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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Devin Oommen

Devin Oommen, Former News Editor

Devin Oommen is the news editor at the Northern Star. He is a senior at NIU majoring in political science. Devin is involved in the economic student association and mortar board honor society. He also works part time as a personal trainer.

Devin’s hobbies include exercising, reading and cooking. He hopes to work as a data scientist. Devin covers the city council beat.

All content by Devin Oommen
The Northern Star news team stands for a group photo in the Peters Campus Life Building. The spring 2025 News Editor Devin Oommen will be graduating May 10 with a bachelors in political science. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Goodbye student journalism, news editor signing out

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
May 4, 2025
Steve Larson, a mechanical engineering instructor at NIU Rock Valley campus, listens to a presentation of a pressure switch design test rig at the senior design showcase. The 2025 Senior Design Showcase will take place May 2 at the Convocation Center. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU to host engineering Senior Design Showcase Friday

By Austin Lamb and Devin Oommen
April 30, 2025
The visas of 5 NIU students have been reinstated after being revoked earlier this month. The reinstatements come after ICE announced last week that the agency would reverse the termination of legal status for international students across the U.S. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

BREAKING: 5 NIU student visas reinstated after being revoked

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
April 29, 2025
A map shows the state of Illinois separated by county borders. In Fall 2024, 3,416 of NIU’s in-state students were from Cook County. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Counties in-state NIU students originate from

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
April 18, 2025
An NIU sign is pictured in the MLK Commons. Five international students had their visas revoked, according to NIU officials. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

5 NIU international student visas revoked, university officials confirm

By Austin Lamb and Devin Oommen
April 10, 2025
A screenshot from an image obtained through a Freedom of Information Act Request shows what remained of 1024 W. Hillcrest Drive after a fire in the building late last year. Documents obtained through freedom of information act requests show the property owner was in the process of resolving fire code violations in the months leading up to the fire. (City of DeKalb)

Administrative delays, code violations persisted leading up to Tri-Frat fire

By Devin Oommen and Naomi Kelly
April 9, 2025
Candidates for DeKalb’s mayoral election sit at a candidate forum on March 9. Candidates shared responses to a survey sent to them by the Northern Star. (Courtesy of Daniel VanTilburg)

Meet the candidates for DeKalb’s mayoral election

By Devin Oommen and Joseph Ndu
April 1, 2025
A graphic shows NIU’s staff and faculty by ethnicity group. In FY’2025, 66% of NIU’s staff and faculty are white. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

NIU’s staff and faculty demographics

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
March 31, 2025
An image shows a world map that visualizes the origin country of NIU’s international students. Of NIU’s 970 international students, 44% are from India. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Where are NIU’s international students from?

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
March 27, 2025
An image shows the mugshot of Jonathan Hurst in 2020. On Thursday, Hurst was sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison for the 2016 killing of Patricia and Robert Wilson. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office)

Jonathan Hurst sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
March 21, 2025
A map shows the origin of NIU students. Most students are from Illinois and the surrounding states. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Where are NIU students from?

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
March 7, 2025
The Illinois Capitol Building sits in the sun. The BEARS Act, proposed by Illinois Rep. Bob Morgan, would tie public funding of stadium renovations to a teams performance. (Getty Images)

Proposed law would tie funding to teams performance

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
March 7, 2025
lexa Flores (from left), a junior communications major, Alondra Duenas, a senior communications major, and Ashley McNamara, a senior health sciences major, sit in the Founders Memorial Library on April 24, 2024. Illinois has invested $10 million into free test prep for students. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

NIU rolls out free test prep

By Anna Wittenkeller and Devin Oommen
March 6, 2025
A graph shows enrollment at NIU by college. In Fall 2024, the top three colleges by enrollment were the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and the College of Education. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

NIU enrollment by college

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
March 5, 2025
lllinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his annual budget address in front of House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, left, and Senate President Don Harmon, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. Ill. Pritzker advocated for the state to allow community colleges to offer 4 year degrees for certain programs and announced budget cuts. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Pritzker talks budget, rise of American authoritarianism at State of the State address

