Indiana Gov. Braun says Hammond Bears stadium bid 'in the red zone'

Serious momentum for major development; naming debate ongoing. Illinois may not vote until lame duck session, giving Indiana advantage. Mayor McDermott expressed 80% confidence. An Illinois Republican senator says move >50% likely. NICTD's 20-year plan now includes a 'Hammond Bears Stadium Connector' as an unfunded but mapped route, signaling concrete infrastructure planning beyond politics. This adds to earlier NICTD approvals for a downtown Hammond station (construction in a year) and a new maintenance facility.