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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Joseph Howerton

Joseph Howerton, Video Editor

Joseph Howerton is a senior communications major and is minoring in digital media production. He has been apart of the Northern Star as a news reporter since October 2022 and is currently the Video section editor.

Between his work at the Star and studies at NIU, Joseph works at the Sycamore Public Library’s circulation desk and runs the library’s D&D youth group.

In his freetime he enjoys watching movies, playing video games, D&D, cosplay and writing.

All content by Joseph Howerton
Senior news reporter Rachel Cormier poses with the NIU Huskie salute. Cormier gave a recap of the biggest stories the Northern Star has covered in the spring 2024 semester. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

A look back at NIU news during spring 2024

By Joseph Howerton and Rachel Cormier
May 5, 2024
People talk with one another in front of booths of different employers in the Duke Ellington Ballroom at the Holmes Student Center. About 80 employers were present at this year’s End-of-Year Career Fair, according to Career Services Director Brian Pillsbury. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Career Services host End-of-Year Career Fair

By Zahra Yousif and Joseph Howerton
May 2, 2024
A group of protestors hold signs and chant. Students for Justice in Palestine led a protest through NIU's campus to Altgeld Hall. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Student protesters call on NIU to disclose and divest from Israel

By Jenny Javkhlantugs, Joseph Howerton, Rachel Cormier, and Gabby Crabtree
May 2, 2024
Colored in flowers and butterflies hang on a wall at the offices of Safe Passage. In sexual assault, the butterfly is a symbol for change and how a person's story never ends. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Offering Safe Passage to Those in Need

By Joseph Howerton and Ria Pathak
May 1, 2024
Tom Tumminaro (from left), Suzanna Strangmeier and Jeanne Baxter unload several bags of potatoes. The Huskie Food Pantry requires volunteers to unload, sort and shelf theor donated materials. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Inside the Huskie Food Pantry

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 28, 2024
A graphic hangs over Angelina Padilla-Tompkins sitting at a desk in the Northern Star. The Northern Star Top Editors oversee all written and digital content published by the Northern Star. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Meet the Northern Star | Top Editors

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 24, 2024
Abdulrahman Kauther uses a solar projector to see the reflection of the sun. A solar projector traces the shadow of the sun on a screen to show its totality. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Solar eclipse viewing party

By Jenny Javkhlantugs and Joseph Howerton
April 11, 2024
Students stand in line at Stix and Noodles during Food Truck Wednesday in MLK Commons. Stix and Noodles is a Filipino food truck based out of Lake in the Hills, which serves combo meals including an entree, rice and side. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

IN PICTURES: Food trucks take to MLK Commons, campus clamors for lunch

By Sean Reed and Joseph Howerton
April 11, 2024
Shamar Berger sits at a table holding a microphone in his hands and a caption hanging below. Students tell what they think about Food Truck Wednesdays coming back to NIU. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Food for thought? Food Truck Wednesdays returning.

By Ro Hong, Joseph Howerton, and Jenny Javkhlantugs
April 10, 2024
Franklin Gestoso sits by the Holmes Student Center fireplace talking about his hat. Huskies tell what the favorite part of their outfit is. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

What’s your favorite part of your outfit?

By Joseph Howerton and Ria Pathak
April 9, 2024
Godzilla stands next to Kong in a scene from "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" featured both monsters fighting each other. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ should have been solo act

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 3, 2024
Dr. Moana lip syncing on a stage to a crowd March 29 in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. The NIU College of Law's drag show featured drag performances, burlesque and LGBTQ+ informative material. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Gagged Order drag show refuses to be silenced

By Joseph Howerton and Jenny Javkhlantugs
April 2, 2024
A computer sits propped opened to a video of Lifestyle Editor Nick Glover with the words Meet the Northern Star Lifestyle hanging overhead. Northern Star's lifestyle section covers culture, arts and media. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Meet the Northern Star | Lifestyle

