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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

Nuclear reactors, a solar panel and a wind turbine sit beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week. Is nuclear or renewable energy more beneficial and realistic? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Nuclear and renewable energies

By Ethan Ernst and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti | November 13, 2024

RENEWABLE ENERGY By: Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist The output of a nuclear power plant compared to its environmental impact is far superior to renewable energy. Even still, nuclear energy is too expensive and time consuming to adopt widely. Small...

Five segments display five elements - sodium, iron, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen - as they appear on the period table and with a basic atomic structure diagram. Which periodic element is most like your personality? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Which periodic element best represents your personality?

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist | November 12, 2024

Chemistry is the science of the structure, composition and unique properties of elements and compounds.  To date, scientists have identified 118 elements, each with its own distinct characteristics. Just like elements, people also have unique personalities...

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...

Tamaya Duplechin, a senior business administration major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are you grateful for? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: What are you grateful for?

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor | November 11, 2024

In this time of uncertainty and stress, it’s more important than ever to surround ourselves with the people, places and things which bring us comfort and relaxation. Whether it’s a hard working parent who's always there for you or a quiet space...

Opinion Columnist Ethan Ernst’s Neptune West residence hall window is firmly shut on a chilly autumn day. Ernst encourages all students in residence halls to remain cognizant of the impact seemingly small decisions can have, like leaving dorm windows open during cold weather. (Ethan Ernst | Northern Star)

Don’t leave residence hall windows unattended

By Ethan Ernst, Opinion Columnist | November 11, 2024

Temperatures are dropping as fall starts to settle in. The days when Neptune West needed to keep its windows open to stay cool are past, but shutting the windows against the cold took longer than necessary this year. For a few cold mornings, the halls...

A graphic shows a man contemplating between two different sides: one filled with images of books and tests, the other with football and partying. Opinion Columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that homecoming's placement in late fall semester presents unnecessary conflicts in a college student's life. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Homecoming’s timing should change

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | November 10, 2024

Homecoming is a special date for all colleges. It is a time of celebration, where reunited fraternities and sororities meet from far away, friends celebrate and the university prepares to show off to parents why it was a good choice for their children....

Six panels show pictures of different classic international foods and the flags of the countries they originate from, including: tacos, croissants, sushi, pizza, burgers and momo. What's your favorite classic international dish? (Northern Star Graphic)

Poll: Which classic international food is your favorite?

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist | November 7, 2024

The beauty of the United States is its diversity of people. When people from various places gather, they bring different cultures, food and languages.  In the U.S., there are lots of options for finding international foods from Mexico, Japan, France,...

A fluffy, small-horned creature gasps, surrounded by a colorful chaos of blue, pink and violet brush strokes. The cartoonist used sparkling and shimmering stickers as accessories to the illustration in this piece. (Jayce Weir | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Candy

By Jayce Weir, Cartoonist | November 7, 2024

Two shadows lean in toward each other over a phone with a notification from “Baby” that reads “Hey, where are you?????” Opinion Columnist Lalita Rai believes infidelity is never justified and that the status of every romantic relationship must be continuously communicated between partners. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Cheating is never justified

By Lalita Rai, Opinion Columnist | November 6, 2024

Some people are OK with their partners in other relationships as long as they remain outside the house. Others marry partners arranged by their families, even if they’re in love with someone else. However, no matter how open-minded your partner is,...

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,...

A graphic depicts a circle broken into two halves – one containing the Republican elephant, the other containing the Democratic donkey – as it explodes from within. Opinion columnist Santiago Montañez Bertoletti believes that America's two-party system should be broken up in favor of a flexible multi-party one. (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Third parties deserve more voice in US

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | November 5, 2024

In the United States there have always been two parties. This is not unique to American politics. Many nations like the United Kingdom or Colombia began with two main factions. However, over the years many countries have developed multi-party systems...