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Speechapalooza returns April 24

The Principles of Public Relations class is proud to announce Speechapalooza 2025. Speechapalooza is a Northern Essex event celebrating free speech, where student participants will have an opportunity to present speeches on whatever topics they want. The event will take place on April 24th from 12:30 PM, until 2:30 PM…


Friends and foes: Connecting on a commuter campus post-pandemic

To write stories about Campus Life at Northern Essex is like writing about what’s going on in your neighbors’ houses from the perspective of the street. You’ve got to peek into windows and behind closed doors where quiet conversations connect through cups on invisible strings. There’s an elephant on campus…


NECC’s budding cannabis courses

College offers certificates focused on jobs in the industry Since its legalization in 2016, following the decriminalization of cannabis in 2008, Massachusetts has emerged as a leader in the recreational cannabis sector, becoming the 18th state in the nation to embrace this progressive change. The legalization has not only reshaped…

A graph showing predictedgrowth in cannabis industry jobs


Alexa Plus: A new era of voice assistance, but at what cost?

Amazon’s latest innovation, Alexa Plus, promises to revolutionize the way we interact with voice assistants. With enhanced voice recognition capabilities powered by generative AI, Alexa Plus is designed to provide a more personalized and efficient user experience. However, this advancement comes with significant changes to how user data is handled,…

An Amazon echo device made to look like an owl


NECC alumni named to national board

The YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) has welcomed new national board members, including NECC alumni Nayeli Almanzar Lizardo, who has been named  to the Youth Advisory Council.  Nationwide, only 3.8% of YMCA board members are under the age of 30. As a youth-serving organization, the Y has the opportunity to…

A woman's face smiling


Astronauts return to Earth: Two were stranded for nine months

Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams have finally returned home after unexpected issues during the test of Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft forced the two to dock aboard the International Space Station. The Boeing Crew Flight Test launched on June 5, 2024, and was expected to last eight days, with a…


Reflecting on Hurricane Maria: Many people still feel storm’s impact in their lives

Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic were both hit by Hurricane Maria in 2017 -- the storm continues to affect how some people live now and created a traumatic situation.  Today I will share the reflections of who told me about their experiences and a little about how they live…


Open mic night brings Lawrence community together

On the 20th of February, an open mic was held at El taller & Cafe Azteca, hosted by Sebastian Navedo (also known as Bigman) and ISHA! Known for its calm vibes and delicious food, El Taller also hosts open mics.  El Taller is a place where many artists and other…


2024, a year in review: Pop culture moments that captivated us

Looking back on 2024, it’s clear that the year was heavily marked by major pop culture moments that fascinated audiences and sparked conversations.  It was a year that we radically changed the way we connect with culture whether it be on or offline. From music feuds to viral memes, these…


An immigration journey

From the Dominican Republic to a new beginning Moving to a new country is never easy, but for one local student, it was a journey filled with challenges, resilience, and personal growth. In this exclusive interview, she shares her experience of leaving the Dominican Republic, adjusting to a new culture,…