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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

Burnt popcorn.

Unpopular opinion: Burnt popcorn is good

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter | October 18, 2021

The buttery, salty, slightly stale scent of movie theater popcorn is one to savor. The taste is even better. The crunchy, soft popped kernels practically melt in your mouth, and the butter and salt linger, leaving you craving more. Although the smell...

A black cat, named Beef, sitting on a cat tower.

Black cats are overlooked and under-appreciated

By Brionna Belcher, Managing Editor | October 16, 2021

October is Black Cat Awareness Month, and with Halloween around the corner, our TVs are guaranteed to be filled with black cats. With black cats being so heavily referenced in Halloween decor and media, it’s the perfect time to show them some love. The...

Wearing pajamas to class is only acceptable in virtual spaces, columnist Parker Otto believes.

Unpopular opinion: Stop wearing pajamas to class

By Parker Otto | October 15, 2021

Whenever I come to an in-person class, I have certain expectations of my fellow students: being respectful towards others, not using their cell phones and not wearing pants that feature Mickey Mouse. While it may be acceptable, as well as comfortable,...

A person holding a smart phone.

Facebook continues to value profit over people

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter | October 15, 2021

With just one Google search of “Facebook,” several articles about how to permanently delete your Facebook account instantly pop up. This isn’t the first time Facebook has been the subject of scandals and court cases that left users uneasy—...

Columnist Ally Formeller expresses how failing a test does not mark the end of the world.

That time I… failed a test

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter | October 15, 2021

Huskies, it’s midterm week.  Among the anxiety and nervousness, I know that failing a test is probably the last thing you want to hear about right now. But it’s not the end of the world, even if it feels like it.  I was always a good student,...

An empty prison cell.

The death penalty needs to be abolished in all 50 states

By Parker Otto | October 14, 2021

The tragic murder of Gabby Petito in Wyoming and the subsequent manhunt for her fiancé Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the murder, have captivated the nation. There has been talk of the death penalty for whoever is charged and convicted of Petito’s...

A student holding a phone with the NIU Safe App.

Editorial: NIU needs to better promote Safe App

By Northern Star Editorial Board | October 13, 2021

The NIU Police Department has started phasing out emergency call boxes on campus in order to transition to the NIU Safe App. A planned dismantling of the call boxes will happen over the next two semesters. The features on the NIU Safe App sound helpful,...

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance will begin running performances of "Edward II" Friday at the Sally Stevens Theatre at NIU.

Students should experience fine arts on campus

By Parker Otto | October 12, 2021

On Oct. 2, the  Huskies football team beat the Eastern Michigan Eagles in an exciting game that I had the pleasure of seeing in person. One of the best parts of being a student this year is that I can attend any NIU athletic event for free. However,...

Many people refer to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as a Christmas movie, but columnist Janyce-Monique Johnson believes it's a Christmas movie.

Unpopular opinion: ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is a Halloween movie

By Janyce-Monique Johnson | October 9, 2021

I have heard many people refer to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” as a Christmas movie, and I have seen it listed on Christmas movie lists, but I disagree. While Christmas is mentioned in the title and throughout the movie, I do not consider this...

A bicycle leaning against a wall in Brittany, France.

That Time I… visited the French countryside

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter | October 8, 2021

When I was 17, I stayed with a French family in Brittany for a week. This was one of the perks of taking French classes for all four years in high school.  Unlike Paris, Brittany is much more rural, with wide open space, farms and forests. The house...

House Bill 641 is a step in the right direction

House Bill 641 is a step in the right direction

By Ally Formeller, News Reporter | October 8, 2021

Periods just got a little less painful. According to House Bill 641, passed earlier this year, universities and community colleges must provide free period products in all campus bathrooms.  No longer are the days of embarrassingly asking female...

A "now hiring" sign at The Junction in DeKalb.

Customer service employees deserve more respect

By Brionna Belcher, Managing Editor | October 8, 2021

Working in customer service has never been easy, but the country’s hiring crisis has made things significantly worse. Now more than ever, customer service workers deserve some respect.  When the country began to phase out of COVID-19 restrictions,...