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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

Dark substance floats up toward the Illinois state flag while light and heart-shaped flowers burst from the top of the flag. The Northern Star Editorial Board encourages other states to dedicate government action toward addressing hate crimes, as Illinois will do with the Help Stop Hate program. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons | Northern Star Graphic)

Editorial: Help Stop Hate program heads Illinois in right direction

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | November 19, 2024

With recent political unrest, hate crime is at a record high. Action needs to be taken to lower this number. Illinois’ launch of the “Help Stop Hate” program is a step in the right direction. “We are here today to officially launch Help Stop...

A protestor holds the Israeli flag during a protest following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of the Israeli Defense Minister Nov. 5. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti warns that if Israel continues to navigate conflicts with little regard for human life, it’ll be no better than the terrorist organizations it aims to defeat. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Israel crosses dangerous moral lines

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | November 17, 2024

Editor's note: This column contains triggering content relating to war.  Israel has begun what it considers its final crusade, but the nation must act with more humanity as it navigates – and furthers – various conflicts.  Israeli Prime Minister...

Lanterns and candles glow in celebration at Pottenger House, the location of the NIU Center for Burma Studies and the NIU Center for Southeast Asian Studies, on a late autumn evening. Opinion Columnist Lalita Rai encourages international students to find ways to connect with their culture on campus. (Courtesy of Aye Myat Mon)

Culture must be evolved, not abandoned

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist | November 13, 2024

Culture is an identity for all human beings, and each person reflects their culture. Every international student has their own culture, traditions, customs and languages. International students may miss that culture when they are away from home, but...

An outline of Illinois is filled with a depiction of Lake Michigan's shoreline, healthy with green vegetation, clear waters and avian wildlife. The Northern Star Editorial Board applauds the state of Illinois' financial dedication to preserving the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline. (Jayce Weir | Northern Star)

Editorial: Mother Earth wins with Illinois’ preservation plan

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | November 12, 2024

The recent decision by the state of Illinois to spend $73 million to preserve the only undeveloped stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline is a valuable investment in environmental sustainability and community well-being.  As urban development continues...

Vice President Kamala Harris smiles during her concession speech Wednesday at Howard University in Washington. Assistant Opinion Editor Jackson Shields encourages Harris supporters to hold onto hope and continue the fight, echoing Harris' concession speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump wins, America bleeds

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor | November 6, 2024

America bleeds. As of the morning of Nov 6, 2024, Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th president of the United States. For the four years since his last presidency ended in attempted insurrection, those few words have hung over the heads of the American...

Presidential nominees former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris speak at separate campaign events Nov. 4 in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The Northern Star Editorial Board encourages Donald Trump and his supporters to accept their victory with grace and respect. (Evan Vucci, Jacquelyn Martin/ AP Photo | Northern Star Graphic)

Editorial: Move into new presidency with grace

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | November 6, 2024

Donald Trump was declared the 47th president of the United States in the early hours of the morning. With this historical race finally coming to a close, let America move into the new administration with grace.  The polls have been close all season,...

First-time voters hold up signs that clarify their status as first-time voters during an event Oct. 29 in College Park, Georgia. Editor-in-Chief Olivia Zapf recognizes the chaotic rush of information voters have faced this election season, encouraging first-time voters to listen to their own hearts on Tuesday and be unafraid to cast a vote. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Musings of a first-time voter

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | November 4, 2024

Every news outlet and political candidate in America is trying to tell you what to think, who to vote for, what to care about and how to support the United States through this tumultuous time. As a first-time voter, I am confused.  Where are the best...

The word "Vote" is surrounded by various symbols representing issues important to the American public this presidential election. With just a few days until the election, which issue is most important to your vote? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Which issue is most important to you this election?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | October 31, 2024

The Nov. 5 general election is nearly upon us, and the two main candidates – Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – have spent the campaign season outlining their proposals and ideas and garnering the support of their respective parties.  This election...

Nick Cipra, a senior geology major, poses in a large paper mache horse head as BoJack Horseman for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest. Cipra's first time using paper mache was for the creation of this costume! (Courtesy of Nick Cipra)

BoJack Horseman costume wins Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 30, 2024

The spirits – our wonderful readers, that is – have convened and selected Nick Cipra’s BoJack Horseman costume as the winner of the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest!  Voting for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest closed 5 p.m....

Three contestants for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest pose in their costumes. Vote for your favorite costume before the spooky ballot closes at 5 p.m. Oct. 30! (Photos courtesy of Tiajuana Hernandez, Jacob Chupich and Nick Cipra)

Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest: Vote now!

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 29, 2024

It’s one day out from All Hallows’ Eve, Huskies! Get into the spirit early – pun intended – and vote for the best costume in the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest here.  The Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest submissions are listed...

Five segments display different planets and symbols associated with them, all surrounding a tiny astronaut reading a book. If you had to take a remote class in outer space, which planet would you choose to study on? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Remote learning in space

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist | October 23, 2024

“Star Trek” has popularized the idea that space is the “final frontier” for human expansion, and people like Elon Musk aim to make this a reality. Yet human colonists on other planets will still need to learn, and we already have the means for...

A tombstone reads “The Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest”  between a smiling jack-o-lantern and a black cat. The Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest will open for submissions Oct. 23 and close 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest commences

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 22, 2024

On All Hallows’ Eve, the goblins come to play! The Northern Star is excited to announce it is holding a Halloween costume contest to celebrate the finale of spooky season on campus.  The contest opens for submissions Oct. 23 and closes Oct. 29...