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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 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...

Alessandra Alvizo, a first-year law student, responds to a street interviews prompt. What are your stress levels at right now, and how do you manage that stress? (Northern Star Grahic)

Street Interviews: Managing stress

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | November 4, 2024

It’s mid-semester, graduation and finals are fast approaching, and today we elect our nation’s president for the next four years. It’s a stressful time.  Students across campus have a variety of ways they handle stress, and since Wednesday...

A young child watches as Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris speaks Monday at a campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson pleads for voters to think of America’s future generations and cast a vote for Harris this election. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Vote for Harris, vote for the future

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | November 4, 2024

When Donald Trump won the 2016 election, I was 12. I remember my father saying he’d eat his hat and we’d all move up the border to Canada if it happened. I remember my mother’s worried face on election night as we watched it happen, and I remember...

First-time voters hold up signs that clarify their status as first-time voters during an event Oct. 29 in College Park, Georgia. Editor-in-Chief Olivia Zapf recognizes the chaotic rush of information voters have faced this election season, encouraging first-time voters to listen to their own hearts on Tuesday and be unafraid to cast a vote. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Musings of a first-time voter

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | November 4, 2024

Every news outlet and political candidate in America is trying to tell you what to think, who to vote for, what to care about and how to support the United States through this tumultuous time. As a first-time voter, I am confused.  Where are the best...

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris claps her hands and smiles while speaking Sunday at a rally on the Michigan State University Campus. Opinion Columnist Sofia Didenko hopes voters will remember Donald Trump’s attacks on Harris’ initiative are clearly misplaced with a better understanding of the vice president’s role in the White House. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Educate yourself on the vice presidency

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist | November 3, 2024

After the Sept. 10 presidential debate, Donald Trump posed a question which sparked dynamic discussion: if Kamala Harris has served as vice president for three and a half years, why hasn’t she enacted any of her policies yet?  This question is unnecessary...

The silhouettes of four U.S. electors and a graph meant to represent the popular vote are separated by a versus symbol beneath the words "Look Both Ways" and the topic of the week. Is the Electoral College or popular vote the better system? (Jackson Shields | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Electoral College versus popular vote

By Olivia Zapf and Jackson Shields | October 31, 2024

With Election Day right around the corner, the debate between the Electoral College and popular vote is once again heating up. The popular vote is a democratic system in which a country’s citizens decide who is placed in power. Simply put, in an...

The word "Vote" is surrounded by various symbols representing issues important to the American public this presidential election. With just a few days until the election, which issue is most important to your vote? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: Which issue is most important to you this election?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | October 31, 2024

The Nov. 5 general election is nearly upon us, and the two main candidates – Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – have spent the campaign season outlining their proposals and ideas and garnering the support of their respective parties.  This election...

Nick Cipra, a senior geology major, poses in a large paper mache horse head as BoJack Horseman for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest. Cipra's first time using paper mache was for the creation of this costume! (Courtesy of Nick Cipra)

BoJack Horseman costume wins Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 30, 2024

The spirits – our wonderful readers, that is – have convened and selected Nick Cipra’s BoJack Horseman costume as the winner of the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest!  Voting for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest closed 5 p.m....

A man answers his door and asks "Dude... aren't you too old for trick-or-treating??" to a 22-year-old business major dressed up as Batman. Happy Halloween, Huskies! (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Grown-up trick-or-treating

By Daniela Barajas, Cartoonist | October 30, 2024

Ballots that read "Yes on City Clerk" float into a green ballot box. Former second ward alderman Bill Finucane encourages DeKalb voters to vote yes on City Clerk this election, which will change the City Clerk from an elected to an appointed position. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Express Yourself: Vote yes on City Clerk

By Bill Finucane | October 29, 2024

Editor’s note: Express Yourself opinion pieces are the author’s opinion alone. Both the City of DeKalb and the City of Sycamore are asking the same question:  “Shall the City Clerk be appointed, rather than elected?” Both cities are attempting...

A robot in a hat labeled "press" holds a newspaper in front of the Northern Star's red star logo, while a Huskie paw points accusatorily at the robot. The Northern Star will not publish any content created by artificial intelligence and encourages readers to review its AI policy. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Northern Star introduces its AI policy

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | October 29, 2024

As artificial intelligence becomes more prominent in everyone’s lives, the business of journalism has to navigate its use. The Northern Star Editorial Board has come together and decided readers should know our policies on AI and what services like...

Three contestants for the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest pose in their costumes. Vote for your favorite costume before the spooky ballot closes at 5 p.m. Oct. 30! (Photos courtesy of Tiajuana Hernandez, Jacob Chupich and Nick Cipra)

Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest: Vote now!

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 29, 2024

It’s one day out from All Hallows’ Eve, Huskies! Get into the spirit early – pun intended – and vote for the best costume in the Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest here.  The Northern Star Halloween Costume Contest submissions are listed...