December 26, 1990 - On this Midday program, a documentary on Iceland satirical poet Kristjan Niels Julius, followed by an interview with author Barry Lopez.
November 29, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen looks at the changes taking place in Minnesota law enforcement after the Minnesota legislature created the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST), which in part requires college degree for police officers…including the local sheriff. The state is the first in the country to require two-year degree for beginning peace officers.
October 11, 1990 - Midday presents a Mainstreet Radio special broadcast on rural schools…both their problems and successes. John Biewan visits Rothsay, a small western Minnesota town. People in Rothsay say their school, far from being a dinosaur, should serve as a model for education reform.
July 2, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen reports on the shortage of rural foster homes and a community alternative in Worthington…the creation of the Bridgeway Center, a group home for emergency foster kids.
June 20, 1990 - This Midday program begins with an MPR documentary "Season of Discontent: Migrants in the Red River Valley", about migrant farm workers in the sugar beet fields of northwestern Minnesota, and relations between the workers and year-round residents. Reporters Dan Gunderson and John Biewen produced the half-hour documentary. Afterwards Midday host Bob Potter talks with Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Cooper.
June 20, 1990 - A presentation of the MPR documentary "Season of Discontent: Migrants in the Red River Valley," which highlights Hispanic migrant farm workers who work the sugar beet fields. Following documentary, Stephen Cooper, Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner, discusses the issues migrant workers face in the state.
May 25, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen interviews renowned classical double bassist James VanDemark about the formation of Upper Midwest Chamber Music Festival being held in Owatonna.
December 27, 1989 - A Mainstreet Radio special from southwestern Minnesota town of Madison. MPR’s John Biewen presents a documentary entitled, "We're Not Dying," which highlights how the town survived the 1980’s farm crisis.
November 10, 1989 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Rural Health Care,” John Biewen reports from Mankato’s Immanuel Saint Joseph's Hospital, a regional hospital that is used as a resource to surrounding rural communities without local hospital specialty options. Biewen also looks at Mankato physicians traveling into rural areas.
November 7, 1989 - As part of the Mainstreet Radio series “Rural Health Care,” John Biewen looks at the struggle to get doctors in rural Minnesota. Biewen interviews numerous medical professionals about the issue.