Latest news with #JohnBrown
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Plug and Play expo brings international entrepreneurs to Topeka
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Plug and Play expo brings together innovation and industry. It focuses on ag tech and animal health, two fields that define Kansas' economy. Startups from Germany, Canada, Australia and more were all represented today. The goal is to solve global challenges with local support. For the founders, today is more than a presentation, it's a launching pad. 'When you're a founder, it's a little bit like being on an island at times,' Ground Truth Ag CEO, Kyle Folk said. 'So, any time that you can get out there and meet other people who are going through the same thing as you and get to network and capitalize on other people's, you know, the community that other people have access to, you take it.' One entrepreneur says he found success after going through the same program, later selling his business and continuing to give back. 'Great conversations going on and to have it happen, you know, in a small town with people that you can relate to,' Former StenCo CEO, John Brown said. 'You've been right where they are, it's something that will keep me coming back, hopefully for years to come.' GO Topeka partners with Plug and Play to bring this innovation hub to life, helping both the companies and the city grow. Groundbreaking for new innovation labs in Topeka 'It's important for Kansas because this is really an economic development opportunity as we help attract these startups to the area and bring them to Kansas,' GO Topeka, Stephanie Moran said. 'They're looking for places to grow and advance their businesses.' GO Topeka says Plug and Play plans to keep growing its presence in Topeka, meaning more job opportunities here in the capital city. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Airbnb bill' aimed at second home owners
A bill proposing a law change aimed at second home owners looking to "dodge council tax" has been presented to parliament by a North Cornwall MP. Dubbed the "Airbnb Bill", it proposes homeowners be required to seek planning permission before short-term letting their property. Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire said it would "close a loophole" which allowed property owners to avoid council tax by reclassifying their second homes as business lets. John Brown, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said the bill "was not a silver bullet, but a start". Mr Brown added: "It must sit alongside tougher regulation and a robust registration system for short-term lets. "If it deters those looking to extract profit from Cornwall without putting anything back — good. "If it helps restore housing stock for local people, even better. "And if it ensures our hospitality and tourism sectors can find workers with secure housing, then it's a win for all of Cornwall.". Describing a "surplus" of Airbnb homes, he said there were 14,000 second homes in the county, while 22,000 people were on the housing waiting list. The bill follows a campaign led by Mr Maguire, who put the proposal directly to the Housing Minister in order to "deliver deep change for North Cornwall". He added: "The bill is about restoring fairness in our system and giving local people a better chance at owning their own home," he added. In January 2023, Cornwall Council approved plans for owners of second homes in the county to be charged double council tax. In September 2024, Airbnb called for Cornwall Council to be given more data, powers and tools to regulate short-term rentals. The US online rental platform said it had written to local MPs and councillors across Cornwall to inform them of its support for new rules being implemented in the county. Airbnb also said it also supported the introduction of a registration scheme for people who wanted to let their homes to tourists. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said it would fix the "inherited" housing crisis through its Plan for Change. They said it recognised the "excessive concentrations" of second homes and short-term lets could "price out local people and damage public services". It had scrapped the furnished holiday lets tax regime, it said, and councils now had powers to increase council tax bills of second homes, while it was "committed" to introducing a national mandatory registration scheme for short-term lets. Before a short-term let can be assessed for business rates it must first have been available for short-term letting for at least 140 days in the previous year, and actually let for at least 70 days in the previous year. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ MP seeks law to regulate Airbnb 'party houses' Plans to use second homes tax on police patrols Demand for second homes has 'fallen off a cliff' Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Airbnb bill' aimed at second home owners
A bill proposing a law change aimed at second home owners looking to "dodge council tax" has been presented to parliament by a North Cornwall MP. Dubbed the "Airbnb Bill", it proposes homeowners be required to seek planning permission before short-term letting their property. Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire said it would "close a loophole" which allowed property owners to avoid council tax by reclassifying their second homes as business lets. John Brown, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said the bill "was not a silver bullet, but a start". Mr Brown added: "It must sit alongside tougher regulation and a robust registration system for short-term lets. "If it deters those looking to extract profit from Cornwall without putting anything back — good. "If it helps restore housing stock for local people, even better. "And if it ensures our hospitality and tourism sectors can find workers with secure housing, then it's a win for all of Cornwall.". Describing a "surplus" of Airbnb homes, he said there were 14,000 second homes in the county, while 22,000 people were on the housing waiting list. The bill follows a campaign led by Mr Maguire, who put the proposal directly to the Housing Minister in order to "deliver deep change for North Cornwall". He added: "The bill is about restoring fairness in our system and giving local people a better chance at owning their own home," he added. In January 2023, Cornwall Council approved plans for owners of second homes in the county to be charged double council tax. In September 2024, Airbnb called for Cornwall Council to be given more data, powers and tools to regulate short-term rentals. The US online rental platform said it had written to local MPs and councillors across Cornwall to inform them of its support for new rules being implemented in the county. Airbnb also said it also supported the introduction of a registration scheme for people who wanted to let their homes to tourists. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said it would fix the "inherited" housing crisis through its Plan for Change. They said it recognised the "excessive concentrations" of second homes and short-term lets could "price out local people and damage public services". It had scrapped the furnished holiday lets tax regime, it said, and councils now had powers to increase council tax bills of second homes, while it was "committed" to introducing a national mandatory registration scheme for short-term lets. Before a short-term let can be assessed for business rates it must first have been available for short-term letting for at least 140 days in the previous year, and actually let for at least 70 days in the previous year. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ MP seeks law to regulate Airbnb 'party houses' Plans to use second homes tax on police patrols Demand for second homes has 'fallen off a cliff' Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'Airbnb bill' aimed at taxing Cornwall's second homeowners
A bill proposing a law change aimed at second home owners looking to "dodge council tax" has been presented to parliament by a North Cornwall the "Airbnb Bill", it proposes homeowners be required to seek planning permission before short-term letting their Democrat MP Ben Maguire said it would "close a loophole" which allowed property owners to avoid council tax by reclassifying their second homes as business Brown, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said the bill "was not a silver bullet, but a start". 'Tougher regulation' Mr Brown added: "It must sit alongside tougher regulation and a robust registration system for short-term lets. "If it deters those looking to extract profit from Cornwall without putting anything back — good. "If it helps restore housing stock for local people, even better. "And if it ensures our hospitality and tourism sectors can find workers with secure housing, then it's a win for all of Cornwall.".Describing a "surplus" of Airbnb homes, he said there were 14,000 second homes in the county, while 22,000 people were on the housing waiting list. The bill follows a campaign led by Mr Maguire, who put the proposal directly to the Housing Minister in order to "deliver deep change for North Cornwall".He added: "The bill is about restoring fairness in our system and giving local people a better chance at owning their own home," he added. Double council tax In January 2023, Cornwall Council approved plans for owners of second homes in the county to be charged double council September 2024, Airbnb called for Cornwall Council to be given more data, powers and tools to regulate short-term US online rental platform said it had written to local MPs and councillors across Cornwall to inform them of its support for new rules being implemented in the also said it also supported the introduction of a registration scheme for people who wanted to let their homes to BBC has contacted Airbnb and the The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for comment.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Book Review: 'April 1861' captures drama that occurred before Civil War's first shots
More than two decades have passed since historian Jay Winik wrote about the end of the Civil War with a book with 'April 1865: The Month That Saved America.' His latest book covers the period of time that nearly led to its disintegration. In '1861: The Lost Peace,' Winik covers the lead-up to the first shots being fired at Fort Sumter. The political intrigue leading up to 1861 rivals the battlefield action readers come to expect from many Civil War histories. The overarching story is a familiar but important one for students of history: how a lowly Illinois congressman rose to power to lead a nation through its great divide over slavery and saved the American Experiment. Winik chronicles Abraham Lincoln's evolution as a politician and as someone who 'was careful never to step too far ahead of prevailing opinion.' But '1861' is one of the few Civil War histories where Lincoln isn't the most compelling figure. That title goes to a cast of characters, familiar ones such as abolitionist John Brown and lesser known figures such as Kentucky Sen. John J. Crittenden. The book also portrays the waiting game that Major Robert Anderson faced as he commanded Fort Sumter and faced uncertainty as Lincoln took office. Winik has a taut yet dramatic writing style that makes the book a compelling read even for those well-versed on the history leading up to the Civil War's outbreak. Winik writes that the 'ultimate fate of nations is often measured and swayed not by large events, but by tiny ones,' and '1861' illustrates that point throughout its pages. ___ AP book reviews:
