Mainstreet Radio’s Leif Enger takes a look back to 1989, when 500 union supporters rioted in the northern border town of International Falls. The city's largest employer, Boise Cascade, was building a huge expansion of their papermill…and bringing in thousands of non-union workers to do it. The town was divided: while local businesses boomed like never before, union workers and their families felt betrayed.

Minnesota Public Radio's Mainstreet reporting team traveled the back roads of our region, with stories about small towns and rural life. In marking the achievement 10th anniversary of the series, Mainstreet looks back to see what's happened since reporting on the strive within International Falls during the fall of 1989.

[Please note: Program contains offensive language]