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

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the 41st annual Vikingland Band Festival, Fourth of July events around the county, the 10th 30-day extension in the Amber Pospisil case, a new look for the last resort on Lake Ida and an Osakis pastor who’s written a book about the dual nature of Christians.

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

Check out the top headlines from July 2 and July 4 below:

July 2, 2025:

Vikingland Band Festival showcased the talents of 18 marching units during the annual parade

Check out these Fourth of July events

10th request for appeal extension filed in Pospisil case

About 300 vehicles were shining and showing at annual event hosted by the Vintage Car Club of Alexandria

Local artifacts shine a light on World War I

Girls Basketball: Matt Hoelscher takes over as Alexandria's head coach

July 4, 2025

Seniors share scam stories, learn how not to be scammed, plus more at annual Senior Expo

Is Douglas County becoming 'bear country?'

Strawberry season is slower but just as sweet at Country Blossom Farm

New book by Osakis pastor/author grapples with Christians' dual nature

Girls Soccer: Alexandria selects Luis Moreno to lead program in new era

Opinion

This month on Minnesota Night Skies, it's occultations galore!

The International Space Station gives you the best chance to see it in sunlight.  You can find out more at the Heavens Above website, or NASA’s Spot the Station app or the Spot the Station website.

Meanwhile, the moon occults Fang (!), you can track lunar occultations of bright stars online at Bright Star Occultation, the waning crescent moon upstages the Pleiades, and the Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower is a great preface to the Perseids coming next month.

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 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. And check out Heavens Above at Heavens Above.com.

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson says the Kensington Runestone is on the move, the Vikingland Band Festival is back in town, a pair of lineworkers from ALP were in Arizona and Noonan Sport Specialists have a new location.

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

Check out the top headlines from June 25  and June 27 below:

June 25, 2025

Changes coming to Alexandria Public Schools student lunches

Runestone replica in Alexandria is moving

Vikingland Band Festival is set for Sunday, June 29

Ham radio prepares to show their stuff June 28-29

Hitting the road for the sake of art

Boxing: Osakis resident Kirsten Wessel relishes opportunity to compete in-state

June 27, 2025

Bringing power to Navajo Nation

City of Alexandria is in good financial shape, says auditor

Noonan Sport Specialists moves to new location

Will you be able to operate watercraft starting on July 1? That's when new watercraft permit law takes effect

Kids help plant flowers in the Legacy Gardens at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum

Golf: Little Darling par 3 course opens at AGC

Opinion