Jeb Bladine

McMinnville

President and Publisher at News-Register

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Articles

Whatchamacolumn: Take blindfolds off RB Rubber project planning

1 week ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

Let’s acknowledge up front that community development under Oregon’s urban renewal law is complex and confusing. But that doesn’t justify the city of McMinnville’s long-delayed and inadequate responses to questions about the proposal for development of the RB Rubber property. First, a quick urban renewal (UR) primer: Cities or counties decide, based on assessment of “blight,” that specific geographic areas qualify for UR development.
Jeb Bladine: Take blindfolds off RB Rubber project planning

1 week ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

Let’s acknowledge up front that community development under Oregon’s urban renewal law is complex and confusing. But that doesn’t justify the city of McMinnville’s long-delayed and inadequate responses to questions about the proposal for development of the RB Rubber property. First, a quick urban renewal (UR) primer: Cities or counties decide, based on assessment of “blight,” that specific geographic areas qualify for UR development.
Whatchamacolumn: Linfield goes full-public with private finances

2 weeks ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

Governmental and institutional budgets are going under the knife. And while federal government cuts have drawn maximum attention, public interest is turning to local financial emergencies. It’s spring, and local budget committees are springing into action on July 1 budgets for 2025-26. A few examples among many: Portland Public Schools needs to slash $40 million in spending — reportedly about 4.7 percent of the district’s $850 million general fund.
Whatchamacolumn: Americans tortuously trying to ‘follow the money’

3 weeks ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

Americans are stunned by the explosion of controversial statements, policies, executive orders and vengeful actions radiating from the White House. So much so — intentionally?
Whatchamacolumn: Learn about tariffs while waiting on the phone

1 month ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

Only current online subscribers may access this article and/or our N-R e-editions. One-day subscriptions available for just $3. For all subscription offers, click here. Already a subscriber, please log in
Whatchamacolumn: It’s never too late to correct a factual error

1 month ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

Consider this column a much-belated correction impacting a current story that is generating local controversy. That story is the city of McMinnville’s prolonged plan to flip the former Ultimate RB plant into a major multi-use Alpine District development — for more on that, see today’s news story. First, as background, the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics is unequivocal about correcting published errors: “Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently.
Whatchamacolumn: Career criminals play a role in budget deficits

1 month ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

McMinnville’s huge city budget deficit was on display this week, with officials trying to figure out why it evolved while grappling with how to respond.
Whatchamacolumn: Caution urged with using Social Security chainsaw

1 month ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

Get ready for some numbers about Social Security and aging Americans — if you don’t care for statistics, you might consider skipping this article. First, let’s warm up with some figures versus facts from President Donald Trump, who this week said the market increased a “highest-ever” 80 percent during his first term of office.
Whatchamacolumn: Commentary comes easily in a turbulent world

2 months ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

When it comes to commentary, we are living in a target-rich environment. Let’s start local: If people contact authorities about a hybrid wolf pack prowling school playground areas and killing neighborhood pets, they expect to hear: “We are sending officers out immediately – can you meet them at the scene?” If the response is, “We can take your message, but we no longer have an animal control program,” there is going to be a citizen uprising. There was, Tuesday night at McMinnville City Council.
Whatchamacolumn: Trump creating needed jobs in national media

2 months ago | newsregister.com | Jeb Bladine

As a news reporter, Donald Trump would be warned and monitored, then fired; as a newspaper editorial writer, he simply would be terminated for cause. But as president of the United States, he is creating more jobs throughout the media world: Fact-checkers. Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday has been dissected and analyzed by fact-checkers from the entire media alphabet: AP, PBS, NPR, CBS, CNN, ABC, BBS, NBC and MSNBC.