I desperately wanted a pet growing up. I begged my parents to get me a dog, or a hamster or even a fish.  I never got a dog, a hamster or a fish. And I’m glad I didn’t. Maybe it’s because I didn’t grow up with one, but I don’t like pets....

I hate wearing a mask. I hate how uncomfortable it is. I hate how it itches against my beard. I hate the way it fogs up my glasses. I hate how people can’t see the lower half of my face. But I wear it every day to save lives. As the COVID-19 pandemic...

The conversation around mental health is nothing new. Most college students experience some kind of mental health struggle. That’s why taking mental health days— whether from work or school— is important.  But college students are suddenly being...

I run four to eight miles every week. On days I don’t run, I make sure to walk at least four miles. Before last year, I could hardly run a mile, and now it’s part of my daily routine. The pandemic changed a lot for most people. Classes were online,...

With streaming services, it’s a lot easier to become immersed in foreign cinema than it used to be, and more people need to make an effort to find films that may be unknown to them but have the potential to become something fantastic. While most Americans...

On Sept. 4, several federal benefit programs expired, leaving over 7 million people affected. Three out of four of these benefit programs were for pandemic relief. Although many places of employment have long returned to business, the COVID-19 pandemic...

To quote Jon Stewart, my inspirational icon and second-favorite teacher behind Jesus, “deep dish pizza is not only not better than New York pizza, it’s not pizza!” As a Central Illinoisan from the small town of Farmer City, I love visiting Chicago....

In 2001, DreamWorks Animation created a meticulous, incredible masterpiece that would win the hearts of many lives. This gem of a series is none other than “Shrek.” With 2021 marking Shrek’s 20th anniversary, it’s time to give the films their...

Representatives from Public Sector Search and Consulting conducted two listening sessions from 6-7 p.m. Sept. 8-9 via Zoom to gather student input about what attributes the next NIU chief of police should possess. Outside of the two hosts and one guest,...

Mental illness has been brutally stigmatized within society. Because of this, many people live without fully acknowledging their mental health concerns. However, there have been greater efforts put into education on mental health concerns via the internet....

I was 14 when I first had symptoms. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, symptoms of Lupus develop in mostly women of ages 15-44. Symptoms began in 2013 when I was in the 8th grade. I had a presentation in English class, and I was nervous....

On Sept. 12, 2001, the Northern Star Editorial Board published its daily editorial with a drawing of the American flag with the words “The Second Date of Infamy” right below the symbol of American freedom.  For a college press, the words spoke...