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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

An AI interpretation of Northern Illinois University’s Altgeld Hall stands under a blue sky, developed by the AI image generator site Adobe Firefly. The Northern Star will be run by AI effective immediately, covering campus and local news via artificial intelligence. (Adobe Firefly Image)

Editorial: AI to cover campus news

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | March 31, 2024

DeKALB – In a bold move that merges tradition with innovation, the Northern Star, NIU's trusted source of news and information, has announced a groundbreaking transition. The editorial team, led by Editor-in-Chief Jane Smith, is replacing themselves...

A figure sinks down into colored layers of green and blue. Public perception of student loans can be harmful, often ignoring the possibility of "drowning in debt." (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Editorial: Student loans create possibility, not affordability

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | March 24, 2024

Student loans do not make things affordable. In fact, after interest accrues, they do the exact opposite. That’s not to say they aren’t a good resource for students otherwise unable to afford college, but student loans have been over-normalized as...

A huskie puppy holds a voting ballot in its mouth with its front paws up on a ballot box that reads “Vote!” Primary elections are just as important as general elections, and college students should participate in the upcoming Illinois primary elections. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

Editorial: Primary elections need your vote

By Northern Star Editorial Board | March 3, 2024

Primary elections are coming up, and it’s of the utmost importance to vote in them, even as college students. The Illinois primary elections are the elections that determine who will be on the ballot in November for the general elections. Tasha...

A newspaper lays open on a table to a page that reads “Letters to the Editor.” The Northern Star does not receive many letters to the editor, but the Northern Star Editorial Board would love to see readers sending in more! (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Editorial: Letters to the editor benefit journalism

By The Northern Star Editorial Board | February 25, 2024

The last letter to the editor the Northern Star published was in February 2023. Don’t be shy, readers, send in more! WHAT ARE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR? A letter to the editor is written by a reader and delivered to a publication, often to share a...

A locker room is divided down the middle with aging and broken lockers on one side and sparkling, new lockers on the other. The Rec Center’s new locker room renovations are a good start, but much more could be done. (Debbie Allen | Northern Star)

Editorial: Rec Center renovations good, but not enough

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 11, 2024

The NIU Recreation Center renovations have finally addressed the locker rooms’ glaring issues, but there is still a lot more work to be done. From the dark stains on the carpet to ugly blue lockers that began rusting what looked like years ago, the...

A group of students gather outside an SGA meeting. The Northern Star Editorial Board is disappointed that the SGA would let another petition, aimed as helping students, fail. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

SGA disappoints by failing another petition

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 26, 2023

NIU’s Student Government Association has failed students again by overthinking approval of another petition.  The SGA now has two failed petitions, proving its failure to help students.  A petition is the SGA’s highest form of authority; and...

A group of Northern Star staffers sit around a table. The Northern Star Editorial Board outlines the basics of news literacy. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Editorial: ‘The truth shall bear all light,’ journalism explained

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 12, 2023

Not everyone understands the function of news or news organizations, so the Northern Star Editorial Board is outlining its functions and the capabilities of journalism. The Society for Professional Journalism: “Members of the Society of Professional...

Editorial: Victor E. statue falls short of expectations

By Northern Star Editorial Board | November 5, 2023

A new Victor E. Huskie statue was unveiled in downtown DeKalb. While a nice gesture, it's ugly. The statue is a painted Victor E. mascot holding up the Huskie hand symbol. However, the statue isn’t even a 1:1 recreation. It is significantly shorter...

An illustration of Paul McCartney sits under the words “Paul Lives on!” The Northern Star Editorial Board apologizes to the singer for encouraging false rumors of his death. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Editorial: Northern Star apologizes to Paul McCartney 54 years later

By Northern Star Editorial Board | September 24, 2023

The Northern Star Editorial Board would like to sincerely apologize to Paul McCartney, a musical icon, for our false Sept. 23, 1969, print issue that unethically speculated that he was dead. In 2004, the Star finally decided to yield to the truth...

Athletes across different sports doing signature actions for their sports. NIU student-athletes did an amazing job this year. (Amber Siegel | Northern Star)

Editorial: NIU student-athletes excelled this year

Editor’s note: Joey Trella, opinion editor and NIU student-athlete, was not a part of writing this editorial.  Participating in collegiate athletics at the Division I level is a dream that only a select few can accomplish. An even fewer number of...

Two people hugging as others walk by on a rainy and gloomy day. With traumatic events constantly happening, remember to take care of yourself and those around you.

Editorial: Dear students, don’t let doom consume you

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 26, 2023

As the 15th anniversary of the shooting at NIU and images of the Feb. 13 Michigan State University shooting loom over our heads, it's hard for students to return to our everyday lives.  Of course, these events and others like them cause stress. It’s...

Multiple hands holding phones with play signs and exclamation marks. Social media users and platforms should be more considerate when sharing graphic content for other users to spread.

Editorial: We cause pain by sharing graphic, violent videos

By Northern Star Editorial Board | February 12, 2023

The recent social media trend of sharing graphic videos and content needs to end. It makes sense to share what has happened with the rest of the world because it will bring awareness and hold accountability, but it's unnecessary to share such graphic,...