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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Police lights flash behind caution tape. At 11:03 p.m., Tuesday at Rich Road, west of Nelson Road, a hostage situation occurred which left the suspect dead. (Northern Star File Photo)

Hostage situation leaves suspect dead

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 23, 2024

Clarification: A previous version of this report featured a photo from NIU's campus. This incident did not occur on NIU's campus. Editor's note: This piece was updated at 4:24 p.m., Friday to include the name of the suspect. DeKALB – At 11:03...

Rashad Bilal, co-founder and co-host of the Earn Your Leisure podcast, Troy Millings, co-founder and co-host of the Earn Your Leisure podcast and Lauren Underwood, representative in Illinois' 14th congressional district, sit at a table in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium Tuesday. Underwood, Bilal and Millings held a town hall event about financial literacy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Rep. Lauren Underwood visits NIU for town hall event

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 22, 2024

DeKALB – Lauren Underwood, representative of Illinois’ 14th congressional district, visited NIU for an event focused on financial literacy. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday around 15 people gathered in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium for a town hall...

White, green and orange pumpkins sit in front of Jewel-Osco located at 1320 Sycamore Road. The annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival will kick off Wednesday and go through Sunday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival kicks off Wednesday

By Abel Naranjo, News Reporter | October 21, 2024

DeKALB — The annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival will kick off Wednesday and include several events from a giant cake-cutting ceremony to a pie-eating contest.  The first pumpkin festival happened in 1956 when Wally Thurow, a Sycamore resident, displayed...

Police lights flash behind caution tape. At 11:03 p.m., Tuesday at Rich Road, west of Nelson Road, a hostage situation occurred which left the suspect dead. (Northern Star File Photo)

Shooting near NIU Convocation Center occurred Sunday

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 20, 2024

Editor’s note: This piece will be updated as more information becomes available. DeKALB – At approximately 12:40 a.m. Sunday, in a parking lot on the west side of campus near the NIU Convocation Center, a shooting occurred. NIU Police and DeKalb...

The Union Pacific station between North Sixth and North Seventh Street's railroad crossings sits in desperate need for repair with its boarded up windows and holes through its brick walls. The City of DeKalb expects to hear by the end of the year as to whether or not they can move forward with their plan to bring a Metra train station to DeKalb. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

City expects update on possible DeKalb Metra extension by year’s end

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | October 17, 2024

DeKALB – The City of DeKalb expects to know by the end of the year whether they can move forward with the second phase of a study to bring a Metra station to DeKalb.  Last year, DeKalb and NIU co-sponsored a feasibility study that provided insight...

Andria Revolorio, a first-year psychology major, and Ellie Andries, a sophomore jazz studies major, pick up trash alongside the East Lagoon at the clean-up event Wednesday. The event was hosted from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Clean Our Campus event hosted Wednesday at East Lagoon

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | October 16, 2024

DeKALB – Outdoor Adventures and Campus Environmental Sustainability group held Clean our Campus - Lagoon Clean-Up Day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday  The focus was on the East Lagoon. Six people – a mix of staff and student volunteers – worked...

Victor E. Huskie, the Silverrettes and the Huskie Marching Band perform and dance at MLK Commons for the Second Annual Homecoming Kickoff event Monday. The marching band and Silverettes began their performance at noon. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

117th Homecoming kicks off Monday at MLK Commons

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 14, 2024

DeKALB – NIU hosted their Second Annual Homecoming Kickoff event Monday at MLK Commons. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there were numerous activities available for students to partake in, including a live DJ, homecoming-themed photo booth and inflatable...

A graphic depicts an FBI police vest, a police badge, crime scene tape and a jail cell. 2023 FBI crime statistics show DeKalb is almost three times the national rate for violent crime. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

DeKalb violent crime rate down, but still thrice national rate

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | October 13, 2024

DeKALB – The rate of violent crime in DeKalb is almost three times the national rate, according to 2023 FBI crime statistics. Violent crimes include murder and non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault,...

The sun sets over Williston Hall providing an orange glow. Orientation and First Year Programs is currently hiring for orientation leaders for the 2025-2026 academic year. (Northern Star File Photo)

Spotlight: Orientation and First Year Programs

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 10, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s Orientation and First Year Programs is currently looking for applicants to be orientation leaders for the 2025-2026 academic year. The purpose of the Orientation program is to make new students feel welcome on campus. Scott Johansen,...

Matthew McConnell (from left), a second-year graduate student in higher education and student affairs, Jasmin Kenzie, an NIU alum, Sydney Thompson, an NIU alum and Nesean Smith, a senior business management major, stand near the Victor E. Huskie statue at the 2023 Homecoming Block Party after they were announced as Homecoming royalty. NIU's 2024 Homecoming events will take place from Oct. 13 through Oct. 20. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

NIU’s 117th homecoming aims to bring community together

By Anna Wittenkeller, News Reporter | October 9, 2024

DeKALB - NIU will hold its 2024 Homecoming celebration from Oct. 13 to Oct. 20. The many events that will be available are planned thanks to committees such as the Homecoming Planning Committee and Campus Activities Board. After the COVID-19 pandemic,...

Numerous backpacks are shown on display at the 2023 Send Silence Packing event. The Send Silence Packing event aims to end the silence surrounding mental health and suicide. (Northern Star File Photo)

Annual Send Silence Packing event to come to NIU Thursday

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 8, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s Counseling and Consultation Services in partnership with Active Minds will host their annual Send Silence Packing event to emphasize the importance of suicide awareness. The event emphasizes the fact that there is always help out there...

Sarita Buck (left), a clinical mental health counseling graduate student, and Trevon Smith (right), a higher education student affairs graduate student, give a presentation on Tuesday as to how Gen Z people can affect legislation and have their voices heard. The seminar event occurred at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the University Suites room of the Holmes Student Center. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU’s Social Justice Education club holds seminar on Tuesday

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | October 8, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s Social Justice Education club held a seminar Tuesday about the importance and impact Generation Z members have when voting. The seminar was run by two graduate students who are a part of the Social Justice Education club. The seminar...