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 31, 2024
Ethan Gonzales (left) and Lucas Didier sit in the Northern Star conference room during a sports budget. The Northern Star sports section covers NIU athletic events and sports in the Northern Illinois area. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Meet the Northern Star | Sports

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 18, 2024
The Egyptian Theatre stage as seen from the second balcony seats. The Egyptian Theatre hosts film and live entertainment events in downtown DeKalb. (Debbie Allen | Northern Star)

Inside The Egyptian Theatre

By Debbie Allen and Joseph Howerton
March 18, 2024
Gabby Crabtree during the Northern Star budget meeting emphasizing her mind blowing point with hand gestures. Northern Star news section shares their thoughts on making a news story and importance of a college newspaper. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Meet the News Section

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
February 28, 2024
Stack of sandwiches prepared, wrapped and packed in a box wait to be shipped across campus. Dining services provides catering to all across campus including residential halls, restaurants and events. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

A Day in NIU Dining

By Joseph Howerton and Jenny Javkhlantugs
February 24, 2024
Ryan Adams (left) and Abby Metzke sit in a booth. The two discuss what music they've been listening to and what other students should listen to. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

What are you listening to this week?

By Joseph Howerton and Ria Pathak
February 22, 2024
Cutline: Lucy Atkinson types on a computer during a Northern Star opinion section budget meeting. The Northern Star opinion section shares what they do in their section and why they enjoy it. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Meet the Northern Star | Opinion

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
February 20, 2024
Brynn and Sarah gesture wildly in the podcast room. They discuss Usher's halftime performance and the "big game" commercials. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

[Photo] ‘The big game’ recap, minus the football

By Brynn Krug, Sarah Rose, and Anna Scanlan
February 14, 2024
Matthew Streb sits in front of a bookcase of NIU memorabilia. When asked about his favorite part of working at NIU, Streb praised the students. (Debbie Allen | Northern Star)

Who’s Matthew Streb?

By Debbie Allen and Joseph Howerton
February 7, 2024
Freshman political science major Samantha Mostaert plays with kinetic sand at the Stress Less Zone on the first floor of the Founders Memorial Library. NIU's Counseling and Consultation services advises students to practice destressing activities during finals week. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Destressing before the test

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
December 10, 2023
Tables sit on the lower-level floor of Founders Memorial Library. NIU has numerous study spots on campus for students to prepare for finals. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskie Academic Success Center offers study tips

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
December 6, 2023
Members of the Local 1890 union sit in on a board of trustees meeting. The Local 1890 union members addressed pay compression and pay inversion in their new agreement. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU, clerical union make deal addressing pay disparity

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 29, 2023
Brendan Lai stands in front of a wall. Lai was arrested on Nov. 27 in Sycamore on theft and methamphetamine charges. (Courtesy of Sycamore Police Department)

Methamphetamine found in retail theft

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 29, 2023
A gallery inside Jubilee Artisans features framed artwork from local DeKalb county artists. Jubilee Artisans lets local artists display their art and features paintings, handmade jewelry, photographs and stationary items for sale. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

DeKalb’s art scene finds home in local consignment

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 28, 2023
A picture displays the title for Chapter 1 of the textbook for Anthropology 441, Sexual Selection in Primates. Anthropology 441 discusses the anatomy and reproductive traits of primates. (Margaret White | Northern Star)

Anthropology class discusses primate sexual selection

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 20, 2023
“Trans lives are sacred!” is written in sidewalk chalk in front of the Jack Arends Hall. The Transgender Day of Rememberance is a yearly observance on Nov. 20 for individuals who’ve lose their lives to anti-transgender violence. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU to hold Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 20, 2023
Homemade apple and walnut salad, stuffed mushrooms, green bean casserole, corn flake cheese potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce with the side of a dinner roll and mint tea. There are many meals coming up on weekly Ellington's menu. (Sasha Norman | Northern Star)

Running Ellington’s Restaurant: What does it take?

