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: When fear becomes the narrative Minneapolis can’t shake
How do you restore confidence in public safety when accounts of violence only reinforce every fearful story about urban decline?
November 12, 2025
Morris: Minneapolis reaffirms its faith in Frey
The mayor survived a spirited challenge and won a third term. But a steady hand cannot mean stagnancy.
November 5, 2025
Morris: An Arne Carlson email missed its mark but not the message
The former governor remains an indispensable voice, calling on Minnesota to maintain the highest standards of accountability.
October 18, 2025
Morris: As you read this, America's next mass shooting is already being planned
The U.S. can do better than living in fear of the next headline.
September 30, 2025
Morris: As a wave of shootings roils Minneapolis, leave the National Guard at home
When fear replaces facts, soldiers patrol the streets.
August 28, 2025
Morris: A national bigot lobs a spitwad at the Minneapolis mayoral race
Charlie Kirk’s attack on Muslims — and Omar Fateh in particular — betrays America’s founding ideas. Thankfully, that’s well understood locally.
July 16, 2025
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