By Jonathan Durbin and Devin Oommen
February 20, 2025
DeKalb resident Norma Gregorio-Perez speaks to a group of protestors gathered at the corner of Lincoln Hwy and 1st Street. Gregorio-Perez said since January immigrants have been living in fear of their safety. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Area residents march through DeKalb in show of unity with immigrants

By Devin Oommen and Mariestrella Corral
February 17, 2025
Steel coils at the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel production facility in Hamilton, Ontario, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. Ray Stout, executive director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild said aluminum and steel tariffs will negatively impact Illinois craft breweries. (Nick Iwanyshyn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Illinois craft breweries brace for impact of aluminum, steel tariffs

By Devin Oommen and Jonathan Durbin
February 14, 2025
A photo shows young adults drinking at a party. A bill proposed in Illinois would allow 18-20 year olds to purchase alcohol legally when accompanied by a parent. (Getty Images)

Proposed Illinois bill would allow 18 year olds to legally drink alcohol

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
February 10, 2025
A photo shows DeKalb mayoral candidate Linh Nguyen meeting with residents. On Friday the city moved to dismiss Nguyen’s appeal of an electoral board ruling that removed her from April’s election. (Courtesy of Linh Nguyen)

City moves to dismiss Linh Nguyen’s appeal over ballot removal

By Devin Oommen and Jonathan Durbin
February 3, 2025
Potential DeKalb mayoral candidate Linh Nguyen stands outside a window. Nguyen will be on the ballot in April’s mayoral election if she receives 20 votes in a primary election. (Courtesy of Linh Nguyen)

Linh Nguyen triggers primary election

By Jonathan Durbin and Devin Oommen
January 23, 2025
A flag supporting President Donald Trump for president in 2024 flies in the front yard of a house on April 24, 2023, in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. Last week, a retired NIU professor was arrested and charged with throwing bags of cat feces into yards with Trump flags. (AP Photo/Kyle Green)

Retired NIU professor arrested for throwing bags of cat feces at houses with Trump flags

By Anna Wittenkeller and Devin Oommen
January 21, 2025
Students gather in the lobby of the Stevenson B dormitory around 8:23am. A pipe burst in the dorm requiring the dorm to be shut down Tuesday morning. (Katie Follmer | Northern Star)

Pipe bursts in Stevenson Tower B Residence Hall

By Devin Oommen, Katie Follmer, Isabella Froh, and Austin Lamb
January 21, 2025
Eddie Guerrero giving a speech on why he should be made Parliamentarian. Guerrero currently serves as a Senator on NIU’s Student Government Association. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

SGA appoints new parliamentarian

By Kahlil Kambui and Devin Oommen
January 20, 2025
A graph shows the distribution of grades NIU undergraduate students received in fall 2023 and spring 2024. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

What kind of grades did NIU students receive in the last academic school year?

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
January 17, 2025
An image shows the mugshot of Jonathan Hurst in 2020. Jury selection for Hurst’s trial will begin on Tuesday. Hurst is accused of murdering Sycamore residents Patricia and Robert Wilson. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office)

Jury selection in Sycamore double murder trial to start Tuesday

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
January 16, 2025
An image shows a college graduate holding a piggy bank. On Friday, NIU students received an email notification that MAP grant amounts would be reduced by 8%. (skodonnell via Getty Images)

MAP grant disbursement decreases for Spring 2025

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
January 15, 2025
An image shows the state of a collapsed 1024 W. Hillcrest Dr. apartment building. The building caught fire on Dec. 22 and is set to be demolished. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Christmas week fire forces NIU students and residents to relocate

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
January 14, 2025
A graphic shows the Illinois state seal, an image depicting a member of a gym, a mobile drivers license and a payscale. Nearly 300 new laws went into effect at the start of 2025. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

New laws taking effect in Illinois and what students think of them

By Devin Oommen and Austin Lamb
January 14, 2025
A map visualizes locations that crime occurred at NIU in December 2024. The Northern Star has created a crime map that will be updated every month. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Northern Star launches NIU PD crime map

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
January 12, 2025
A mugshot shows Devonne Montgomery, age 30. Montgomery was arrested Wednesday and charged with the murder of 31-year-old Jasmine Dejournette. (DeKalb Police Department)

