Denise Johnson
Editorial Writer
OpinionDenise has been an editorial writer at the Star Tribune since 1996. Before joining the editorial board, she was a reporter, editor, columnist and editorial writer at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and wrote editorials for the Miami Herald. She currently writes about urban affairs and a variety of other topics, but specializes in covering K-12 education. Johnson has also worked for the American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington, D.C., and done diversity training locally and nationally. Earlier in her career, she hosted and produced news and issues public affairs shows on Twin Cities public television. The recipient of several journalism awards, she was honored in 2007 with the Frank Premack Graven award for career contributions to public journalism. Johnson lives with her husband in St. Paul, her hometown, and they have one grown daughter.
Latest from Denise Johnson
Johnson: Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future verdict is a start
Far more vigorous state oversight is needed to ensure that future criminals are deterred from stealing funds intended for the vulnerable.
March 25, 2025
Johnson: Defend free speech, student and educator rights at colleges and universities
Trump administration policies have led many school leaders to self-censor by creating policies that limit free speech.
March 14, 2025
Johnson: Stand firm: Resist Trump’s deportation agenda, protect immigrants
Cities and states that understand the community-building value of immigrants must continue to welcome them and push back against efforts to demonize them.
March 10, 2025
Johnson: Justice is not well-served by cash bail
Minnesota should seize an opportunity to update its pretrial practices.
February 26, 2025
Johnson: Push back against anti-DEI efforts
Universities, educators and students are fighting back against Federal anti-DEI efforts.
February 24, 2025
Johnson: Keep violence prevention on task in Minneapolis
There’s been some management difficulty, but progress on that front is being made.
February 19, 2025
Johnson: Good reasons to preserve the federal Dept. of Education
Eliminating the Dept. of Education would jeopardize equal access, quality standards and national educational progress.
February 10, 2025
Johnson: Can your 4th-grader read this headline?
America must drill down on proven reading, math instruction to boost alarming test scores.
February 5, 2025
Johnson: Push back against anti-DEI efforts
Universities, educators and students are fighting back against Federal anti-DEI efforts.
February 24, 2025
Johnson: Keep violence prevention on task in Minneapolis
There’s been some management difficulty, but progress on that front is being made.
February 19, 2025
Johnson: Good reasons to preserve the federal Dept. of Education
Eliminating the Dept. of Education would jeopardize equal access, quality standards and national educational progress.
February 10, 2025
Johnson: Can your 4th-grader read this headline?
America must drill down on proven reading, math instruction to boost alarming test scores.
February 5, 2025