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 17, 2023
Madison Wescott holds an energy drink in front of her food truck, Main Squeeze. Wescott sells homemade lemonade and energy drinks to pay for her college tuition. (Courtesy of Madison Wescott)

NIU student pays for school with lemonade

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 16, 2023
Steam rises out of the top of Patterson Hall West on Nov. 13. A steam relief valve caused an emergency evacuation of Patterson Hall residents around 2 a.m. on Nov. 14. (Courtesy of Lydia Dunker)

Patterson Hall steam valve bursts, repairs finished

By Gabby Crabtree and Joseph Howerton
November 15, 2023
Jay Jarvis, program assistant for transfer programming, takes off on their Apollo electric scooter outside the Peter Campus Life Building. NIU students and faculty are using e-vehicles to travel around campus. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Riding in style or convenience?

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 13, 2023
Workers unload food from a DeKalb County Community Gardens truck. The city of DeKalb has approved of the The DeKalb County Community Gardens Community Health Education and Food (CHEF) Complex. (Northern Star File Photo)

CHEF complex to combat food insecurity

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 7, 2023
A green combine harvester fills corn in a trailer attached to a green tractor during a sunset. DeKalb's corn yield has yet to be determined, as only 10% of the crop has been harvested. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

DeKalb county’s corn harvest underway

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
November 1, 2023
Rep. Jeff Keicher stands in the Illinois House of Representatives. Keicher brought a bill to the House last week that will bring attention to metastatic breast cancer. (Courtesy of Jeff Keicher)

HR 368 to raise awareness for metastatic breast cancer

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 31, 2023
Students focus on school assignments at the Procrastination Café Holmes Student Center’s Illinois Room. The Procrastination Café is open to students and NIU staff between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Procrastination Café offers aid in tackling stress

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 30, 2023
Multicolored microplastics are magnified under a magnifying glass. The Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability now has a new system that can identify and research microplastics. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

NICCS sees new system to battle microplastics

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 25, 2023
Students line up on Normal Road to order food after long classes on a Wednesday morning. This Wednesday is the last day of food trucks for the Fall 2023. (Ariyonna Mcgahee | Northern Star)

Last call for food trucks

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 24, 2023
Artist Danielle Casali and a volunteer work on a mosaic of the Kishwaukee River made using pieces of mirror. A ribbon cutting for the mural on the south wall of DeKalb City Hall will be held at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19. (Courtesy of the City of DeKalb)

City to unveil new mural celebrating belonging

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 17, 2023
White, green and orange pumpkins sitting in front of a Jewel Osco located on 1320, Sycamore Road. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

It’s the great pumpkin, Illinois!

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 15, 2023
Victor E. Huskie stands next to the new unveiled statue of Victor E. Huskie that sits in front of DeKalb City Hall, 164 E. Lincoln Highway. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

‘Communiversity’ comes together for block party

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 12, 2023
A sign stating "Future home of Kraft Heinz" sits in an open field. Companies like Meta, Kraft Heinz and Ferrara have begun investing in DeKalb and more big investors may follow. (Courtesy of City of DeKalb)

Financial growth earns DeKalb higher bond rating

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 10, 2023
A classic Mustang drives down a road taking part in the 2022 homecoming parade. Homecoming will include events hosted by the university as well as local businesses. (Northern Star File Photo)

116th Homecoming gets ready to kick off

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 8, 2023
Customers wait in line to order at Burger Naan. Burger Naan is a new fusion street food restaurant in DeKalb. (Joeseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Burger Naan brings Indian and street food to DeKalb

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 3, 2023
Netflix is a familiar app and platform for many people. The streaming service platform provides a weekly top 10, displaying popular titles currently out for users to chose from. (Madelaine Vikse | Northern Star)

Kaiju, dragons and bears, oh my!

