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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

A mask is taped to NIU's Olive Goyle statue next to Altgeld Hall June 3.

NIU students, faculty react to starting the semester online

By Elisa Reamer, Brionna Belcher, and Wes Sanderson | January 10, 2022

DeKALB— NIU students and faculty were given news that, while expected, might not have been the most encouraging to hear. Online learning will be returning for all courses Jan. 18-25.  As of the week of Jan. 4, the positivity rate is at 13% and the...

The East Lagoon at NIU will sit empty the first week of the Spring 22 semester. NIU announced the decision to begin online starting Jan. 18. NIU expects to return to normal learning Jan. 25.

COVID pushes NIU online to begin semester

By Northern Star Staff | January 7, 2022

DeKALB— Out of an abundance of caution, NIU will begin the Spring 2022 semester remotely until Jan. 25 for all courses being taught at NIU. The decision was made to “help protect the health of our community during the surge of the Omicron variant,”...

Terrance Gray’s contribution, American Gothic_Breaking Ground done with Gouache on Rives paper.

Art exhibit showcases the history of race relations in DeKalb

By Gabriel Fiorini | December 20, 2021

DeKALB — The DeKalb County History Center and the Ellwood House Museum have collaborated on a virtual exhibit entitled “Arts in Action,” investigating the history of race relations in DeKalb County through the artwork of nine visual artists and...

Dekalb City Manager Bill Nicklas signed a nondisclosure agreement with Project Barb developers in June.

Amazon purchases property in ‘Project Barb’ corridor

By Northern Star Staff | December 14, 2021

DeKALB— Amazon recently paid $6.3 million for 58.65 acres at 1401 E. Gurler Road on Oct. 6 according to DeKalb County property records. Records show that the land was slated for a 700,000-square-foot warehouse which city officials have only referred...

Darren Mitchell, a 21-year veteran of the NIU Police Department was selected Tuesday as the next Chief of Police. Mitchell has been the interim police chief since April.

21-year veteran named next NIU Police Chief

By Northern Star Staff | December 14, 2021

DeKALB— After an eight-month search process that yielded 24 “qualified applicants,” NIU selected Darren Mitchell, a 21-year veteran of the NIU Police Department as its next Chief of Police.  Mitchell is the first chief to rise through the ranks...

DeKalb mayor Cohen Barnes at the Aug. 23 City Council meeting.

City Council approves tax levy for 2021

By Elisa Reamer | December 14, 2021

DeKALB— The DeKalb City Council passed an ordinance 6-0 on Monday to approve the aggregate levy for 2021 of $9,521,416, which includes the City’s and the DeKalb Public Library’s levies.  This ordinance was considered at the City Council’s...

A photograph of the inside of Keg & Kernel during the restaurant's grand opening.

Keg & Kernel opens doors to DeKalb community

By Madelaine Vikse, Editor-in-Chief | December 12, 2021

  DeKALB — Keg & Kernel, a new restaurant by Tangled Roots Brewing Company, opened its doors to the DeKalb community Saturday. The restaurant is aimed at those who love beer and quality food with a DeKalb-inspired twist. The parent company,...

NIU President Lisa Freeman earned a 94% on her 2021 performance evaluation during Monday's Board of Trustees meeting. (Patrick Murphy | Northern Star)

Freeman earns high scores in annual review

By Yari Tapia, Lifestyle Writer | December 8, 2021

DeKALB — The NIU Board of Trustees agreed that NIU President Lisa Freeman was a very student-centered and equity-focused leader in evaluating her performance as president at the Board of Trustees meeting at 9 a.m. in Altgeld Hall, Room 315. Freeman...

NIU bus driver speaks with a passenger Monday outside the Holmes Student Center.

Student plans new club to advocate for disability alliance

By Yari Tapia, Lifestyle Writer | December 6, 2021

What to know An NIU student is working to stop ableism on campus. A goal for the new club is to get parking and bus accommodations.  The club eventually hopes to gain SGA approval. DeKALB — Haven Dubeck, a junior psychology major,...

Weekly events: Week of Oct. 12

Weekly events: Week of Dec. 6

By Northern Star Staff | December 5, 2021

Monday NIUCG Winter Plant Sale: Support scholarships for student interns by purchasing a winter planter bowl from NIU Communiversity Gardens. Students can choose from three different options or grab one of each. The cost is $20 per planter. Pick...

Kelly Bauer

Northern Star alumna snags prestigious journalism award

By Yari Tapia, Lifestyle Writer | December 3, 2021

Kelly Bauer, former Northern Star Editor-in-Chief, was recently awarded as Chicago’s Journalist of the Year by the Chicago Journalists Association. “It was really exciting and unexpected,” Bauer said. “It's just like a really, you know, huge...

John Vinson spoke about his goals for the NIU Police Department if selected as the next chief of police Thursday during an open forum. (Wes Sanderson | Northern Star)

John Vinson’s pitch to be next police chief: ‘What do you need from us?’

By Wes Sanderson | December 2, 2021

DeKALB — John Vinson, current director of strategic planning and accreditation at Indiana University, discussed in a Thursday forum a plan toward community policing not based on his wants but focused on the wants of the community. Vinson discussed...