An ad line seen on Facebook proclaims: “New AI-powered software creates ghostwriter-level fiction books in under 90 minutes.” I am writing a book. I’m a walking cliche — a retired ...
Editorials
Wine is an economic driver that we can't afford to ignore
The wine industry seems to have lost some of its luster in the last few years — regionally, nationally and even internationally. That’s bad news for the community long heralded as the hub of ...
Commissioners miss chance to better serve public at large
County Commissioners Mary Starrett and Kit Johnston missed a sterling opportunity last week to opt for competence over cronyism in filling one of the three lay seats on the county’s six-member budget ...
Prosperity Council delivers workable roadmap for state
Gov. Tina Kotek’s 15-member Oregon Prosperity Council released its 452-page prescription for Oregon’s ailing economy to great fanfare last week. Cutting through the report’s massive scope ...
State's school funding formula in desperate need of overhaul
Oregon’s school funding formula — last reconfigured in 1991, some 35 years ago — fails to provide more than 100,000 poverty-afflicted students with the extra help they desperately need ...
Now’s the time to be heard on sewage system funding
McMinnville has embarked, and wisely so, on planning for the next 20 years of operation, maintenance, rehabilitation and expansion of its sewage transmission and treatment system. The challenge is to ...
Don't just vote no on IP28; give it a blistering rejection
Initiative Petition 28 has succeeded in placing the PEACE Act, short for the People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions Act, on Oregon’s November ballot. And that has, understandably, ...
Graduates let feelings known about who controls the future
There have been numerous news articles and viral videos this graduation season featuring the Class of 2026 raining a chorus of boos upon speakers promoting the wonders of artificial intelligence (AI). ...
Schools can’t afford to just kick the can down the road
The last of the big local public agency budgets, that of the McMinnville School District, won final committee approval last week. And after a long, steep and steady enrollment decline, one that’s ...
Positives to take from county election, no matter the victor
As with any election, there was much to like and not like about the races for Yamhill County commissioner positions. It appears that Jason Fields has avoided a November run-off by receiving more than ...
Public needs to face up to cost of providing services
It’s budget time for cities, counties and special taxing districts around the state, as the July 1 start of a new fiscal year looms. And the dominant local refrain seems remarkably consistent — ...
Letters
News-Register Letters Policy
The News-Register welcomes written opinions about issues of public interest and about the content of this newspaper. Letters from non-local writers are accepted only if they focus on local issues. This ...
Letters to the Editor: July 17, 2026
GOP restraint? Jonah Goldberg’s “Right and Left Need to Confront Their Own Radicals” has a central false assumption. Namely that there is still a moderate right/Republican faction willing ...
Letters to the Editor: July 10, 2026
Showing his colors Another great News-Register, except for the always annoying and deceptive column by Jonah Goldberg, who exposes his MAGA leanings with every one. There are enough lies, fabrications ...
Letters to the Editor: July 2, 2026
Hate is learned Dear Commissioner Starrett: Several years ago, I discovered a disturbing drawing on the sidewalk at Jay Pearson Park here in McMinnville. It depicted a person being lynched and was accompanied ...
Letters to the Editor: June 26, 2026
Respect for all I am writing to express my profound concern regarding recent comments made by Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Starrett. As an elected official, she holds a position of public trust and ...
Letters to the Editor: June 19, 2026
Wall of honor Adie and I just wanted to show you what we’ve done with all of your amazing work over the years. Thank you so much for shining a light on our special teammates, coaches and community! Adie ...
Letters to the Editor: June 12, 2026
Canary in coal mine As a former hospital administrator in both non-for-profit and for-profit systems, and senior manager in a major Medicaid program, I read your article on United Healthcare Advantage ...
Letters to the Editor: June 5, 2026
Revise terms? Our present three-member board of county commissioners has the potential for a major adjustment every four years. The possibility of having two-thirds of the board subject to change at the ...
Letters to the Editor: May 29, 2026
Crazed and unstable A slush fund of $1.776 billion to give money to the Washington rioters who wanted to abolish our freedom? Why aren’t more citizens angry? How can one unstable man, our president, ...
Letters to the Editor: May 22, 2026
Out of this world! I attended the Second Winds Community Band concert at the McMinnville Community Center. The theme was Space, Galaxies and Aliens. It was a wonderful, uplifting concert, keeping our ...
