MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about Easter and Earth Day, the ups and downs of a proposed playground in Alexandria, the help from the Minnesota Twins for an area family and the help for a pickleball player who had a heart attack, and the importance of local journalism. Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from April 20 and 25 below:

April 20, 2025

Easter activities held at Church for the Harvest in Alexandria

Alexandria mayor vetoes City Council playground decision

Update: State releases new fish consumption guidance for lakes with 'forever chemicals'

Minnesota Twins fans may want to attend benefit for Randy Bartos on April 27 in Alexandria

Baseball: Alexandria College gets 20th win of 2025

April 25, 2025

Roughly 60 people took part in the Earth Day Walk in Alexandria (w/video)

Pickleball player's life saved because of heroic actions and an AED at Discovery Middle School

Mayor Bobbie Osterberg explains why she vetoed council's action to pursue playground project at Fillmore Park

Despite challenges — perhaps because of them — local journalism is vital

Baseball: Two months after breaking collarbone, injuring wrist, B-E's Jack Kelly hits walk-off in Monday win

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the return of the Passion drama at Zion Lutheran Church, a meeting about a new fire station it Carlos that became heated,  the things dads read to their kids are different from what moms tend to read, Senator Amy Klobuchar's recent visit to Alexandria and some good news for Alex streets. Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from April 13 and 18 below:

April 13, 2025

More than 1,000 attend this year's Passion Drama at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria (w/video)

Meeting about Carlos Fire Hall grows heated Thursday night

Are we in a constitutional crisis?

Council OKs Fillmore Park playground in Alexandria for children ages 5-12

Evansville Art Coalition, Evansville Art Center's Poetry Night celebrates 30 years

College Hockey: Alexandria grads Makenna Aure, Jordan O'Kane become two-time national champions with UWRF

April 18, 2025

A celebration of reading (w/video)

During a visit to Alexandria, Sen. Amy Klobuchar discusses tariffs, branches of government

Good news for local street overlays in Alexandria  

Douglas County commissioners approve boat safety grants, opioid grant request and more at Tuesday's meeting

Baseball: No. 2 Parkers Prairie breezes by Bertha-Hewitt-Verndale in home opener

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about a protest and march in Alexandria that drew hundreds of people, a fun April Fool's prank at the Miltona Science Magnet School, and a couple of snow days and the fun had by local kids. The Douglas County Library has a new legal kiosk to help folks dealing with legal issues. we're got a feature on the new director of the Andria Theatre, and a referendum for the Osakis Public Schools was defeated. Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from April 6-12 below:

April 9, 2025

Alexandria rally draws more than 500 Saturday to protest, march W/VIDEO

Do marshmallows grow on trees? Students at Miltona Science Magnet School thought so...for a moment

Need access to the legal system? Stop by the Douglas County Library

Ribbon cutting ceremony held for new Bremer Bank location

From building snowmen to snow forts, kids took advantage of the recent snowfall

From first-timer to collegiate veteran, Mikenna Pattrin finds solace among Bemidji State’s throwers

 

April 11, 2025

Andria Theatre hires new executive director

'No' again in Osakis

A shocking lesson in safety in Alexandria (w/video)

Boys Tennis: Alexandria sweeps Brainerd in home opener

Opinion

 

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the STEAM Expo at the end of March and the Battle of the North e-tournament in Alexandria. The Douglas County Board has approved an ordinance that regulates cannabis, Osakis voters head to the polls to vote on a school referendum April 8 and Theatre L'Homme Dieu has announced its summer season. Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from April 2-4 below:

April 2, 2025

Kids and parents learn about music, arts, technology and more during annual STEAM Expo in Alexandria

'Battle in the North 2025' eSports event held in Alexandria

Playgrounds in Alexandria's Fillmore Park tabled by Alexandria City Council

Alexandria man accused of sexual assault of vulnerable adult

Alexandria College hosts state SkillsUSA competition

Girls Hockey: Alexandria 15U B team wins state title

 

April 4, 2025

Busy Saturday on Smith Lake thanks to Fishing for the Cure

Cannabis retail sales, events, public use ordinance approved by Douglas County commissioners

Osakis school referendum is 4 days away

Park and Third apartment project in Alexandria gets $292,024 grant

Theatre L'Homme Dieu reveals its 2025 season

Boys Basketball: Alexandria senior Samson Hagstrom commits to University of Northwestern–St. Paul

Opinion

Minnesota Night Skies: Aurora season continues over most of the state

This month on Minnesota Night Skies, it's a quiet month as we wait for spring to finally arrive, but there are a few things to look out for.

Aurora season continues over most of Minnesota!

Mars aligns with Gemini's bright start Castor and Pollux on April 10.

Look for the smallest full moon of the year, the so-called micro-moon on April 12.  Don't believe it?  Bob has tips to assemble photographic proof.

Also April 12, there's a close conjunction with Spica in Virgo.

Look for the peak of the annual Lyrid meteor shower April 22.

Venus has flipped over to the morning sky after it passed between the Earth and sun. We'll have a nice conjunction of Venus, Saturn and the crescent moon on April 25 very low at dawn.   And watch Jupiter and Mars move to the east at a good clip this month as they orbit the sun.  

