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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 robot composed of brightly colored wiring sings into a microphone. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes AI generated music is unethical and shouldn’t be considered for Grammys. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

AI is not the new wave of music

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | October 9, 2023

Artificial intelligence is taking the creativity out of music. AI music is not only unethical, but it's also flat-out lazy and uninvolved. As AI becomes more prevalent with websites like Chat GPT becoming popular, people are finding new uses for the...

A biker rides their bike with figures on the ground behind them. Students who walk around campus must be aware of those who bike, and vice versa. (Robin Gamboa | Northern Star)

End NIU sidewalk wars

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | October 9, 2023

Much like the Sharks and the Jets from "West Side Story," the walkers and bikers on NIU’s campus are constantly vying for sidewalk space. NIU walkers and bikers need to stay in their own lanes. If fictional characters can do it, so can NIU. The heart...

From funding libraries to funding new lives

By Ashley Vargas, Opinion Columnist | October 9, 2023

The concept of imprisonment began with four main purposes, retribution, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation. The American justice system seems to be having trouble including that last step in its process. The state of Illinois has recently...

An illustrated photo of Christopher Columbus sits behind the words, "Warning: This guy did not discover America." Columbus was no more than an infamous man in the newly unified Spain of the 15th century. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | October 8, 2023

Despite being a day of celebration about the discovery of America, Columbus Day is not a date to celebrate, at least not the way we actually do. Many will be surprised to discover that Columbus was no more than an infamous man in the newly unified...

A person on a ladder pulls barbed wire out of a "Barb City" sign. The Northern Star Editorial Board believes its not Barb City if the old barbed wire factory is reduced to a slab of pavement. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Editorial: DeKalb’s ‘Barb City,’ not ‘Parking Lot Haven’

By Northern Star Editorial Board | October 8, 2023

On Sept. 25, the contract for the city of DeKalb to purchase the building that was once the first barbed wire factory was approved. At the same time, an insulting conversation about turning the building into a parking lot ensued.  The property at...

A judge holds a gavel in a courtroom. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes the death penalty is wrong and should be abolished. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Death to the death penalty

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant News Editor | October 6, 2023

The death penalty is a terrible thing that should be abolished. Putting someone to death, no matter the crime, is a bad idea. Too many people have been wrongfully put on death row, so I don't trust the government enough to decide who gets put to death...

Cartoon: Music memory

By Daniela Barajas, Cartoonist | October 5, 2023

An adult with a TV for a head talks to a child. As technology advances, media has begun to replace various roles of parenting. (Robin Gamboa | Northern Star)

Cartoon: Robot parenting

By Robin Gamboa, Cartoonist | October 5, 2023

The double door entrance to the Sally Stevens Players Theatre. Next to the door is the metal plaque that reads “The Sally, Sally Stevens Players Theatre” located in the Stevens Buildings.
(Ariyonna McGahee | Northern Star)

Attend NIU Theatre performances

By Olivia Zapf, Editor in Chief | October 4, 2023

NIU School of Theatre and Dance is constantly performing and hosting events, and NIU and DeKalb residents should take full advantage of its show-stopping numbers. Residents should attend theater performances, both to show support for the school and to...

A webpage is open on Kim Kardashian's Instagram page. Celebrities need to be more authentic in their content. (Angelina Padilla - Tompkins | Northern Star)

Celebrities need to be authentic on social media

By Emily Beebe, News Editor | October 4, 2023

People on social media, especially celebrities, need to be more authentic in their content. Social media should be used as a platform to show originality and vulnerability, like Selena Gomez does.  The cycle where people only show good sides of themselves...

From left: Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman react during the first quarter of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.  Opinion Columnist Alberto Briones believes Swift is out of Kelce's league. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Taylor’s out of Kelce’s league

By Alberto Briones, Opinion Columnist | October 3, 2023

During the last two NFL games, Taylor Swift's appearance in the box suite of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce generated significant attention and cultural buzz. Regarding career achievements and global impact, Swift's success surpasses Kelce's....

A young woman listens to music through white headphones. What has been your favorite album of 2023? (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Poll: What’s your favorite album of 2023?

By Lexi Nebel, Opinion Columnist | October 3, 2023

LIL UZI VERT – “Pink Tape” Lil Uzi Vert, a rapper and singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, first gained attention after the release of their single “Money Longer” in 2016. Their second studio album, “Eternal Atake,” was released in 2020....