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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

For Older Idahoans, Online Classes Help Fight Social Isolation

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Wednesday, March 17, 2021   

BOISE, Idaho - A program designed as a source of continuing education for older Idahoans has a new function during the pandemic: combatting social isolation.

New Knowledge Adventures is in its sixth year of offering classes to people age 50 and over. Because of COVID-19, its classes have moved online, said Carol Hourcade, who chairs the outreach committee for the organization.

"If you take a class on a certain subject, another class member is in that class because you share some commonalities," she said. "And so, there have been some very strong friendships that have formed among people who take the classes also."

Hourcade noted that continuing education can improve brain health. Classes span a wide variety of subjects, from Idaho history to understanding Alzheimer's disease and dementia, to a how-to guide for making liqueurs. New Knowledge Adventures is supported by AARP Idaho and Idaho State University's Meridian Health Science Center.

Hourcade described the classes as having a relaxed atmosphere. In other words, it isn't like college; folks aren't graded. Last fall was New Knowledge Adventures' first semester online. When the semester ended, she said, the organization asked people for feedback about how they'd like to meet in the future.

"Surprisingly," she said, "the majority of people would like to see us move toward a hybrid model, where there are some in-person classes in the Treasure Valley, and then also virtual classes that will be more accessible to people further away from the Treasure Valley, and in other states."

Because the courses take place online, people can sign up on the day they take place. They're being offered today, through May.

Disclosure: AARP Idaho contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Energy Policy, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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