Created in 1987, Mainstreet Radio held a mission of reporting specifically from rural Minnesota to all of Minnesota. With an introductory staff of Rachel Reabe, Leif Enger, and John Biewen, the group developed both long and short form news features as part of MPR Journal and Morning Edition broadcasts. As the years progressed, Mainstreet Radio expanded both in reporter contributions and programming, with memorable work from the likes of Mark Steil and Catherine Winter, amongst others. Beginning in the 1990s, Mainstreet Radio presented a monthly two-hour special, focusing on issues outside the Twin Cities metro. The varied Mainstreet Radio programming ran into the mid-2000s.
Mainstreet Radio presented a breadth of topics, providing an avenue for individuals from all walks of life to be heard. These efforts garnered numerous journalistic awards, including 65 national and regional awards in its first 10 years (1987-97).
Award-winning material in “special programs,” “series,” or “documentary” categories include Meth in Minnesota; Against the Grain; Dancing on Beat: Portrait of a Reservation Family; After the Flood; An Education in Diversity; Rekindling the Spirit: The Rebirth of American Indian Spirituality; Wilderness Truce: Ely 10 Years Later; Making the Grade: Rural schools the work; The Rural School Challenge; Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country; Gold: New Prospects on the Iron Range; and Articles of Faith.
Award-winning material in the category of “reporting” include Frog Music; Pumpkinland; Four Winds Treatment Center; Deer Hunting Weekend; Border Check for Poachers; Mille Lacs Fishing Launch; Loon Habitat; House Call Doctor; Geritol Frolics; Cartwright's Calendar; Ice-Fishing on Mille Lacs; Mercury Fillets; and A Place for the Wolf.
April 26, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series "Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country,” MPR’s Bob Rhea reports on the fight for religious freedom of Native Americans, including those incarcerated.
April 27, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series "Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country,” MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on free speech within the Indian reservation.
July 5, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Chris Julin visits Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin. The center turns tourists and school groups into voyageurs for a day, and takes them out on Superior in a huge, Montreal canoe.
July 11, 2001 - Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports from Fergus Falls, where Artspace, a Minneapolis non-profit agency, is hoping to renovate the Hotel Kaddatz. The empty historic building is the organizations first attempt to create space for artists in rural areas. Artspace builds affordable space for artists to live and work. It has developed projects in the Twin Cities and Duluth, as well as several large cities across the country. It was the organization behind the much publicized moving of the Shubert Theater across downtown Minneapolis.
August 14, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports on housing struggles some migrant workers find themselves in while working in the southern Minnesota town of Plainview. Four months out of the year, the population of 3,190 grows by more than 200 residents. Migrant workers come to town to can peas and corn at Lakeside Foods. But while the work is there, housing is not, leaving many temporary workers searching for a place to call home.
August 14, 2001 - Mainstreet Public Radio's Tim Post reports on the “AVM Runestone,” a new stone find in Kensington. Members of the Kensington Runestone Research Team found a stone with what some say are runic carvings on its surface. The stone was found near where the original Kensington Runestone was unearthed over one hundred years ago.
August 16, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports on Larry Hosch, a young mayor finding his feet. For eight months, one of the country's youngest mayors has been settling into his job in the central Minnesota town of St. Joseph. Hosch admits he isn't steeped in the politics and local relationships that have shaped the town. To some that means a fresh viewpoint; to others it's the regrettable end of an era.
August 20, 2001 - North America, Australia and New Zealand are the only areas that remain untouched by foot and mouth disease. Officials at Minnesota's county fairs, and soon, the State Fair would like to keep it that way.
August 21, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil profiles the The Continental Co-ets, one of the first all-girl garage bands from the 1960’s. Steil interviews Co-et’s guitarist Carolyn Behr and drummer Vicki Steinmen. Others involved with band’s history also make comments.
August 31, 2001 - In a broadcast from the MPR booth at Minnesota State Fair, Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe revisits the farmers of Chanarambie Township in Southwestern Minnesota.