Indiana
Bears reiterate Chicago stadium options are ‘exhausted,’ focused on suburban Illinois and Indiana
CHICAGO — The Bears reiterated Thursday they plan to leave Chicago as they continue to look at building a stadium in suburban Illinois or Hammond, Indiana.
“The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal,” the team said in a statement. “There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond.”
The statement, which appears to again close the door on staying in Chicago, comes after team president Kevin Warren said last month at the NFL meetings in Arizona that the Bears were hoping to choose a new site for an enclosed stadium in Illinois or Indiana late this spring or early in the summer.
The Bears have played at Soldier Field for more than half a century. Indiana lawmakers are attempting to lure them from the Windy City with a plan to finance and build a domed stadium in Hammond, about 25 miles from their current home on Lake Michigan’s shore.
The Illinois General Assembly responded with legislation that would give tax breaks to so-called megaprojects of at least $100 million, a plan that would encompass the Bears’ proposal to build a complex on a 326-acre tract of land they own in Arlington Heights.
“Both of the sites are excellent sites,” Warren said last month.
The Bears are a charter NFL franchise that has played in Illinois since the team’s founding in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys. Since moving to Chicago in 1921, the Bears have never owned their stadium, whether playing at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 or Soldier Field since.
Indiana
Indiana BMV, ISP dispel rumours about Blackout license plates
INDIANA (WPTA) – The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Indiana State Police are addressing online rumors about the BMV’s new license plate design.
The BMV says that when they post about the Blackout plates on their social media accounts, they receive comments claiming the design makes it easier for plate recognition cameras, like Flock, to read.
WATCH: Fort Wayne Flock camera showdown reflects nationwide debate | Story continues below
ISP confirmed that Automated License Plate Recognition cameras can read all Indiana plates with the same efficiency and accuracy as the Blackout version.
Police say the color and design of a license plate do not impact the camera’s ability to read it.
“I wouldn’t want Hoosiers to miss out on the Blackout plate because of incorrect information,” Indiana BMV Commissioner Kevin Garvey says. “The Blackout plate’s purpose is to give our customers more choices when it comes to their plate design. It’s simply a fun style choice.”
The BMV says more than 240,000 Hoosiers have purchased the Blackout plate since its release in August 2025. Learn more about it here.
Copyright 2026 WPTA. All rights reserved.
Indiana
Submit your nature art for DNR hard card licenses
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Calling all artists! The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is accepting art and photo submissions to use for the hard-card licenses for hunting, fishing, and trapping.
A press release from DNR Wednesday said Hoosiers of all ages can enter up to two of their nature and wildlife-themed works of art for a chance to be featured on next year’s cards. The cards will be available for purchase in early 2027.
Five entries will be chosen. All 2-D mediums — photography, painting, drawing, graphic design — are eligible. Art generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.
This year’s categories include Deer, Wild Turkey, Fish, Wildlife (Other), and Indiana Landscapes.
Artists can submit their art to DFWcontests@dnr.IN.gov. The entry submission deadline is July 31, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
More information and contest guidelines can be found here.
Indiana
2 Indiana men plead guilty in Montana oxycodone conspiracy case
MISSOULA, Mont. — Two Indiana men accused of helping illegally obtain oxycodone from Montana pharmacies have pleaded guilty to federal charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jaylan Javier Wash, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone.
Wash faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Brandon Lavelle Winfrey, 32, who went by “Juice,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.
Winfrey faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 10, 2026, in Missoula.
The following was sent out by U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Montana:
Two men from Indiana who helped illegally obtain oxycodone from Montana pharmacies have admitted to charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jaylan Javier Wash, 23, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone. Wash faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Brandon Lavelle Winfrey, 32, who went by “Juice,” pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Winfrey faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided at the change of plea and U.S. District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Nov. 10, 2026, in Missoula. Winfrey and Wash were released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that Winfrey and Wash, along with a group of associates, used fake prescriptions to illegally obtain oxycodone. The Chicago-based outfit flew into Montana, visited various pharmacies across the state, and used falsified prescriptions to get oxycodone and other controlled substances. Several members of the group would give the oxycodone to Winfrey and Wash, who then distributed it. Winfrey and Wash paid for expenses and directed group members which pharmacies to hit and when to enter.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and DEA conducted the investigation.
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