DeKalb man charged with murder of 31-year-old woman

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
January 9, 2025
A map shows 1024 and 934 W. Hillcrest Drive. A fire broke out at these apartments Sunday night. (Apple Maps under Fair Use)

Breaking: Fire at 1000 Block of Hillcrest Drive

By Devin Oommen, News Editor
December 22, 2024
(left) Ruth Scott, executive assistant for the City of DeKalb, Mike Verbic, 6th Ward Alderman, Tracy Smith, 3rd Ward Alderman, and Matthew Rose, DeKalb City Attorney sit at a table Tuesday morning during a meeting to determine if Linh Nguyen would be allowed to run for mayor or not. Linh Nguyen has been disqualified from the ballot, but her team plans to appeal the decision. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Linh Nguyen removed from DeKalb mayoral ballot by electoral board

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
November 20, 2024
A car passes a farmhouse at 2036 W. Lincoln Highway which will remain after construction of the solar farm in the surrounding agriculture fields. The DeKalb City Council approved a request from PSE Huber IL Solar LLC to build a five megawatt solar farm. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

DeKalb Public Library proposes tax increase

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
November 13, 2024
(From left) Ruth Scott, executive assistant in the City Manager's office, 6th ward alderman Mike Verbic, 3rd ward alderman Tracy Smith and City Attorney Matt Rose sit at a table during a DeKalb Municipal Officers Electoral Board meeting Thursday. NIU staff member Linh Nguyen had objections brought against her running for mayor. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Objections filed against DeKalb mayoral candidate Linh Nguyen

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
November 8, 2024
A graph depicts the percentages of voter turnouts in DeKalb County from the presidential elections in 2016, 2020 and 2024. DeKalb voter turnout in 2024 has increased 2% from the 2020 election. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

[Photo] 2024 DeKalb County voter turnout increases by 2% compared to 2020

By Emily Beebe, News Editor
November 7, 2024
The entrance to the Kraft Heinz Building sits at the ChicagoWest Business Center. Its opening has been delayed to 2027. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Kraft Heinz opening will be delayed two years

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
November 5, 2024
Political signs promoting for the State’s Attorney and United States Congress election are placed in the grass next to the 400 Buildings on East Hillcrest Drive. NIU will be closed Tuesday in observance for General Election Day. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Important information to know for Election Day 2024

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 29, 2024
The property where the DeKalb Fire Station #4 will be located, 1130 S. Malta Road, sits on a Monday afternoon. City Council discussed whether tax rates should be lowered in DeKalb at its meeting Monday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

New 1.3 million square foot development approved as DeKalb weighs tax cuts

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 29, 2024
People sit in chairs in the Regency Room of the Holmes Student Center Wednesday for a panel discussion on the 2024 election. The discussion was sponsored by NIU's Department of Political Science. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

NIU faculty talk polls and polarization ahead of presidential election

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 23, 2024
The Union Pacific station between North Sixth and North Seventh Street's railroad crossings sits in desperate need for repair with its boarded up windows and holes through its brick walls. The City of DeKalb expects to hear by the end of the year as to whether or not they can move forward with their plan to bring a Metra train station to DeKalb. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

City expects update on possible DeKalb Metra extension by year’s end

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 17, 2024
Matt Streb, chief of staff to NIU President Lisa Freeman and NIU political science professor, stands behind a podium and addresses the members of the DeKalb City Council. The sale of the property where the Greek Life Center will be built is set to close on Oct. 21. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

NIU Foundation moves closer to closing sale for Greek Life Center

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 14, 2024
A graphic depicts an FBI police vest, a police badge, crime scene tape and a jail cell. 2023 FBI crime statistics show DeKalb is almost three times the national rate for violent crime. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

DeKalb violent crime rate down, but still thrice national rate

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 13, 2024
A graphic shows The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation logo, a scammer, a loan and students. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking and the Illinois Attorney General issued a warning on Thursday to inform students of student loan scams. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Beware of new scam targeting student loan borrowers

