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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...

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...

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...

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 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...

The sun shines over Hopkins Pool on Monday afternoon. The Hopkins Pool is undergoing demolition for the renovation of the pool which is expected to be completed by summer 2026. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Demolition of Hopkins Pool set to begin mid-November

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | November 11, 2024

DeKALB – As of Nov. 4, demolition of the Hopkins Pool, located at 1403 Sycamore Road, is set to occur in mid-November. The Hopkins Pool Renovation Project will provide new recreational features and upgraded facilities to the pool. The DeKalb Park...

Vice President Kamala Harris and president-elect Donald Trump speak at two different campaign rally events prior to the 2024 presidential election. NIU students and faculty shared their thoughts about the outcome of the presidential race. (Jacquelyn Martin, Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP Photo)

NIU students and faculty share reactions about 2024 election results

By Anna Wittenkeller, News Reporter | November 10, 2024

DeKALB - Early Wednesday morning, former President Donald Trump was declared the president-elect by the Associated Press. Wednesday evening, Vice President Kamala Harris gave her concession speech at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Now the uncertainty...

An NIU Police car sits parked at the NIU Police Department building, located at 395 Wirtz Drive. Crimes such as theft and stalking were reported in October 2024 on NIU's campus. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

NIU crime log, October 2024

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | November 7, 2024

DeKALB – The information in this report is compiled from the NIU Police Department’s Daily Crime Log. Any case defined as “unfounded” was not included in this list. Any “closed by exception” case is closed due to circumstances outside of...

A graph depicts the percentages of voter turnouts in DeKalb County from the presidential elections in 2016, 2020 and 2024. DeKalb voter turnout in 2024 has increased 2% from the 2020 election. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

2024 DeKalb County voter turnout increases by 2% compared to 2020

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | November 6, 2024

DeKALB – With DeKalb County ballots still being counted until Nov. 18 or 19, voter turnout at the DeKalb County polls in 2024 increased by 2% compared to the 2020 election. In the 2020 general election, DeKalb County had a 75% turnout compared to...

People walk in to the Barsema Alumni and Visitor's Center Tuesday night to vote. The DeKalb County results will be counted until Nov. 18 or 19th (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Unofficial 2024 DeKalb County results

By Northern Star Staff | November 6, 2024

DeKalb – As of 12:26 a.m. Wednesday, the 2024 presidential race is too close to call, and 14th Congressional District Representative Lauren Underwood won reelection, among the other unofficial results of the 2024 general election, according to the Associated...

Voters stand in line inside the Barsema Alumni Visitors Center waiting to vote. The lines inside the polling place were long inside as poll close approached at 7 p.m. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Polls close for the 2024 general election

By Northern Star Staff | November 5, 2024

BARSEMA ALUMNI AND VISITORS CENTER POLLING PLACE As the polling station approached closing time at 7 p.m., the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center was still hopping with voters and citizens hoping to become registered voters.  Tasha Sims, the DeKalb...