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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A collage of album covers sits in front of a green and blue background. This week's Spotify playlist theme is songs from our Spotify wrapped. (Northern Star Graphic)

Get wrapped up in 2023’s Spotify Wrapped

By Northern Star Staff | December 10, 2023

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/783WbiSh7cOnfnVBdT7hIQ?si=4ceed42fa96047f0 The yearly ritual of counting down the hours to Dec. 1 has come to a close: Spotify Wrapped is here. After a year of late night listens, bedtime bops and tear-jerking tunes,...

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, 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...

Timothée Chalamet stands in the center of several open umbrellas. “Wonka” releases in theaters on Dec. 15. (Jaap Buittendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Timothée’s ‘Wonka,’ end of the world comes Dec. 15

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | December 7, 2023

From lessons in stereotypes to experiencing an imaginative prequel to Willy Wonka, next week has a lot to offer.  “Wonka” America’s favorite white boy returns Dec. 15, playing the ambitious and charismatic Willy Wonka. In this film though,...

A paper price tag lies against a burlap canvas. As the holiday season approaches, finding the perfect gift for your significant other becomes more important. (Getty Images)

Holiday gift guide for significant others

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | December 6, 2023

The holiday season is here, and the daunting task of finding gifts for your significant other has begun.  Each year, couples are left scratching their head for a unique gift idea that is personable and enjoyable. However, it is easy to get lost in...

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...

First-year students Bhavya Sangoi and Abhishek Vallabhaneni roast marshmallows to make S’more. CAB’s Winter Wonderland event provided students with winter wonderland activities. (Sasha Norman | Northern Star)

Chilly night in wonderland

By Jonathan Shelby, Lifestyle Editor | December 5, 2023

DeKALB – A chilly breeze passed, carrying a slight scent of smoke through the night. Despite the biting cold, some passerby stopped to check out the Winter Wonderland event.  The first annual CAB Winter Wonderland was held Monday at the Holmes Student...

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, 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 graphic depicts a blue and purple space background with 12 constellations spread out in a circle. The horoscopes for this week suggest a festive week full of optimism (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

As holidays draw near, romance brings cheer

By Hannah Soukup, Assistant News Editor | December 3, 2023

The first week of December is set to be a festive week filled with new passions and romance. As Venus, the planet of love, money and all other passions/hobbies, squares Pluto, the planet of transformation and rebirth, on Sunday, new romantic and financial...

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...

NIU President Lisa Freeman and Executive Assistant Liz Wright pose with members of the NIU police force Thursday at the President’s Holiday Gathering in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium. The Holiday Gathering was open to staff and students to connect with each other. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

President Freeman connects students, staff at holiday gathering

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | November 30, 2023

DeKALB – NIU staff and students decked Altgeld Hall with boughs of holly as the fall semester comes to a close. NIU President Lisa Freeman welcomed staff and students to the annual President’s Holiday Gathering held in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium....