MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about back to school, the West Central Initiative making a difference in Douglas County, a witness to the Kensington Bank robbery 50 years ago tells his story, and a Minnesota town comes together to honor its veterans.

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from September 3 and September 5, 2025, below:

September 3, 2025

Flying high

Bank worker recalls Kensington armed robbery from 50 years ago

KT Remembrance Walk to take place Sept. 14 at Lake Brophy County Park

West Central Initiative makes a difference

A town united to honor veterans

Football: Chanhassen deals Alexandria heartbreaking loss in season opener

September 5, 2025

Tuesday was a soggy start to the 2025-2026 school year for Alexandria students

Douglas County students continue to exceed state averages

Volunteers options abound at Andria Theatre in Alexandria

New flight simulator at On His Wings Mission Aviation in Alexandria offers accelerated training

Boys Soccer: Alexandria Cardinals beat Sartell Sabres

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about Alomere Health Board’s hopes to convert to non profit status, lots of photos from Millerville Butter Day, an expanded cell phone policy in Osakis that may cause some cell-shock when school starts, a much-deserved Service to Mankind award for a local couple and an update on an Alexandria child torture case.

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from August 27  and August 29 below:

August 27, 2025

Alomere Health board votes to move to nonprofit status

Cool temps, sunshine, and a butter ball turkey (w/VIDEO)

Business gets approval to cultivate and sell cannabis indoors in Alexandria

‘Cell shock’ for some Osakis students; third time's the charm for school referendum?

Sonya and Earl Anderson of Alexandria receive 2025 Sertoma Service to Mankind Award

Viking Speedway: Alexandrians Kreg Anderson, Bailey Rosch win division season titles

August 29, 2025

Alexandria man to plead guilty to felony child torture, document says

There's no business like snow business in Osakis

Girls Tennis: Minnewaska looks the part

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the Douglas county fair, efforts to host Hockey Day Minnesota in Alexandria in 2028, an active shooter training exercise in Osakis and the Douglas County Commission’s efforts to balance funding requests with some less-than-idea budget news. 

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from August 20 and August 22 below:

August 20, 2025:

More than 60,000 attend 2025 Douglas County Fair

Alexandria's new assistant superintendent wants to hear from parents, students

More than 170 Icelanders visit Runestone Museum in 1 day

City of Alexandria supports hosting Hockey Day Minnesota 2028

Alexandria native earns Fulbright award to research in Japan

Volleyball: New year, new challenge for Alexandria after winning 2024 Class 3A state title

August 22, 2025:

Local law enforcement, first responders, stage active shooter drill at Osakis Public School

$10,000 reward offered for information about missing woman

Douglas County Commissioners approve $861,918 in funding requests, $21,000 in raises for 2026

Alexandria School Board learns about Extended School Year program, district's operational plan

Football: Fresh challenges ahead in 2025 for Alexandria

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, guest host Kris Kerzman talks about Garfiled Days, housing in Douglas County, new improvements to Fillmore Park, the Douglas County Fair, and other coverage available now from the Echo Press.

Check out the top headlines from August 13 and August 15 below:

August 13, 2025

Garfield Days offers fun for all

US Sen. Smith tours Habitat for Humanity development in Alexandria

Naming rights approved for 'Viking Bank Playground' in Fillmore Park

First of 5 utility boxes in Alexandria wrapped in art

August 15, 2025

It's time for food, fun, 4-H and more at the Douglas County Fair

Shortage of mental health crisis beds felt in the Alexandria lakes area, too

Improvements await Downtown Liquor Store

Defendant in Alexandria stabbing case found competent to stand trial

A peek into the silent movie era

Fenno finds success as Little Darling Par 3 Course superintendent

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about Alexandria’s all-female motorcycle collective, the local hospice providing training for death doulas, an upcoming law enforcement training in Osakis, and lots of Resorters coverage available in the Echo Press.

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from August 6  and August 8 below:

August 6, 2025

The Litas, an all-female motorcycle collective, now has a branch in Alexandria

Douglas County Library Book Sale in Alexandria celebrates 43 years

Alexandria updates Revolving Loan Fund policy

Garfield Days takes place Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9

Moments Hospice in Alexandria offers training to become a 'death doula'

Golf: Alexandria Golf Club member Lunden Esterline wins boys 2025 Junior PGA Championship

August 8, 2025

'This is just a drill.'

4 elected officials make budget, salary requests to Douglas County commissioners

Community Night Out draws a crowd in Alexandria Tuesday

Resorters Golf: Returning champs, new addition headline 104th Resorters Tournament

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about Art in the Park, the Alexandria Historic House Tour, the splash pad delay and romance novels as an escape when life gets too serious.

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from July 30  and August 1 below:

July 30, 2025

An estimated 15,000 attend 2025 Art in the Park in Alexandria

Brandon SummerFest will take place July 30 through Aug. 2

Buildings declared hazardous on 1211 6th Ave. East in Alexandria

Briefs filed in fatal stabbing case in Alexandria

Alexandria Historic House Tour has a big first year 

Legion Baseball: Alexandria falls to Grand Rapids, beats Hutchinson to keep season alive

August 1, 2025

Tip Top Dairy Bar in Osakis celebrates 70 years

New splash pad in Alexandria delayed until next Memorial Day

Council finds a bargain for playground equipment for splash pad park in Alexandria

Community Night Out set for Tuesday, Aug. 5, in Alexandria

Romance novels provide an escape from the serious things going on, says Alexandria book store

Football: Evan Zabel becomes latest Alexandria area athlete to commit to North Dakota

Opinion 

This month on Minnesota Night Skies, August is the month of the full Sturgeon Moon!

