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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.

"Low-earning" college degrees on the chopping block

The language in Senate Bill 199 mirrors a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Education

Degree programs that don&#x27;t lead to high-paying jobs could be eliminated under a bill passed by the Indiana House Tuesday.Why it matters: The provision in Senate Bill 199 continues <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislative efforts to exert more control" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/04/25/indiana-republicans-public-universities-erode-tenure-shared-governance" data-vars-content-id="35f2c5ec-311e-4ced-861c-ec852e486784" data-vars-headline="&quot;Low-earning&quot; college degrees on the chopping block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/04/25/indiana-republicans-public-universities-erode-tenure-shared-governance" target="_self">legislative efforts to exert more control</a> over the state&#x27;s public colleges and universities.

Education gains drive child well-being improvements

Improvements have been made in reading and high school graduation.

Indiana&#x27;s education gains are improving well-being for the state&#x27;s 1.6 million kids, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="http://iyi.org/" data-vars-content-id="341597bd-426d-4d3d-a90e-d2c648d8c4b1" data-vars-headline="Education gains drive child well-being improvements" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://iyi.org/" target="_blank">a new report</a> from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.Driving the news: The annual Kids Count Data Book, released Monday, ranks children&#x27;s quality of life in four categories: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.<ul><li>Indiana&#x27;s 25th-place child well-being ranking is two spots higher than in the previous year&#x27;s report.</li></ul>

Lawmakers back conservative-favored college entrance exam

The Classic Learning Exam is pushed as an alternative to the SAT and ACT.

You&#x27;ve heard of the ACT and the SAT. Probably even taken one of them. But what about the CLT?Why it matters: The Classic Learning Test, positioned as an alternative college entrance exam, is gaining popularity in conservative states and one state lawmaker wants Indiana to follow suit.

Shortridge High School latest to stage anti-ICE walkout

Hundreds of students protested outside the school Friday.

Central Indiana students are continuing to protest federal immigration policies, walking out of area high schools by the hundreds.The big picture: Young people around the country are adding their voices to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the larger protest movement against ICE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/01/29/indiana-groups-endorse-nationwide-shutdown-ice-out-jan-30" data-vars-content-id="afebda69-b02e-42fd-8cae-b200b418b642" data-vars-headline="Shortridge High School latest to stage anti-ICE walkout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/01/29/indiana-groups-endorse-nationwide-shutdown-ice-out-jan-30" target="_self">the larger protest movement against ICE</a> in the wake of the fatal shootings of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Renee Good" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="afebda69-b02e-42fd-8cae-b200b418b642" data-vars-headline="Shortridge High School latest to stage anti-ICE walkout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" target="_self">Renee Good</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent" data-vars-content-id="afebda69-b02e-42fd-8cae-b200b418b642" data-vars-headline="Shortridge High School latest to stage anti-ICE walkout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent" target="_self">Alex Pretti</a> in Minneapolis, as well as the killings of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Silverio Villegas González" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/14/illinois-transparent-probe-ice-shooting-franklin-park" data-vars-content-id="afebda69-b02e-42fd-8cae-b200b418b642" data-vars-headline="Shortridge High School latest to stage anti-ICE walkout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/09/14/illinois-transparent-probe-ice-shooting-franklin-park" target="_self">Silverio Villegas González</a> in Chicago and Keith Porter Jr. in Los Angeles.<ul><li>Their heightened levels of activism are adding momentum to the movement while drawing criticism from conservative politicians and organizations.</li></ul>

Statehouse to take up Indianapolis education changes

A new governing body would remake education in the city.

Work at the Indiana Statehouse starts this week with the bill that would remake education in Indianapolis.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 1423" data-vars-click-url="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1423/details" data-vars-content-id="aae16d74-df6e-4546-95ed-d6c6dedd8c6a" data-vars-headline="Statehouse to take up Indianapolis education changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1423/details" target="_blank">House Bill 1423</a> would take the recommendations of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finished its divisive work last month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/18/ilea-ips-education-reform-recommendations-new-governing-body-transportation" data-vars-content-id="aae16d74-df6e-4546-95ed-d6c6dedd8c6a" data-vars-headline="Statehouse to take up Indianapolis education changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/18/ilea-ips-education-reform-recommendations-new-governing-body-transportation" target="_self">finished its divisive work last month</a>, and make them law.

Indiana weighing ban on food dyes, other additives in school lunches

If adopted, the new rules would take effect next year.

Indiana is joining the growing list of states considering a ban on certain food dyes and other chemicals commonly found in &quot;ultraprocessed foods&quot; from school lunches.The big picture: Petroleum-based dyes have been linked to elevated risks of cancer and hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues for some children — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="making them a target" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/food-dye-ban-rfk-pepsi" data-vars-content-id="8a5b22fb-c7ab-47fb-bda3-34efcb1bb5ac" data-vars-headline="Indiana weighing ban on food dyes, other additives in school lunches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/food-dye-ban-rfk-pepsi" target="_self">making them a target</a> of the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his &quot;Make America Healthy Again&quot; initiative.<ul><li>West Virginia became the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first state in the nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-a-school-district-discovered-when-its-state-banned-synthetic-dyes/2025/10" data-vars-content-id="8a5b22fb-c7ab-47fb-bda3-34efcb1bb5ac" data-vars-headline="Indiana weighing ban on food dyes, other additives in school lunches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-a-school-district-discovered-when-its-state-banned-synthetic-dyes/2025/10" target="_blank">first state in the nation</a> to ban the dyes from schools last year and at least four others have followed suit.</li></ul>

Group suggests using tax referendums to fund child care

The Preschool Choice Alliance wants to expand the use of referendums for early learning.

It&#x27;s rare to find an issue that Democrats, Republicans and just about everyone in between agrees on — but Indiana&#x27;s child care crisis is one of them.Why it matters: Lack of access to child care and preschool is a major barrier to workforce participation for families and educational attainment for children.

Rep. Bob Behning will file bill to exempt IPS from $1 law

IPS has pushed for this change for the better part of a decade.

Indianapolis Public Schools may finally be exempted from Indiana&#x27;s &quot;Dollar Law.&quot;Why it matters: The district has been pushing back against the law that allows charter schools to buy or lease a surplus school building for $1 for the better part of a decade.

New governing body, transportation requirement among IPS reform recommendations

The recommendations now head to the Indiana General Assembly.

The group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tasked with designing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/04/ips-elected-board-less-authority-ilea" data-vars-content-id="ab1f6be3-5b15-4948-ac4b-45eacbbdf713" data-vars-headline="New governing body, transportation requirement among IPS reform recommendations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/12/04/ips-elected-board-less-authority-ilea" target="_self">tasked with designing</a> a more efficient and equitable education system in the city center wants to establish a new governing body to oversee all schools within the Indianapolis Public Schools boundary.Why it matters: The recommendations of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, adopted Wednesday night, are expected to inform legislation when the Indiana General Assembly returns to the Statehouse next month.

Group to vote on IPS, charter school changes

The recommendations will go to the state Legislature.

The Indianapolis Local Education Alliance will meet Wednesday night to adopt final recommendations for changes to the city&#x27;s education system.Why it matters: The recommendations are likely to pave the way for legislation that will change how schools are run, how many schools the city has and how students get to them.

Education 📚

"Low-earning" college degrees on the chopping block

Education gains drive child well-being improvements

Lawmakers back conservative-favored college entrance exam

Shortridge High School latest to stage anti-ICE walkout

Statehouse to take up Indianapolis education changes