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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A photo depicts the logo for the video game "WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007." Opinion Columnist Colton Peterson argues that WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007" has the most underrated soundtrack of all time. ("VGM Uploader" on YouTube)

The soundtrack that never sleeps

By Colton Peterson, Opinion Columnist | April 2, 2025

Video games have taken the world by storm. The first video game, “Tennis for Two,” was created in 1958 and followed by a multitude of current popular titles like “Minecraft,” “Fortnite” and more.  There are various reasons to enjoy video...

The plaque representing the Northern Star time capsule sits Monday evening. As the opening date of the time capsule approaches on April 16, Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson describes both the importance and nostalgia of opening time capsules. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Opening a time capsule: A moment to relive the past

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | April 1, 2025

A lot happens in 25 years. Twenty-five years ago, a large chunk of NIU’s student body wasn’t born. In 2000, the most played song was Faith Hill’s “Breathe,” President Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office and the world was still mildly high from...

A cartoon depicts a bright red moon, known as the Worm Moon, sitting in the sky. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues the importance of a worm's world and how we should appreciate it. (Kaylee Rutherford | Northern Star)

Appreciate worms and soil health

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | March 30, 2025

In the lively, topmost layer of our lovely lithosphere – in our soils – worms and other organisms play an important ecological role. But sharing a planet with people tends to complicate their productivity. The March sky filled with a bright red...

A graphic depicts a speech bubble, the words "Stop mansplaining," gender symbols and a man and woman talking. Opinion Columnist Lucy Atkinson argues that cis men need to stop mansplaining. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Cis men, stop mansplaining

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist | March 27, 2025

Why did you feel it was necessary to explain the basic principles of journalism to me?  I’m asking because you’ve also just shared that journalism is not your major, and I’ve just shared it’s the discipline I’ve been studying for three years.  I...

Mercury and different astrological signs sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is Mercury retrograde real or a superstition? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Mercury retrograde

By Lucy Atkinson and Nia Jackson | March 26, 2025

MERCURY RETROGRADE IS A SUPERSTITION By: Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Columnist Astrological topics like Mercury retrograde and zodiac signs are no doubt interesting conversation starters, but they shouldn’t play a dramatic role in dictating your hopes...

A cartoon depicts a group of geese staring at a person as they walk by. Geese tend to be very territorial on campus, especially with baby geese around. (Kaylee Rutherford | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Beware of geese

By Kaylee Rutherford, Cartoonist | March 26, 2025

A cartoon depicts President Donald Trump and a reporter from the Associated Press in a boxing match. The Northern Star Editorial Board argues that the Trump administration's decision to handpick media outlets and reporters is a direct violation of the First Amendment. (Kaylee Rutherford | Northern Star)

Trump’s media policies threaten first amendment rights

By Northern Star Editorial Board | March 25, 2025

The role of a free press in a democratic society is to hold those in power accountable and inform the public with factual unbiased reporting. Any media policy that seeks to control or manipulate the flow of information is a direct threat to this foundational...

A graphic depicts different food items such as a chicken sandwich, taco, rice and a sub sandwich. What restaurant would you add on campus if given the option. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Poll: What restaurant would you add on campus

By Emily Beebe, Opinion Editor | March 24, 2025

NIU offers different restaurants on campus such as Qdoba, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Starbucks. Although students may enjoy these alternatives to the dining halls, students may wish that there were other restaurant options on campus. What restaurant...

A graphic depicts a school, a hand that says "Stop Bullying," a person sitting with their head down and an anti-bullying sign. Opinion Columnist Habiba Kamel argues that schools need to do more to prevent bullying. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Schools should do more to combat bullying

By Habiba Kamel, Opinion Columnist | March 23, 2025

In today’s day and age, harassment and bullying have become a prominent component of the American school system. Whether it be on the basis of body type, race, sexuality or just individuals being cruel, millions of children experience some form of bullying...

A cartoon depicts a crab playing the drums, a humpback whale singing and an octopus playing guitar. The cartoon is based on humpback whales singing more because food has become more abundant. (Georgie Fortuna | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Marine band

By Georgie Fortuna, Cartoonist | March 19, 2025

The word "Work" and a person relaxing sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Should breaks be used to catch up on work or to relax? (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Use of breaks

By Ethan Ernst and Emily Beebe | March 19, 2025

BREAKS SHOULD BE USED TO WORK: By: Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist Humans can’t work all the time; our bodies and minds need rest, and the quality of our work deteriorates without it. However, we also have limited time and the world never stops...

A cartoon depicts students in various programs such as engineering and law. The Northern Star Editorial Board believes that NIU should better advertise their specialized programs. (Nicholas Rojas | Northern Star)

NIU’s programs deserve a bigger spotlight

By Northern Star Editorial Board | March 19, 2025

Northern Illinois University isn’t the biggest college in Illinois, however, it offers a wide variety of specialized programs, some of which are severely under-attended due to unawareness.  A majority of NIU’s advertising fails to mention these...

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