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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A Spotify playlist titled “Beware A.I.” with songs such as Mr. Roboto, Der Kommisar and Pressure.  Multiple bands have responded and pulled their music in response to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek funding Helsing, an AI drone manufacturing company. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Spotify CEO funds military defense firm ‘Helsing’

By Alex Lockwood, Lifestyle Writer | August 25, 2025

Daniel Ek, co-founder and CEO of Spotify, has been leading investments toward Helsing, a European defense tech firm. The investment itself was reported by the Financial Times at nearly $700 million. This decision has sparked serious controversy between...

Banners of different video game series hang inside the NIU Esports Arena in Altgeld Hall. Lifestyle Writer Alex Lockwood explores five big updates coming to NIU Esports this fall. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

5 highlights to look forward to in NIU Esports

By Alex Lockwood, Lifestyle Writer | August 2, 2025

With the fall semester around the corner, NIU Esports has made several changes and additions to make this semester at the Esports Arena more exciting than ever before.   NIU ESPORTS DIRECTOR CONNER VAGLE RESIGNS The most significant change...

Ozzy Osbourne sings passionately on stage. The heavy metal icon died July 22 at age 76. (AP Newsroom)

Gone but not forgotten, Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | August 2, 2025

It’s a sad time for music fans across the globe as news comes of the passing of rock and heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, age 76, on July 22.  Osbourne, also known by his stage persona “Prince of Darkness,” was best known as the lead singer...

A group of friends enjoy cocktails, reaching out for a cheers. Here are the top summer drink deals in DeKalb. (Getty Images)

DeKalb’s top summer drink deals

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | July 6, 2025

Nothing says summer fun like cool drinks and relaxing atmospheres.   For residents 21 years and older, the DeKalb area has a fantastic variety of delightful cocktails, good beer, delicious wines and $3 mimosas – there's a little something for everyone.  Here...

A couple lovingly reads a book together in a library echoing Assistant Lifestyle Editor Rachael Swinson’s reflections on college love. (Getty Images)

Finding love in college

By Rachael Swinson, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | July 6, 2025

As we get closer to the upcoming school year, the excitement for the semester begins. Many students are excited to dive back into classes, parties, football and other sports and of course, new relationships – something that many freshmen may be excited...

A graphic shows a summer Spotify playlist. Here are the Northern Star staff's song recommendations to listen to this summer. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Sweltering songs for summer fun

By Northern Star Staff | April 30, 2025

ETHAN RODRIGUEZ’S PICKS H.S - Tom Cardy Los Hombres Maduros - Rokabanda Sunset Waltz - Yoko Shimomura “H.S” is an almost unconventional motivational song for summer. The fourth song of Cardy’s 2024 album “The Dancefloor At...

Cassian Andor sits in the cockpit of a TIE/IN Interceptor starfighter. Andor Season 2 currently has six episodes and continues one year after the original story. (Disney under Fair Use)

‘Andor’ Season 2 kicks off with the roar of a TIE Fighter

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | April 30, 2025

Editor’s Note: This review contains minor spoilers from the show. No critical plot points or character cameos are included that haven’t already been shown in the past in released trailers.    Hidden faces are revealed and blaster bolts...

Five chorus singers perform in front of the audience. The NIU Chamber Choir, NIU University Chorus and NIU Concert Choir performed pieces from different time periods and places. (Ethan Quirk | Northern Star)

Choral concert sings last hurrah of semester

By Ethan Quirk, Lifestyle Writer | April 28, 2025

Three choral divisions joined together to provide one last show for the spring semester. Held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Music Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, the NIU Chamber Choir, the NIU University Chorus and the NIU Concert Choir joined...

Jonathan Shelby sits behind the Weekend Rundown logo. This Weekend Writeup contains events such as the Spring Dance Concert, 72-hour Film Festival and more. (Jenny Javkhlantugs | Northern Star)

Spring Dance concerts, Tai Chi and motorsports this weekend

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | April 25, 2025

In this Weekend Writeup, you can find events such as the NIU School of Theatre and Dance’s final performance of the season, a celebration of World Tai Chi Day, car gazing with coffee and more.  AFTER-HOURS CONCERT: NIU SUZUKI STRINGS  Date and...

A graphic shows a Spotify playlist with study songs. Here are the Northern Star's picks for songs to study to during finals week. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Study songs for successful finals

By Northern Star Staff | April 23, 2025

ETHAN RODRIGUEZ’S PICKS  vs. DJ Subatomic Supernova - Funk Fiction Inazuma - HOYO-MiX, Yu-Peng Chen how to sleep - Deathbrain While “vs. DJ Subatomic Supernova” may be a silly name for a song, the tune itself is a catchy and relaxing...

Four members of the NIU Wind Ensemble play vacuums and a power tool as instruments during the song "A Grand, Grand Overture." The NIU Wind Symphony and Ensemble pleasantly shocked audience members during their Combined Band Concert. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

NIU Wind musicians perform with vacuums as instruments

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | April 23, 2025

A mix of DeKalb residents and NIU students came to hear the joint performance of the NIU Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony in the NIU Combined Band Concert. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., both bands left the audience pleasantly shocked during their concert...

Members of NIU’s Furry Club hold up the signature “husky” hand symbol while posing for a group photo. The club co-hosted the annual “Tri-Tails” inter-collegiate gathering for the first time since becoming an official club, celebrating aspects of the furry fandom with other Illinois universities. (Ryan Day | Northern Star)

NIU’s Furry Club celebrates fandom by co-hosting intercollegiate gathering

By Ryan Day, Assistant Video Editor | April 21, 2025

NIU’s Furry Club is already making its mark outside of university boundaries in the club’s inaugural year. In a close-knit partnership with other furry clubs from universities across the state, the NIU Furry Club co-hosted the second annual “Tri-Tails”...

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