Knology changes its name to WOW!; lifts usage caps on Internet service

I fully understand that. However, it should not affect how often the signal is dropped or errors-out, and at the Silver speed test levels, it certainly should not be buffering, all which it currently does - despite WOW's technicians having no answer for the service issues (other than a clogged network and old infrastructure). Perhaps, that's their party line, but rather than fixing it, they seem perfectly happy to just shrug and provide excuses. It's not like any of the levels are inexpensive, especially when purchased without cable service (for which I'm charged an extra $20 or so/month extra for having internet alone).

May 14, 2013 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Knology changes its name to WOW!; lifts usage caps on Internet service

I'm a little confused. Since we currently pay for internet service based on the usage limits (I have Silver now, since I always went over with Bronze), does this mean there is going to be some type of rate adjustment? Wouldn't everyone just switch back to Bronze (less expensive), if WOW will be keeping the same rate tiers without usage caps?

Seems like the system is clogged enough, without removing the caps (even the technician who came for a service call here admitted that service was bad during "heavy usage times" and due to old infrastructure). Did I miss rate information somewhere in the article? I haven't received any emails or snail mail related to any change (although customer service has been WOW for some time), so I'm curious as to whether I should switch to AT&T now, or if staying with WOW will be less expensive (and better!) than it is currently.

May 14, 2013 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

University Senate pushes for more tuition assistance benefits for faculty, staff and their families

I'm all for increasing enrollment and permitting more people access to college, but how about expanding tuition assistance to graduate students, too? With an EFC of $0 from my FAFSA, I receive roughly $1200 per year (if I'm full time) in grant money from the University (pretty much a "you're poor, so here's some assistance" fund), IF that aid hasn't "run out" by the time Financial Aid gets around to figuring my aid package (submitted well before the Mar. 1 deadline). In-state tuition (and fees) is roughly $2500 for two classes (6 hours total). Full-time enrollment would be more. Yes, a "bargain" compared to many places, but still very difficult to manage out of pocket each semester.

Graduate students have not benefited from the guaranteed tuition freezes that undergrads do and have seemingly shouldered the brunt of yearly tuition increases without an increase in funding. Read: grad tuition goes up every single year - no locked-in prices for us, unfortunately.

If this goes through, maybe I should just "marry" an employee, so I can afford to finish my degree...

May 3, 2013 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Rules tighten on TANF recipients

Actually, that should read "$600 PER YEAR" not $6k.

Not sure why my post appeared twice... Sorry!

May 2, 2013 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Rules tighten on TANF recipients

I'm getting very frustrated with the lack of pertinent information being reported in relation to these "welfare" laws. First, how many new mothers receive this assistance? It has to be very low, consider the extremely low number of individuals receiving TANF in the first place. As someone else pointed out, TANF is not the lottery. In Kansas, one has to earn less than $6000 PER YEAR to qualify (I believe - couldn't find that number this time around on the site).

According to the State's own website, health care, child care, etc. are NOT GUARANTEED. From my own experience, child care is not fully covered - not even close. Do any of you really know how much childcare for an infant is? Several years ago, it was well over $800 per month at a local non-profit center. This is assuming one can get in, of course. What jobs here in town pay enough to cover the cost of childcare and living expenses? This is a multi-faceted systemic issue that should NOT be placed squarely on the backs of the working poor.

Let's all try to inform ourselves about existing policies and who is affecting before being so judgmental, shall we?

http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pa...

May 2, 2013 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Rules tighten on TANF recipients

I'm getting very frustrated with the lack of pertinent information being reported in relation to these "welfare" laws. First, how many new mothers receive this assistance? It has to be very low, consider the extremely low number of individuals receiving TANF in the first place. As someone else pointed out, TANF is not the lottery. In Kansas, one has to earn less than $6000 PER YEAR to qualify.

According to the State's own website, health care, child care, etc. are NOT GUARANTEED. From my own experience, child care is not fully covered - not even close. Do any of you really know how much childcare for an infant is? Several years ago, it was well over $800 per month at a local non-profit center. This is assuming one can get in, of course. What jobs here in town pay enough to cover the cost of childcare and living expenses? This is a systemic issue that should be placed squarely on the backs of the working poor.

Let's all try to inform ourselves about existing policies and who is affecting before being so judgmental, shall we?

http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pa...

May 2, 2013 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Truancy policies can catch parents by surprise

You seem to be speaking repeatedly from a position of privilege: a) that you have a car or easy access to one and the income for upkeep and gas, b) you have a local support system in town at your beck and call to provide rides, c) you have a working phone to call said support system, d) you have medical insurance and access to a physician, e) you have an employment position that permits you time off to see said physician and to perhaps permit sick days to manage your symptoms, and f) you have the income to pay for the medication to treat the migraines. If more people would stop assuming that everyone has these luxuries, then perhaps we could come from a place of understanding and assistance rather than judgment and finger-wagging.

May 1, 2013 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Drug testing bill goes to governor

I call b.s. on this story that so many of you "overhead" or "heard from a friend." Try some actual facts on TANF in Kansas: "
TANF benefits are figured based on individual state guidelines and dependent on factors such as family size, earned and unearned income, and housing expenses. The Kansas TANF program is available to eligible residents for a maximum of 60 months (5 years). Benefits are figured with a formula that takes into account a familys size and income, in addition to the county in which the family resides. Cash assistance payments range from $224 to $497 per month." Recipients also have to have at least one child under 18 living at home and also have to earn less than $600 A YEAR to qualify.

Yeah, you're so correct. $497 a month is obviously way more than anyone would earn working. Try some facts, next time.

April 4, 2013 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City set to finalize curbside recycling program to begin October 2014; monthly rate $2.81

Ah... answered my own question, re-reading the article - more information on it would be helpful though. Our alley Dumpster already takes up too much space, and often, the workers leave it partially blocking a parking space. There is literally no more room for another dumpster at our place. Considering that our alley has at least 6 Dumpsters (and no room for 6 more), I would think it might be consolidated somehow?

Will we each be charged the monthly fee, or will it be divided? As it stands now, I believe we are each individually charged for trash service (which is hit and miss, at best - so much so that I've had to contact the city at least twice for our trash not being removed on schedule).

March 22, 2013 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City set to finalize curbside recycling program to begin October 2014; monthly rate $2.81

Article reads that you can opt out (or request a smaller one) but will still be charged the monthly fee. A larger cart is easily fillable in two-weeks' time, considering everything they're accepting as recyclable, I think.

March 22, 2013 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )