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(VIDEO) Chicago Bears Closer to Northwest Indiana Move as Indiana Committee Approves Stadium Funding Bill
The Chicago Bears moved one significant step closer to potentially relocating across state lines after an Indiana House committee unanimously approved legislation Thursday that establishes the framework for financing and building a new stadium in Northwest Indiana.
The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-0 to advance an amended version of Senate Bill 27, which creates the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. This body would have the power to issue bonds, acquire land, finance construction and oversee a lease agreement with the team. The bill, which previously passed the Indiana Senate in late January, now heads to the full House for consideration before the legislative session ends Feb. 27.
The proposed site centers on an area near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, in Lake County. House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers), who sponsored the bill in the House, announced during the committee meeting that the Bears have committed to investing $2 billion toward the project. Huston described the development as a “shared commitment” between the team and state leaders, calling it a “transformational investment” for northwest Indiana and the state.
In a statement released Thursday, the Bears called the committee’s action “the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.” The team expressed readiness to complete site-specific due diligence and affirmed its vision for a “world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.” The Bears thanked Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Speaker Huston, Sen. Ryan Mishler and other lawmakers for establishing a “critical framework and path forward” to deliver a premier venue serving Chicagoland fans and visitors.
The momentum comes amid stalled progress in Illinois, where the Bears have played at Soldier Field since 1971. An Illinois House committee meeting scheduled Thursday to discuss stadium funding was canceled, heightening speculation about an out-of-state move. Reports indicate Bears leadership paused Illinois negotiations earlier in the week to allow for bill adjustments.
Senate Bill 27 sets parameters for a potential deal, including bond issuance, a long-term lease and creation of a Northwest Indiana Stadium Development District and Professional Sports Development Area in Hammond. While it outlines authority powers, key financial specifics—such as exact public contributions, tax mechanisms or total project costs—remain subject to final negotiations and due diligence.
The Bears have long sought a modern facility to replace aging Soldier Field. Previous efforts focused on Arlington Heights, Illinois, but those plans faced hurdles. Indiana’s aggressive push, backed by bipartisan legislative support, positions Hammond as a viable alternative just across the state line, offering proximity to Chicago while providing new economic development opportunities.
Local leaders in northwest Indiana have welcomed the proposal, viewing it as an economic boon through jobs, tourism and infrastructure upgrades. Critics in Illinois argue losing the Bears would hurt Chicago’s sports identity and tax revenue, while some in Indiana question public funding for professional sports venues.
NFL insider Conor Orr, citing sources, described the Indiana move as feeling like an “inevitability” barring major changes from Illinois. The Bears’ statement stopped short of exclusivity but placed clear pressure on Springfield to advance competing legislation.
If the full House approves SB 27, the stadium authority could begin formal talks, land acquisition and environmental reviews. No timeline for groundbreaking or completion has been set, but passage would mark a pivotal advancement in years of stadium uncertainty for the franchise.
The Bears, owned by the McCaskey family, have emphasized a facility that enhances fan experience, community integration and global appeal. A move to Indiana would mark the first NFL team relocation since the Rams and Chargers shifted in recent years, though cross-state shifts remain rare.
As the Indiana House prepares to vote, attention turns to whether lawmakers can finalize the bill before session’s end. The Bears continue exploring options but have signaled strong interest in the Hammond vision.
For Chicago fans, the prospect of road trips to Indiana raises mixed emotions—loyalty to the city versus excitement for a state-of-the-art home. For northwest Indiana residents, it promises revitalization in a region long seeking major investment.
The coming days will determine if the Bears stay in Illinois or cross into Indiana for a new chapter.
Canadian filmmaker James Cameron poses during a photocall for the opening of the exhibition entitled ‘The Art of James Cameron’ at the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris on April 3, 2024.
Stephane De Sakutin | AFP | Getty Images
Legendary “Titanic” director James Cameron is likening the theatrical experience to a “sinking ship” if Netflix acquires Warner Bros. Discovery’s film studio.
Cameron penned a letter to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, last week, which was obtained by CNBC, in which he argues Netflix’s proposed acquisition of WBD’s studio and streaming assets could lead to massive job losses in Hollywood, fundamentally alter the theatrical landscape in the U.S. and negatively impact one of America’s largest export sectors.
Lee chairs the Senate subcommittee on antitrust, competitive policy and consumer rights, which met in early February to discuss the potential impact of the Netflix-Warner Bros. transaction. Cameron sent his letter in the days following the hearing, during which Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and WBD executive Bruce Campbell testified.
“I believe strongly that the proposed sale of Warner Brothers Discovery to Netflix will be disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business that I have dedicated my life’s work to,” Cameron wrote to Lee. “Of course, my films all play in the downstream video markets as well, but my first love is the cinema.”
Cameron has been vocal in his opposition to the proposed tie-up, and his concerns echo those of the broader filmmaking industry, which generally sees combinations of movie studios resulting in fewer releases and less work. Cameron’s letter to Lee, which has not been previously reported, escalates his concerns to the lawmakers who could potentially stand in the way of Netflix completing its acquisition.
In particular, critics have raised alarm about bringing together two of the top global streaming services – Netflix with 325 million global subscribers and WBD’s HBO Max with 128 million as of Sept. 30. Lawmakers have already questioned how a merger of those services would impact consumers and prices.
“We have received outreach from actors, directors, and other interested parties about the proposed Netflix and Warner Brothers merger, and I share many of their concerns,” Lee said in a statement. “I look forward to holding a follow-up hearing to further address these issues.”
In response to a request for comment, a Netflix representative pointed to Netflix’s written testimony and Sarandos’ comments during the hearing earlier this month.
In its written testimony, Netflix outlined its investments in the film and TV production industry and its impact on the overall U.S. economy, including $20 billion in planned film and TV spend in 2026, a majority of which it said will be spent in America.
“With this deal, we’re going to increase, not reduce, production investments going forward, supported by a stronger combined business and balance sheet,” Netflix said, noting its production facilities, such as in New Mexico and an upcoming New Jersey-based studio.
Since the deal’s announcement, Netflix’s top brass has consistently voiced their belief that the deal would not only win regulatory approval, but would be good for the media industry.
During a recent earnings call, Sarandos called the deal “pro-consumer … pro-innovation, pro-worker.”
He has said on multiple occasions that the addition of WBD’s studio would preserve jobs — even as layoffs roil the media ecosystem — and has said the assets would bring new businesses under Netflix’s umbrella.
“We’re going to need those teams, these folks that have extensive experience and expertise. We want them to stay on and run those business,” Sarandos said. “So we’re expanding content creation, not collapsing it in this transaction.”
In addition to concerns specific to filmmakers and across the theater industry, the proposed Netflix-WBD transaction has awakened other regulatory questions.
In particular, critics have raised alarm about bringing together two of the top global streaming services – Netflix with 325 million global subscribers and WBD’s HBO Max with 128 million as of Sept. 30. Lawmakers have already questioned how a merger of those services would impact consumers and prices.
Paramount Skydance has leveraged some of the same arguments in its attempt to unseat Netflix and buy the entirety of WBD through a hostile tender offer.
Sarandos and co-CEO Greg Peters have argued competition for viewers includes various platforms – from traditional TV to streaming services to social media platforms like YouTube – making Netflix a small part of the ecosystem.
Theatrical shifts
Cameron, who has pioneered the creation of new filming technologies during his decades-long career, including 3D production systems, advanced visual effects and high-frame-rate display, noted that theatrical exhibition has been a critical part of his “creative vision.”
He also highlighted previous comments by Sarandos calling movie theaters “an outdated concept” and an “outmoded idea,” in addition to comments telling investors that “driving folks to a theater is just not our business.”
“The business model of Netflix is directly at odds with the theatrical film production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans,” Cameron wrote. “It is therefore directly at odds with the business model of the Warner Brothers movie division, one of the few remaining major movie studios.”
Cameron noted that WBD releases around 15 theatrical films a year, volume that movie theater operators rely on at a time when production has shrunk and consumer habits have shifted.
He also suggested that the merger would “remove consumer choice by reducing the number of feature motion pictures that are made” as well as “restrict the choices of film-makers looking for studios to invest in their projects, which will in turn reduce jobs.”
Cameron touched on recent trade policy shifts by the Trump administration that have sought to protect U.S. exports. President Donald Trump has more than once floated the idea of tariffs to protect Hollywood.
“The US may no longer lead in auto or steel manufacturing, but it is still the world leader in movies,” Cameron said. Under a Netflix-WBD merger, “That will change for the worse.”
Cameron also questioned whether Netflix would honor verbal commitments its executives have made around future theatrical releases, including how long they would play in theaters and how many theaters they would play in.
In its written testimony from earlier this month, Netflix said it plans to put Warner Bros. films in theaters with 45-day windows and would continue to employ these employees, since “we don’t have those kinds of workers at Netflix today.”
“We are not acquiring these amazing assets to shut them down, but to build them up,” according to the testimony.
Still, Cameron questioned whether those commitments would hold.
“Their pledge to support theatrical releases (a business fundamentally at odds with their core business model) is likely to evaporate in a few years,” he said.
“Once they own a major movie studio, that is irrevocable,” he added. “That ship has sailed (as I like to say, mindful that I directed ‘Titanic.’ I am very familiar not only with ships that sail, but also those that sink. And the theatrical experience of movies could become a sinking ship.)”
Johnson & Johnson executive vice president and CFO Joseph Wolk discusses the companys performance and President Donald Trumps healthcare agenda on The Claman Countdown.
Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in a next-generation manufacturing facility that will produce advanced cell therapy technologies.
The facility will be located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and Johnson & Johnson said the move will expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity along with its pipeline of transformational medicines for cancer, immune-mediated and neurological diseases.
Johnson & Johnson added that the facility will have cutting-edge manufacturing processes and support over 500 skilled biomanufacturing jobs once its fully operational, as well as over 4,000 construction jobs during its construction.
“For 140 years, Johnson & Johnson has been a leading innovator in American healthcare, and we are honored to continue advancing that legacy in Pennsylvania,” said Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON INVESTING $2B IN US MANUFACTURING, CREATING NEW JOBS
Johnson & Johnson announced plans to invest $1 billion in a new gene therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. (Cristina Arias/Cover/Getty Images)
“By uniting scientific excellence with state-of-the-art manufacturing and strategic investment, and by working collaboratively with our communities, we are delivering for patients and creating significant opportunities for workers and families,” Duato added.
The $1 billion investment in the new cell therapy manufacturing facility comes as part of the company’s previously announced plan to invest $55 billion in manufacturing, research and development, and technology in the U.S. through early 2029.
OBAMACARE ENROLLMENT FELL BY MORE THAN 1M ENROLLEES FOR 2026
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNJ | JOHNSON & JOHNSON | 245.90 | +0.97 | +0.40% |
Johnson & Johnson noted that the facility will deepen its presence in Pennsylvania, which it said has an economic impact of about $10 billion annually.
The company has 10 facilities covering over 2 million square feet in the Keystone State. Johnson & Johnson has manufacturing, research, distribution and office operations in Pennsylvania.
Johnson & Johnson’s investment is part of a previously announced $55 billion commitment. (Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson)
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said that the announcement shows the state is a “powerhouse for innovation and manufacturing in the life sciences” and added that the Johnson & Johnson announcement shows that companies “know we’ve got the strategy, the workforce, and the speed they need to succeed.”
“Pennsylvania leads in life sciences and advanced manufacturing because we consistently deliver what companies like Johnson & Johnson need to succeed: a skilled workforce, premier research institutions, and proven manufacturing strength,” said Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa. “This $1 billion-plus investment in a new Lower Gwynedd facility is a testament to that leadership and will produce life-changing treatments for patients, along with new and good jobs for our Commonwealth.”
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“Pennsylvania is a leader in healthcare innovation with some of the very best health care workers. Proud to see this more than $1 billion investment into Montgomery County and our Commonwealth,” said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. “Bringing new jobs, advanced manufacturing, and life-saving medicine to and for our communities is always something to celebrate.”
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Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., discusses Bernie Sanders’ push for a state billionaire tax, explaining how it drives wealth out of California and more on ‘The Bottom Line.’
Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich are escalating their attacks on America’s wealthiest individuals, accusing the “billionaire class” of suffering from an “addiction” to greed as they push aggressive new tax hikes in solidly Democratic states like California and New York.
“Governors Hochul and Newsom: Don’t worry about raising taxes on the rich. True, a few rich people may abandon New York or California if taxes on them are raised, but evidence suggests the vast majority will stay put,” Reich wrote in a Substack post on Wednesday.
“Never before in American history have we seen the kind of greed and arrogance and moral turpitude on the part of the ruling class that we see today,” Sanders said Wednesday evening on a Los Angeles stage, where the senator was speaking in support of California’s proposed wealth tax.
“These people suffer from an addiction problem,” Sanders continued. “Do you know what the most significant addiction crisis in America is today? It is the greed of the billionaire class. For these people, enough is never enough. They are dedicated to accumulating more and more wealth.”
REAL ESTATE EXPERTS BLAST MAMDANI’S MATH-DEFYING TAX PLAN, WARN OF HIGHER RENTS AND FLIGHT
Both California and New York are embroiled in their own tax debates: a proposal backed by the Service Employees International Union–United Healthcare Workers West would impose a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of California residents worth more than $1 billion. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued an ultimatum for the state to tax the ultra-wealthy or face a “last resort” 9.5% property tax hike to plug a $5.4 billion deficit.
Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich have been outspoken in their support of proposed wealth taxes. (Getty Images)
The threat of higher taxes has resulted in numerous high-net-worth public figures fleeing — sometimes with their businesses — to lower-tax states like Florida and Texas, Fox News Digital has previously reported.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has publicly opposed the tax proposition, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul remains reluctant. Reich claimed the “kindest” reasoning behind their opposition is due to fears of wealthy taxpayers leaving — but the “unkind” reason “is that they’re in the pockets of said rich.”
“When billionaire New York mayor Mike Bloomberg faced a budget deficit in his first term, he raised property taxes by 18.5 percent. Rich New Yorkers threatened to leave. Most did not,” Reich wrote. “When Massachusetts passed its ‘millionaire’s tax’ in 2022, rich residents of the Bay State threatened to leave. They didn’t. Instead, the state has collected $5.7 billion in additional revenue, while the number of millionaires in the state has grown, according to a study by People’s Policy Project.”
O’Leary Ventures Chairman Kevin O’Leary joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to weigh in on California’s proposed billionaire tax, the growing wealth exodus from blue states and why America is falling behind China in the AI power race.
“Why are the rich staying put, even though their taxes are being raised? Because they’re rich! They can afford to stay put… New York’s and California’s super-rich are richer than they’ve ever been; the wealth they’ve amassed is larger than any group of Americans has ever possessed; they don’t know what to do with all their money. The taxes they would pay under the proposals put forward are infinitesimally small, almost rounding errors, compared to their fortunes,” the former labor secretary added.
Sanders framed California’s tax landscape as more of a moral battle.
“The CEOs of large profitable corporations now make 350 times more than the average worker… Last year alone… the 938 billionaires in America became $1.5 trillion richer. I heard that there was a march here in California somewhere worrying about the plight of the billionaires. Well, I don’t think our hearts are going to go out too far,” Sanders said.
“The richest people in this country are doing unbelievably well. While the working class in America is going nowhere in a hurry,” he continued. “The whole concept of the tax on billionaires is more than economics, and it is more than tax policy… They see themselves as something separate and apart, like the oligarchs.”
The Corcoran Group agent Julian Johnston exclusively speaks to Fox News Digital about the new wave of California billionaires migrating to South Florida due to a proposed wealth tax.
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Reich ultimately asks: Is California really that much worse off without Zuckerberg, Thiel, Page and others?
“Maybe raising taxes on the super-rich not only provides critically-needed tax revenue but also acts as a kind of disinfectant, purging a city or state of a few of its most noxious and socially-irresponsible inhabitants,” Reich wrote. “Another reason to do so!”
Agropur switched to the packaging manufacturer’s AmPrima Plus to improve sustainability measurables.
The U.K’s rate of inflation slowed in January, furthering the chances of a rate cut by the Bank of England when policymakers next meet in March.
Consumer prices rose 3.0% in January on year, compared with a 3.4% uptick in December, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday.
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Business
(VIDEO) Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Series to Empower Users as Content Creators with Advanced Galaxy AI Tools
Samsung Electronics is set to unveil its next flagship smartphone lineup, the Galaxy S26 series, at Galaxy Unpacked on February 25, 2026, in San Francisco. The company has ramped up teasers emphasizing how Galaxy AI enhancements will transform ordinary smartphone users into effortless content creators through a unified, intuitive camera and editing experience.
Samsung’s recent promotions highlight a “new Galaxy camera experience” that integrates photo and video capturing, editing and sharing into one seamless platform. This eliminates the need to switch between multiple apps or navigate complex software, making advanced creative tasks accessible to non-professionals.
Key teased features include:
- Turning photos from day to night in seconds.
- Restoring missing parts of objects in images with realistic fills.
- Capturing detailed low-light photos and videos.
- Merging multiple photos into a single, cohesive composition.
- Generating personalized digital sticker packs from everyday photos, complete with varied poses and expressions for the same subject.
- Transforming sketches or simple drawings into detailed image elements.
- Prompt-based editing via text instructions, such as adding, removing or modifying objects.
These tools build on existing Galaxy AI capabilities like Generative Edit and Edit Suggestions but promise deeper integration and faster, on-device processing. Samsung credits its Edge Fusion technology—optimized through a partnership with Nota AI—for enabling rapid, privacy-focused generative AI directly on the device, reducing reliance on cloud servers and cutting generation times to seconds.
A series of short teaser videos released in mid-February demonstrate these functions in action. One clip shows a partially eaten cupcake restored to perfection; another converts a pet photo into a lively sticker set ready for messaging apps. Additional demos illustrate low-light video improvements and prompt-driven edits, where users describe changes in natural language for the AI to execute.
Samsung describes the updates as making creativity “faster, simpler and more natural.” The company positions the Galaxy S26 lineup as the “brightest Galaxy camera system ever,” combining hardware advancements—potentially including improved apertures and sensors—with software smarts to elevate mobile photography beyond basic capture.
The focus on content creation aligns with broader industry trends, where smartphones increasingly serve as all-in-one tools for social media, personal branding and casual filmmaking. By democratizing professional-level edits, Samsung aims to appeal to everyday users who want polished results without dedicated editing suites or skills.
The Galaxy S26 series is expected to include the standard Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra. While full specifications remain under wraps until Unpacked, rumors suggest refinements in design, performance and battery life alongside the AI-heavy camera push. Pre-order incentives include double storage upgrades for select variants and credits toward accessories.
The February 25 event, starting at 10 a.m. PT, will stream live on Samsung.com, the Samsung Newsroom and YouTube. Reservations are open, with perks like a $30 credit and sweepstakes entries for participants.
As AI becomes central to smartphone experiences, Samsung continues to expand Galaxy AI’s role across its ecosystem. The S26 teasers underscore a shift toward “personal and adaptive” intelligence that anticipates user needs and simplifies complex tasks.
Industry observers anticipate the event will further differentiate Samsung from competitors by emphasizing on-device AI for speed and privacy. With the launch just days away, excitement builds around how these tools could redefine mobile content creation for millions.
Samsung’s push positions the Galaxy S26 not just as a phone upgrade but as a creative companion empowering users to produce shareable, high-quality content instantly.
Sources close to the company insist that its difficulties stem entirely from “the Mandelson legacy”.
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