Former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon will attempt to raise funds for Democratic candidates and raise political awareness at a DeKalb County Democratic Central Committee fundraiser dinner tonight. Simon's appearance provides an opportunity for students to listen...

Having athletes still on scholarship after their playing days might sound crazy, but it happens here at NIU. After the student athletes' eligibility is finished on the field or on the court, most of them turn to the university to help them pay tuition....

NIU's Convocation Center has the blues, and it's not because it's depressed. Blues legend B.B. King will perform at the Convo Center Saturday with Bobby "Blue" Bland and NIU alumni Howard & the White Boys. "It's going to be an awesome show. It's not...

NIU lefthander Mark Skrukrud's approach on the mound is to make the hitters put the ball in play like major leaguer Tom Glavine does, who Skrukrud models his demeanor on the mound after. "He's been stellar for 12, 13 years now," Skrukrud said of Glavine....

The Student Association finance committee scrapped plans for the proposed budget increase for next year. The committee made its final recommendations on all 70 budgets for fiscal year 2004 in the final finance committee meeting before the last SA senate...

Ten to 15 members of the NIU wrestling team are heading to the 2003 University Nationals held at Harper College in Palatine today and Saturday. The University Nationals are open to anyone aged 18 to 24. All-Americans Ben Heizer and Scott Owen, along with...

After struggling offensively and losing 14 of 21 games, the NIU softball team used a combined 21 hits to split a doubleheader with host Kent State on Wednesday. NIU (18-18, 8-6 MAC) took Game 2 by a mark of 6-4 behind solid production from the top of...

For students venturing out of the country, the United States Department of State advises vacationers to research their vacation spots before hopping on a plane. The State Department has an up-to-date Web site that provides information on any countries...

Sometimes I get the feeling that Widespread Panic is actually a country band in disguise. For years, it has posed as a rock 'n roll band, but at the same time, it gives small clues that suggest its true nature is country. It's all a big hoax, and it continues...

The NIU Convocation Center will have its first country concert this Sunday. Tickets for the show, scheduled for 7 p.m., still are on sale. The concert features headliner Diamond Rio and opening acts Mark Wills and Blake Shelton. Joe Coots, Convo Center...

It seems like Steve Knox has never left the NIU campus. In reality, he left after graduating in 1985 as a sociology major. However, it took a few years after a stint in seminary school before he returned to NIU as the Rev. Steve Knox. The Rev. Knox, who...

I had high hopes for Dressy Bessy. A Denver-based indie pop quartet with a female singer and a cute sense of retro style, Dressy Bessy had definite potential. The band's songs combine syrupy doses of '60s radio hits with low-fi '90s garage music. Unfortunately,...