Staff Directory 600382757

Phil Morris

Opinion Editor | Opinion

Phil Morris is Opinion Editor of the Star Tribune.


Morris 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.
Recent content from Phil Morris
The new Minnesota Star Tribune logo was installed in August.

Morris: We remain confident in our decision to pause endorsements

We will continue to explore alternative approaches.
A combine is seen at Farmfest in Morgan, Minn., on Aug. 6.

Morris: What to expect from the Editorial Board as the election approaches

The Minnesota Star Tribune's opinion editors and writers will begin offering closely studied analyses of a few key races and candidates.
Fans greet the Minnesota Vikings mascot outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Oct. 6. The Vikings beat the New York Jets 23-17.

Morris: Skol! If you dare …

A cautious cheer to a noteworthy Minnesota Vikings start, which has benefits beyond pride.
Minnesota Vikings guard Ed Ingram (67) blocks Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a preseason NFL football game on Aug. 17 in Cle

Morris: The vibrant and meaningful currency of sports

Through them, we form communities, and that's worth thinking about in a political season.
A sign placed by death penalty opponents sits in front of the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, Ind., in 2009.

Morris: America, it's long past time to end the death penalty

President Joe Biden should make good on his campaign pledge to abolish executions on the federal level. States should do likewise, as Minnesota did long ago.
Students and community members make a prayer circle around a makeshift memorial outside of Apalachee High School on Sept. 5 in Winder, Ga. Two student

How many fingers were on the trigger?

Only one of them entered the school in Winder, Ga., but a father and a son now stand accused of the nation's latest school tragedy.
Riders on the SkyGlider pass by the Great Big Wheel at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 28.

What I perceived as a first-timer to the State Fair

For these 12 days at least, the wisdom of the Minnesota crowd is that we should come together.
Introducing Strib Voices: Minnesota's most dynamic conversation

Introducing Strib Voices: Minnesota's most dynamic conversation

We're leaning into opinion journalism but updating it for our era.
"I sense that Minnesota is much more than a collection of red, blue and purple counties. Even though it often appears that the U.S. is divided and dan

I can see already that there's depth to this state

An introduction from the Star Tribune's new opinion editor.