Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A screenshot from “Helldivers 2” shows a player fending off a horde of bugs as they finish completing an objective. “Helldivers 2” released Feb. 8. (Jonathan Shelby | Northern Star)

Launch feet first into ‘Helldivers 2’

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Writer | February 21, 2024

After a long day at work and dealing with the everyday challenges we call life, it is nice to forget all of it, boot up the old PS5 and play some co-op shooter games with friends.  Most co-op games are fairly laid-back, having a team of players fight...

El Jimador sits with decorative lights hanging up around the awning. El Jimador is a Mexican restaurant in DeKalb that was recently named the business of the year. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Business Spotlight: El Jimador Mexican Grill

By Hannah Soukup, Assistant News Editor | February 20, 2024

Editor’s note: This article is not sponsored by El Jimador and is not an endorsement from the Northern Star as an organization.  DeKALB – El Jimador Mexican Grill, established in 2020, provides authentic Mexican food with biweekly events for members...

Marlon Wayans takes the stage Thursday for a free comedy show exclusive to NIU students at the Carl Sandburg Auditorium in the Holmes Student Center. The CAB sponsored event, featuring the “Scary Movie” and “White Chicks” actor, was sold out before the day of the event. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

NIU roars with laughter: Marlon Wayans live

By Isabel Cambray, Lifestyle Writer | February 18, 2024

DeKALB – Marlon Wayans, the youngest out of 10 siblings from the Wayan legacy, hosted a sold-out show Thursday at the Holmes Student Center. Wayans needed no introduction as he has been in countless projects such as “The Wayans Bros,” “Scary Movie,”...

The words “BEST OF DEKALB 2024” float between golden brackets. Voting for the 2024 Best of DeKalb is now open. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Best of DeKalb 2024 voting now open

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | February 18, 2024

Best of DeKalb voting for 2024 is now open!  From Monday to Feb. 29 NIU students, faculty and staff, along with DeKalb residents, can vote on their favorite places in 22 categories.  Some of the categories include best bar, best coffee shop, best...

George Middlemist, vice president and chief financial officer discusses NIUs budget for the 2024 fiscal year between NIU President Lisa Freeman (left) and Dennis Barsema, board secretary of the NIU Board of Trustees. NIUs Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations Committee approved the universitys quarterly financial projections on Feb. 15. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU to increase tuition, housing, student health insurance

By Rachel Cormier and Gabby Crabtree | February 16, 2024

DeKALB – While NIU expects a $2 million increase to its now budgeted $33.7 million deficit, the projected 2024 fiscal year deficit could bring the total down. NIU’s Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations Committee met  Thursday to...

NIU President Lisa Freeman (left) and family members of victims of the 2008 Valentine’s Day shooting stand near the memorial garden during a moment of silence Wednesday. The garden features a sculpture by Bruce A. Niemi titled “Remembered,” which was installed in October 2009. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Moving Forward, Together 16 years after NIU shooting

By Sean Reed, Photo Editor | February 14, 2024

Editor’s note: This gallery has been updated as of 3:15 p.m. Thursday to correct an error in which Charlotte and Lawrence Gehant were incorrectly identified as Laurel and Joe Dubowski, who did not attend the event. DeKALB – NIU hosted a vigil for...

Robert Greer (left) and his wife Linda Greer, mother of 2008 shooting victim Daniel Parmenter, walk along the “Forward, Together Forward” memorial garden after the vigil Wednesday near Cole Hall. Parmenter was a sophomore finance major at NIU before his death in 2008. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU stands ‘Forward, Together Forward,’ honors victims of 2008 shooting

By Hannah Soukup, Assistant News Editor | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – NIU honored the victims of the 2008 shooting at 3:06 p.m. Wednesday with a tolling of five bells to represent each life lost 16 years ago. The event took place outside Cole Hall, the building in which the shooting occurred.  On Feb. 14, 2008,...

A photo illustration has a hand holding a pile of money in front of a property managers sign. Getting an apartment is expensive, and its important to plan ahead for the expenses that come with an apartment. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Apartments not cheap, plan accordingly

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | February 13, 2024

Getting an apartment – and keeping it – is hard to do, especially in college. The cost of everything to buy to survive keeps inflating, and wages don’t feel like they’re keeping up with those changes.  To ensure an apartment is right for...

Frank Dicaccio, DeKalbs asylum seekers citizens committee representative, shares the committees progress to the Council and the audience on Monday at the City Council meeting. The asylum seekers citizens committee is gathering assistance from local non-profits to accommodate migrants seeking asylum in the Chicago-land area. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

City Council discusses migrants finding refuge in Dekalb

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | February 13, 2024

DeKALB – Conversations of how the city of DeKalb would support migrants seeking asylum from the U.S. border brought financial considerations and an update to a pressing national issue to City Council Monday. Council and community members came with...

A graphic depicts a line of houses behind Housing Fair information. Northern Stars Housing Fair helps students who are looking to find a house and/or apartment in DeKalb. (Northern Star Flyer)

Gear up for Northern Star’s Housing Fair

By Sofia Didenko, Lifestyle Writer | February 12, 2024

Whether the end goal is to share a place with roommates or find the perfect solo studio, NIU’s Housing Fair is at student’s service.  Sponsored by the Northern Star this year’s housing fair will take place from 11 a.m to 2 p.m Thursday at the...

A phone lays on a table, open to the NIU Safe app main page. NIU has modified the criteria for what crimes are considered for a safety alert. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

What’s up With: NIU Safety Notifications?

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | February 12, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s Safety Notifications have decreased exponentially. Weekly notifications of “shots fired” and “stabbings” have gone down to only five safety alerts for the entire 2023-2024 school year. Students are wondering if crime has indeed...

Redshirt Sophomore wrestler Ricardo Salinas (left) holds down Lock Haven junior wrestler Tyler Stoltzfus. Salinas was able to score four points, but lost by decision by seven points. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Wrestling and Gymnastics score big at annual ‘Beauty and the Beast’ meet

By Tim Dodge and Totus Tuus Keely | February 11, 2024

  GYMNASTICS PLACES SECOND     WRESTLING CONTINUES WIN STREAK