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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

(left) Ruth Scott, executive assistant for the City of DeKalb, Mike Verbic, 6th Ward Alderman, Tracy Smith, 3rd Ward Alderman, and Matthew Rose, DeKalb City Attorney sit at a table Tuesday morning during a meeting to determine if Linh Nguyen would be allowed to run for mayor or not. Linh Nguyen has been disqualified from the ballot, but her team plans to appeal the decision. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Linh Nguyen removed from DeKalb mayoral ballot by electoral board

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | November 20, 2024

DeKALB – Linh Nguyen has been disqualified from the ballot in DeKalb’s April mayoral race following a decision made by the city’s electoral board. The verdict, a 3-0 ruling, came at a hearing that began at 9 a.m. Tuesday on the second floor of...

City Manager Bill Nicklas speaks to the crowd Tuesday during the DeKalb Public Library Board of Trustees special meeting. Emily Faulkner, DeKalb Public Library director, proposed a budget of $4.1 million instead of the original levy of $4.6 million. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

DeKalb Public Library Board passes 0% increase property tax levy

By Austin Lamb, Senior News Reporter | November 20, 2024

DeKALB – On Tuesday, the DeKalb Public Library Board of Trustees passed a motion for a $4.1 million property tax levy, down from the recently proposed $4.6 million levy that would have increased taxes. The board met at the Bilders Family Meeting...

Lights from police cars, fire trucks and ambulances reflect off of the University Plaza apartments, located at 900 Crane Drive on Monday night. Fire trucks, police and ambulances responded to a call about a fire late Monday night at University Plaza. (Ryan Day | Northern Star)

Fire occurred at University Plaza late Monday evening

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | November 19, 2024

DeKALB – At 11:55 p.m., Monday, DeKalb police, fire and ambulance received a call about a fire at University Plaza, off-campus student apartments, located at 900 Crane Drive. All of DeKalb fire responded to the call, which included three stations...

A graphic depicts a snowflake, books, a computer, people sitting at desks and the words "January" and "J Term." NIU is offering a J Term leading into the spring 2025 semester, which is where specific courses will be offered over winter break. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU to offer J-term courses for second consecutive year

By Austin Lamb, Senior News Reporter | November 18, 2024

DeKALB - After piloting the program last year, NIU will again offer J-term classes during the 2024-25 winter break. J-term classes begin after the fall semester in December and end in January before the spring semester.  “I like the fact that...

A graphic depicts a robot, a Huskie, a phone with text messages and the word "AI." On Nov. 6, NIU launched its new resource called Mission AI chatbot, which provides answers and resources to students questions. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU’s Mission AI Chatbot provides support to students

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | November 18, 2024

DeKALB – With artificial intelligence becoming more prevalent throughout the world, NIU has launched its latest resource which uses AI to provide students with support. The Mission AI Chatbot was officially launched Nov. 6 through a text messaging...

John Volgi (left), division head for Career and Technical Education from Wheeling High School and sophomore industrial and systems engineering major Matthew Vanderwater talk about NIU Supermileage visiting Wheeling High School. NIU Supermileage is a student-led organization that aims to build the most fuel-efficient vehicle and competes against other universities from several countries. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology hosts second annual showcase

By Joseph Ndu, News Reporter | November 17, 2024

DeKALB -  The second annual Innovation Showcase held Friday featured various presentations, networking opportunities with various industry leaders present and a panel of experts discussing the way forward for artificial intelligence in their industries.  The...

Speaker Manny Corpuz and Clerk Cameron Sawyer sit at a table while Speaker Corpuz bangs the gavel on the table. Senator Matt Robinson was dismissed from the SGA Senate Friday due to accumulating too many absences. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Matt Robinson dismissed from SGA senate

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | November 17, 2024

DeKALB – Speaker Manny Corpuz announced that Senator Matt Robinson was dismissed from the SGA Senate due to too many absences at the Student Government Association meeting Friday. “I'd also like to point out that Senator Robinson has been removed...

Bright Field Church, located at 901 Lucinda Ave. Suite L. sits on a sunny day. Bright Field Church opened in late September and some community members have expressed concern about the church opening. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Community raised concerns over Bright Field Church

By Austin Lamb, Senior News Reporter | November 14, 2024

DeKALB – A non-denominational church, Bright Field Church, opened at 901 Lucinda Ave Suite L. on Sept. 15. “We believe the whole Bible. We believe that it's inerrant, it's perfect, it's God's word for us today, and we just believe everything that...

A graphic depicts a turkey with the word "Thanksgiving" above it, a police car and wine glasses with a car representing drunk driving. The "Click it or Ticket" and "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaigns will begin Nov. 22 and end Dec. 2. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

DeKalb County Sheriff’s office partners with local, state law enforcement agencies

By Austin Lamb, Senior News Reporter | November 14, 2024

DeKALB – The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office will be joining local and state law enforcement agencies to ensure drivers are sober and buckled up for Thanksgiving this year. The “Click it or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement...

Members of the NIU Orchestra rehearse in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall on Wednesday. Silas Huff is the director of the NIU Philharmonic and Opera Orchestras and has been at NIU since Fall 2023. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Silas Huff: Orchestral director

By Gray Edelstein and Kahlil Kambui | November 13, 2024

Editor’s note: The responses in this report have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. DeKALB – As of fall 2023, Silas Huff is the new director of the NIU Philharmonic and Opera Orchestras and the director of Orchestras for the School of...

A car passes a farmhouse at 2036 W. Lincoln Highway which will remain after construction of the solar farm in the surrounding agriculture fields. The DeKalb City Council approved a request from PSE Huber IL Solar LLC to build a five megawatt solar farm. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

DeKalb Public Library proposes tax increase

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | November 12, 2024

DeKALB – The DeKalb Public Library is requesting a $1.18 million budget increase, a move questioned by city officials who demand an explanation. The city council discussed the increase Tuesday at the DeKalb Public Library. The library’s proposed...

A graphic depicts a handshake referring to a partnership, students with arrows referring to transfer students, money and paper referring to scholarships and a university. NIU has partnered with Waubonsee Community College to offer the Waubonsee Excellence Scholarship. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU partners with Waubonsee Community College to offer new scholarship

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | November 12, 2024

DeKALB – NIU has recently partnered with Waubonsee Community College to offer a new scholarship for transfer students called the Waubonsee Excellence Scholarship. The Waubonsee Excellence Scholarship is worth $2,000 per year for a maximum of two...