March 8, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports on need for fundraisers for people who don't have insurance. Sometimes even those with insurance need help. It seems the higher medical costs rise the more fundraisers there are for people who can't pay all their bills. Dinners, raffles and auctions are a few of the ways people donate money.
February 5, 2004 - Every year the U.S. imports more food, even though the country produces enough to feed itself, even though the country produces enough to feed itself. The tastes of American consumers are changing. Big city or small town, they're looking for food from all over the world. As Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports, many of those consumers are new arrivals to the country.
January 21, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio’s Cara Hetland presents “That's Just Janklow," a documentary on Bill Janklow, one of the most powerful figures in South Dakota history. The one time juvenile delinquent went on to become a 4-term governor, and then a Congressman. It all ended in a car crash.
November 24, 2003 - A stalled federal energy bill is causing major headaches for Minnesota's wind energy industry. The legislation extends a tax credit for wind production. Without the credit some wind projects in the state could be in jeopardy. If the energy bill fails to pass, it could also affect ethanol production and a planned Iron Range power plant. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
November 14, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports on auction of rifle believed once owned by Dakota Indian chief Little Crow. He was a central figure in the Dakota Conflict of 1862. Report includes a historical overview of Little Crow, and interviews with various parties, including Little Crow’s great-granddaughter.
October 27, 2003 - Over the past few years, most dairy farmers have experienced a life time's worth of bad news. Low milk prices have forced thousands out of business in Minnesota alone. But now dairy producers are fighting back. Led by the country's largest milk cooperatives, farmers are trying to boost prices by themselves, without government help. Dairy leaders say it's an unprecedented move toward farmer independence. The program will have little effect on consumer prices, and some question if farmers will notice anything. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
October 6, 2003 - Randy Scott and Bill Janklow are forever linked in tragedy. Janklow, the South Dakota congressman, is charged with manslaughter in Scott's death. On Saturday, nearly 300 bikers gathered in southwest Minnesota to pay tribute to Scott. They prayed at the accident scene in eastern South Dakota. And they called for justice. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
October 2, 2003 - Minnesota farmers are getting a close look at drought damage from the seats of their combines. It looks like the the eastern half of the state suffered the most. But on the positive side, crop prices are rising. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
September 30, 2003 - One of the newest and most promising segments of the local economy in southwest Minnesota is wind power. Farmers, manufacturing companies and workers are earning money from the growing industry. But out of state corporations still make most of the profits. In the second part of Mainstreet Radio's Wind Power series, Mark Steil reports some people are looking for ways to keep more of the money in Minnesota.
September 25, 2003 - An ordinary looking farm field in southwest Minnesota is being restored to what it looked like in 1862. In August of that year the field was part of a seminal event in Minnesota history. On Wednesday, a monument to the events of that day was unveiled. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.