the five primaries

With the polls in eastern Indiana closed (the last polls in the western part of the state are open until 7pm Eastern), the first results come in, and in early counting of the available votes, Trump has a daunting 53% lead over Cruz's 33% and Kasich at 11%, while Hillary leads Bernie Sanders 58% to 43%.

If Trump's 50%+ lead remains largely unchallenged, it is difficult to see how the New York real estate billionaire will fail to accumulate the required threshold of votes before the Republican convention in July.

Developing

* * *

Update: *PAUL RYAN SAYS TRUMP WILL BE NOMINEE IF HE WINS INDIANA: CNBC

Today's primary in the Hoosier State could prove to be the last stand for Ted Cruz and John Kasich, as The Donald looks to deliver the final knockout blow to the two challengers. If Trump wins, it certainly would be an embarrassment for a GOP establishment that has literally done everything it can to stop Trump, most recently touting the Cruz/Kasich alliance that self-destructed just hours after it was announced.