Denise Johnson

Editorial Writer

Opinion

Denise 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.

Denise 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.

Contact

denise.johnson@startribune.com

612-673-7320

Latest from Denise Johnson

Columnists

Johnson: Immigration policy reform, not mass deportations

We’ll all feel the economic difficulties of losing so many who contributed so much to our economy.

January 17, 2025

Columnists

Johnson: Bringing the unhoused in from the cold

It’s one thing to be unhoused in California or Florida — but quite another to be without a place to live during a Minnesota winter.

January 13, 2025

Columnists

Johnson: Moving forward with MPD consent decrees

The community must hold the city’s feet to the fire on the legally binding promises made.

January 9, 2025

Columnists

Johnson: Clean-slate law is not only a just act, but an economic one

It’s a boon for Minnesota, but it’s important that everyone who needs to know about it does know.

January 6, 2025