Commentary
What in the Yamhill: The ABCs of McMinnville
To the observant eye or longtime local, the fact that McMinnville’s main north-to-south running streets in the city’s oldest section are in alphabetical order may not come as a shock. The ...
Kirby Neumann-Rea: Don't lean on the AI crutch for work you can do yourself
An ad line seen on Facebook proclaims: “New AI-powered software creates ghostwriter-level fiction books in under 90 minutes.” I am writing a book. I’m a walking cliche — a retired ...
Jeb Bladine: Legislature tosses transparency, citizen rights
Sometimes, I wonder if state legislators care about law-making transparency, or even bother to read proposed bills before voting on them. As evidence, look no further than the 2026 legislative session. Locally, ...
Jonah Goldberg: Iran war could shape policy for decades
By JONAH GOLDBERG The Iran war that never really ended is back on. Like everybody else, including members of the Trump administration and Iranian regime, I have no idea how it will end. But it eventually ...
The Conversation: Electronic warfare threatens safety of ships and crews
By ANNA RAYMAKEROf the Georgia Institute of Technology The war in Iran has dominated headlines in recent months with reports of airstrikes and other military activity. But beyond the immediate devastation, ...
Investigating the Bible: Hidden treasure, untapped power
In the southwest corner of Oregon is the unincorporated community of Kerby. It’s listed as a ghost town, for old buildings still stand from the mid-1800s, when it was a gold-mining town. ...
Gary Conklin: Novel suggestion raised on road project funding
Public affairs advocate Rick Metsger, a former legislator, has waded into the deep end of the pool by suggesting a bold idea for funding major transportation projects in Oregon — creation of a new state agency. Before rolling your eyes, hear him out.
Jeb Bladine: Scientists restore access to climate data
Decades ago, a NASA scientist told a U.S. Senate committee that human-caused “global warming” had begun, launching a wave of forums, programs and civic discussions focused on future risks. ...
Jonah Goldberg: Both right and left need to confront their own radicals
It’s starting to sound like we’re in the middle of the Spanish Civil War. For those of you who forgot, the Spanish Civil War was the great prequel to World War II, one in which the combatants ...
Investigating the Bible: Christmas in the summer
Jim Cymbala is pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle. One hot August evening (90 degrees), he felt led to have his congregation sing, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” A drunk stopped to listen. Confused, ...
Quirk of the Week: North county whirl
Ankhs, horse rings and a thick pickin’ of ponderables in Yamhill, Carlton and Gaston The far north and south reaches of Yamhill County contain rich troves of Quirk. Greater Yamhill/Carlton/Gaston ...
Adam Davis: Communities coming together to make more of nation's 250th
As our country reaches the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, we’re not gliding into the celebratory or joyous moment we might have been.
David Sumner: All men are created equal too powerful to be thwarted
Part of my teaching assignment at Linfield is “American Dreaming,” a course that tells the American story, from first contact to ChatGPT, through literature.
Kirby Neumann-Rea: O say, can you see rockets’ red glare?
On June 27, a week before Independence Day, someone began setting off illegal fireworks a block away. It started about 10 p.m., the same time as the night before.
Jeb Bladine: Changed America shares McMinnville birthday
Happy Birthday, America. My, how you’ve changed! I remember when you were a youthful 200 years old. Who could forget your 1976 McMinnville birthday party: huge parade with downtown streets packed ...
Margaret Cross: Nostalgic for true ideals of our founders
If you like fireworks, a steak on the grill and a day off, have a good time. Don’t whine about the cost.
Investigating the Bible: July Fourth prayers
Will Rogers was a beloved Native American humorist of the 1920s until 1935. A popular quote from him is about politicians: “Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate, now what’s going to ...
Quirk of the Week: Roadside roundup
“The whole universe is a complex of rhythms.” – Tom Robbins, “Another Roadside Attraction” The roadside roundup continues after last week’s start at the inimitable ...
What in the Yamhill: Carlton and Lafayette honor U.S. presidents on roadways
When you hear the names Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison, you likely think of the first four presidents of the United States. Those names are also ways to navigate the roads of Carlton and Lafayette. With ...
