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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Former New Jersey governor and administrator of the EPA Christine Todd Whitman smiles at the camera. She will be the next speaker in the Rebuilding Democracy Lecture series on Feb. 20. (Photo courtesy of Christine Todd Whitman)

Christine Todd Whitman to feature in next rebuilding democracy lecture

By Austin Lamb, Assistant News Editor | February 18, 2025

DeKALB – Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator and Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman will be the next virtual guest in the Rebuilding Democracy Lecture Series hosted by NIU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Whittman...

DeKalb resident Norma Gregorio-Perez speaks to a group of protestors gathered at the corner of Lincoln Hwy and 1st Street. Gregorio-Perez said since January immigrants have been living in fear of their safety. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Area residents march through DeKalb in show of unity with immigrants

By Devin Oommen and Mariestrella Corral | February 17, 2025

DeKALB – DeKalb residents took to the streets Sunday, marching with a message of unity in opposition to anti-immigrant sentiment that has fueled political discourse since January. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. a crowd marched from the NIU parking garage...

Two participants jump into a pool of freezing water during the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. The event kicked off more than a month of Polar Plunges set to be held across the state of Illinois. (Skyler Kisellus | Northern Star)

Students, locals team up to take Polar Plunge at Huskie Stadium

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | February 15, 2025

DeKALB – When junior psychology major Ellie Papandria first heard about the Polar Plunge being held at Huskie Stadium, she and her friends were immediately intrigued, but skeptical of the concept. “It was kind of a joke at first,” Papandria said....

Sophomore kinesiology major Mitchell Rodriguez waits for the No. 11 weekend break circle route bus on Blackhawk Road in 2015. Huskie Buses will now have DeKalb police officers patrolling them as part of a new safety initiative. (Northern Star File Photo)

New DeKalb initiative puts police officers on Huskie buses

By Naomi Kelly, News Reporter | February 14, 2025

DeKALB- In a newly approved initiative, DeKalb police officers will begin to patrol on Huskie buses. This year, the Federal Transit Administration gave the city a $50,000 grant to cover the cost of additional bus-patrol shifts for DeKalb police officers. The...

A sign on the entrance of D.P. Dough says the restaurant is closed for winter break. The restaurant has faced multiple closures since its opening in 2023, with court documents showing the city is attempting to collect $26,000 in taxes, penalties and late fees from the business. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

DP Dough closed for winter break

By Isabella Froh, News Reporter | February 14, 2025

DeKALB – After stirring up student excitement with its opening in 2023, D.P. Dough, a calzone restaurant in DeKalb, has faced multiple closures amid legal and financial issues. The Northern Star was unable to verify the exact reason for the...

Steel coils at the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel production facility in Hamilton, Ontario, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. Ray Stout, executive director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild said aluminum and steel tariffs will negatively impact Illinois craft breweries. (Nick Iwanyshyn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Illinois craft breweries brace for impact of aluminum, steel tariffs

By Devin Oommen and Jonathan Durbin | February 14, 2025

DeKALB – Aluminum and steel tariffs announced on Tuesday have businesses bracing for the impact the trade barrier will have. Earlier this week, the White House announced a 25% tariff will be imposed on all steel and aluminum imports. Colin Kuehl,...

A photo shows a team of volunteers planting trees in the forest. NIU was awarded $475,000 to plant 450 trees over the next 4 years. (Getty Images)

Morton Arboretum awards $475,000 to NIU for tree planting initiative

By Joseph Ndu, Senior News Reporter | February 12, 2025

DeKALB - NIU has been awarded $475,000 to plant 450 trees across campus over the next four years.  The award is from the Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative.  The award was provided to close to 40 nonprofits, government entities...

A photo shows a young woman weighing herbal cannabis on a scale. Illinois cannabis sales exceeded $2 billion in 2024. (Getty Images)

Illinois cannabis sales exceeded $2 billion in 2024

By Joseph Ndu, Senior News Reporter | February 12, 2025

DeKALB - Cannabis sales exceed $2 billion in 2024, a record-setting growth in sales since legalization. Of the $2 billion, the Illinois Department of Revenue said that adult use cannabis sales accounted for $1.72 billion, medical cannabis sales accounted...

A photo shows a group of multi-ethnic students walking to university. Enrollment statistics released by NIU show the university has 14,158 total students enrolled in Spring 2025. (Getty Images)

Spring enrollment numbers show decrease in students

By Jonathan Durbin, News Reporter | February 12, 2025

DeKALB – NIU has seen a drop in spring enrollment compared to previous years. In Spring 2025 there was a total enrollment of 14,158 students. This represents a 0.4% decline from Spring 2024 and a 10% decline compared to Spring 2019. The...

A photo shows Vicki Gerentes, NIU’s new director of fraternity and sorority life. Gerentes said she looks forward to finding how she can create the best experience for students in Greek Life. (Courtesy of Vicki Gerentes)

Faculty Spotlight: Vicki Gerentes

By Isabella Froh, News Reporter | February 11, 2025

DeKALB- Vicki Gerentes, NIU’s director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, spoke to the Northern Star about herself and her position.    WHAT KIND OF THINGS DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREETIME? “I am a family person, I’m the oldest of three,...

Senators Kevin Klister (left) and Matt Robinson sit and listen at the SGA meeting on Oct. 18, 2024. On Friday, SGA failed to meet quorum and scrapped all remaining legislation as a result.

SGA discusses removal of chairperson, decision tabled

By Austin Lamb, Assistant News Editor | February 11, 2025

This piece was updated as of 2/17 to make a correction.  Correction: The Northern Star previously wrote there was discussion to remove Chairperson Gonzalez. The discussion was to remove Chairperson Rosales. DeKALB – At Friday’s Student Government...

Members of the DeKalb City Council sit at the city council meeting on Sept. 23. The city council discussed limiting the number of tobacco stores allowed in DeKalb at its meeting Monday. (Northern Star file photo)

City discusses limiting tobacco stores in DeKalb

By Joseph Ndu, Senior News Reporter | February 11, 2025

DeKALB - The DeKalb City Council discussed limiting the amount of retail tobacco stores in DeKalb on Monday. RETAIL TOBACCO STORES The City Council considered setting a limit on the number of tobacco stores able to operate in the city. After...

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