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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>

Lawmakers back conservative-favored college entrance exam

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

Education

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.

Lawmakers advance protections for teens after Hailey Buzbee's death

New alerts would apply to teens who've fallen into the hands of online predators.

Politics

Lawmakers are working to expand Indiana&#x27;s alert system in response to the death of Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee.Why it matters: In Hailey&#x27;s case, when she was missing, the alerts that we&#x27;re familiar with didn&#x27;t apply.<ul><li>An Amber Alert wasn&#x27;t issued because there was no confirmed physical abduction.</li><li>Because Hailey did not have a qualifying disability, a Silver Alert did not apply.</li></ul>

Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections

They're rejecting President Trump's calls for Republicans to "nationalize" elections.

Republican leaders at Indiana&#x27;s Statehouse are pushing back on President Trump&#x27;s suggestion that the GOP should &quot;nationalize&quot; elections.The big picture: Trump&#x27;s comments and an FBI raid of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fulton County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/kash-patel-fbi-georgia-fulton-county-raid-ballots" data-vars-content-id="9c2f0d2c-3718-4028-839b-b0740a0536ab" data-vars-headline="Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/29/kash-patel-fbi-georgia-fulton-county-raid-ballots" target="_self">Fulton County</a>, Georgia, election office renewed concerns the president is seeking retribution over 2020 — and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/trump-administrations-campaign-undermine-next-election" data-vars-content-id="9c2f0d2c-3718-4028-839b-b0740a0536ab" data-vars-headline="Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/trump-administrations-campaign-undermine-next-election" target="_blank">raised</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alarms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/opinion/trump-midterms-election-security.html" data-vars-content-id="9c2f0d2c-3718-4028-839b-b0740a0536ab" data-vars-headline="Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/opinion/trump-midterms-election-security.html" target="_blank">alarms</a> about 2026 interference.<ul><li>Control of Congress is on the line in this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="critical midterm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" data-vars-content-id="9c2f0d2c-3718-4028-839b-b0740a0536ab" data-vars-headline="Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/2026-midterm-elections" target="_self">critical midterm</a> that could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="derail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/mike-johnson-texas-special-election-menefee" data-vars-content-id="9c2f0d2c-3718-4028-839b-b0740a0536ab" data-vars-headline="Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/mike-johnson-texas-special-election-menefee" target="_self">derail</a> Trump&#x27;s MAGA agenda if Democrats take control of the House. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democrats have" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/01/taylor-rehmet-leigh-wambsganss-texas-senate" data-vars-content-id="9c2f0d2c-3718-4028-839b-b0740a0536ab" data-vars-headline="Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2026/02/01/taylor-rehmet-leigh-wambsganss-texas-senate" target="_self">Democrats have</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outperformed Republicans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/inside-tuesdays-blowout-democrats-breakthroughs" data-vars-content-id="9c2f0d2c-3718-4028-839b-b0740a0536ab" data-vars-headline="Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/06/inside-tuesdays-blowout-democrats-breakthroughs" target="_self">outperformed Republicans</a> in recent races.</li></ul>

The Marion County billboard fight is back at the Statehouse

The Marion County billboard fight is back at the Statehouse.

A fight between the city of Indianapolis and billboard companies has ended up at the Statehouse.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate Bill 167" data-vars-click-url="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/167/details" data-vars-content-id="071f817d-1d9a-46dd-bae1-08c84cff9b3a" data-vars-headline="The Marion County billboard fight is back at the Statehouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/167/details" target="_blank">Senate Bill 167</a> would override <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a city ordinance" data-vars-click-url="https://media.graphassets.com/NpkLguQyTRec1cXBaOTm" data-vars-content-id="071f817d-1d9a-46dd-bae1-08c84cff9b3a" data-vars-headline="The Marion County billboard fight is back at the Statehouse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://media.graphassets.com/NpkLguQyTRec1cXBaOTm" target="_blank">a city ordinance</a> that prevents new billboards from being erected within the I-465 loop, but allows billboards to be moved within the same parcel.

Luxury vehicles ban and social media rules killed in first half of Indiana's legislative session

The bill's author accused the speaker of trying to "quietly kill" the measure.

