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Kierra Frazier

Kierra Frazier, Managing Editor

Kierra Frazier is a senior studying journalism and political science. She has previously covered the DeKalb City Council, the Student Government Association and more. She was a news reporter from 2018 to 2020. Kierra is also the NIU chapter president of the National Association of Black Journalists.

All content by Kierra Frazier
SGA had their meeting Sunday in the Capitol Room of the Holmes Student Center.

SGA approves first Supreme Court justice for fall semester

September 26, 2021
Board of Trustees member prepares for a meeting in Altgeld Hall on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Trustees to vote on contract with police sergeant union

September 21, 2021
Esaiah Escamilla, 23-years-old, is being charged with 19 criminal counts.

Man charged with first-degree murder in 2020 shooting

September 21, 2021
Senator Ethan DeMeuse (left) takes notes during the Aug. 29 Senate meeting. SGA Senate meets at 5 p.m. every Sunday in the Capitol Room of the HSC.

SGA Senate approves chief of staff, director of cultural affairs

September 13, 2021
The Board of Trustees approved the sale of the Hoffman Estates campus at their special meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Buyer found for Hoffman Estates campus; trustees greenlight deal

September 9, 2021
Student organizations wear masks during the involvement fair Sunday in MLK Commons.

Enrollment sees 3% decrease from Fall 2020

September 9, 2021
Darren Mitchell, acting NIU chief of police, recounts Sept. 11 as a patrol officer in 2001. “It was constant conversation the whole night; students didn’t even go to bed,” Mitchell said.

20 years later: NIU faculty, staff reflect on 9/11

September 8, 2021
NIU plans to convert the current dispensing machines for menstrual products in women’s restrooms so they won’t require money.

University to provide free menstrual products for most restrooms

August 25, 2021
At the Aug. 15, 2019, meeting, Board of Trustees Chairperson Dennis Barsema addresses former NTC students after their public comments.

Students, faculty oversee operations at NIU

August 23, 2021
The DeKalb Police Department

DeKalb City Council considers civilian police review board

August 11, 2021
DeKalb City Council approves zoning amendments for Project Barb

DeKalb City Council approves zoning amendments for ‘Project Barb’

July 28, 2021
First Ward Alderperson Carolyn Morris reads a letter out loud during DeKalbs City Council meeting on Monday, July 13th.

Juneteenth becomes paid holiday for DeKalb city workers

July 14, 2021
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on infrastructure spending at McHenry County College, Wednesday.

Biden speaks on American Rescue Plan in Illinois

July 7, 2021
DeKalb city officials consider $10 million in potential federal aid

DeKalb city officials consider $10 million in potential federal aid

June 29, 2021
The DeKalb Police Department

DeKalb Police Department to establish second social worker position

June 29, 2021
Trustees sitting at meeting

Board of Trustees approve FY22 budget, $10 million deficit projected

June 18, 2021
Data presented at Monday’s meeting showed a 4% increase in these crimes from 2019. 

Violent, property crimes in DeKalb rise 4% in 2020

June 15, 2021
DeKalb to halt mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics, offers walk-in clincs

DeKalb to halt mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics, offers walk-in clincs

June 1, 2021
Fire Truck is parked in the garage at the first DeKalb Fire House, 700 Pine St. 

DeKalb Fire Department sees calls decrease in 2020

May 25, 2021
The building at 444 E. Hillcrest Drive would feature seven one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units.

DeKalb City Council to consider 17-unit apartment plan

May 21, 2021
The Student Emergency Fund will remain open as long as funding is available.

NIU plans for double-occupancy dorms, in-person events for fall

May 13, 2021
DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes at the May 10 City Council meeting.

New DeKalb city leaders sworn in, approves parking ordinance

May 11, 2021
NIU will require COVID-19 vaccines for on-campus students.

DeKalb to offer walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinics

April 28, 2021
Council to hold public hearing on special service area Monday

City Council unanimously approves Hunter Properties agreement

April 27, 2021
DeKalb City Council member, Bill Finucane reviews the agenda for the meeting on July 27th.

Outgoing DeKalb City Council members say goodbye

April 27, 2021
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[Photo] SGA Senate passes $1.1 million budget for FY22

April 26, 2021
A boarded-up window stands at 808 Ridge Drive apartments in 2019.

City Council to vote on agreement with Hunter Properties

April 24, 2021
DeKalb Police Headquarters, 700 W. Lincoln Highway.

