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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

CARTOON: Sno-where to run

By Isaac Trusty, Cartoonist | January 30, 2023

Since COVID-19 started in March 2020, air travel has decreased and has struggled to adjust to the new normal.

COVID-19 has changed outlook on travel

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | January 29, 2023

While much has returned to normal since the arrival of COVID-19, one aspect of American life has remained tricky: travel. But maybe that’s not too bad. The significant decline in air travel in 2020 is no secret. However, even three years past the...

Street interviews: Thoughts on NIU naming new mascot Mission III?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | January 27, 2023

NIU introduced Mission III, the new Siberian Husky live mascot, to replace Mission II, whose time frolicking in NIU spirit was spectacularly done, but who will step down due to allergy complications. The new mascot being named Mission III continues the...

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...

A student organizing a planner so that they know when their classes are.

Poll: When is the best time of day for classes? 

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | January 24, 2023

Whether you prefer morning, afternoon or evening classes, the course material will remain the same. Students just need to figure out what works best for their needs and personal schedules.   Morning classes  Early classes can push you to be more...

A sign at Twitter headquarters is shown in San Francisco, Dec. 8, 2022. New research shows climate misinformation has been flourishing on Twitter since Elon Musk purchased the platform last year. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Elon Musk, you’re in over your head

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | January 23, 2023

Much controversy has surrounded Elon Musk since his purchase of Twitter, but the consensus is that Musk needs to leave.  Musk purchased the platform with the idea that he could make it a place for people to speak openly, “to help humanity,” Musk...

Space exploration hit new highs in 2022 and Columnist Lucy Atkinson believes it's good we're going up into the sky again.

A new space race is looming

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | January 23, 2023

For the first time since America’s 1960s dance with the Soviet Union, a brand new space race could be underway, but with luck, today’s discoveries will be less about the “race” and more about the “space.” 2022 was record-breaking in terms...

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...

Senior Columnist Angelina Padilla-Tompkins' iPad Pro with the Hotel at Holmes Student Center in the background.

That Time I… went fully digital for school

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | January 18, 2023

Before the academic year of 2022-2023 began I set a goal for myself, going fully digital.  I was tired of lugging around a heavy book bag filled with textbooks, notebooks, folders, a planner and whatever else tossed in the bag throughout the semester....