[KathieK]

My two cents: Keeping in mind that all Regionals are Bag and Tag now, which will be easier for you to bring your robot and pit materials to? That might influence your decision.

Since the NASA question is an unknown, wouldn't it be "safer" to choose your home Regional first, and choose the out-of-state Regional as a second choice? By the time second regional registration opens you may have some answers to your questions about the regionals being NASA-sponsored, you may have additional funding to be able to afford to go, etc.