City of DeKalb reaches $285k settlement with Elonte McDowell

April 24, 2021
Jessica Webb, of DeKalb, holds a Daunte Wright sign on Friday during the vigil at Memorial Park.

‘The list is too long’: DeKalb activists hold vigil for victims of police brutality

April 23, 2021
A photo of the Altgeld Hall building.

Faculty express concern over Illinois state bill

April 22, 2021
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[Photo] SGA sees increase in voter turnout for spring elections

April 14, 2021
NIU Bus driver looks around an empty campus before continuing their route.

Council votes down architecture agreement of DeKalb transit facility

April 13, 2021
NIU bus driver speaks with a passenger Monday outside the Holmes Student Center.

Council to consider architecture agreement of DeKalb transit center

April 10, 2021
The CBDG funds fall into six categories. A public hearing is set for Monday’s City Council meeting the annual CBDG Action Plan.

City Council to hold public hearing on federal grant

April 10, 2021
Blue Timeline Cycle Presentation

[Photo] Details revealed from suspended investigation of Center for Black Studies vandalism

April 7, 2021
Robert Brinkmann Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (left) moderates the discussion with U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (right).

[Photo] Kinzinger discusses state of US democracy in NIU lecture series

April 2, 2021
NIUs Turning Point USA claims SGA discriminated against organization

NIU’s Turning Point USA claims SGA discriminated against organization

March 31, 2021
A tier system will be used and it goes down based on the scope of the organization and how much money they need or want.

[Photo] Senate amends bylaws for student organizations, finance policy

March 29, 2021
Flame candles isolated on black background.

‘It could have been me’: NIU holds vigil for AAPI victims of hate crimes

March 27, 2021
Faculty Senate advises for more flexibility in Spring 2021 grading policy

Faculty Senate advises for more flexibility in Spring 2021 grading policy

March 25, 2021
The City of Dekalbs Annual Loose-Leaf collection will start Oct. 25 and will continue through Dec. 3.

City council rejects amendment to city’s burning codes

March 23, 2021
NIU President Lisa Freeman attends the Art and Soul Black Lives Matter street painting event Oct. 1. Smith said that Freeman and other professors have reached out to learn how they can make NIU better for black students.

Board of Trustees votes to extend Freeman’s contract

March 18, 2021
Pritzker expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to 16 and older

Pritzker expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to 16 and older

March 18, 2021
Desks in DuSable Hall are socially distanced and marked by tape on the ground.

NIU plans to hold 70% of fall classes face-to-face

March 17, 2021
NIU Police Chief Tom Phillips is set to retire in mid-April.

NIU police chief to retire mid-April

March 17, 2021
A social distancing sign in DuSable Hall.

One year later: Timeline since COVID-19 shutdown campus

March 11, 2021
David Byrd will become the city’s first Black police chief in its 135-year history.

DeKalb names Byrd as its first Black police chief

March 8, 2021
SGA Elections take place on March 30 and March 31 via HuskieLink.

SGA Senate nominates Douglass as speaker

March 8, 2021
The south water tower, 2851 Corporate Drive, will be a topic of discussion at Mondays City Council meeting.

City Council to discuss water tower maintenance, open burning codes

March 6, 2021
First Ward Alderperson Carolyn Morris reads a letter out loud during DeKalbs City Council meeting on Monday, July 13th.

Council passes special-use permit for parking lot, firefighters honored

February 24, 2021
Bessie Chronopoulos expresses her appreciation for the acquisition of new park land in DeKalb in 2013.

City Council remembers former DeKalb mayor

February 24, 2021
Board of Trustees member prepares for a meeting in Altgeld Hall on Feb. 13th, 2020.

Board of Trustees approves tuition increase for FY22

February 19, 2021
Faculty Senate discusses alternative grading system for spring semester

Faculty Senate discusses alternative grading system for spring semester

February 18, 2021
Gov. JB Pritzker gives an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois during a press conference at the Illinois State Capitol on Jan. 11.

Pritzker proposes $28 million increase in MAP grant funding for FY22 budget

February 17, 2021
Alyssa Noonen and Matt Zamudio.

GoFundMe pages set up for alumni injured in apartment fire

February 16, 2021
Jim Mason, owner of South 4th Street Mega Laundromat, addresses the City Council Monday.

Council rejects reconsideration of laundromat liquor, gaming license

February 10, 2021
DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith partakes in the City Council meeting at DeKalb Public Library on July 27th.