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 3, 2023
Employers set up tables on the floor of the Convocation Center for a job fair. The All-Majors Internship and Job Fair takes place at the Convocation Center on Wednesday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Over 100 businesses to participate in job fair

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
October 2, 2023
The DeKalb County Courthouse sits under clear skies on a sunny day. The DeKalb County Courthouse is located on, 133 W. State St. (Umer Khan | Northern Star)

Illinois eliminates cash bail

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 27, 2023
A group of people dance on a hardwood floor. Dimensions Dance Academy begins its Fall Ballroom series Oct. 7. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

DeKalb fall dance classes offered

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 26, 2023
Two archers aim down their sights. Archery Club hosted a weekly meeting on Tuesday. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Take aim with NIU Archery Club

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 26, 2023
A screenshot of an NIU student's Blackboard course page. Blackboard Ultra, the updated version of the original, will be the main learning management system for NIU for Spring 2024. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

NIU to switch to Blackboard Ultra

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 21, 2023

Livening up DeKalb one hydrant at a time

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 14, 2023
A DeKalb High School student walks across stage to receive the DHS Alumni Scholarship award. This DeKalb student, along with 136 others in the county, earned scholarships from the DeKalb County Community Foundation. (Courtesy of the DeKalb County Community Foundation)

DeKalb County students receive $196,000 in scholarships

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 13, 2023
NIU mascot Victor E. Huskie rides atop a convertible, greeting the crowd viewing the March of the Huskies, for the 115th homecoming celebrations Thursday night on Second Street in downtown DeKalb. (Northern Star File Photo)

116th Homecoming to take over downtown

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 11, 2023
A sign instructing visitors to wait sits on a DMV desk. Secretary of State Alex Giannoulias' "Skip the Line" program which took effect Sept. 1, is aiming to decrease the wait time at the DMV. (Courtesy of Wikimedia)

DMV rolls out new Skip the Line program

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
September 5, 2023
Road blocks and a “road closed” sign restricts vehicles from entering Normal Road on Aug. 29 at the intersection of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue The road is blocked off from vehicles while plans to resurface the road and a roundabout is planned for the intersection in the summer. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Normal road closure, roundabout to be constructed

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
August 29, 2023
Corn Fest attendees enjoy rides and carnival games on Saturday at the 46th annual Corn Fest in downtown DeKalb on 1st and 4th Street. The festival took place from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27 and expects up to 15,000 festival-goers every year. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Corn, country and celebration: Corn Fest 2023

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
August 27, 2023
Cars drive on Peace Road Saturday near Bethany Road in 2014. The City of DeKalb plans to widen the road to four lanes and add a free-flow right turn lane by around the end of October.

Peace Road to be four-lane road

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
May 2, 2023
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood talks to a crowd in downtown DeKalb about why voting matters in contemporary elections in November, 2022. Underwood recently proposed $2.5 million in funding for Safe Passage to build a new shelter. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Proposed $2.5 million for Safe Passage would bring new shelter

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 30, 2023
Exterior of Ellwood House Museum, a historic site in DeKalb. Ellwood House Museum is hosting two public events in May. (Photo courtesy of Ellwood House Museum)

Ellwood House Museum opens doors for summer events

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 28, 2023
The board members of the Muslim Student Association standing in front of their presentation about Eid on Tuesday. The group put together an event discussing a Muslim tradition that falls after Ramadan called Eid, as a part of Asian Heritage month. (Nyla Owens| Northern Star)

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr at NIU

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 26, 2023

Pritzker’s school Medicare expansion approved

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 23, 2023
The Distinguished Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. performs on stage in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium. Eight black student organizations represented their histories through stepping and performance at the Rep Yo Org event on April 15. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Creativity, passions and histories at Rep Yo Org

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 17, 2023
McDonald’s fries box in the front along with other accumulated garbage in the background on campus, near Cole Hall on April 13, 2023. (Christian Quevedo | Northern Star)

Student organization gets students thinking green

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 15, 2023
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Safe Passage has two upcoming events this month to uplift survivors and to fundraise for their own organization. | (Getty Images)

Safe Passage stands by survivors in upcoming events

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 14, 2023
The south side of the Holmes Student Center on a foggy day. The hospitality and tourism major has been dissolved, instead becoming an emphasis in the College of Business. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Hospitality and tourism management major to change, move

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 9, 2023
DeKalb could see a Metra train line and station in the future.

