January 2, 1988 - MPR's Mainstreet Radio team presents a documentary entitled Against the Grain, which collects conversations with rural Minnesotans about how they are adapting to the forces of economic change.
February 8, 1988 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen follows along doctor Alan Fleischmann in Caledonia, a town in southeastern Minnesota. Fleischmann practices small town medicine and makes house calls, something many in community feel are all too important.
March 21, 1988 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy reports on protests outside Woodbury home of Faust Theater manager, James Hafiz. The Faust Theater is attempting to relocate to Merriam Park area of St. Paul.
April 25, 1988 - As part of a Mainstreet Radio series on rural education, Rachel Reabe reports on the merging of schools in Buhl and Mountian Iron, Minnnesota.
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 11, 1988 - Older Southeast Asian refugees, specifically Cambodian, Lao, and Hmong find themselves struggling with a different culture environment after fleeing war and refugee camps. MPR’s Jim Bikal looks at some of the local efforts, including that at the Older Refugees Program, being made to support elders in the communities.
July 7, 1988 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten talks with Doris, a member of Ely’s centennial committee, about the city preparations for a special visitor during its 100 year celebration. A. Courtland Ely III, great-grandson of Ely's namesake, will be first time an “Ely” has visited the town.
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.