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, 1988 - As part of a Mainstreet Radio series on rural education, Rachel Reabe reports that with declining enrollment at the high school in Motley, a plan has been set to incorporate the Motley students into the nearby Staples high school.
April 27, 1988 - As part of a Mainstreet Radio series on rural education, John Biewen reports on Norman County West, a school created out of the combination of Halsted and Hendrum-Perley schools.
April 29, 1988 - A special Mainstreet Radio call-in program from KSJR, in central Minnesota. Program highlights the concern over problems of rural school districts. Rachel Reabe interviews Irvin Bjerga of Motley, Minnesota; Kathy Berger of Mountain Iron-Buhl School District; and Congressman Glen Anderson of Bellingham, Minnesota.
May 10, 1988 - Mainstreet Radio's Rachel Reabe profiles a senior variety act in Brainerd, called “Geritol Frolics.” Reabe speaks with a dancer and group’s theatre director.
May 13, 1988 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe reports on professional fisherman Al Linder. Reabe talks with the Brainerd fisherman about how he created a successful, nationally-known company based on the sport.
May 14, 1988 - With the fishing opener arriving in Minnesota, Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe visits Perch Lake near Brainerd to profile Al Lindner, a professional fisherman who has made quite the splash in the business of fishing.
May 16, 1988 - Mainstreet Radio-Brainerd’s Leif Enger rides along for the day for group fishing launch onto Mille Lacs Lake with Joe Fellegy, a local historian, musician, writer and fishing expert. Report includes various interviews.
June 6, 1988 - Mainstreet Radio’s Rachel Reabe reports from the Paul Bunyon Trail north of Brainerd. There are numerous paved bike trails now traversing areas of northern Minnesota, all routed along old railroad tracks. The development of the scenic recreation trails is a boon to both local cyclists and those visiting.
September 23, 1988 - Midday presents a special Mainstreet Radio documentary, entitled “Gold: New Prospects on the Iron Range.” The documentary focuses on the search for gold in the Iron Range and the effect one Canadian gold mine has had on community life. Following the documentary, Bill Brice, director of mineral division at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, answers listener questions.
October 17, 1988 - Mainstreet Radio-Brainerd’s Leif Enger reports on increased law enforcement efforts to protect wildlife from over-hunting and poaching.