We’ve got tips for watching the Perseids mid-month, either from your very own lounging chair in the backyard, or via a livestream.

Jupiter and Venus are in conjunction this month (if you want to sing the song, here’s the link). Look to the northeast August 12, between 4:00-5:00am  to see what Bob calls “a potentially life-changing” event.

Mercury returns, and Bob assures us that it’s ok if we really didn’t notice Mercury was missing in the first place.

Plus Bob’s got a link to check out wildfire smoke and its movement, for all your stargazing needs.

And next month, no meteor showers, no bright stars, no eclipses available in our hemisphere, but Saturn and Neptune get cozy. All the details of September, next month on Minnesota Night Skies!

Astro Bob is podcasting! Astro Bob King and Echo Press reporter and host Lisa Johnson did an astronomy radio show together for many years, and now they’re back on a new podcast for all of Minnesota, called Minnesota Night Skies. 

Bob King is an amateur astronomer, an photographer and author. His most recent book is called “Magnificent Aurora” about the Northern Lights. He writes a syndicated column for the Duluth News Tribune and is a regular contributor to Sky & Telescope magazine. 

Bob recommends several guides to help you find what’s up in the sky. For more information about the star maps and a local information calendar, you can check out Skymaps.com. You can look for Starwalk and Stellarium Mobile wherever you get your apps. They’re available for both Apple and Android phones. And check out Heavens Above at Heavens Above.com.

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the death of a pioneer in local television and the Echo Press, new owners for Anderson Greenhouse, the Alexandria family named 2025 Farm Family of the Year, some impressive anniversaries, and a new playspace for kids called Grammy’s Town.

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from July 23 and July 25, 2025 below:

July 23, 2025

UPDATED on July 22: Jon Haaven, former Echo Press owner/publisher, passes away at age 91

Anderson Florist and Greenhouse welcomes new owners

Sheriff's deputy finds his faith after fatal shooting in Pope County

Get ready for Art in the Park at Alexandria City Park this weekend

Krohnfeldt family from Alexandria recognized as Douglas County 2025 Farm Family of the Year

Viking Speedway: Dykhoffs headline feature winners on Hall of Fame Night

July 25, 2025

The Summer of Love had nothing on 1960

Minnesota motorcyclists can lane-split and lane-filter legally

Transportation, technology, education for adults and more are topics at Alexandria School Board meeting

Dawn's Quilt Shop in Alexandria is part of the annual Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop

Legion Baseball: Alexandria Post 87 gets No. 1 seed in D1 Sub-State 12 bracket

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about a one-two punch from Alexandria in the fight against cancer, the renovation of the historic Belmont Apartments, fun in the sun made in the shade at the Alexandria Splash Pad, a proposed ordinance to stop hogging parking spaces, a good save by the Douglas County Public Works Director, and a 2022 Alexandria High School graduate goes pro.

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from July 16 and July 18 below:

June 16, 2025:

For the first time, Relay for Life event was moved indoors (w/videos)

About 175 vehicles on display at 2025 Central Lakes Cruzers Roddin' Round the Lake car show

Belmont Apartments in Alexandria is getting a makeover

Alexandria Splash Pad users will have it made in the shade

'Babe the Blue Ox' teaches friendship lessons in Alexandria

Stuve: Looking back at a memorable 2024-25 school year

June 18, 2025:

Inspiration Peak stands tall in the heart of Otter Tail County

Are drivers taking up too many parking spaces in Alexandria?

Mother Nature didn't cooperate with the Summer Sounds first concert of 2025

Douglas County Commissioners approve second lowest bid for culvert project near Miltona

Optometrist John Hoven from Eye Associates of Alexandria traveled to Guatemala to help patients

Baseball: Alexandria graduate J.D. Hennen signs with MLB's Baltimore Orioles

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the hidden gems of Minnesota Lake Country, the family chosen as this year’s Relay for Life honorees, the Summer Sounds concert series and a local non-profit stepping in to help in the wake of a tragedy. 

Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from July 9 and July 11, 2025,below:

July 9, 2025

Ringing in 2025 Fourth of July with a little bit of the past

Looking for something to see or do? Here are 7 'hidden gems' around Minnesota lakes country

Hartmann, Caruthers, Kohler named as Alumni Hall of Fame 2025 inductees

Rost/Gran family from Hoffman and Villard chosen as this year's Relay for Life honorees

Merten brothers, Larry Lund to be inducted into Viking Speedway Hall of Fame

July 11, 2025

Briefs must be filed by July 24 in Alexandria stabbing death case

Third annual Summer Sounds by Brophy kicks off July 15

An Alexandria non-profit steps up to help a grieving sheriff’s office

Disney's 'Moana Jr.' takes to the Andria Theatre stage

Golf: Lisa Grimes, David Kjos selected as honorees for 104th Resorters Tournament

Opinion