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 3, 2024
NIU Chief of Police Darren Mitchell types on his computer in his office. The NIU Police Department currently has 41 police officers on staff. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU Police staffing rebounds after years of decline

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
October 1, 2024
A police car sits parked on NIU's campus. NIU released their Clery Act report on Monday and saw a dramatic spike in domestic violence last year compared to 2022. (Northern Star File Photo)

Clery Act report shows alarming rise in domestic violence cases

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 30, 2024
The members of DeKalb City Council sit at the city council meeting Monday. The DeKalb City Council passed an ordinance in a 5-2 vote to add a cosmetic liquor license. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

City Council approves alcohol sales in salons, barbershops and spas

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 24, 2024
A sign that reads N.I.U. Huskie Motorsports sits attached to a trailer in the parking lot nearby the NIU Convocation Center. The NIU Huskie Motorsports club will host a car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 22. (Courtesy of NIU Huskie Motorsports)

NIU Huskie Motorsports to host car show Sept. 22

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 20, 2024
Mayor Cohen Barnes (from left), former 5th Ward Alderman Scott McAdams, 6th Ward Alderman Mike Verbic and 7th Ward Alderman John Walker sit at the Feb. 26 City Council meeting. The DeKalb City Council violated the Open Meetings Act at the Feb. 26 meeting by cutting off a citizen's public comment. (Northern Star File Photo)

DeKalb city council violated Open Meetings Act at Feb. 26 meeting

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 17, 2024
A empty plot of land on Blackhawk Road where the Greek Life Center will be built sits on a cloudy day. The land purchase for the Greek Life Center is set to close on Oct. 21. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Land purchase for Greek Life Center expected to close on Oct. 21

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 13, 2024
Members of the DeKalb city council talk at Monday's City Council meeting. The city council voted on an ordinance that would allow salons, spas and barbershops to sell alcohol to people 21 or older. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

City Council moves closer to allowing alcohol in salons and barbershops

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 9, 2024
The Lucinda Bridge, across from the Music Building, sits with barricades nearby blocking off the entrance to the bridge. Construction for the Lucinda Bridge is expected to be completed Sept. 20. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Lucinda Bridge expected to reopen Sept. 20

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 8, 2024
A person sits with their arm out while they're getting their blood drawn. Participants who wish to sign up to donate blood ahead of time can do so through the Red Cross website. (Getty Images)

Student Nurses Organization to host blood drive at NIU

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 5, 2024
A barricade that reads NIU Zone sits on Normal Road. The roundabout at the intersection of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue is expected to be completed by August 2025. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

Normal Road roundabout to be completed by August 2025

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 3, 2024
A sign that reads "Disability is Diversity" hangs on a wall in the Disability Resource Center. The Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is a new service through the DRC that provides captioning for students with hearing impairments. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

NIU provides accessibility to students with hearing disabilities

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
August 29, 2024
Members of the DeKalb City Council sit at a table during Mondays City Council meeting. The DeKalb City Council passed an ordinance decreasing the salary of the city clerk from $8,000 to $0. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

City Council proposes new tax district

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
August 27, 2024
Different graphs shows car crash data from 2023 in DeKalb. In 2023, DeKalb had 580 more crashes than 2013. (Northern Star graphic)

DeKalb sees an increase in car crashes

By Devin Oommen and Rachel Cormier
May 1, 2024
A Togetherall page asks for a patients concerns. Togetherall is a mental health platform that NIU is partnering with. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU offers new mental health app for students

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
February 20, 2024
NIU President Lisa Freeman answers a question from Faculty Senate President Ben Creed on the current state of the university’s campus. The address consisted of a conversation between Freeman and Creed and a 10-minute question and answer session. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Freeman touts accomplishments, students protest at State of the University address

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
February 9, 2024

DeKalb Area Women’s Center to host holiday shopping fair

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
November 28, 2023
Two gas nozzles sit on a gas pump. Gas has gone up an average of 3.8 cents in Illinois. (Getty Images | Iryna Melnyk)

Illinois gas prices rise

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
November 17, 2023
The Board of Trustees conduct its meeting at Altgeld Hall, Room 315. NIU’s Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations Committee discussed the $18 million operating deficit for the 2023 fiscal year. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

