Pass: Troops to receive holiday surpriseThe ROTC program is set to send soldiers in eastern Afghanistan care packages for Thanksgiving, according to today’s Northern Star article.I’ve had relatives overseas during holidays in the past, and holidays...

The Affordable Care Act is rolling into DeKalb County, and local health officials want to clear up confusion on its sign-up process.The Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace opened for enrollment on Oct. 1 and 82 state health organizations are taking...

Pass: Kids help clean trash on Sycamore streetsMore than 150 kids from Sycamore and surrounding areas helped pick up litter Saturday, according to the Daily Chronicle.Kids Work Day, organized with the help of Sycamore High School Key Club, took place...

AJ EdwardsCarry law needs guidanceOn July 9, Illinois approved the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, giving licensed residents permission to carry a concealed handgun. While I can see the good intentions behind this act and support it to an extent, I feel...

Sometimes, I’m not very proud to live in Illinois. From our crooked politicians to our increasing debt, Illinois has a lot of room for improvement. I decided I wanted to seek out something that makes Illinois unique and interesting, something I could...

In an effort to celebrate Earth Month, Gov. Pat Quinn has allocated about $98,000 in electronic waste recycling grants for 49 counties, including DeKalb County. DeKalb County will receive $2,000 in grant money which will go toward advertising its electronic...

NIU’s downgraded credit score may not greatly affect its future plans. On Tuesday, Moody’s Investors Service announced that ratings have been downgraded for four Illinois universities, including NIU. Moody’s is “an essential component of the global...

Illinois citizens are facing conceal and carry proposals in the wake of a federal court ruling. Darren Mitchell, acting chief of the NIU Police Department, said the department is paying attention to what is happening in regard to conceal and carry and...