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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

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...

The MLK Commons at Northern Illinois University. Northern Star's Madelaine Vikse looks into whether its valuable for students to have a fall break.

Poll: Should NIU have a fall break?

By Madelaine Vikse, Editor-in-Chief | January 19, 2023

Students look forward to school breaks such as Thanksgiving break and spring break, using the time to relax and study. At most universities, a fall break tends to be two days, such as a Thursday and a Friday or a Friday and a Monday, Executive Vice...

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin from the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969.

Putting man back on the moon might be worth the expense

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | January 16, 2023

The United States' plan to put man back on the moon is underway; though it is not cheap, it is worth the expense.  NASA’s Artemis mission will put the first woman and first person of color on the moon, according to NASA. This mission also marks...

The separation between church and state has blurred the lines over the years and in countries like the United States, France and Iran. (Isaac Trusty | Northern Star)

Editorial: It’s time to stop blurring the lines between church and state

By Northern Star Editorial Board | December 5, 2022

Theocracy has no place in the modern day. The United States is not “one nation under God” anymore; in fact, it never should have been. As a country, we need to reconsider how closely our religion and government intersect. It is past time that world...

Every family has their own holiday traditions, especially with their meals. That can include meats, sides and desserts.

Poll: Which holiday food is the best to chow down on?

By Quade Evans, Opinion Columnist | November 28, 2022

Thanksgiving has already passed but while we were busy stuffing ourselves with all kinds of assortments of homemade goods, a debate as old as the holidays itself continues to rage on at various dinner tables. Which holiday food is best? While everyone...

Northern Illinois University should strive to be better and more open about eco-friendly options throughout DeKalb.

Editorial: NIU’s eco-friendly efforts plant a seed in need of watering

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 21, 2022

Despite NIU’s recent approval of a number of campus renovations and initiatives, the lack of accessibility of NIU’s plans doesn’t provide reassurance that NIU’s campus will see tangible progression toward an eco-friendly campus. The collaborative...

From left: Aana Patel, Rinky Contractor and Raj Toolsie. Professor Sarah Marsh encouraging  to students to vote this upcoming election.

Look Both Ways: Why should or shouldn’t Gen Z vote

By Lucy Atkinson and Philip Arduini | November 7, 2022

Why Gen Z should vote By Lucy Atkinson For the sake of progressive change, it is crucial Generation Z makes their way to the polls during the upcoming midterm elections Tuesday and during every election which will follow. Gen Z is the first generation...

Columnist Angelina Padilla-Tompkins explains why she votes.

Fill in the Blank: I vote because…

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | October 31, 2022

…I am a woman.  Some people in my life have political beliefs that don't align with mine, and that’s OK. The joke has been made that our votes “cancel each other out.” With that mentality, why should I bother casting a vote?  I vote because...

A Planned Parenthood health center is shown in Waukegan, Ill., June 28, 2022.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood Mobile

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 23, 2022

To those left thirsty for hope in a world recently plagued by bad news, look no further. Planned Parenthood has brought positive development to quench that need.  The non-profit organization has announced that it will soon be providing abortions through...