Phil Morris
Opinion Editor
Culture & PoliticsMorris became opinion editor and vice president in July 2024 after working as an editorial writer and columnist for newspapers in Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio. He has been recognized as a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist for columns he wrote while working at the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In 2020, Morris became a contributing writer to National Geographic, frequently penning essays about race, culture and law enforcement. He authored cover stories for the magazine on the COVID-19 pandemic and the removal of confederate iconography in the southern United States. He also penned commentaries on capital punishment as well as the worldwide social unrest following the murder of George Floyd. Morris completed a Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan in 2012, researching the use of social media in social justice movements.
Latest from Phil Morris
Morris: Trump’s troops in L.A. are helping to pour fuel on the fire
How provocative language and federal force blur the line between protest and provocation.
June 9, 2025
Morris: State workers return, St. Paul stirs — but will it stick?
Downtown revival needs more than office badges to thrive.
June 2, 2025
Morris: May the next homicide-free stretch begin now
Minneapolis had nearly nine weeks of relative peace, now ended. It’s useful to ask what part of that wasn’t just random.
April 30, 2025
Morris: Can we talk about George Floyd?
It’s five years after his death. We invite you to be part of the continuing conversation.
April 19, 2025
Morris: Get to work
Minnesota House lawmakers should use the current occasion to ask themselves why faith in government is often shaken or deeply discounted.
February 6, 2025
Morris: Frozen the Federal Musical hits a sour note
Trump is not beneath demonstrating a willingness to play chicken with other branches of government and the American public.
January 29, 2025
Morris: Tragedy struck at the dawn of a new year
The attack in New Orleans won’t be taken lightly, but neither will it derail our resolve.
January 2, 2025
Morris: What are you paying for, exactly? Wouldn’t *you* like to know?
With a new transparency law taking effect in Minnesota, you can.
December 31, 2024
Morris: Get to work
Minnesota House lawmakers should use the current occasion to ask themselves why faith in government is often shaken or deeply discounted.
February 6, 2025
Morris: Frozen the Federal Musical hits a sour note
Trump is not beneath demonstrating a willingness to play chicken with other branches of government and the American public.
January 29, 2025
Morris: Tragedy struck at the dawn of a new year
The attack in New Orleans won’t be taken lightly, but neither will it derail our resolve.
January 2, 2025
Morris: What are you paying for, exactly? Wouldn’t *you* like to know?
With a new transparency law taking effect in Minnesota, you can.
December 31, 2024