Plus, for the first time ever, Bob reads poetry!

 

Next month on Minnesota Night Skies, another meteor shower to look forward to, plus more pleasant weather (we hope) to encourage folks to spend the night out under the stars.

 

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. Also look for  Stellarium Mobile where you get your apps. It's available for both Apple and Android phones.

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the state class 3A State Championship Alexandria Cardinals.  2024 saw lots of new buildings going up in Alexandria - we have that story, and the story about the former Perry's Furniture coming down.  Food shelves were on the mind of the community, the Alexandria Police Chief made his annual report to the city council, and the Alexandria robotics team is on their way to the World Championships. Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from March 23-28, 2025 below:

March 26, 2025

Photos: Alexandria boys basketball team, West Central Area girls basketball team win state titles

Big year of construction in Alexandria

Landmark building, Perry's Furniture in Alexandria, comes tumbling down (w/video)

Church group's FoodShare campaign runs through April 6

Empty Bowls - but cups runneth over

March 28, 2025

Alexandria police chief's report addresses use of force and de-escalation

Bluebirds are doing all right, but volunteers are another story

Informational meeting held regarding level-three offender's release

For the record, March 28

Archery: Discovery Middle School team takes first at Osakis Tournament

Opinion

ALEXANDRIA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson tells the story of a former Alexandria exchange student from Ukraine, trying to stay in the US. Read the story and her opinion piece about her fight for freedom. We wrap of Women’s History Month, a protest for veterans lines a block in downtown Alexandria, the Andria Theatre has a new executive director and turnovers make the difference for Alexandria’s boys basketball team. Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

 

Check out the top headlines from March 16-22, 2025 below:

 

March 16, 2025: 

Former Alexandria exchange student from Ukraine trying to stay in the U.S.

Fighting for her freedom for more than 1,000 days

Women's History Month: Mollie Aberle Noonan 1885-1964

Pro-veteran protest was held in Alexandria on March 14

Bernie Van Zomeren, former Alexandria ag instructor, wins prestigious Day-Frederick Award

Girls basketball: History made for West Central, disappointment for MACCRAY

 

March 22, 2025:

Bears on the move into West Central Minnesota

Andria Theatre hires new executive director

Alexandria School Board votes to not administer controversial MN Student Survey

Seniors and nursing homes are scared of cuts, say Alexandria area legislators

Alexandria man is member of Journeymen Chorus performing on Sunday, March 23

Boys Basketball: Turnovers make the difference in Alexandria's state quarterfinal win over Byron

Opinion

 

ALEXANDRIA - In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Celeste Edenloff profiles an Alexandria woman being honored for more than 40 years volunteering for her community.  We look into an idea being floated for chickens in the city limits, a project that would add 64 units of workforce apartments, and the results — and a recipe — from the Great Hotdish Bakeoff.

Check out the top headlines from March 9-15 below:

Helen Feda of Alexandria chosen as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year

Chickens, cannabis, replica of Kensington Runestone and more discussed by city, county leaders

Loan agreement approved for Twenty08 apartments in Alexandria

Winner of this year's 'Great Hotdish Bake-Off' in Alexandria was Central MN Elder Network

Boys Swim and Dive: Alexandria finishes in upper-echelon of Class A with 5th place finish at state

Women’s History Month: Theresa Thomas Hicks 1836-1918

TJ Maxx to open in Alexandria on Sunday, March 16

Alex College to host 'Battle in the North 2025' eSports event

Felony theft charge dropped in Wendy Hoff case involving signs

Area Scouts take part in annual Klondike Derby at Kensington Rune Stone Park

Girls Basketball: Alexandria wears down DeLaSalle in MSHSL Class 3A State Tournament quarterfinal win

 

ALEXANDRIA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson says more than 300 Discovery Middle School kids took turns plunging into a tank of icy water – for a good cause, we take a look into suicide attempts and threats in the Alexandria area – and how to get help, the Alexandria Police Department is getting new tools to prevent crimes, catch criminals in stolen vehicles and possibly save lives and more.

Check out the top headlines from March 2-8, 2025 below:

March 5, 2025: Voyager Elementary School holds celebration for being named a School of Excellence

March 5, 2025: Alexandria to try new strategy for catching criminals — license plate readers and cameras

March 5 2025: RSV up slightly; flu and COVID rates trending down in Douglas County

March 5, 2025: New Arts Initiative of Douglas County to focus on community art projects

March 5, 2025: Alexandria DECA students win big at District 5 competition

March 5, 2025: Wrestling: Seven area wrestlers earn state medals

March 7, 2025:  Discovery Middle School students take the plunge for a good cause

March 7, 2025: Intersection of County Road 46 and Nevada Street to become a four-way stop in Alexandria

March 7, 2025: Habitat for Humanity dedicates 'Cardinal Build' home in Alexandria

March 7, 2025: Girls Basketball: West Central Area outlasts Breckenridge in OT thriller to advance to Section 6A title game

March 7, 2025: Opinion

A roundup of the top stories in the Echo Press, February 23-March 2, 2025.

The Echo Press, giving information life since 1891.