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Indiana reaches deal to try to steal Chicago Bears

Indiana lawmakers moved legislation Thursday to build an NFL stadium in Hammond.

Sports

Indiana lawmakers say they have reached a tentative deal with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Bears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/26/bears-caleb-williams-playoffs-eagles-49ers-packers-johnson" data-vars-content-id="7d283857-00aa-4577-9c73-20ad14395df0" data-vars-headline="Indiana reaches deal to try to steal Chicago Bears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/11/26/bears-caleb-williams-playoffs-eagles-49ers-packers-johnson" target="_self">Chicago Bears</a> to build an NFL stadium in Hammond.Why it matters: It would be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic move" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/illinois-indiana-bears-stadium-pritzker-braun-hammond-arlington" data-vars-content-id="7d283857-00aa-4577-9c73-20ad14395df0" data-vars-headline="Indiana reaches deal to try to steal Chicago Bears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/illinois-indiana-bears-stadium-pritzker-braun-hammond-arlington" target="_self">historic move</a> — for both the Bears and Northwest Indiana.

Indianapolis Clowns set to return this spring

The team that walked so that Banana Ball could run is making a big comeback.

News

The Indianapolis Clowns are back, and they&#x27;re bringing baseball history with them.Why it matters: The Banana Ball-backed revival of one of the most storied names in American sports will introduce a new generation of fans to the trailblazing blend of baseball and entertainment that blossomed in the Circle City.

Axios Indianapolis poll: Are the Bears really leaving Illinois?

The Bears are coming to Indiana! Or ... are they? Zoom in: Whether or not the tentative deal Indiana lawmakers say they have for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Bears stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" data-vars-content-id="76944e5d-aa02-4168-b4cb-16ced16d6d0d" data-vars-headline="Axios Indianapolis poll: Are the Bears really leaving Illinois?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/19/indiana-illinois-chicago-bears-stadium-deal" target="_self">new Bears stadium</a> in Hammond is real depends on who you ask.<ul><li>We want to ask you!</li></ul>

YMCA financial concerns go beyond Ransburg location

It's the third location in the city that's closed since the pandemic.

When the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis closes the Ransburg location at the end of March, it will be the third location closed since the pandemic.Why it matters: A spokesperson for the YMCA told Axios that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ransburg is closing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.change.org/p/save-the-ransburg-ymca" data-vars-content-id="e0754805-95bd-477e-93a9-70020eea0cf7" data-vars-headline="YMCA financial concerns go beyond Ransburg location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.change.org/p/save-the-ransburg-ymca" target="_blank">Ransburg is closing</a> due to &quot;financial challenges specific to that center&quot; but an Axios Indianapolis analysis of available financial data raises more questions about the long-term financial sustainability of the organization.

Meet The Maker: Esayas Zerazion

He's a Brownsburg resident and scratchboard artist who uses his skills to explore the depths of human emotion.

Meet Esayas Zerazion, a Brownsburg resident and scratchboard artist who uses his skills to explore the depths of human emotion.The inspo: Originally from East Africa, Zerazion fell in love with art as a teenager and spent his early years bringing his ideas to life as a pencil artist.

5 cool things we found while jumping into Indy's Toy Pit

Pop culture collectors and big kids at heart have access to a collectibles mecca near 38th and College.

<figure><img alt="The Toy Pit mural in Indianapolis." height="450" id="f48ef837-cf4a-4c1f-8324-24da9ef27636" src="https://images.axios.com/cjDnI4hbPMnsN5t0f_UhJmcBLj8=/2026/02/11/1770839071445.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>GIF: Justin L. Mack/Axios</figcaption></figure>As many readers probably know by now, I&#x27;m a bit of a (huge) nerd.Why it matters: I and other big kids at heart living in the Indianapolis area have access to The Toy Pit, a collectibles mecca near 38th and College.

Meet The Maker: Andrew Young

He's a singer-songwriter who has been rocking the stage since the days of "Star Search."

Meet Andrew Young, an Indianapolis singer-songwriter who has been rocking the stage since the days of &quot;Star Search.&quot;The inspo: Drawing inspiration from classic soul and modern R&amp;B, Young got his first major exposure in 1989 when he became a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="returning &quot;Star Search&quot; champion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V288LavQXWg" data-vars-content-id="502fcaa8-5c1f-44e1-9361-9460352437ef" data-vars-headline="Meet The Maker: Andrew Young" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V288LavQXWg" target="_blank">returning &quot;Star Search&quot; champion</a>.

Mike Epps elevates "Delusional" with emotional depth

Mike Epps' Indianapolis roots take center stage in the best parts of his latest Netflix stand-up.

Mike Epps&#x27; Indianapolis roots take center stage in the final stretch of his latest Netflix stand-up.Why it matters: The sincere shift to more personal material makes this special his strongest Netflix outing yet, saving an uneven opening salvo tackling topical events.

Meet the Maker: Juan Francisco Ramos Aguilar

A mime and puppeteering pro who is introducing Spanish-speaking kids to the joys of theater.

Culture

Meet Juan Francisco Ramos Aguilar, a mime and puppeteering pro who is introducing Spanish-speaking kids in Indy to the joys of theater.The inspo: Born in El Salvador, Aguilar&#x27;s 44-year acting career began on an amateur theater stage at the age of 16.

Meet the Maker: 2025 DeHaan Artists of Distinction

Four Indiana artists recognized for their creative risk-taking are being honored with grants from the Indy Arts Council.

Meet the four Central Indiana artists being recognized for their creative ambitions with grants from the Indy Arts Council.The inspo: Every year, the DeHaan Artist of Distinction awards Hoosier contemporary artists grants of up to $10,000 to pursue aspirational projects.

Meet the Maker: Jaelynn Horton

Meet the dance instructor on a mission to help Indy-area adults find the fun that comes with honing a new skill.

Meet Jaelynn Horton, a dancer and instructor on a mission to help Indy-area adults find the fun that comes with honing a new skill.The inspo: Horton fell in love with dancing in college.

10 new public art projects coming to Indy

A new grant program from Indy Arts Council will bring a variety of public art and education opportunities to Indianapolis this year.

A new grant program from Indy Arts Council will bring a variety of public art and education opportunities to Indianapolis this year.The big picture: Ten projects were selected from a pool of 96 applicants.<ul><li>Officials say a total of $90,000 was awarded, but the more than $852,000 requested among the applicants demonstrates a clear need for this type of support in Indy&#x27;s art sector.</li></ul>

Hoosier queens sashay onto "RuPaul's Drag Race"

Indiana drag gets its due on the new season of the award-winning reality show.

The new season of &quot;RuPaul&#x27;s Drag Race&quot; is set to air in January and Indianapolis viewers may recognize a few of the faces. Why it matters: The show will feature two Indiana contestants: Drag queens Ciara Myst and Darlene Mitchell.

Meet the Maker: Oscar Toloza

Meet the self-taught visual artist with work currently on display at exhibits across Indianapolis.

Meet Oscar Toloza, an Indianapolis-based creator who uses his work to connect the past to the present.The inspo: Born in California but raised in Logansport since he was 5 years old, Toloza is a Salvadoran-American visual artist inspired by Eastern art and pre-Hispanic traditions.