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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.

Casino relocation bill narrowly passes Indiana Senate

While Indy had been considered, it's likely to land in Fort Wayne.

A new casino appears headed to northeast Indiana, not Indianapolis.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 1038" data-vars-click-url="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1038/details" data-vars-content-id="d8532582-308a-4827-acef-2dd22650f8e6" data-vars-headline="Casino relocation bill narrowly passes Indiana Senate" 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/1038/details" target="_blank">House Bill 1038</a> narrowly passed the Senate Tuesday, clearing the way for the license of the Rising Sun casino to move to northeast Indiana.<ul><li>The unusually tight 26-22 vote reflected disagreement over where the casino should land.</li></ul>

Deadly semi-truck crashes inspire legislation

The last-minute change was adopted Monday by the Senate.

State and federal officials from Indiana are taking a closer look at the trucking industry after several high-profile deadly crashes involving drivers in the United States illegally.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest move from Indiana lawmakers to align state policies and priorities more closely with those of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="b1564481-eea2-485e-93a6-5fd3f89439a7" data-vars-headline="Deadly semi-truck crashes inspire legislation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration, whose broader goal is to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push undocumented immigrants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/16/ice-raids-white-collar-immigration" data-vars-content-id="b1564481-eea2-485e-93a6-5fd3f89439a7" data-vars-headline="Deadly semi-truck crashes inspire legislation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/16/ice-raids-white-collar-immigration" target="_self">push undocumented immigrants</a> out of the American workforce and to remove <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="non-proficient English speakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/10/truck-drivers-license-trump-english-language-requirement" data-vars-content-id="b1564481-eea2-485e-93a6-5fd3f89439a7" data-vars-headline="Deadly semi-truck crashes inspire legislation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/10/truck-drivers-license-trump-english-language-requirement" target="_self">non-proficient English speakers</a> from the road.

Indy road-funding changes moving through Statehouse

Just when you thought Indy might come through the session unscathed, road-funding changes appear.

It&#x27;s the final week of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislative session" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/17/low-earning-college-degrees-cut" data-vars-content-id="6eefd639-d411-4c60-ba85-c7c57699c6b9" data-vars-headline="Indy road-funding changes moving through Statehouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/02/17/low-earning-college-degrees-cut" target="_self">legislative session</a>, when bills move fast and change even faster.The big picture: Several legislative proposals are still moving that could have major implications for Indianapolis, including Senate Bill 179, a transportation bill that would change the rules for how the city can access additional road funding.

Your weekend plans: GEOfest, Shen Yun, pet painting

GEOfest is back to bring another weekend of crystals, fossils and fun to the Indiana State Museum.

GEOfest is back to bring another weekend of crystals, fossils and fun to the Indiana State Museum.What&#x27;s happening: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all-ages educational bash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indianamuseum.org/event/geofest/" data-vars-content-id="018a3646-f1cd-4e15-bb2e-5d1fd60524d0" data-vars-headline="Your weekend plans: GEOfest, Shen Yun, pet painting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indianamuseum.org/event/geofest/" target="_blank">all-ages educational bash</a> has been one of the museum&#x27;s most popular annual events for the past 23 years.

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.

Rev. Jesse Jackson's impact in Indianapolis

From inspiring the IBE to speaking on behalf of farmers, Rev. Jesse Jackson left an unforgettable mark on the city of Indianapolis.

From inspiring the IBE to speaking on behalf of farmers, Rev. Jesse Jackson left a lasting mark on the city of Indianapolis.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jackson died Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" data-vars-content-id="2fcb6bf5-0632-4b45-9906-9de6a0bbec2d" data-vars-headline="Rev. Jesse Jackson&#x27;s impact in Indianapolis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" target="_self">Jackson died Tuesday</a> after a career in activism and politics during a national transformation in civil rights and inequality.

"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.

317 phone numbers are running out. Here's what's next.

With the area code exhausted, another got assigned.

Have a phone number with a 317 area code? Hang onto it. We&#x27;re almost out of them.Why it matters: Area codes are often shorthand for regional pride, and the 317 is no different. There are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="317 mugs, magnets" data-vars-click-url="https://unitedstateofindiana.com/search?q=317&amp;options%5Bprefix%5D=last" data-vars-content-id="c9ce771d-8989-413a-a50d-c8142b535844" data-vars-headline="317 phone numbers are running out. Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://unitedstateofindiana.com/search?q=317&amp;options%5Bprefix%5D=last" target="_blank">317 mugs, magnets</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="even restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://317bbq.com/" data-vars-content-id="c9ce771d-8989-413a-a50d-c8142b535844" data-vars-headline="317 phone numbers are running out. Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://317bbq.com/" target="_blank">even restaurants</a>. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indiana Fever&#x27;s 317 shirt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_lHsTHOORI/" data-vars-content-id="c9ce771d-8989-413a-a50d-c8142b535844" data-vars-headline="317 phone numbers are running out. Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_lHsTHOORI/" target="_blank">Indiana Fever&#x27;s 317 shirt</a> sold out.<ul><li>There&#x27;s even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a 317 Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2024/03/15/317-day-march-17-celebrates-indianapolis-artists-businesses-and-culture-concerts/72928569007/#:~:text=317%20Day:%20March%2017%20celebrates,Event%20Space%2C%20416%20Wabash%20St." data-vars-content-id="c9ce771d-8989-413a-a50d-c8142b535844" data-vars-headline="317 phone numbers are running out. Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s next." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2024/03/15/317-day-march-17-celebrates-indianapolis-artists-businesses-and-culture-concerts/72928569007/#:~:text=317%20Day:%20March%2017%20celebrates,Event%20Space%2C%20416%20Wabash%20St." target="_blank">a 317 Day</a>, celebrating everything that makes Indianapolis and its surrounding metro area awesome.</li></ul>

News 🗞

Casino relocation bill narrowly passes Indiana Senate

Deadly semi-truck crashes inspire legislation

Indianapolis Clowns set to return this spring

Indy road-funding changes moving through Statehouse

Your weekend plans: GEOfest, Shen Yun, pet painting