The Student News Site of Northern Michigan University

The North Wind
THANKS HOWARD — Students sign a large Starbucks coffee cup to give their thanks back to Schultz for his donation to the university.
NMU Alumni makes big change on campus through donation
November 20, 2024
THE CLIMB - Students climb the wall at the PEIF for the ORC's Midnight Madness event.
Students soar high at climbing event
November 18, 2024
CLIMATE FINDINGS - Students, staff and community members gather to listen to Stoner and his research findings on climate change.
Dr. Alexander Stoner introduces climate anxiety, illusion of economic growth
November 15, 2024
CULTURE SHOCK - Students gathered in The Science Building for the Culture Shock Film Society’s showing of "Hundreds of Beavers" last Thursday.
Culture Shock Film Society hosts movie showings to broaden students’ worldview
November 15, 2024
A STITCH IN TIME - President of Feminism for All Lindsey Herron shows students how to sew running and overcast stiches.
Feminism for All creates environment for students to learn new skill
November 11, 2024
A pile of finished books, and a 'to read' pile. A few were inspired from social media, mystery book dates and a desire to take advice from writing experts.
Opinion — The Status of literature in the digital age: are we missing the point?
November 21, 2024
GO OUT AND VOTE — Ishpeming residents head inside the second voting station in their city, on the morning of Nov. 5. Much like I had, peacefully utilizing their rights as Americans.
Opinion — Ruminating on the day I voted
November 19, 2024
The bell pulled from the Edmund Fitzgerald in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point.
Opinion — The gales of November remember, so do we
November 19, 2024
Opinion — Coolest campus costumes
November 7, 2024
Room For Improvement- The room students turn in their firearms. As shown, the shooting box lies facing the door, which can cause issues for people walking in to have a gun facing them.
Editorial — The Guns on Campus
November 7, 2024
ALL SET UP — Clothing is laid out for a sustainable swap as part of the Green Friday event.
EcoReps celebrates sustainability
November 21, 2024
BIG SMILES — Tau Kappa Epsilon poses after their rush event with several potential new members. (Photo courtesy of TKE Instagram.)
Breaking Stereotypes — One fraternity’s journey
November 18, 2024
WITNESS AND ACT — The Refugee Outreach Collective ends their Refugee Voices of Resilience event with a call to action.
Students hear refugees’ powerful stories
November 15, 2024
SMARTER, NOT HARDER — Students learn how AI can be used in academically honest ways. (AI-generated Graphic)
AI ate my homework
November 15, 2024
STOP AND SMILE — Student and Rocks and Mineral Club Vice President Thaden Weeks stops and poses in front of a waterfall. This is one of the many different places he stops to teach and learn about geology. (Photo courtesy of Thaden Weeks.)
Profile — Finding passion in geology
November 13, 2024
Hockey ends home weekend in tough losses
Hockey ends home weekend in tough losses
November 15, 2024
Photo Courtesy of NMU Athletics
Women’s basketball opens 2024-25 season with tournament play
November 14, 2024
Volleyball ends weekend in split
Volleyball ends weekend in split
November 14, 2024
Men’s soccer ends season in road split series
Men’s soccer ends season in road split series
November 8, 2024
Hockey gets swept by rival Michigan Tech
Hockey gets swept by rival Michigan Tech
November 8, 2024
Pizza Cat — Vol. 21
Pizza Cat — Vol. 21
November 18, 2024
Tacky tourist vibes take over Lakeview Arena with themed open skate
Tacky tourist vibes take over Lakeview Arena with themed open skate
November 12, 2024
Pizza Cat — Vol. 20
Pizza Cat — Vol. 20
November 12, 2024
Pizza Cat — Vol. 19
Pizza Cat — Vol. 19
November 7, 2024
NMU Students weigh future at the polls in unpredictable 2024 Presidential Election
NMU Students weigh future at the polls in unpredictable 2024 Presidential Election
November 4, 2024

The North Wind

The North Wind
All content by Andie Balenger/NW
DESK EDITOR — A picture of me sitting at my desk in The North Wind office, fully equipped with a black coffee that is spilled and a bag of Fritos — a seemingly natural sight as a journalist. When I first walked into the newsroom, I was completely unaware of the transformation this work experience would have on me.

[Photo] Opinion – Reflecting on my experience as a student journalist

Andie Balenger
April 24, 2023
VOILA, VIOLA — Barbara Rhyneer’s Chamber Ensemble students will be playing Michael Haydn’s “String Quintet in C Major,” which features two violas. Quintets are not a common happening in the world of strings, especially with two viola players.

[Photo] The year of the quintet

Andie Balenger
April 3, 2023
CLIMB ON — Despite bruised shins and jelly limbs, I (climbing on the right) reached the top of this 70-foot ice formation — affectionately named “The Dryer Hose” — with several words of encouragement and a few breaks. While physical strength is a must to reach the top, the mental roadblocks were much more complicated to conquer as I clung to the face of the ice.

[Photo] Opinion — Ice climbing and the reward of perseverance

Andie Balenger
March 21, 2023
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[Photo] Editorial — Embracing innovation in education with ChatGPT

North Wind Editorial Board
March 16, 2023
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SECOND HOME — My uncle’s camp sits quietly at the end of a clearing as my dogs race each other to the door. From sunny days spent on the lake to late night card games, cross-country skiing expenditures to bean bag tournaments, there was always fun to be had at camp.

