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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes walks alongside NIU students. Cohen Barnes announced his election bid for state representative of the 76th House District for 2024 on Sept. 22. (Northern Star File Photo)

Mayor Cohen Barnes runs for state representative

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | October 1, 2023

DeKALB – DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes announced his candidacy for Illinois State Representative of the 76th District, which includes parts of Bureau, Lasalle, Livingston, Putnam and DeKalb counties. If elected to the General Assembly in Springfield,...

Emerson Gaines, a barista in training on Tuesday, working the register at Cast Iron Coffee, 901 Lucinda Ave., Suite D. Cast Iron is one of the many coffee shops near campus. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

DeKalb celebrates National Coffee Day

By Alyssa Berry, News Reporter | September 28, 2023

DeKALB – At the Starbucks in the Holmes Student Center, students studying near the coffee shop type away on their laptops. To fuel their study sessions, students use caffeine-rich coffee. National Coffee Day celebrates the energizing drink every...

A do not cross line is place in font of police lights. The Clery act requires a yearly report be disclosed that includes crime statistics on incidents that happen on or near campus. NIU released their report Thursday. (Getty Images)

NIU reports a spike in rape and domestic violence

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 28, 2023

DeKALB – Reported cases of rape and domestic violence saw a spike on NIU’s campus last year.  The NIU Police Department's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report outlines crimes for the university under the categories of primary crimes, Violence...

The DeKalb County Courthouse sits under clear skies on a sunny day. The DeKalb County Courthouse is located on, 133 W. State St. (Umer Khan | Northern Star)

Illinois eliminates cash bail

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | September 27, 2023

DeKALB – States like New York and Kentucky are experimenting with limiting pretrial bail; but Illinois has taken it a step further, being the first state to eliminate it entirely. The SAFE-T Act, approved in 2021, set about reforming a number of...

A calzone from D.P. Dough is ripped in two and has cheese pulling between halves. D.P. Dough, a new restaurant in DeKalb, had a soft opening on Tuesday. (Michael Mollsen | Northern Star)

D.P. Dough brings calzones to DeKalb

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | September 26, 2023

DeKALB – Upon walking through the doors, an aroma of freshly baked dough, a strong whiff of garlic and a hint of melted butter drifted into the noses of patrons at a newly-opened restaurant, D.P. Dough. It’s not your usual Italian restaurant, and...

Joint investigation with FBI leads to drug bust

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 26, 2023

DeKALB – On Sept. 1, the DeKalb Police Department arrested seven individuals and executed two search warrants. According to the DeKalb Police Department, the arrests were part of a three-year investigation into the drug market and part of an effort...

Senate candidate promises ‘common sense’ and economic growth

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | September 26, 2023

DIXON - Chris Bishop declared his Republican candidacy for the 37th Senate District of Illinois on Wednesday, Sept. 13.   Bishop is an insurance representative and second-term councilman for the city of Dixon and plans to bring a “common sense”...

Alderwoman Carolyn Zasada asks the council to reconsider approving the real estate contract between the city and D-N-J Properties, Inc. on Monday at the DeKalb City Council meeting. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Greek Life Center construction delayed until March

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 25, 2023

DeKALB – NIU’s plans to start construction of its Greek Life Center in the Annie Glidden neighborhood near Greek Row will be extended to March while the project awaits funding. The NIU Foundation does not have the funds to build the center, but...

Participants of the Corn Classic 10K run Sunday down Third St. The Corn Classic starts and ends in downtown DeKalb taking runners through NIU’s Campus, and Van Buer Plaza with historical sites along the way. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

DeKalb Corn Classic brings community a runners high

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 24, 2023

DeKALB – A group of runners gathered to run in the 43rd DeKalb Corn Classic, a race that takes runners through downtown DeKalb, historic DeKalb neighborhoods and NIU’s campus before returning downtown. A crowd upwards of 650 people stretched, jogged...

Stephen J. Bigolin sits on a park bench on Sept. 20 at Memorial Park in front of the mural facing Lincoln Highway. Bigolin has supported and discovered DeKalb’s local history since he moved to DeKalb in 1967. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb historian, Stephen J. Bigolin, receives dedicated day

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 22, 2023

DeKALB – Sitting on a park bench in Memorial Park, Stephen J. Bigolin thinks about his birthday. While he’s celebrated many in his time, his 74th will have a special ring for years, knowing that every birthday after will be celebrated by not only...

A digital mockup shows plans for the updated pickleball courts at Hopkins Park. The park is undergoing various renovations and updates, including new pickleball courts, playground and plans to update the pool. (Courtesy of the DeKalb Park District)

Updates to Hopkins Park in progress

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | September 18, 2023

Updates to Hopkins Park in progressThe DeKalb Park District's Hopkins Park is getting renovations starting this September.   "Our vision for Hopkins Park has always been to create an inclusive and dynamic community space that encourages healthy lifestyles...

A row of Kraft Mac and Cheese sitting on a shelf down an aisle. The Kraft Heinz company, who make Kraft Mac and Cheese, are bringing a distribution center to DeKalb. (Mike Mozart via Flickr)

$400 million Kraft Heinz distribution center coming to DeKalb

By Gabby Crabtree, Former News Editor | September 17, 2023

DeKALB – The city of Dekalb can begin to prepare for an economic boost as Kraft Heinz is bringing “one of the largest automated consumer packaged goods distribution centers in North America.” On July 13, Kraft Heinz Co., the company that makes...