Staff Directory 6370501

Denise Johnson

Editorial Writer | Opinion
Phone: 612-673-7320


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.
Recent content from Denise Johnson
A student walks past Meyer Hall at Concordia University on Nov. 7 in St. Paul. The school is bucking the trend in diminishing enrollment and has becom

Johnson: Concordia U a smart leader on boosting college attendance

More than a decade after the school reset its tuition, Concordia University's cost is still lower than it was in 2013.
As of Wednesday, Black men, women and students from middle school to college age have been targeted with racist texts in at least 24 states.

Johnson: Supporting kids targeted by racist texts

Another unfortunate teachable moment demands the attention of law enforcement and educators
MSBA executive director, Kirk Schneidawind said it was challenging for districts to reach voters about school issues in a presidential election year.

Johnson: Economy worries reflected in Minnesota school referendum results

While tech levies did well enough, general operating levies were rejected at historical highs
A wanted flyer for John Sawchak posted in south Minneapolis' Lyndale neighborhood.

Johnson: Minneapolis police failed the resident shot by his neighbor. It should take corrective action.

O'Hara's response is far from adequate.
The shuttered CVS in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St. Paul attracts loitering and other quality-of-life issues.

Johnson: Disorder is a drag on neighborhoods and businesses. They need more help.

Intensify efforts to get homeless people and drug addicts off the streets.
Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) was fouled by New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) in overtime during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in New

Johnson: Minnesota Lynx gave fans a stellar season

They continue to contribute to the rising profile of women's professional sports.
Molly Sullivan helped her daughter, Frankie, 8, with an art project in St. Paul in February. Sullivan and her family of three children has struggled w

Johnson: Reject the St. Paul child care ballot question

The need is real, but there are better ways to meet it.
The Minneapolis Police Third Precinct building photographed April 18, 2023. It's in a similar state today.

Johnson: No more delays: Get moving on former MPD Third Precinct site

Minneapolis has a well-supported, feasible plan to return this eyesore to productive use. Why wait?
Brit Breitbach teaches reading to her kindergartners at Stevenson Elementary in Fridley in 2023.

Johnson: Boost literacy levels for Minnesota students

Our state shouldn't accept its current concerning rates of reading proficiency.
Johnson: Evaluating Minnesota school referendum issues

Johnson: Evaluating Minnesota school referendum issues

Minnesotans can and should make informed choices for their schools on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara gives an update following a shooting that resulted in four children being injured in Minneapolis on Aug. 18.

From Opinion: More placement options needed for youngest juvenile offenders

Crime involving kids so young highlights the vexing question of what to do with the children involved.

Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker on Minnesota's return to school

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Taraji P. Henson, standing left, and Kevin Costner, standing right, in a scene from, "Hidden Figure

A talk with Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of 'Hidden Figures'

Shetterly's bestseller is now an Oscar-nominated movie. She discusses the book, the film, her links to the true story and more.

Updating Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy

Many bridges yet to cross, longtime civil rights leader Vernon Jordan tells Minneapolis audience.
Matt Little reflected on t the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington at his home in Roseville, Min., Tuesday, July 30, 2013. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS

Matthew Little made Minnesota a better place for all

Civil-rights leader and activist led the way on fair housing and equal employment.
FILE - in this March 28, 2003 file photo, Donna Brazile poses in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) ORG XMIT: NYET945

Overcoming Washington gridlock for the greater good

Political insider Donna Brazile says the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. would have urged finding areas of agreement.
Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio, Texas, speaks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Caroli

San Antonio mayor puts spotlight on education

Julian Castro recognizes how much cities can gain by closing achievement gaps.
March on Washington 1963: Josie Johnson, center, and Zetta Fedder, right, with an unidentified woman.

Minnesotans remember March on Washington

Among those in the Minnesota delegation were local civil-rights activists Josie Johnson and Matt Little. Johnson, now 82, and Little, now 92, reflect on the march and today's realities.
Marion Wright Edelman

Investing in kids

Spending early can pay off later.

School lockdown: A balance well struck

It's an unfortunate byproduct of our high-tech age: the internet provides new ways to harass and intimidate. The entire Minneapolis school system and several schools in St. Paul learned that the hard way on Wednesday when more than 60 buildings were locked down after shooting threats appeared on social networking websites.

Teaching teachers

The research is conclusive: A quality, effective teacher is the most important school-based way to help students learn. That's why the Bush Foundation wisely announced a $40 million grant over the next decade to transform teacher-preparation programs in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Stupid gift department

Firmly in the "what was he thinking?'' column is the recent boneheaded action by a candidate for Republican National Committee chairman. Chip Saltsman of Tennessee is rightly under fire in cyberspace and on talk shows for mailing fellow party members a CD for Christmas with a song titled, "Barack the Magic Negro.'

Charter school Q & A: 'To familiarize, not proselytize'

•Mo Chang, Executive director and principal of the Community School of Excellence charter school.

Barack the magic what?

Not so 'outrageous' to us

Gather around the family meal table