Board reports $18 million deficit for 2023 fiscal year

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
November 9, 2023
Charles Rose, a Sycamore attorney, sits in front of a gray background. Rose announced he is running for DeKalb County State's Attorney. (Courtesy of Charles Rose)

Sycamore attorney enters state’s attorney race

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
November 2, 2023
A pre-filled naloxone syringe rests on top of its box. Northwestern Medicine will be distributing the drug and taking back prescription drugs Saturday. ( Intropin (Mark Oniffrey) | CC BY-SA 4.0)

Northwestern Medicine to distribute Narcan nasal spray

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 26, 2023
Palestinians walk by destroyed buildings in the outskirts of Gaza city. A conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing since a surprise attack on Oct.7. (Ali Mahmoud | AP)

NIU professors discuss conflict between Israel, Hamas

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 20, 2023
Multiple graphs show the makeup of NIU's student body. The student body of 15,504 students can be broken up in many different ways. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Breaking down NIU’s Fall 2023 enrollment

By Joey Trella and Devin Oommen
October 19, 2023
The DeKalb County Veterans Recognition Fund committee stand in front of the DeKalb Veterans Memorial (from left): Mike Coghlan, Ron Lofton, Michael Embrey, Jerry Smith, and Paul Jerde. The fund will support the DeKalb County Veterans group honor veterans. (Courtesy of the DeKalb County Community Foundation)

DeKalb County Veterans receive new funding

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 12, 2023

Illinois prison libraries to receive grant

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 5, 2023
Stuffed backpacks hanging on clothing racks with stories attached to the backpacks about students who died by suicide as a part of Sending Silence Packing on Wednesday in MLK Commons. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Send Silence Packing, ‘no one wants to see you go’

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 5, 2023
John Acardo stands in front of Altgeld Hall. Acardo was recently hired as the senior associate vice president and chief Human Resource officer. (Courtesy of John Acardo)

John Acardo to ‘shape HR’ at NIU

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 3, 2023
Rows of lettuce, kale and other greens at Anderson Hall are grown as a part of the Edible Campus program. One of the goals of the sustainability plan is to incorporate these crops into part of the school’s dining plan. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Campus sustainability proposes green initiatives for NIU

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 2, 2023

NIU to host suicide prevention, awareness event

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
October 2, 2023
A do not cross line is place in font of police lights. The Clery act requires a yearly report be disclosed that includes crime statistics on incidents that happen on or near campus. NIU released their report Thursday. (Getty Images)

NIU reports a spike in rape and domestic violence

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
September 28, 2023

Joint investigation with FBI leads to drug bust

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
September 26, 2023
Participants of the Corn Classic 10K run Sunday down Third St. The Corn Classic starts and ends in downtown DeKalb taking runners through NIU’s Campus, and Van Buer Plaza with historical sites along the way. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

DeKalb Corn Classic brings community a runners high

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
September 24, 2023
Patrick Sheridan, the president of AFSCME Local 963 labor union criticizes the university's budget cuts for university staff and service workers on Sept. 21 at the Board of Trustees meeting. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

NIU board of trustees faces union backlash

By Devin Oommen, Senior News Reporter
September 23, 2023
NIU union members and faculty attend the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday at Altgeld Hall. The board listened to public comment from union members about employee wages at NIU. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star)

[Photo] Bargain talks continue, unions feel upset

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor
September 22, 2023
A sign for Classic Books sits on the wall of a Garage. Classic Books is a bookstore in downtown DeKalb. (Northern Star File Photo)

Classic Books: A garage bookstore, DeKalb staple

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 12, 2023
NIU student's art works with green paint smeared on them sit on a cart. The paint ruined student's art work. (Courtesy of Abbie Hultquist)

Art building vandalized, students demand change

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 8, 2023
A white SUV was part of a two-vehicle collision Friday. The area of the crash, the 1500 block of South Fourth Street, was reopened to the public at around 11:20 a.m. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star) (edited)

BREAKING: Car Crash on South 4th Street

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter
September 1, 2023
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