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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Blackboard, Microsoft Teams and Office365 tools  are being used for today's current online classes.

University to conduct review of Blackboard Learn

By Kierra Frazier | January 21, 2021

DeKALB – The university could be splitting ways with its current learning management system, Blackboard Learn, as a task force has been established to conduct an evaluation on the system with input from faculty and students. The task force, established...

A pick-up order table stands near the door in Cast Iron Coffee in June.

DeKalb moves into Tier 1, allows for limited indoor dining

By Kierra Frazier | January 19, 2021

DeKALB – Following nearly four months of no indoor dining, Region 1 has met requirements to move into Tier 1, according to a Monday Illinois Department of Public Health news release.  Region 1 includes Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle,...

Gov. JB Pritzker gives an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois during a press conference at the Illinois State Capitol on Jan. 11.

Pritzker moves Region 1 to Tier 2 COVID-19 restrictions

By Kierra Frazier | January 15, 2021

DeKALB – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday that three regions will move from Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions to Tier 2 effective immediately.  Regions 1, 2 and 5 will move from Tier 3 to Tier 2. The move to Tier 2 includes the return of group...

Entrance of the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway.

Convocation Center to be used as vaccination site

By Kierra Frazier | January 14, 2021

DeKALB – NIU announced Thursday that the Convocation Center will be used as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic space for the future when vaccines need to be distributed swiftly. The DeKalb County Health Department used the center for the first time Thursday...

DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith partakes in the City Council meeting at DeKalb Public Library on July 27th.

Smith addresses COVID-19, social justice in State of the City

By Kierra Frazier | January 12, 2021

DeKALB – Mayor Jerry Smith reflected on the “great momentum” building in DeKalb at his last State of the City address Monday following a year of COVID-19, social justice reform and economic development. “I'd like to report that the state of...

Supporters of President Donald Trump gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday in Washington.

University professors, mayor react to US Capitol breach

By Kierra Frazier, Haley Galvin, and Jamie O'Toole | January 6, 2021

DeKALB – Mayor Jerry Smith and university professors are condemning the mob of President Donald Trump supporters that stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday in hopes of stopping the count of electoral votes.  Police evacuated lawmakers from the U.S....

Former NIU Head Coach Mark Montgomery addresses the team during a timeout Jan. 2, during NIU's 68-42 loss to Bowling Green State University at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb. Montgomery was let go by NIU Athletics Jan.3

Mark Montgomery, NIU men’s basketball part ways

By James Krause | January 3, 2021

DeKALB –– NIU Athletics announced Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Montgomery was relieved of his duties on Sunday. The decision for the university and Montgomery to part ways comes after the Montgomery-led Huskies struggled to a 1-7 start to...

Tails Humane Society

Local nonprofits work to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19

By Ashley Dwy | January 1, 2021

DeKALB – Being prepared to adjust is the best way for a nonprofit organization to counteract the negative impacts of COVID-19, said Michelle Groeper, executive director for the TAILS Humane Society. Food shortages, lack of funding and staffing or...

A doctor holds a vaccine vial in their gloved hand.

DeKalb County receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine

By Kierra Frazier | December 29, 2020

DeKALB – DeKalb County received its first deliveries of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday, according to a Tuesday DeKalb County Health Department news release.  The county received 800 doses for local hospital healthcare personnel as one of the first...

Fire Truck is parked in the garage at the first DeKalb Fire House, 700 Pine St. 

City Council to discuss new firefighter union contract

By Kierra Frazier | December 27, 2020

DeKALB  – A collective bargaining agreement between the city and the DeKalb International Association of Firefighters Local 1236 will be up for a vote at Monday’s City Council Meeting. The contract up for approval would address staffing levels at...

Project Flex

Graduate students mentor incarcerated teens through exercise

By Yari Tapia, Lifestyle Writer | December 23, 2020

DeKALB – With the COVID-19 pandemic, Project FLEX continues to work towards its mission of helping incarcerated youth through exercise. The program was shut down in March and reopened in September due to the pandemic.  Project FLEX is a program...

Facebook donates $10,000 to small businesses in DeKalb

Facebook donates $10,000 to small businesses in DeKalb

By Ashley Dwy | December 21, 2020

DeKALB – Facebook is contributing $10,000 to the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce for the Small Business Member Assistance Fund, according to a Dec. 17 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce news release. The Small Business Member Assistance Fund can be used for a...