Five more states are joining a federal antitrust lawsuit aimed at stopping the blockbuster merger of Nexstar and Tegna, a corporate tie-up that would create the largest operator of local television stations in the country. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose office is leading the court challenge, said Thursday that Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont had joined as plaintiffs, making the suit a bipartisan effort. “This is not controversial stuff — this merger is illegal and will give Nexstar and Tegna the ability to control and raise prices, fire journalists, and dominate the media landscape,” Bonta said in a statement . “We welcome our sister states into the fray and look forward to fighting alongside them,” Bonta added. Nexstar and Tegna did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday. The new plaintiffs join a lineup that includes state attorneys general for Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia.…