The first half of the legislative session is officially over, which means the majority of introduced legislation is dead — either because it was never heard, got tripped up along the way or failed to get across the finish line.Why it matters: When House Speaker Todd Huston made the final third reading calendar for bills to be considered in the first half of the session, he left several eligible bills off the calendar.<ul><li>Democrats say this move violated House rules, though the Republican supermajority defeated the challenge to the speaker&#x27;s decision.</li></ul>

Indiana played outsized role in national politics in 2016

Haven&#x27;t you heard? <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 is the new 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.14/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZG1vcm5pbmdhbWVyaWNhLmNvbS9saXZpbmcvc3RvcnkvMjAyNi0yMDE2LXNvY2lhbC1tZWRpYS11c2Vycy10dXJuLWJhY2stY2xvY2stMTI5Mjc3OTUyP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/640f7c5c36086bd62b01053cB30c77dbc" data-vars-content-id="f6e6bbb3-4cdb-419a-bddf-e13f5b125add" data-vars-headline="Indiana played outsized role in national politics in 2016" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.14/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZG1vcm5pbmdhbWVyaWNhLmNvbS9saXZpbmcvc3RvcnkvMjAyNi0yMDE2LXNvY2lhbC1tZWRpYS11c2Vycy10dXJuLWJhY2stY2xvY2stMTI5Mjc3OTUyP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/640f7c5c36086bd62b01053cB30c77dbc" target="_self">2026 is the new 2016</a>.Why it matters: The first major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="viral trend" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.14/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/640f7c5c36086bd62b01053cB45cf5573" data-vars-content-id="f6e6bbb3-4cdb-419a-bddf-e13f5b125add" data-vars-headline="Indiana played outsized role in national politics in 2016" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43656720.14/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2N3eTFlNjA1ZHZnbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/640f7c5c36086bd62b01053cB45cf5573" target="_self">viral trend</a> of the year is reminiscing over everything that happened a decade ago, which happened to be a pivotal one in Hoosier history.<ul><li>Gov. Mike Pence ended his reelection campaign to join then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump&#x27;s ticket <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="as his running mate" data-vars-click-url="https://rollcall.com/2016/07/14/whos-mike-pence-and-why-has-trump-picked-him/" data-vars-content-id="f6e6bbb3-4cdb-419a-bddf-e13f5b125add" data-vars-headline="Indiana played outsized role in national politics in 2016" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rollcall.com/2016/07/14/whos-mike-pence-and-why-has-trump-picked-him/" target="_blank">as his running mate</a>.</li></ul>

Indiana House passes military police force bill

The governor could send the force into communities without their consent.

Indiana&#x27;s governor would have command of a new military police force under a bill passed Wednesday by the Indiana House.Why it matters: Uninvited and unwanted law enforcement forces have entered cities around the country, sometimes to devastating effect, most recently seen in Minneapolis, where President Trump sent an unprecedented surge of federal agents that was met with fierce opposition and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turned deadly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/26/minnesota-shooting-republican-reaction-gun-rights" data-vars-content-id="37812c89-0268-4d12-a3ba-342e0f68eec5" data-vars-headline="Indiana House passes military police force bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/26/minnesota-shooting-republican-reaction-gun-rights" target="_self">turned deadly</a>.<ul><li>One lawmaker called the legislation &quot;the most dangerous thing&quot; considered in the Statehouse in the last two decades.</li></ul>

Indiana Senate prioritizes changes to Medicaid and SNAP

The Indiana measure would refer those who can't verify legal status to DHS.

Tightening access to welfare benefits is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top priority for Indiana&#x27;s Senate Republicans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/01/08/senate-gop-affordability-maga-agenda" data-vars-content-id="63884f2c-ad31-41b0-af13-841e73f8068d" data-vars-headline="Indiana Senate prioritizes changes to Medicaid and SNAP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/01/08/senate-gop-affordability-maga-agenda" target="_self">top priority for Indiana&#x27;s Senate Republicans</a> this year.Why it matters: Allegations of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fraud and abuse in other states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/20/minnesota-fraud-funding-pause-medicaid-budget" data-vars-content-id="63884f2c-ad31-41b0-af13-841e73f8068d" data-vars-headline="Indiana Senate prioritizes changes to Medicaid and SNAP" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/20/minnesota-fraud-funding-pause-medicaid-budget" target="_self">fraud and abuse in other states</a> and heightened anti-immigrant sentiment nationwide inspired legislation that analysts say would push an unknown number of Hoosiers out of assistance programs that help them afford health care coverage and food.

Indiana considering social media ban for kids

The bill would require social media platforms to use age verification to prevent kids under 14 from holding accounts.

Indiana lawmakers are considering social media restrictions for minors, a growing movement among states and countries looking to address the addictive nature of social media and its impact on kids&#x27; mental health.Driving the news: Senate Bill 199 would require social media platforms to use age verification to prevent children under 13 from holding accounts and make kids between 13 and 18 get parental consent for access.

Politics 🇺🇸

Casino relocation bill narrowly passes Indiana Senate

Lawmakers back conservative-favored college entrance exam

Lawmakers advance protections for teens after Hailey Buzbee's death

Indiana leaders say states should keep running elections

The Marion County billboard fight is back at the Statehouse