Category: Business

Kansas attorney general sues New York company for violating No-Call Act

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has sued a New York-based business for violating the Kansas No Call Act.

In 2014, the attorney general’s office received multiple complaints from Kansans who had received telemarketing calls from callers who identified themselves as representatives of “Farmway,” a local supplier with no connection to the defendants or the alleged telephone calls.

The callers were trying to sell agricultural chemicals. Schmidt filed suit against Carso Inc. d/b/a Supply House, d/b/a Coating and Chemicals, Donna Decianni Spano and Jack Caratozzolo, all of New York state. The suit was filed last week in Shawnee County District Court.

The lawsuit alleges the defendants violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act and the No Call Act by calling registered Kansas telephone numbers, willfully misrepresenting themselves as “Farmway” in order to mislead Kansas consumers, and knowingly misrepresenting their products as those of Farmway Co-op, Inc. The attorney general alleges the defendants in fact have no affiliation with Farmway Co-op, Inc. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, KCPA and No Call civil penalties, and investigative fees.

Consumers who have been called by or done business with any of the companies identified above may file a complaint with the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division at www.InYourCornerKansas.org at (800) 432-2310.

Unemployment increased in July in KCK

The unemployment rate increased during July in Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County, according to figures released by the Kansas Department of Labor.

The unemployment rate rose to 6.9 percent in July in Kansas City, Kan., as compared to 6.5 percent in June, according to KDOL statistics. It was still under the July 2014 unemployment rate of 7.9 percent in Kansas City, Kan.

Wyandotte County had a similar unemployment rate, 6.8 percent in July as compared to 6.4 percent in June. One year ago, it was 7.7 percent.

In Wyandotte County, there were 5,247 persons counted as unemployed in July, and 4,851 persons listed as unemployed in Kansas City, Kan., according to the statistics. There were 71,440 persons employed in Wyandotte County in July, and 65,378 persons employed in Kansas City, Kan.

Kansas City, Kan., had the second highest unemployment rate of the larger cities in Kansas, according to KDOL statistics. The highest unemployment rate was in Junction City, Kan., at 7.3 percent. That figure represented 663 persons listed as unemployed. Wichita had a 6.1 percent unemployment rate, representing 11,408 persons who were unemployed.

The Wyandotte County unemployment rate was significantly higher than the state of Kansas unemployment rate of 5.1 percent, or 4.6 percent when seasonally adjusted.

The state’s seasonally adjusted rate was up in July from the previous month’s 4.5 percent and up from 4.4 percent a year ago, according to the Kansas Department of Labor.

Despite the decline and mixed results on estimates job growth in 2015, a Kansas labor economist stated that there was a 12-month growth rate of 1.3 percent through July in the Kansas private sector.

Women in Business Summit to be Sept. 10

The 2015 Women in Business Summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Thomas Burke Technical Education Center, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

The event is sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce.

Keynote speakers will be Michelle Robin, chief wellness officer and founder, Your Wellness Connection; and Karen Daniels, chief financial officer, Black and Veatch.

Workshop sessions will discuss getting more of what you want out of life; building professional networks; continuing education for leaders; and building your personal brand.

Registration includes continental breakfast and buffet lunch. Register online at www.womenschamberkck.org. Call 913-522-7526 for more information.