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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

Spain recently passed a bill allowing menstruating employees to take paid leave ranging from three to five days.

United States ought to provide paid menstrual leave

By Nanette Nkolomoni and Lucy Atkinson | March 6, 2023

Amid a series of sexual rights reforms, Spain has begun offering menstrual leave to employees. For the health and comfort of all menstruating people, the United States should follow suit.   Spain’s new bill, passed into law on Feb. 16, will provide...

Two people hugging as others walk by on a rainy and gloomy day. With traumatic events constantly happening, remember to take care of yourself and those around you.

Editorial: Dear students, don’t let doom consume you

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 26, 2023

As the 15th anniversary of the shooting at NIU and images of the Feb. 13 Michigan State University shooting loom over our heads, it's hard for students to return to our everyday lives.  Of course, these events and others like them cause stress. It’s...

People hanging around at a train station with Mission III waiting outside the Metra train. The discussion to extend the line to DeKalb has circulated more than once.

Editorial: The Metra in DeKalb, a no-brainer

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 19, 2023

The DeKalb City Council’s recent approval of a transportation study will determine if the Union Pacific West Metra line should extend to DeKalb. The answer seems clear: The train line’s extension would be beneficial to NIU and its student population. A...

Multiple hands holding phones with play signs and exclamation marks. Social media users and platforms should be more considerate when sharing graphic content for other users to spread.

Editorial: We cause pain by sharing graphic, violent videos

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 12, 2023

The recent social media trend of sharing graphic videos and content needs to end. It makes sense to share what has happened with the rest of the world because it will bring awareness and hold accountability, but it's unnecessary to share such graphic,...

Columnist Nanette Nkolomoni believes that rather focusing on the past, Black people should focus on the future.

Unpopular opinion: It’s time for Black Future Month

By Nanette Nkolomoni, Copy Editor | February 8, 2023

It’s time for Black Future Month.  “Black Future Month” is a term that I first heard used by Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and it inspired me greatly. Last year, Ye uploaded a video on social media of himself giving a speech. In this uplifting...

Poll: Vote your favorite 'meet-cute' story

Poll: Vote your favorite ‘meet-cute’ story

By Northern Star Staff | February 6, 2023
Vote for your favorite "meet-cute" story for our 2023 Valentine's Contest!
On Jan. 24, 2023, the Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media in Ratana, New Zealand where she made her final public appearance.

Jacinda Ardern will be missed, deserves our praise

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | February 2, 2023

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has stepped down as New Zealand’s leader, but she deserves our warm-hearted praise both for her accomplishments in office as well as her final decision.  Politically active and a member of the New Zealand Labor...

A pink and red heart characters holding hands.  Columnist Angelina Padilla-Tompkins believes that everyone should celebrate Valentine's Day no matter your relationship status. It is a day for love for anyone.

Unpopular Opinion: Don’t hate on Valentine’s Day

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | February 1, 2023

Many people will tell you they hate Valentine’s day, but I say embrace it!  Hating on a holiday dedicated explicitly to love is just childish and cynical. When someone openly bashes Valentine’s Day, picture the boy at a school dance who thinks...

Students wait in line at the three dining options at Stevenson dining, and Patterson dining showcasing its dessert options for dinner on Tuesday at the respective residential halls. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Stevenson Towers residents deserves buffet-style dining hall

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | January 31, 2023

In the broke, busy and ever-hungry lives of young college students, food is a high priority. Time and money, however, are tricky competitors. To accommodate this, NIU should ensure all-you-can-eat style dining halls are available in each residential building.  As...

The FDA sides with reproductive rights

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | January 26, 2023

A positive step has been made for women, this time from the FDA. Abortion pills can now be sold at local drug stores and major pharmaceutical chains like Walgreens and CVS, as outlined through the new FDA guidelines.  There are two drugs in the abortion...

The Medieval Torture Museum, located in Chicago, shows how humans in the past were tortured in place of their mistakes.

That Time I… went to a torture museum

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | January 25, 2023

During the winter break my dad, younger sister and I decided to use the time to visit the Medieval Torture Museum in Chicago.  It was unlike any museum I had ever visited. There were models of bodies lined up throughout the exhibit demonstrating the...

Street Interviews: Should NIU have a fall break?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | January 22, 2023

DeKALB –While NIU engages in a Thanksgiving break every November, the university does not have fall break, as some other schools do. Whether or not to implement one is a debate that continues, but the issue is tricky. While an extra day to sleep...