BLACK RIVER FALLS FIRE

May 11 2026BUSINESS

BlackRock bets big on blockchain with new money fund plans

BlackRock is taking another step into crypto by planning two new funds that trade on blockchain instead of traditional exchanges. The move shows how Wall Street is slowly merging with digital money systems, even as regulators try to keep up. The first fund copies a well-known $6. 1 billion US Treas

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May 09 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Behind the Mask: How Blackface Shaped America’s Hidden Culture

Blackface wasn’t just a stage act—it was America’s unofficial pastime for a century. A new book digs into how everyday people, not just performers, kept this racist tradition alive, turning it into a tool for politics, profit, and power. From government-sponsored shows during the Great Depression to

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May 02 2026CRYPTO

BlackRock’s Crypto Fees: Small Bite, Big Price Tag

BlackRock’s crypto division made $42 million in fees during the first quarter, a modest amount compared to its total ETF revenue. The firm’s overall ETF business earned more than $2. 4 billion in the same period. Crypto products hold about 1. 11 % of BlackRock’s $5. 48 trillion in ETF assets,

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Apr 27 2026ENVIRONMENT

Can underwater plants warn us about hidden chemicals in rivers?

Rivers hide more than just fish and rocks. They also carry invisible chemicals from everyday products. One group, called PFAS, sticks around for years and mixes into water systems. Scientists recently tested a common underwater plant, Potamogeton crispus, to see if it could act like a warning sign f

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Apr 22 2026FINANCE

Smart Money Watching BlackSky as Stock Nears Yearly Peak

BlackSky’s shares are closing in on their highest point in a year, sitting just below $40. 62. That’s interesting because most stocks tend to pull back when the market is shaky. But here, the price is holding strong near the top instead of falling. This often means big investors are quietly buying u

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Apr 20 2026EDUCATION

A Rare Shot at Gunsmithing School in Arkansas

Black River Technical College in Arkansas just joined an exclusive club. It’s one of only four schools in the U. S. that teach short-term gunsmithing courses approved by the National Rifle Association. Most of these programs have been around for decades, but Black River only started in 2020. That’s

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Apr 13 2026WEATHER

Fire Alert: Stay Safe in Dry West Piedmont and Sandhills

Fire danger has climbed to a warning level in the Western Piedmont and Sandhills areas as humidity drops, winds pick up, and fuels become very dry. The National Weather Service says the risk of wildfires will grow through tonight, especially as gusts can push flames quickly across open land. Resid

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Apr 03 2026OPINION

Safety Tech Helps Keep Riverton Secure

Riverton’s council members often think about how to protect the town and its families. A violent crime in the neighborhood a little over two years ago made everyone feel unsafe. After that, people called for help and worried about children playing outside or being alone at home. The town’s

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Apr 01 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Tech Tales That Feel Too Close to Home

Black Mirror isn’t just another sci-fi show about robots and spaceships. It’s a mirror held up to today’s tech habits, reflecting how close we already are to some of its wildest ideas. What makes the series stand out isn’t fancy effects or big explosions. It’s how it turns everyday tools—like social

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Mar 12 2026TECHNOLOGY

Alpha Rocket’s Successful Test: A New Step Toward Bigger, Better Flights

Firefly Aerospace’s newest rocket launch proved that the company is ready for a major upgrade. The Alpha flight lifted off from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex 2 on March 11, reaching orbit and dropping a test satellite for Lockheed Martin. The mission also tested the rocket’s second‑stage engine

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