County COVID-19 cases rise to 458
June 5, 2020
DeKALB — The DeKalb County Health Department announced that the number of positive COVID-19 cases increased to 458 Thursday, according to the DeKalb County Health Department. Among those who have tested positive for the coronavirus, 34 people younger than 19, 103 are in their 20s, 88 are in the...
SGA leadership releases statements of solidarity
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor
June 3, 2020
DeKALB — SGA President Antonio Johnson and Speaker of the Senate Brad Beyer announced their support of the peaceful protests taking place in DeKalb in a statement sent to the Northern Star Tuesday. Since Saturday, DeKalb community members have participated in several peaceful protests against poli...
August commencement ceremony canceled, university to consider options
June 2, 2020
DeKALB — NIU announced it will not be able to hold an in-person commencement ceremony in August, according to an email released to graduates by President Lisa Freeman Tuesday. The ceremony was originally rescheduled for Aug. 7 and Aug. 8, according to a Northern Star article. “Unfortun...
NIU officials discuss confronting racism
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor
June 2, 2020
DeKALB — President Lisa Freeman addressed the NIU community on confronting racism in an email sent to students Sunday. “I want the people of color in our community to know that NIU sees you and that NIU wants to be your community and a place where you have allies. NIU’s mission, vision and...
DeKalb community protests police brutality
Kierra Frazier and Haley Galvin
June 1, 2020
DeKALB — Around 80 protesters gathered at the DeKalb Police Station Monday to rally against police brutality in solidarity with George Floyd, as days of protests continue across the country. DeKalb community members began the protest at the DeKalb Police Station, 700 W. Lincoln Highway, and later ma...
Mayor Jerry Smith addresses speech to media
June 1, 2020
DeKALB — Mayor Jerry Smith expressed “regret” regarding his speech to the media when he used the word “thugs.” Community members held a peaceful protest Saturday after the death of George Floyd who was arrested by police officers May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Smith addressed the m...
University addresses fall semester classes
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor
June 1, 2020
DeKALB — Fall semester classes may be taught in-person, online or a combination of the two methods of instruction as the university issued a statement regarding what Fall 2020 will look like amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Housing and Residential Services, Campus Dinin...
Campus counseling provides telehealth services to students
Kierra Frazier, Senior Reporter
April 29, 2020
DeKALB — While classes have moved online for the remainder of the semester, and students have moved back home to help contain the spread of COVID-19, most on-campus mental health clinics have shifted to provide telehealth services to help students from a distance. Shyann Beach, staff counselor a...
County COVID-19 cases rise to 78
April 28, 2020
DeKALB — A day after DeKalb County reported no increased COVID-19 cases, the number of positive COVID-19 cases increased to 78 Monday, according to the DeKalb County Health Department. Among those who have tested positive for the coronavirus, three people are younger than 19, 19 are in their 20s, 1...
Pritzker to extend stay-at-home order, reopen state parks
Kierra Frazier, Senior Reporter
April 23, 2020
DeKALB — Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday that the state’s stay-at-home order will now be extended until May 30 with modifications to the new executive order taking place May 1. A new executive order, which Pritzker will sign next week, will take effect May 1 and includes face mask requir...
DeKalb County COVID-19 cases increases to 65
April 23, 2020
DeKALB — The DeKalb County Health Department announced Thursday that the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the county has risen to 65. This comes a day after the county reported no increased cases. Among those in the county who have tested positive for COVID-19, two people are younger than 19,...
Next SGA president elected: Antonio Johnson
Kierra Frazier, Senior Reporter
April 23, 2020
DeKALB — Antonio Johnson first joined the Student Government Association in 2017 as a senator to help students on campus and make a difference in the NIU community. Today, Johnson still hopes to carry out these aspirations as SGA president for the 52nd session. “As the president-elect, I didn't always ...
