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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

In Fall 2021 Greek and non-affiliated NIU students tailgate outside the Huskie Stadium for a football game. NIU has seen Greek involvement decline sharply since its peak in the 1990s, with less than 700 Greek members reported in the 2020-2021 academic year. (Northern Star File Photo)

New Greek Life Center approved for Annie Glidden neighborhood

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | August 30, 2023

DeKALB – NIU has finally entered the approval stages of building its first Greek Life Center in the Annie Glidden neighborhood near Greek Row. The city approved a redevelopment agreement at the July 10 DeKalb City Council meeting which was the first...

Liz Wright (left), the executive assistant to the president, Matt Streb, the chief strategy officer and George Middlemist, vice president for administration and finance, trying out KA-BAO and Little O's frozen treats food trucks on Wednesday. Food Truck Wednesdays will be happening 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday on Normal Road until the end of September. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Food Truck Wednesday takes over Normal Road

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | August 30, 2023

DeKALB – Food Truck Wednesdays made a delicious debut Wednesday as the NIU community lined up for a taste.  Food Trucks were stationed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the closed portion of Normal Road where local vendors: Little O’s Frozen Treats, BattleAxe...

Road blocks and a “road closed” sign restricts vehicles from entering Normal Road on Aug. 29 at the intersection of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue The road is blocked off from vehicles while plans to resurface the road and a roundabout is planned for the intersection in the summer. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Normal road closure, roundabout to be constructed

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | August 29, 2023

DeKALB – Students and staff will need to keep their eyes on the road as closures and upcoming construction may waylay their schedule. Barricades were set up Aug. 17 on Normal Road between Lucinda Avenue and West Locust Street. Closure of Normal is...

NIU's observatory on Friday is located inside of Davis Hall. The observatory is open 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Wednesday. ( Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Davis Hall Observatory reopened to NIU

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | August 29, 2023

DeKALB – Those looking to save a couple bucks on their next romantic evening can do so again, as “NIU’s best cheap date on campus” has reopened. Since closing three years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Davis Hall Observatory has not...

Grant Tower's new student parking signage. Multiple lots have been changed to allow commuter students to park in more places. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Commuter parking expands, Gilbert, Neptune sees new parking colors

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | August 28, 2023

DeKALB – Commuter students with yellow parking passes will find parking has reached new heights of accessibility for them. Seven parking lots have changed from requiring faculty and staff blue parking passes to becoming hybrid blue-yellow pass lots. This...

Students on Sunday sitting at the president's picnic. The president's picnic was an opportunity for students to meet NIU President Lisa Freeman while participating activities such as volleyball, kayaking and outdoor games. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Week of Welcome ends, classes begin

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | August 28, 2023

DeKALB – The last day of the Week of Welcome wrapped up Sunday with the annual President's Picnic. Students gathered outside of the East Lagoon and participated in games such as volleyball, bags and Kanjam, while others paddled in kayaks and canoes. Student...

Everett Barnett, a first-year majoring in computer science, stand with his mom Catherine in front of Grant Towers on Thursday. First-year and returning students moved over the weekend in preparation for the Fall semester. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

NIU move-in day beats the heat

By Michael Mollsen, Former Written Managing Editor | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – NIU Housing and Residential Services as well as volunteers were able to beat the heat and help move in NIU’s incoming residents. During NIU’s move in, from Aug. 23 to Aug. 27, a late summer heat wave hit DeKalb, reaching a high of 95...

Corn Fest attendees enjoy rides and carnival games on Saturday at the 46th annual Corn Fest in downtown DeKalb on 1st and 4th Street. The festival took place from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27 and expects up to 15,000 festival-goers every year. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Corn, country and celebration: Corn Fest 2023

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – During move-in weekend, students were given one last opportunity before the college grind to reunite with old friends or make new ones at Corn Fest. The weekend music festival and corn boil in DeKalb is one of the last free admission festivals...

Three attendees stand around a memorial, which features a poster on the tree with a photo of Gracie Sasso-Cleveland and the words “We miss you Gracie.” (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Community mourns 15-year-old victim

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | May 9, 2023

DeKALB – Following the murder of Gracie Sasso-Cleveland, a 15-year-old DeKalb resident, community members and friends gathered on the 500 block of College Avenue to hold a vigil and share memories of her. The vigil took place during a light drizzle...

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at a press conference on April 4. The recently passed bill, "HB2831," expands on Pritzker's executive order to create a task force to combat homelessness in Illinois. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Illinois bill to combat homelessness passes

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | May 8, 2023

DeKALB – A bipartisan vote of 50-2 Thursday passed a bill that would build on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s previous executive order to combat homelessness in Illinois. Bill “HB2831” was passed in both Houses and was a win for the Supportive Housing...

Students plant native flowers and grass around the East Lagoon. The East Lagoon has recently been deteriorating around the shoreline. (Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon | Northern Star)

Student project leads to East Lagoon restoration

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | May 7, 2023

DeKALB – A group of classmates were determined to bring a school project to fruition by restoring the East Lagoon.  The student-led project of saving the East Lagoon from deterioration began on May 4.  The lagoon has experienced extreme erosion...

DeKalb police officers walking across a bridge on College Avenue. A 15-year-old girl was found dead on the 500 block of College Avenue. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Sex offender on parole charged with first degree murder of 15-year-old girl

By Northern Star Staff | May 7, 2023

Editor’s note: This piece was updated at 5:07 pm May 8 to reflect updates to the investigation. DeKALB – A convicted child sex offender Timothy Doll, on parole since April, has been charged in the murder of 15-year-old DeKalb High School student...