Metra study: Passenger rail service would prove paramount in DeKalb

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 7, 2023
The NIU Recreation Center’s new sign on Thursday. NIU Recreation is reviving a program where faculty and staff can play pickup basketball games. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Staff and faculty shoot hoops and build camaraderie

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 6, 2023
Clouds over the College of Nursing building Monday at 1240 Normal Road. The NIU board of trustees approved a lease-to-purchase agreement with the DeKalb CUSD 428 Tuesday for the building and 9.1 acre property. (Christian Quevedo | Northern Star)

Board of Trustees approves sale of nursing building

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 4, 2023
Illinois Representative Jeff Keicher (left), NIU President Lisa Freeman and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in conversation after a press conference Tuesday. During this press conference, Pritzker spoke on college funding and ensuring affordable education for Illinois students. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Pritzker discusses college funding at NIU

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
April 4, 2023
The Rainbow Rave will take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. Registration is free.

Rainbow Rave; night of contests, face paint, free food

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 31, 2023
“Junior meteorology major and current Trustee Tim Moore (left) and junior pre-medical chemistry major Yazan Masri debate for the SGA representative seat on the NIU Board of Trustees Monday at the Carl Sandburg Auditorium. The canidates answered questions from the public before having the chance to question one another during the debate. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)”

SGA debates: Treasurer and trustee

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 29, 2023
Zelina Azul poses onstage during the Drag Show. The first drag show of 2025 was held at 7 p.m. Thursday and saw over 200 attendees. (Northern Star File Photo)

‘The sun doesn’t ask permission to shine,’ the CAB drag show

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 26, 2023
A photo of the East Lagoon and Altgeld Hall in the distance.

NIU Art Museum highlights Burmese art, reboots 2015 exhibit

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 24, 2023
Chase, a new therapy dog working for NIU, being pet by students at the first Chilling With Chase event on Wednesday in the Counseling and Consultation Services office. Chase was employed by NIU to help students deal with stress. (Nathan Kyriazopoulos | Northern Star)

Chase, your friend in tough times

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 8, 2023
Counseling and Consultation Services is located in Campus Life 200.

NIU counseling to host session on stress, coping

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 3, 2023
The closed Sandella’s Flatbread Cafe sits empty with high top tables in front in the lobby of DuSable Hall. Sandella’s is projected to reopen under a new name in 2023. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: Sandella’s in DuSable?

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
March 2, 2023
DuSable Hall is home to multiple types of humanities classes and is located on the west side of campus. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: DuSable’s disrepair?

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
February 28, 2023
The current phone switch used to operate landlines housed on the second floor of the NIU Police Department. The landline servers will soon be replaced by smaller servers after the transition to Microsoft Teams Voice phones. (Courtesy of John Kearsing)

NIU’s Microsoft Teams Voice transition continues

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
February 26, 2023
The DeKalb Public Library sits under a cloudy sky located in downtown DeKalb. Jazz In Progress will visit the library on Oct. 14. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

DeKalb Public Library to open display case to nonprofits

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
February 24, 2023
The entrance to Patterson Hall West. Rises to room and board fees were among the changes voted for approval by the Board of Trustees. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Fees for housing, graduation, student support to rise

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
February 19, 2023
The Spring 2023 term ends May 12.

Spring 2023 graduation deadlines: What to know

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor
February 10, 2023
The southern Grant Towers sit vacant on Saturday night as the northern Towers light up the surrounding parts of campus. The Grant Towers were built between 1965 and 1966, with the southern Towers most recently having been used for COVID-19 surveillance testing. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: The South Grant Towers?

By Rachel Cormier and Joseph Howerton
February 5, 2023
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