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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Five people with mullets stand in a line, each representing an "era" in the history of the mullet. The mullet is a haircut that has a history more than just the stereotypical '80s style. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

The mullet: ‘It didn’t go away for some people’

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | January 15, 2024

What do red Solo cup toting country boys jamming out to the Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried,” the rock icon David Bowie and an ancient Greek soldier all have in common?  No, this isn’t the setup to some corny dad joke – though if anyone...

Students of NIU's School of Theatre and Dance pose during the school's fall 2023 dance concert. This semester's dance concert is one of five shows the School of Theatre and Dance will put on this semester. (Courtesy of Andy Dolan)

Theater, dance productions to occur spring 2024

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | January 15, 2024

Be swept away by devilish deals, or if you're up to it, listen to others' experiences dealing with anxiety. From fresh new plays to student showcases, the School of Theatre and Dance has something for everyone this upcoming season.  “Anxious People!”  Written...

NIU students make fashion Christmas list

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | December 11, 2023

  There are two weeks until Christmas, and it is officially crunch time to find the perfect holiday gift.  This week, we asked NIU students about three fashion items on their Christmas wish list, and the top answer was surprising.  Socks...

The logo for the Game Awards is next to a statue on the award show's poster. The Game Awards took place Thursday and featured many surprise wins. (Courtesy of the Game Awards)

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ destroys competition at Game Awards

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | December 8, 2023

"Baldur’s Gate 3" and "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" steamrolled the competition at the 10th annual Game Awards on Thursday. "Baldur’s Gate 3," a game developed by Larian Studios and released on Aug. 3, won awards in five different...

A girl in a red dress hugs a boy in front of a lake. Studio Ghibli's newest film "The Boy and the Heron" will be Director Hayao Miyazaki's first movie in ten years. (Courtesy of Studio Ghibli)

Studio Ghibli movies to wind down with

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor | December 6, 2023

Studio Ghibli is set to release their newest feature film “The Boy and the Heron” on Dec 8.  Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, returns after a ten-year hiatus and presumed retirement to direct another film for the studio. The movie...

Pokémon Oshawott lies next to Piplup on an ice sheet. The new “Indigo Disk” DLC for "Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet" will release Dec. 14. (Courtesy of YouTube)

The ‘Indigo Disk’ DLC, what we know

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | December 5, 2023

A stunning blend of futuristic aesthetics and nostalgic throwbacks to past Pokémon games, “The Indigo Disk,” is set to wrap up the second half of “The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero,” downloadable content for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. The...

The game developers of God of War stand together with fists raised on Dec. 6, 2018. The 2023 Game Awards will take place on Dec. 7. (Wikimedia Commons)

‘Spider-Man 2’ shoo-in for Game of the Year

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | December 4, 2023

This year has seen the release of several popular and long-awaited games, such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Now, the time has come for gamers of the world to decide what game deserves the title of “Game of...

Two gay men sit next to each other at a table. "The Christmas Setup" is one of many holiday films that center queer main characters/relationships. (Courtesy of YouTube)

Have a gay ol’ time, holiday films

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | December 4, 2023

It’s time to gather with friends and loved ones, drink some eggnog and embrace the Yultide’s greetings.  What better way to get into the holiday spirit than by having a gay ol’ time? Now that many of us will have free time, it’s the perfect...

A man in a red robe stares out onto a messy yard. Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi play opposite each other in the disturbing film "Saltburn." (Amazon Prime Video via AP)

‘Saltburn,’ scandalous, sexy, startling

By Lindsay Curtis, Copy Editor | December 3, 2023

“Saltburn” is like a “good for her” movie except there is no female lead, and it’s just Barry Keoghan playing another little freak with emotional problems.  Directed by Emerald Fennell, “Saltburn” has been trending on TikTok in the weeks...

A selection of baked goods lay in rows next to each other. Lifestyle writer Jonathan Shelby gives readers three fall-themed baking recipes to try at home. (Getty Images)

Easy fall desserts for college students

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | November 29, 2023

Crisp weather and falling leaves are nearly over, however that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some fall desserts. Here are some options if you’re craving something other than candy canes and chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth: APPLE CRISP Cooking...

Six books stacked on top of each other sit on a black table. An interest in dystopian books may be reemerging since the new Hunger Games film was released. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Dystopian book recommendations for ‘Hunger Games’ fans

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | November 27, 2023

With the release of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” many fans may find their enjoyment for the dystopian genre reawakened. A dystopia is a society that is unjust or of great suffering. Usually, dystopia literature readers...

Julia Stiles sits in a chair in front of Heath Ledger in the movie poster for "10 Things I Hate About You." Stiles' and Ledger's characters are one of several swoon-worthy on-screen couples. (Courtesy of Flickr)

Poll: Most romantic on-screen couples

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | November 27, 2023

From “13 Going On 30” to “The Twilight Saga,” pop culture has been intertwined with the imaginary love lives of romantic movie characters. These on-screen couples make the idea of love seem real and attainable to a hopeless romantic audience.  Romantic...