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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 sketching hand and clapperboard are shown inside a TV beneath the word “Look Both Ways” and above the topic of the week: Animation versus live-action TV. Is animated or live-action TV more engaging for viewers? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Animation versus live action

By Jackson Shields and Sofia Didenko | September 23, 2024

ANIMATED TV BETTER THAN LIVE-ACTION By: Jackson Shields, Opinion Columnist Consider the story of David and Goliath. David, the young and scrawny shepherd, stands before the towering Goliath with only a slingshot and a single stone; he faces insurmountable...

Brianna Sanders, a junior nursing major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What is your earliest memory, and what do you think is best about being a child compared to being in college? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: From childhood to college

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | September 22, 2024

At NIU, many of us college kids are new to the world of adulting. Our childhood memories are still pretty fresh, and we’re figuring out how to manage social relationships, bills, work commitments and less time for carefree play.  We’re also...

Two orange mushrooms grow side-by-side on a mossy forest floor in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson and her older sister were delighted to find the mushroom pair in August, looking like another little pair of sisters. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

No friendship like a sister’s

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | September 22, 2024

One part of my life I feel luckiest for is having a sister.  When I was born, mine brought a dandelion to the hospital to greet me with, clutched in her tiny, toddler fingers. Every day after that, my sister – who is two years older than me –...

The Pride of the Midwest Marching band marches through the tailgate yard before the Aug. 21 football game with Western Illinois University. The marching band's presence is critical to the atmosphere of any football game, Opinion Columnist Will Thiel argues. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Football needs marching band

By Will Thiel, Opinion Columnist | September 19, 2024

Imagine a college football game stripped of its soul, reduced to mere athleticism without the electrifying presence of the marching band. NIU needs the marching band more than ever, and we are taking it for granted at our football games. The football...

Near a tree, a hand holds the stem of a red maple leaf. Students can admire the beauty of campus as leaves slowly begin to change colors. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Cartoon: The rise and fall of students

By Daniela Barajas, Cartoonist | September 19, 2024

A hand drops a coin into a tip jar. It won't destroy you to leave a tip, Opinion Editor Lucy Atkinson argues, so choose to be courteous next time you get the chance. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Don’t be grumpy, leave a tip

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | September 18, 2024

It’s not outrageous for workers to request a tip. Stop getting your feelings hurt when they do; be courteous and spread a little green joy next time you go out to eat. TIPPING CULTURE IN AMERICA Compared to other countries, Americans tip far more...

A figure stares at a computer screen in the dark while images of the same person are posted to their wall. Becoming so obsessed with a celebrity to the point of excusing problematic behavior is a problematic norm on its own, Opinion Columnist Jackson Shields argues. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

We just want to dance

By Jackson Shields, Assistant Opinion Editor | September 18, 2024

On March 22, 2024, hip-hop’s boogeyman returned from a 10-month silence to do what he does best: shake the industry awake. With a single feature verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s collaboration project “We Don’t Trust You,” Kendrick Lamar put...

Students wave Latin American flags during the Latino Resource Center’s parade for Latino Heritage Month on Monday. How are you celebrating Latino Heritage Month this year? (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Poll: How are you celebrating National Latino Heritage Month?

By Santiago Montañez Bertoletti, Opinion Columnist | September 17, 2024

On September 15, the Latino Resource Center will begin to celebrate Latino Heritage Month, hosting several events about how Latin culture has influenced modern American history. There will also be several celebrations throughout the month to remember...

A Huskie holds a bone in its mouth that reads “Notre Dame” in front of a larger stack of bones. NIU’s status as an underdog makes spectacular wins like the victory over Notre Dame more meaningful. (Jayce Weir | Northern Star)

Editorial: NIU’s underdog status is prideworthy

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | September 17, 2024

Collegiate athletics is full of great traditions passed down from class to class, but few represent their university like the “boneyard” tradition that represents NIU. Since 1983, NIU football has marked its wins over Power Four – formerly Power...

Cash and a credit card are separated by a “versus” symbol beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Should society go cashless? Credit cards may be much more environmentally friendly, but cash has greater security against cybercrimes.  (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Should society go cashless?

By Jackson Shields and Sofia Didenko | September 16, 2024

THE U.S. SHOULD NOT GO CASHLESS By: Jackson Shields, Opinion Columnist Day after day our lives become more digitized. From how we communicate to how we get our food, the analog ways of the past have been thrown to the wayside in favor of digital...

A figure stares at their closet while a thought bubble over their head reads: “What am I supposed to WEAR?” Clothing is often unfairly labeled as too childish or too elderly. (Jayce Weir| Northern Star)

Don’t just ‘dress your age,’ dress for you

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist | September 16, 2024

Wake up, get clean, eat our first bites of the day, then be faced with a choice: what will I wear today?   Going to the gym? Reach for quick, dry materials. Going to the pumpkin patch? Reach for a warm sweater and boots.  We may have seen...

Maya Al Massad responds to a street interviews prompt. In honor of the late actor, what was your favorite thing about James Earl Jones? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: James Earl Jones

By Lucy Atkinson, Opinion Editor | September 15, 2024

Renowned voice actor James Earl Jones passed away last Monday at age 93, leaving fans grieving. For those who are not hard-core pop culture fans, however, it may be easy to forget Jones’ discography until someone mentions Darth Vader or Mufasa. But...