As of Monday, NIU has reduced masking requirements in accordance with the CDC’s new guidelines. Masks will be optional in classrooms across campus unless otherwise indicated by the instructor or faculty. They will also continue to be required on public transportation, surveillance testing areas, and health clinics.

llinois’ Governor says he is cooperating in the federal investigation into former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. J.B. Pritzker visited Northern Illinois University on Thursday to talk about lowering the cost of higher education, but he also addressed the indictment handed down against Michael Madigan on charges of bribery and racketeering.

Russia launched a widespread attack in Ukraine Thursday morning that, among other cities, brought explosions to the country’s capital.

Tensions in Europe are erupting now that Russian military forces invaded Ukraine. In response, Ukraine has severed diplomatic ties with Russia. Here in the United States, political leaders are closely watching the events unfold.

Give DeKalb County is currently looking for participant groups for its May 5 fundraising event.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has announced over $1.6 million in funding to the City of Sycamore to replace Lead Service Lines. This funding comes through a low-interest loan from the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund, which provides funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. The city of Sycamore will replace about 120 lead service lines with funding. According to the most recent Service Line Material Inventory Report, the city has 224 known lead service lines in the community water supply.

NIU’s new mask mandate will soon take effect. Starting Monday, Feb. 28th, students and faculty are only required to wear their masks during in-person instruction, on public transportation, surveillance testing and healthcare locations, and other spaces where high-transmission of the virus can occur.

UPDATE: The Sycamore teachers’ union has reached a tentative agreement with the district as of late Thursday night. They had filed their intent to strike earlier this week after stalled contract negotiations with the school district.

This week, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that the state will join California, New York, and many others in suspending an indoor mask mandate.

A Northern Illinois University student died Monday morning in the Jack Arends Visual Arts Building.