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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Mayor Cohen Barnes (from left), former 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams, 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic and 7th Ward Alderman John Walker sit at the Feb. 26 City Council meeting. The DeKalb City Council violated the Open Meetings Act at the Feb. 26 meeting by cutting off a citizen's public comment. (Northern Star File Photo)

DeKalb city council violated Open Meetings Act at Feb. 26 meeting

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 17, 2024

DeKALB – The Illinois Attorney General’s Office ruled the DeKalb city council violated the Open Meetings Act in February by cutting off a citizen's public comment during a meeting. The Open Meetings Act is an Illinois law that grants members of...

The sculpture "The Tribesmen, The Hero, and The Light" sits outside the Stevens Building on a sunny Friday afternoon. The sculpture was finished in September. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

Stevens Building unveils new sculpture

By Joseph Ndu, News Reporter | September 16, 2024

DeKALB – Outside the Stevens Building, a sculpture has recently been built as part of a larger renovation project for the building. The name of the sculpture is “The Tribesmen, The Hero and The Light.” Construction for the sculpture began in...

A group of students march on Normal Road while holding flags. In honor of Latino Heritage Month, the Latino Resource Center hosted their kick off parade at 4 p.m. on Monday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Latino Resource Center hosts kickoff parade for Latino Heritage Month

By Mariestrella Corral, News Reporter | September 16, 2024

DeKALB – To kick off Latino Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the Latino Resource Center hosted its opening parade at 4 p.m. Monday. Throughout Latino Heritage Month, there will be many celebratory events including a Latino...

Aidan O’Brien, SGA student trustee, stands by the podium and speaks at Friday’s SGA senate meeting. O’Brien gave an update about NIU’s finances and enrollment numbers. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

SGA approves new deputy speaker

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | September 15, 2024

DeKALB – At the first Student Government Association meeting of the 2024-2025 academic year, in a 12-0-1 vote, Sen. Nathan Gonzalez was voted as the SGA Deputy Speaker. The first SGA meeting of the 2024-2025 academic year was held at 4 p.m. Friday...

Baba's Steak and Lemonade, located at 1015 W. Lincoln Hwy, sits on a sunny day. Baba's opened on Aug. 5 and is known for cheesesteaks and lemonade. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

Business spotlight: Baba’s Steak and Lemonade

By Mariestrella Corral, News Reporter | September 15, 2024

Editor’s note: This article is not sponsored by Baba's and is not an endorsement from the Northern Star as an organization.  DeKALB - A Baba’s Steak and Lemonade location has arrived in DeKalb, located at 1015 W. Lincoln Hwy. Baba’s Steak...

A group of students walk up stairs to go to class. NIU's enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester has gone down by 89 students compared to the Fall 2023 semester. (Getty Images)

NIU releases Fall 2024 enrollment numbers

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | September 13, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s 10-day Fall 2024 enrollment numbers show slight decreases in undergraduate and graduate student populations but increases in transfer students and law students. NIU released its 10-day enrollment which contained how many students...

A empty plot of land on Blackhawk Road where the Greek Life Center will be built sits on a cloudy day. The land purchase for the Greek Life Center is set to close on Oct. 21. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Land purchase for Greek Life Center expected to close on Oct. 21

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 13, 2024

DeKALB – NIU’s plan to rejuvenate Greek Life takes a step forward as the sale of land for the $18 million Greek Life Center is set to close on Oct. 21. The City of DeKalb agreed to sell the land to the NIU Foundation at a council meeting July 22. The...

Clint Smith, award-winning writer and poet, and Christina Abreu, director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, hosts a conversation at the Lincoln Lecture event Thursday. Smith talked about his book and the history of slavery across America. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Clint Smith talks new book, history of slavery in America

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | September 13, 2024

DeKALB – To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lincoln Lecture series, Clint Smith, award-winning poet and writer, visited NIU for a conversation about the history of slavery in America. NIU partnered with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,...

Clint-Michael Reneau, vice president of student affairs, gives a presentation at the University Council meeting Wednesday. Reneau gave a presentation on NIU’s strategic plan regarding health and well-being. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

University Council discusses enrollment numbers

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | September 11, 2024

Correction: This piece was updated at 2:34 p.m. Monday Sept. 16, to remove incorrect information regarding the host of the event on Oct. 24. The event will be hosted by the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding, not the Partnership for College...

Members of the DeKalb Firefighters Color Guard stand in a line at the 9/11 event hosted on Wednesday. The 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony honored the memories and sacrifices from those who died on 9/11. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

DeKalb Fire Station #1 hosts 9/11 ceremony

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | September 11, 2024

DeKALB – In honor of Sept. 11, 2001, the DeKalb’s Fire Station #1 held its 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony to honor the memories and sacrifices from those who died as a result of the event. At 8 a.m. Wednesday there was a gathering of about 25 people...

Panelists Cynthia de Seife (from left), Matt Streb, Mitchell Pickerill, and WNIJ’s Education Policy Reporter Peter Medlin, discuss current political issues prior to the commencement of the presidential debate Tuesday. Panelists discussed topics including abortion, quality housing and student loans, among others. (Brooke Schliephake | Northern Star)

Huskies Vote hosts presidential debate watch party Tuesday

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | September 11, 2024

DeKALB – Around 90 attendees filled the Huskie Den at the Holmes Student Center on Tuesday to watch the presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris and to participate in a panel discussion on topics such...

The Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. sits outside on a sunny day. On Aug. 28, the United States Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration's new SAVE plan for students who borrowed loans through the Direct Loan Program. (Getty Images)

Supreme Court rejects Biden’s student debt plan

By Austin Lamb, Senior News Reporter | September 11, 2024

DeKALB – On Aug. 28 the United States Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, affecting the more than eight million people already enrolled in the program. The SAVE plan sought to lower...