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.
December 26, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen profiles Icelandic North Dakota poet Kristjan Niels Julius. Segment includes interviews about the poet and readings of his work.
December 30, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports from the northern border town of International Falls, as Boise Cascade, the city's largest employer, finishes up a huge expansion of their papermill. The development, which utilized non-union workers, caused bitter feelings in the town. In 1989, 500 union supporters rioted in International Falls after Boise Cascade brought in the thousands of non-union workers to do it. The town was divided as local businesses flourished with increase of people, but union workers and their families were left feeling betrayed.
January 25, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger profiles the Quadna Mountain Resort in Hill City, Minnesota. The resort has had a run of financial struggles and numerous owners. The latest owner is attempting to bring back life to the business, which is the largest employer in the small community. Local residents finds themselves both worried and wary.
March 14, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on Island View, where a small population along Rainy Lake are coming to terms with the demise of there city as a possible way to get blacktop roads. Without a resident tax base to fix those roads, city dissolution and becoming part of Koochiching County might be their best option.
April 5, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger profiles The Ojibwe News, an independent newspaper serving Bemidji area. The paper focuses on tribal and reservation news, with some controversial stances. While read by many, the paper’s independence from Red Lake Reservation tribal government does not keep some from questioning paper’s objectivity as a Native press.
May 13, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe visits the newly opened Grand Casino in Mille Lacs. The casino, built on reservation land by Twin Cities investors, guarantees over 50% of profits to the Mill Lacs Band and has dramatically improved the unemployment problem in area. The reservation has plans to expand with a much larger facility.
May 20, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen visits La Paysanne, a sheep milk production company outside of Hinkley, Minnesota. The cheeses made from sheep milk include feta and ricotta. The sheep dairy industry in the U.S. is a small market and a tough business to succeed at.
June 14, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe reports on the controversy behind state land auctions of lakeshore lots in northern Minnesota and the land management issues that followed. One such auction, of a cabin along Lake Kabetogama, caused discomfort for both lease holder and new purchaser.
August 26, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe finds herself on the water of Lake Vermilion to witness one of the few U.S. Mail delivery services left in the states and talks with those receiving the aquatic delivery.
September 6, 1991 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger profiles the Delavan Agriscience Elementary School, the state's first magnet elementary to build its entire curriculum around the farm. The project grew out of a planning grant from the Center for School Change.