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 12, 1993 - Continuation of a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the Grand Casino Mille Lacs near Garrison, Minnesota highlighting American Indian casinos…what some term as the ‘New Buffalo.’ In this second hour of program, MPR’s Catherine Winter interviews Leonard Prescott, chairman of Little Six Inc.; Charlie Berg, state senator and chair of Minnesota Senate Gaming Regulation Committee; Bernita Churchill, elected legislative official for Mille Lacs Tribe; and Doug Twait, commission of public affairs for Chippewa Tribe. Group discusses benefits, concerns, issues of gambling in Minnesota, and answer listener questions.
May 3, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter profiles the Coleraine mine pits, which some locals consider to be a rare sight of beauty. The inactive iron ore mine pits with man-made bluffs has begun to be retaken by nature and fill with water. Some now see commercial, residential, and recreational opportunities.
May 12, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on the presence of smelt in the Lake of the Woods, and research taking place to counter any harmful effects the invasive species may pose.
May 31, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports on the debate over walleye stocking in the lakes of Minnesota. The DNR used to pride itself on its walleye stocking program with more than 1,200 lakes on the list. It's the largest such effort in the country…but some biologists believe the hatcheries may be a waste of time and money.
June 7, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter reports on a Civilian Conservation Corps reunion at Iron World (later known as Minnesota Discovery Center) in Chisholm, Minnesota. Winter talks with a few individuals as they reflect on their time with CCC. Many of the members of the corps had been workers from the Iron Range.
June 17, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil visits Chandler on the anniversary of a major tornado that devastated the town and surrounding area. Steil details the recovery efforts in past year and remembrance on what was lost.
July 26, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Catherine Winter reports on the challenging year of rice harvesting, due to a season of flooding. The impact on the wild rice crops greatly affect some in the northern Minnesota communities, such as those of the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa, that use harvesting as a source of income and food.
August 3, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger reports from Garrison, Minnesota, where the finishing touches on the new Blue Goose Tavern are being completed. The tavern was a storied establishment for 70 years before an arsonist burned it down. The “new” Blue Goose hopes to restore its perch as a go-to for locals and Mille Lacs Lake visitors alike.
August 6, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger shares a story from Ken Amundson, a third-generation violin repairman in Alexandria, Minnesota. His shop has customers from near & far…and Amundson finds some classical friends along the way.
August 20, 1993 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe visits Brainerd International Raceway, where the cars are fast and loud. Reabe interviews drivers and attendees about the fun at BIR during an amateur “Show & Go” event.