Smith recounts COVID-19 vaccine experience

February 10, 2021
Fire Truck is parked in the garage at the first DeKalb Fire House, 700 Pine St. 

City Council to discuss firefighter wellness program, laundromat liquor license

February 5, 2021
The Center for Black Studies was first established in 1971 in a small white house. In 1993, the center was rebuilt into the building that stand today.

Center for Black Studies celebrates 50 years

February 4, 2021
Kierra Frazier is the News Editor at the Northern Star. She is the only person of color currently serving as an editor. Black student representation isn’t just a persistent problem at the Northern Star, but all across campus.

Black representation starts in newsrooms

February 1, 2021
The 10-day count of enrollment for this spring was 15,216 students, a drop of 1.3% from Spring 2020.

NIU sees 1.3% decrease in enrollment from Spring 2020

January 29, 2021
NIU street banner

NIU receives $23.7 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds

January 28, 2021
DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith partakes in the City Council meeting at DeKalb Public Library on July 27th.

Smith cautions residents as DeKalb moves to Phase 4 mitigations

January 26, 2021
SGA Senate The Student Government Association Senate unanimously approved its first senator for the semester at Sunday’s meeting.

SGA Senate discusses electoral district reform plan

January 25, 2021
City Council to vote on ComEd substation for Facebook data center

City Council to vote on ComEd substation for Facebook data center

January 22, 2021
Blackboard, Microsoft Teams and Office365 tools are being used for todays current online classes.

University to conduct review of Blackboard Learn

January 21, 2021
A pick-up order table stands near the door in Cast Iron Coffee in June.

DeKalb moves into Tier 1, allows for limited indoor dining

January 19, 2021
Gov. JB Pritzker gives an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois during a press conference at the Illinois State Capitol on Jan. 11.

Pritzker moves Region 1 to Tier 2 COVID-19 restrictions

January 15, 2021
Entrance of the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, on Sept. 2, in DeKalb.

Convocation Center to be used as vaccination site

January 14, 2021
First Ward Alderperson Carolyn Morris reads a letter out loud during DeKalbs City Council meeting on Monday, July 13th.

City Council debates special-use permit for parking lot

January 13, 2021
DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith partakes in the City Council meeting at DeKalb Public Library on July 27th.

Smith addresses COVID-19, social justice in State of the City

January 12, 2021
Graph of recommended CARES Act funding

City Council to vote on CARES Act funding allocation

January 9, 2021
Supporters of President Donald Trump gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday in Washington.

University professors, mayor react to US Capitol breach

January 6, 2021
Snow begins to melt around the East Lagoon.

First-year students reflect on fall semester amid COVID-19

January 6, 2021
DeKalb Fire Department vehicle drives down Lucinda Ave.

City Council approves firefighter union contract

December 29, 2020
A doctor holds a vaccine vial in their gloved hand.

DeKalb County receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine

December 29, 2020
Fire Truck is parked in the garage at the first DeKalb Fire House, 700 Pine St. 

City Council to discuss new firefighter union contract

December 27, 2020
DeKalb Police Department warns against unemployment scams

City manager announces citizen-led search committee for new police chief

December 16, 2020
A boarded-up window stands at 808 Ridge Drive apartments in 2019.

City Council approves special service area for Hunter Ridgebrook Properties

December 15, 2020
Huskie Bus Line 18 in 2019.

City Council to discuss construction of local transit center

December 13, 2020
Free COVID-19 testing will be temporarily offered at Dekalb High School. Testing will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Board of Trustees approves $1.2 million for COVID-19 testing costs

December 12, 2020
Beverly Henry named interim dean of College of Health and Human Sciences

Beverly Henry named interim dean of College of Health and Human Sciences

December 11, 2020
Rates for New Hall and Northern View are considered separately. Source: Dec. 10 Board of Trustees Agenda.

Board of Trustees approves 2% increase to room and board fees

December 11, 2020
Charles Larson

Colleagues remember late professor Charles Larson

December 9, 2020
Source: Aug. 20 Board of Trustees agenda

Voluntary retirement program sees 96 employees, tenured faculty take advantage

December 3, 2020
DeKalb City Hall, 164 E. Lincoln Highway, in the distance on April 1.

DeKalb City Hall closes to the public

November 30, 2020
Revenues and expenses for the FY20 and projected FY21 budgets are highlighted above.

NIU braces for possible $37.7 million deficit for FY21

November 30, 2020
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