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.
November 10, 2000 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil presents a special report on The Armistice Day Blizzard. Steil talks with meteorologist Paul Douglas on how the storm formed and interviews numerous survivors who recollect on their experiences in the infamous storm.
November 24, 2000 - When you were growing up did you dream of being a fire fighter? Do "smoke eaters" conjure up romantic images of heroics while battling fires? Some people in Northwestern Minnesota are getting a chance to live the dream. In Moorhead, the local fire department has organized its first citizens fire academy. As Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports, the idea is not to train folks to join the department, but to give them a better awareness of what it is the department does.
December 15, 2000 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports that the 2000 census will likely show continued population loss in the state's most rural counties. In western Minnesota, some counties have lost 10% of their population over the last decade. Lac Qui Parle county shows one of the biggest losses as its population continues to age.
January 25, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports on Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in southern Minnesota as he continued to promote his budget plan and fire back at critics. During a stop in Worthington he said one of his most important priorities is to reform telephone service in the state. He says increased telecommunications competition will help business growth in rural areas.
February 19, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil interviews American composer Maria Schneider, who has been nominated for her jazz orchestral album "Allegresse." Scheinder grew up in Windom in the southwest part of the state. She reflects on how she first got into music.
March 29, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Chris Julin talks with Lee Murdock, a folk singer who sings about Lake Superior and the Great Lakes. Murdock has made his career singing songs of the Lakes, from 200-year-old sailors' work songs, to his own compositions based on Great Lakes folklore.
April 13, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports that Governor Jesse Ventura wrapped up his two-day flood tour in East Grand Forks. The governor says he's pleased with how the flood fight is going all across the state. The lower flood crests predicted at most locations on the Red, and the Minnesota rivers, are allowing many communities a break for the Easter weekend.
April 23, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on the struggles of American Indians, with the voices of people who say their rights, and complaints, are ignored.
April 24, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Cara Hetland reports on decades of Native American civil rights complaints in South Dakota.
April 24, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Jeff Horwich reports that as a new generation of Indians comes of age, a long-standing genetic cut-off point for Indian people may be closely linked to the future of Indian nations and cultures.