amid signs that hiring has picked up in the U.S. economy, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Claims totaled 684,000 for the week ended March 20, the first time the number… more