The Student News Site of Northern Michigan University

The North Wind
TELL YOUR STORY - Hanif Abdurraqib stands before his audience, inspiring them with his words.
Writer Hanif Abdurraqib visits NMU
March 12, 2025
LISTEN AND LEARN - Marquette Ending Hunger hosts a trivia night using Quizzizz.
Marquette Ending Hunger hosts trivia night
March 11, 2025
BAKING TIME — Presenter Susan Robison explains what goes into sourdough starter at a Skill Builder called, "The Wonders of Sourdough."
SLFP holds Skill Builder, teaches ins and outs of sourdough making
February 27, 2025
CELEBRATE LOVE - The Black Student Union hosted a bake sale in the Jamrich ticket booth for Black Love Day.
Black Student Union hosts Black Love Day bake sale
February 24, 2025
SWEETS - Upon entering Hedgcock on Valentine's Day, students were met with a variety of sweet treats and homemade Valentines.
Student Support Services hosts festive Valentine’s Day bake sale
February 24, 2025
EXPRESS YOURSELF- News Editor Megan Voorhees puts herself out their in an odd way. Graphic by Deirdre Northrup-Riesterer
Getting back out of my hermit shell
February 27, 2025
In February of 2024, community members and students gathered at the Lower Harbor bell tower in downtown Marquette to protest in support of Palestine.
NMU’s involvement in protesting
February 21, 2025
Beyoncé accepting a Grammy Award at the 2025 music award show. (photo courtesy of GRAMMY.com)
Drama at the Grammys
February 21, 2025
SCENE SETTING — The opening scene of Much Ado About Nothing, as a group of Yoopers sneak up on a deer. Highlighting the setting of the UP and the second week of deer camp.
Much Ado About Nothing — A review
February 20, 2025
Why I think Valentine's Day needs more love
Why I think Valentine’s Day needs more love
February 14, 2025
Wellbeing hosts Sip Smart with NMU PD
Wellbeing hosts Sip Smart with NMU PD
March 14, 2025
DONT MISS OUT - Join the South Superior Climbing Club to watch several climbing films and have the chance to win raffle prizes.
South Superior Climbing Club to host Reel Rock 19 showing
March 12, 2025
STOP AND SMILE — Jane Fitkin stops to admire Marquette's natural landscape, which she has gone on to advocate for in a variety of ways.
Profile — NMU alum becomes voice for environment
March 12, 2025
TIME TO JUDGE — Chili chefs get ready for students to judge their recipes at the annual cook-off.
Getting creative at the Annual Chili Cook-Off
February 27, 2025
WAY TO ROCK — Student band Total Head rocks the Northern Center during the Peak 25 Conference.
Total Head takes over Northern Center
February 27, 2025
GET BACK - The 'Cats are looking to get back to winning this week after dropping two close games. NMU is 15-6 (7-4 GLIAC) and is hoping to get to the top of the standings after this weekend.
Men’s basketball wins the GLIAC, heads to the dance
March 14, 2025
Lacrosse ends three game stretch with split
Lacrosse ends three game stretch with split
March 14, 2025
SPEEDING BY - Victoria Dybwad racing in the Nordic Ski team's NCAA race.
Nordic Ski takes home gold in NCAA Regionals
March 11, 2025
NMU Women’s Wrestling Boasts Successful Outing at Regional Qualifier
NMU Women’s Wrestling Boasts Successful Outing at Regional Qualifier
February 28, 2025
St. Thomas hands NMU back-to-back losses in Wildcats’ home finale
St. Thomas hands NMU back-to-back losses in Wildcats’ home finale
February 27, 2025
Pizza Cat — Vol. 29
Pizza Cat — Vol. 29
March 11, 2025
St. Thomas hands NMU back-to-back losses in Wildcats’ home finale
St. Thomas hands NMU back-to-back losses in Wildcats’ home finale
February 27, 2025
Pizza Cat — Vol. 28
Pizza Cat — Vol. 28
February 18, 2025
Caden Sierra/NW
Wildcats fall short in close battle with Grand Valley State as regionals approach
February 13, 2025
SAFE SEX - Students participate in the Condom Carnival on campus. (Caden Sierra/NW)
Student Equity and Engagement Center hosts Condom Carnival
February 11, 2025

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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[Photo] Editorial — Embracing innovation in education with ChatGPT

North Wind Editorial Board
March 16, 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
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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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
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
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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