[Photo] Opinion — Fond memories at a Yooper camp

Andie Balenger
February 17, 2023
EXPRESS YOURSELF — Greta Hillstrom, owner of Fancy-Free, poses with her cat Bobbi McGee in front of one of the store's several home décor displays. Fancy-Free is a curated thrift store with the goal of promoting creativity and art within the local community.

[Photo] Fancy-Free, a curated thrift experience

Andie Balenger
February 6, 2023
Andie Balenger, opinion editor: Not only is this gorgeous mint green coat from a local thrift store but the patterned sweater and necklace I am wearing were bought secondhand as well! More recently, my thrift store hauls have allowed me to develop a unique sense of style that I was unsure I would ever be able to find. Thrifting is one of my greatest (and cheapest) forms of expression because the possibilities are quite literally endless.

[Photo] Opinion — Why you should thrift more

Andie Balenger
February 1, 2023
COMPETITOR — A picture of 8-year-old me (right) competing in a Guitar Hero contest at a fundraiser event in my hometown. Along with being the only child in the competition, I was also the only female. Despite this, I battled my way to the final four, knocking out two men before falling myself.

[Photo] Wild Secrets — I am a Guitar Hero legend

Andie Balenger
November 9, 2022
ALL SMILES — A photo of me when I was 7 years old, giddily smiling with my choice of a cookie cake at my birthday party. When I was younger, my birthday felt like the best day of the year. Now, my birthday forces me to face the fact that I have no choice but to “grow up” and be an adult.

[Photo] Opinion — My struggle with birthday celebrations

Andie Balenger
October 25, 2022
HOT TAKE — Two pumpkin spice lattes, fresh from a local coffee shop. With flavors and scents like cinnamon apple and sweet caramel, we have to wonder whether pumpkin spice is truly the flavor of fall.

[Photo] Editorial — Pumpkin spice, the polarizing fall flavor

North Wind Editorial Board
October 13, 2022
LITTLE BAY — The sun rises above two fishermen on Little Bay de Noc, painting the water shades of yellow in my hometown of Gladstone, Mich. With endless information at our fingertips, Gen Zers now more than ever have been itching to escape their small towns to see what life has to offer them elsewhere.

[Photo] Opinion — Why young people leave their small towns

Andie Balenger
October 13, 2022
GO VOTE — Attendees at “Anatomy of an Election” pose questions to Marie Wicks, a Michigan election official, regarding the voting process. Northern Votes, a student organization, hosted “Anatomy of an Election” to explain the intricacies of casting a ballot on election day.

[Photo] “Anatomy of an Election” dissects voting in Michigan

Andie Balenger
October 10, 2022
COMPANIONS — Beta, left, and Boone, right, pose for a quick picture. Growing up with a dog in the family meant that you always had a friend. Whether it be going for walks or relaxing on the couch, dogs seem to find joy in accompanying us through any endeavor that life has to offer us.

[Photo] Opinion — For the love of dogs

Andie Balenger, Opinion Editor
September 13, 2022
COFFEE BREAK — The Student Equity and Engagement Center office is set to host its first Student Diversity Coffee Hour of the fall semester. Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend the event, where issues impacting the lives of those on campus will be discussed over a hot cup of coffee or tea.

[Photo] Coffee Hour providing open forum for all

Andie Balenger, Opinion Editor
September 12, 2022
Old North Wind Article written by Brian Rowell

[Photo] Alumni Profile – Brian Rowell Reflects On NMU, Daily Press

Harry Stine, Assistant Features Editor
September 9, 2022
WANDERLUST — A breathtaking view to be enjoyed after a long hike on the Ice Lake Basin trail in Silverton, Colorado. Methods for alleviating stress can come in a variety of forms, like athletics, crafting and hiking.

[Photo] Opinion — Escapism: Wandering through the woods

Andie Balenger, Opinion Editor
September 7, 2022
BROWSE AROUND — Poster Sale attendees flip through large booklets of various images as Lydelle Jackson, left, assists a customer who is purchasing a Johnny Cash poster. Jackson, director of poster sales at the College Poster Sale Company, has been providing Northern Michigan University students with unique posters of famous artwork, popular musicians and video games since last Thursday as part of NMU’s welcome back festivities.

[Photo] Poster Sale equips students with creative pieces

Andie Balenger, Opinion Editor
August 29, 2022
BRAS, CORSETS, GIRDLES OH MY! – Phyllis Michael Wong displays authentic fabrics and outlines that were used by the Gossard Girls during their production of women’s undergarments. The Gossard Girls kept the town of Ishpeming, Michigan economically well for over 50 years while pushing the societal boundaries that limited union and labor rights for women at the time.

[Photo] Phyllis Michael Wong gives a voice to the Gossard Girls

Andie Balenger, Staff Writer
April 18, 2022
WONDERLAND-Although temperatures and wind chill have been extremely cold of late, there are still safe ways to enjoy the outdoors provided you prepare adequately.

[Photo] Opinion—Outdoor recreation: preparedness, recommendations and rental options

Andie Balenger, contributing writer
January 28, 2022
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