MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about prom, suicide prevention, the ongoing controversy over building a playground in Alexandria, the Kensington Runestone and reports of gunshots on the Alexandria Golf Club course. Those stories and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from April 30 and May 2 below:

April 30, 2025

2025 Osakis High School Prom was all about the glitz and glam - PHOTOS

A frank talk about suicide - from someone who’s been there

Alexandria City Council unable to override mayor's veto of playground equipment

Kensington Runestone to be featured in documentary series

Lake Brophy Park event to raise awareness of Parkinson's Disease

Girls Basketball: Legendary Alexandria head coach Wendy Kohler retires after 40 seasons

May 2, 2025

New ‘learning center’ clubhouse approved for Alexandria Golf Club

Construction on County Road 8 - the Barrett Road - should start mid-May

Update: Authorities investigate report of gunshots on Alexandria Golf Club course

Opinion

This month on Minnesota Night Skies, the Milky Way in May!

Mars in the Beehive cluster: best band name ever or astronomical event? Find out May3 and 4th

The Eta Aquariid meteor shower early in the mornings of May 6 and 7

Galaxies in Virgo: you'll need a telescope, but even a gently used one can open up a world of delights. You can’t see these galaxies with your eyes, but with a telescope and a map, you can galaxy hop across Virgo!

Corvus the crow has lots of galaxies in it,too, but it can be a little tricky to find. Follow arc of the Big Dipper's handle, the second bright star is Spica, and Corvus is just a little to the right of that.

The International Space Station returns at dusk - download NASA’s Spot the Station app or go to the Spot the Station website

Plus, Bob just won the 2025 Regional Award for contributions to public and amateur astronomy from the North Central Region of the Astronomical League!

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

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.

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