MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about impressive graduation rates in Douglas County schools, runestones in Melby, and lots of music and poetry on the way.

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

Check out the top headlines from April 8 and April 10 below:

Here are the top stories in our Wednesday, April 8 issue:

Remembering the Resurrection

Runestones in Melby? And one thrown down a well?

Alexandria, Brandon-Evansville, Osakis graduation rates increase for 2025

Ruby's Pantry partnerships left without answers

Easter Bunny makes appearances despite wintry weather

Basketball: Alexandria boys all-time leading scorer Mason Witt headlines all-CLC teams

Here are the top stories in our Friday, April 10 issue:

Any legal firearm may now be used in Douglas County during deer hunting season

'Poetry was always meant to be spoken' W/VIDEO

Norton to perform Americana-style music at Evansville Sunday

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson says the Alexandria Jaycees have ceased operations after almost 80 years; yes, there were Irish pioneers in Douglas County, and Alexandria DECA students excelled at the state Career Development Conference. Plus bad art, good hotdish and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute.

Check out the top headlines from March 18 and March 20 below:

Here are the top stories in our Wednesday, March 18 issue:

Alexandria Jaycees cease operations after almost 80 years

A look at Irish pioneers in Douglas, Otter Tail counties

Mount Carmel will be new option for preschool this fall

Kindness Night is this Thursday in Hoffman

Alexandria DECA students excel at the Minnesota State Career Development Conference

Boys Basketball: Alexandria fends off late Elk River challenge to win Section 8-4A title

Here are the top stories in our Friday, March 20 issue:

Kyle Momsen takes Oath of Office at Alexandria School Board meeting

Douglas County Library holds first 'Bad Art Night'

A hotdish that bowled over the judges

Class 4A boys basketball: Alexandria opens state tournament against Maple Grove

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about this year's Polar Plunge and the plunges coming up at area schools, the death of a Miltona woman in a house fire, a group of local parents helping their kids - and themselves - unplug from screens, not-so dry history in Douglas County, a Habitat For Humanity Open House, township elections next week, and high school wrestlers and basketball players making their marks.

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

Check out the top headlines from March 4 and March 6 below:

Here are the top stories in our Wednesday, March 4 issue:

Total raised for this year's Polar Plunge was nearly $61,000

Alexandria clears a hurdle on its goal of becoming a GreenStep city

Miltona woman dies in structure fire Thursday

Prohibition, bootlegging and rum running: Not so 'dry' history in Douglas County

This is not your parents' debate over screen time

MSHSL State Wrestling: Alexandria's Nolan Fettig reaches semifinal round in Class AA bracket

Here are the top stories in our Friday, March 6 issue:

Open house held at Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County home in Summer Meadows

Nearly 7,000 watercraft inspections conducted during the 2025 season

Township elections to be held March 10 in Douglas County

Boys Basketball: Alexandria cruises past Knights to open Section 8-4A playoffs

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about beating the winter blues with world-class blues and jazz, a peek at how the proposed new Douglas County Library could look, building demolition in preparation for a Kwik-Trip in western Alexandria, and a romantic article about how Alexandrians are bedazzled by romance books … and how they bedazzle the romance books right back.

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

Check out the top headlines from February 11 and February 13 below:

Here are the top stories in our Wednesday February 11 issue:

Beat the Winter Blues and Jazz Festival showcased music by world-class blues and jazz artists

SunOpta is being sold to Refresco in $1.1 billion deal

All 11 fire departments in Douglas County may get new radios

Proposed new Douglas County Library inches forward toward a referendum vote in November

Van Zomeren inducted into MN FFA Hall of Fame

Boys Swim and Dive: Alexandria captures Central Lakes Conference championship

Here are the top stories in our Friday, February 13 issue:

90 years ago: Alexandria's Congregational Church burns

$19.9 million building bond referendum for Osakis Public Schools passes

Buildings demolished to clear the way for Alexandria's second Kwik Trip

Alexandria bedazzled by romance books

Zion Lutheran boys basketball continuing to highlight consistent play as state approaches

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the first-ever SNOfest Winter Carnival, the demise of the paperback novel, a shooting death in Alexandria, community support for a Miltona couple who lost their home in a fire just after Christmas, and the ancient prayer practice that has returned to an Alexandria church.

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

Check out the top headlines from January 21 and January 23 below:

Jan. 21, 2026:

Temps were cold, winds were high but the sun was shining at first-ever SNOfest Winter Carnival in Alexandria

10 years later, Brandon man recalls painting Minneapolis' Foshay Tower

The books that 'democratized America' are no more

Brandon-Evansville School Board holds reorganizational meeting

Discovery Middle School students showcase projects about global goals, concerns

Boys Swim and Dive: Alexandria edges Elk River to take Section 8AA true team championship

Jan. 23, 2026:

Man dead after shooting in Alexandria on Jan. 20

Miltona couple 'beyond blessed' by support and generosity after fire destroyed their home

Osakis City Council: Earlier meeting times, and the water leak mystery continues

'This is exactly what my dad envisioned'

Alexandria girls hockey player Quinn Hills named Shannon O'Hara scholarship recipient

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the local skating pond ready for the season, two Douglas County Christmas Bird Counts that turned up records, some County and School Board news, and why some people think they could beat a grizzly bear in an unarmed fight.

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

Check out the top headlines from January 7 and January 9 below:

Wednesday January 7, 2026

Noonan Park skating pond is officially ready for the season

Two die in head-on crash on Highway 71 in rural Belgrade, Minnesota

$100,000 winning lottery ticket sold in Alexandria

Alexandria Area High School senior nominated by U.S. Rep. Fischbach for 3 military academies

Douglas County bird counts postponed due to weather; still set records

Wrestling: Nolan Fettig wins 150th career match as Alexandria boys takes St. Paul Harding duals title

Friday, January 9, 2026:

Shane Schmidt named board chairperson for the Douglas County Board of Commissioners

Could you beat a grizzly bear in an unarmed fight?

Kyle Momsen appointed to open seat on Alexandria School Board

Boys Basketball: Alexandria wins shootout to hand Moorhead first loss of season

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about the year in review, a possible surprise in someone's water bill from the City of Osakis, a new K-9 unit, and an artist who's raising money for a good cause.

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

Check out the top headlines from the week of December 28-January 3:

December 31, 2025:

Here's our list of the Top 5 news items in 2025

A police dog named Izzy may be coming to Alexandria

Sad doesn't mean suicidal

Consistency and discipline guiding Alexandria boys basketball through opening stretch

January 2, 2026:

Who left the water on in Osakis?

Final open skating date of the month at RCC is Jan. 2

Closing the skills gap

Local artist plans year-long campaign to sell her poetry (W/VIDEO)

Boys Hockey: Brody Berg's hat trick powers Alexandria to Winter Classic victory over Mustangs

Opinion

MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson talks about light in the dark, a doubled reward in a 30 year old cold case, DECA students bringing new flavors to the holiday season and Alexandria's winning girl's basketball team.

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

Check out the top headlines from the week of December 14-20 below:

Alone or in a group, Alexandria's Garden of Lights Walking Light Tour dazzles

$100K reward offered in Huisentruit case

Cannabis legalization is topic of Listen and Learn session

Are artificial trees costing more this year?

Alexandria DECA students invite everyone to their Sip and Slice Challenge running from Dec. 21 through Jan. 4

Girls Basketball: Bench boosts Alexandria past Monticello to stay unbeaten

Opinion