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Jill Burcum

Columnist
Opinion
Burcum has been an editorial writer since March 2008, joining the Editorial Board after working in the newsroom as an editor and reporter. She is a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist for editorial writing. "Not This Mine. Not This Location," which focused on copper mining’s risk to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, was recognized in 2020. Her "Separate and Unequal" series on dilapidated Bureau of Indian Education schools was a finalist in 2015, and she also testified before Congress that same year about these schools' poor condition. Burcum graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington in 1991 and started her career as a reporter for the Rochester Post-Bulletin. She previously worked for Mayo Clinic and Ican Inc.

Contact

EMAIL
jill.burcum@startribune.com
PHONE
612-673-7846

Latest from Jill Burcum

Our Columnists

Close the infertility treatment coverage gap

While there are fair questions about Trump’s likeliness to follow through on a campaign promise to mandate IVF treatment, the spotlight on this need is still helpful.
September 5, 2024
Our Columnists

Don’t like coarse political discourse? Do something.

An organization with Minnesota roots and a strong state presence offers e-courses and other opportunities to bridge divisions this election year.
September 2, 2024
Our Columnists

‘Gotta keep trying’ on COVID boosters

Uptake has waned. A Minnesota doctor offers up fresh inspiration from the Summer Olympics for those who are hesitant about getting the updated vaccine this fall.
August 28, 2024
FILE - Booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are displayed during a vaccine clinic in Townshend, Vt., on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. Pfizer's updated COVID-19 booster significantly revved up adults' virus-fighting antibodies, the company said Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 — early findings from a rigorous study of the new shots. (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP)
Our Columnists

‘Tomorrow is promised to nobody’

Political commentator Brian R. McDaniel survived the “widowmaker” heart attack and has some things to say about it.
August 21, 2024
Commentaries

Trust me, you don’t want to know what a floating car feels like

You can get into trouble in matter of minutes, maybe even seconds, on a flooded road.
June 24, 2024
Commentaries

When will it be over?

Church bells won't ring out and we won't be dancing in the streets but, with vigilance, COVID-19 will someday be more manageable.
January 23, 2022
People danced in the streets of New York (above) and other cities, blew horns and shouted "the war is over" by way of celebrating the Armistice ending world war I. Says Allen: "Thus began the period between the wars, which was to last 23 years and 26 days." Note the "new look." Associated Press Photo
Commentaries

A COVID survivor's long, uncertain journey

It's impossible to know if we'll feel long-term effects.
November 4, 2020
A sign outside the True Value hardware store in downtown Spring Grove reminded people to wear masks. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Houston County in southeastern Minnesota on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, rural areas are being hit harder than ever before, Houston County included. In the past six weeks, the case count has more than doubled and the virus claimed its first victim.
Commentaries

Lessons from a COVID infection: my own

Unlike the president, we don't get helicopters and exotic experimental drugs. The reality is that it's a waiting game — if you're lucky.
October 7, 2020
A couple walk past a sign in front of Dash of Sass clothing store along Main Street during a "Masks Up, Surf City" banner campaign to prevent coronavirus in the city of Huntington Beach, California on Aug. 12, 2020. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1765001
Commentaries

Trust me, you don’t want to know what a floating car feels like

You can get into trouble in matter of minutes, maybe even seconds, on a flooded road.
June 24, 2024
Commentaries

When will it be over?

Church bells won't ring out and we won't be dancing in the streets but, with vigilance, COVID-19 will someday be more manageable.
January 23, 2022
People danced in the streets of New York (above) and other cities, blew horns and shouted "the war is over" by way of celebrating the Armistice ending world war I. Says Allen: "Thus began the period between the wars, which was to last 23 years and 26 days." Note the "new look." Associated Press Photo
Commentaries

A COVID survivor's long, uncertain journey

It's impossible to know if we'll feel long-term effects.
November 4, 2020
A sign outside the True Value hardware store in downtown Spring Grove reminded people to wear masks. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Houston County in southeastern Minnesota on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, rural areas are being hit harder than ever before, Houston County included. In the past six weeks, the case count has more than doubled and the virus claimed its first victim.
Commentaries

Lessons from a COVID infection: my own

Unlike the president, we don't get helicopters and exotic experimental drugs. The reality is that it's a waiting game — if you're lucky.
October 7, 2020
A couple walk past a sign in front of Dash of Sass clothing store along Main Street during a "Masks Up, Surf City" banner campaign to prevent coronavirus in the city of Huntington Beach, California on Aug. 12, 2020. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1765001
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