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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 photo depicts Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan giving a speech. Opinion Columnist Ethan Ernst argues that Turkey is a warning for democracies. (Mert Gokhan Koc/Dia Photo via AP)

Turkey is a warning for democracies

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist | April 22, 2025

The judiciary has become the most important tool for resistance against President Donald Trump. News covering legal battles against the Trump administration has become increasingly prominent as federal judges have blocked numerous policy changes ordered...

Sophomore Sean Carroll reaches out of bounds to reset at the center of the mat at the match against Purdue University on January 12. Opinion Columnist Colton Peterson argues that AEW is no longer elite. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

AEW is no longer elite

By Colton Peterson, Opinion Columnist | April 18, 2025

As a big fan of professional wrestling, I have witnessed the ups and downs of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) throughout the years. So, believe me when I say I was very excited for the creation of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), WWE’s biggest competitor.  AEW...

A group of people stand at different booths during NIU's Karoshi-Con event. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that people should not judge those who are part of fandoms and to let people enjoy what they enjoy. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Reflect on snap judgments

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | April 15, 2025

All of us make unnecessary judgments, but we all have the ability to practice subduing them too. The next time you start to judge someone for something they love or a fandom they’re a passionate part of, stop and ask yourself why. Is there really...

A photo depicts a shelf full of PlayStation games. Opinion Columnist Ethan Ernst argues that SAG-AFTRA is shady, especially when it comes to video game companies. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

SAG-AFTRA is shadier than it looks

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist | April 14, 2025

For months, video games such as “Destiny 2” have lacked English voice acting for certain characters. Skins for characters in “League of Legends” have also replaced custom voiceovers with “base voiceovers,” which means that new skins for characters...

A photo depicts a woman using a vape. Opinion Columnist Gray Edelstein argues that vapes are becoming more marketed to children which is dangerous. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Vaping is marketed toward kids

By Gray Edelstein, Opinion Columnist | April 14, 2025

One day, I walked into a public bathroom, and instead of it being empty, I saw a group of people through a misty, white, fruity smoke in the air. They quickly left, but it was clear what they were doing there: Vaping.  When vaping entered the market,...

A cartoon depicts a person standing by an empty pool searching for water. The Northern Star Editorial Board believes that Anderson Pool should be reopened. (Georgie Fortuna | Northern Star)

Editorial: Anderson pool should be reopened

By Northern Star Editorial Board | April 11, 2025

The Anderson Hall Pool, built in 1964 as part of Anderson Hall, closed permanently in September as a result of low participation in its open swim programs.  The closing of the Anderson Pool is unfortunate because it leaves students with no pool option...

A card and a plate filled with food sits beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Should students have unlimited meal swipes? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Unlimited meal swipes

By Gray Edelstein and Habiba Kamel | April 9, 2025

STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE UNLIMITED MEAL SWIPES By: Gray Edelstein, Opinion Columnist While in college, students juggle academic pressure, living on their own for the first time and managing their time. Adapting to a new environment and schedule is difficult...

A graphic depicts hands holding hearts, the word "Empathy" and a divided Earth. Opinion Columnist Gray Edelstein argues that empathy can heal a divided world. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Empathy can heal a divided world

By Gray Edelstein, Opinion Columnist | April 8, 2025

The freedom to disagree was once the backbone of democracy. Now, polarization defines our nation's identity. We even create TikTok trends, like the viral Republican makeup, meant to further divide individuals by political parties.  The left and right...

Victor E. Huskie poses in front of the Burritoville food truck as people are waiting in line. Which food truck is the best one? (Northern Star File Photo)

Poll: Which food truck is the best?

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | April 7, 2025

NIU’s spring Food Truck Wednesdays kick off this week. Students can try many food trucks – selling lemonade, tacos and more – throughout the month. Which food truck at Food Truck Wednesdays is the best? BURRITOVILLE Burritoville offers...

A photo depicts an anti-abortion activist standing outside Planned Parenthood. Opinion Columnist Habiba Kamel argues that pro-life people aren't really pro-life, they are just anti-abortion. (Arthur H. Trickett-Wile/MLive.com/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)

Pro-life or just anti-abortion?

By Habiba Kamel, Opinion Columnist | April 6, 2025

The world has grown to be more and more divided. There are endless subjects that groups fight about on the basis of gender, race, sexuality and political beliefs. Throughout the years, there has been an increasing battle over the right for a woman to...

A photo depicts Elon Musk holding a microphone with his fist in the air at a town hall March 30 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that U.S. citizens should FOIA for their personal information being reviewed by DOGE. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

U.S. citizens should FOIA for information being reviewed by DOGE

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | April 6, 2025

A recent decision by a federal court in the District of Columbia ordered the Department of Government Efficiency to comply with requests through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). United States citizens should FOIA for their personal information being...

A graphic depicts a disco ball, people in a band performing, a graduation cap and a timeline. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez argues that defining moments or lessons learned in life are important. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Defining moments

By Santiago Montañez, Opinion Columnist | April 4, 2025

Throughout life, people have a series of defining moments or lessons. They are fleeting compared to our long lifetimes, but they are key points that we will vividly remember years later as those that changed the direction of our destiny. They do not...

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