September 26, 2002 - The Mainstreet Radio documentary “An Uncivil War” examines The US-Dakota War of 1862, a war fought in the Minnesota River valley back in 1862 that still leaves scars today. On one side were the Dakota Indians. On the other, settlers and the U.S. government. Hundreds of people died on both sides of the five-week long war. It lead to the largest mass execution in U.S. history, when 38 Dakota were hanged in Mankato.
September 25, 2002 - Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post profiles Jane Gray Swisshelm, a St. Cloud newspaper editor of the 1850s-1860s with strong opinions. She used her position to fight against slavery and for advancement of women's rights…but while she wrote articles advocating more freedom for some, she also pushed horribly racist views toward Native Americans, such as the complete extermination of the state's Dakota Indian population.
September 24, 2002 - The four major party candidates for Governor held a debate in front of a business-minded audience today (TUESDAY) in St. Cloud. The candidates pushed issues important to areas outside the metro; access to health care, business development and the state's budget. But the candidates hit on one issue several times, transportation. The candidates said traffic congestion across much of the state will get worse in the future. But each one offers a different solution to the problem.
September 10, 2002 - Residents in the central Minnesota town of Albertville spent the day wondering whether it was a tornado that hit their town overnight. The National Weather Service gave them an answer this afternoon. It was a tornado. It was a small one, but bounced through a new neighborhood and damaged 20 homes, even ripping some of their roofs off. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report.
May 7, 2002 - As Minnesota was settled, the first towns sprung up along the Mississippi River. At first, cities used the river for transportation and to power industry. Over the years though, communities turned their backs on the Mississippi. People ignored the natural resource to focus on development away from the water. But now cities are finding new value in their rivers. In the next part of our series "Changing Currents," Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post looks at how St. Cloud is reconnecting with the Mississippi.
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April 12, 2002 - The area between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud is gaining population so fast it's one of the fastest growing places in the country. And while the growth brings new economic viability to many communities, it also means frustration for commuters. Transportation officials are looking for ways to alleviate the congestion. One solution they've suggested is an 80 mile train line linking the St. Cloud area with Minneapolis. Backers of the Northstar commuter rail line say the project is a bargain compared to building roads. But opponents say its nearly 300 (M) million dollar price tag is too expensive for the number of people who would actually use the train. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post looks into the debate over Northstar as the Minnesota Public Radio series "Are We There Yet?" continues. There's much more about traffic and transportation at out web site-- Minnesota Public Radio-dot-org
April 5, 2002 - 24-hundred Fingerhut workers in Minnesota are officially out of a job today (FRIDAY). Most of the lay-offs will occur in St. Cloud. Many workers are still holding on to the hope Fingerhut will be sold, and their jobs will be saved. Even so, there are preparations in St. Cloud for the city's largest job loss ever. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
March 18, 2002 - Potlatch announced plans to close the company's paper mill in Brainerd today (MONDAY). Over 600 people will be out of a job when the plant closes in two months. The shutdown is part of a deal to sell the company's Cloquet plant to a South African paper manufacturer. Potlatch officials say they want out of the coated paper business. They say it's not a profitable endeavor in light of a flood of foreign imports. Brainerd city leaders hope something can be done to save the hundreds of high paying jobs so important to their community.
March 14, 2002 - A winter storm across the southern Minnesota is creating dangerous driving conditions, closing schools and cancelling flights. The storm is expected to drop 8 to 14-inches of snow on the Twin Cities, and nearly two feet on parts of central and west central Minnesota. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.