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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

Columnist Angelina Padilla-Tompkins believes voting is essential for our democracy and if you don't vote, you shouldn't complain.

Unpopular Opinion: If you don’t vote, don’t complain

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | November 1, 2022

As an American citizen, you have the right to vote for political candidates. If you choose not to exercise that right, do not complain about how elections turnout.  Midterm election season is upon us, and it is time to start thinking about your voting...

In the 2016 presidential election, voter turnout dropped to 59.6% but increased in the 2020 presidential election.

Black people need to take voting more seriously

By Quade Evans, Opinion Columnist | November 1, 2022

How many times have you been told that voting matters? A lot, I imagine. In fact, some of you probably read this title and immediately let out a sigh of annoyance at yet another politically charged hype-piece to try to win a vote.  While this piece...

Columnist Max Honermeier believes that while not all political advertisements negative, there is room for improvements.

Political advertisements have become too aggressive

By Max Honermeier, Opinion Columnist | October 31, 2022

Election season in America is impossible to avoid. Every television and radio station blares advertisements demanding that you vote for this candidate or stay away from that one. The sensory overload is enough to make me want to crawl into a hole and...

Columnist Angelina Padilla-Tompkins explains why she votes.

Fill in the Blank: I vote because…

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Former Editor in Chief | October 31, 2022

…I am a woman.  Some people in my life have political beliefs that don't align with mine, and that’s OK. The joke has been made that our votes “cancel each other out.” With that mentality, why should I bother casting a vote?  I vote because...

CARTOON: Spooky Golf

By Isaac Trusty, Cartoonist | October 30, 2022

 

Street Interviews: Do you believe the midterm elections are important?

By Philip Arduini, Opinion Columnist | October 29, 2022

  DeKALB – Tuesday, Nov. 8 is election day for the midterm elections. This means Illinoisans will be able to cast their votes for governor, congress and local positions regarding Illinois politics. NIU students discuss the importance of midterm...

Street Interviews: Is the voting process easy?

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 28, 2022

  Editor's note: Online voter registration for the 2022 midterm election in Illinois is closed, but voters can still register or update their registration using grace period registration through election day at select locations, according to the...

Street Interviews: Are you voting?

By Philip Arduini, Opinion Columnist | October 27, 2022

Columnist Quade Evans believes the best rom com is "Love Jones".

Fill in the Blank: The best rom-com is…

By Quade Evans, Opinion Columnist | October 26, 2022

... "Love Jones." When we think about iconic rom-coms, “Love Actually” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” often come to mind. Even though they are popular movies, I find that one obscure movie from the 90s tends to stand out: “Love Jones.” The...

Illinois is currently the sixth strictest state with gun laws.

The Midwest can learn from Illinois’ gun safety laws

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | October 26, 2022

Illinois’ gun control policies stand out in the Midwest like a rose in snow. While a majority of nearby states put little energy into prioritizing gun safety, Illinois currently maintains the sixth strictest gun control in the nation according to Everytown...

A demonstrator waves a flag with marijuana leaves depicted on it during a protest calling for the legalization of marijuana, outside of the White House on April 2, 2016, in Washington. President Joe Biden is pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law, as his administration takes a dramatic step toward decriminalizing the drug and addressing charging practices that disproportionately impact people of color.

Biden’s pardoning marijuana convicts is a step in the right direction

By Philip Arduini, Opinion Columnist | October 25, 2022

Biden’s plan to pardon offenders of simple marijuana possession is a step in the right direction; however, more work needs to be done in fighting against the war on drugs. Biden announced his plan to pardon U.S. citizens charged or convicted of simple...