TOWN OF BLACK RIVER

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 07 2026POLITICS

AI at the table: Next week's meeting could change tech talks

Officials from the US and China might add AI to the list of topics for their upcoming high-level meeting. The possible talks could happen during a summit planned for next week in Beijing. This isn't confirmed yet, but sources say both sides are looking at the idea seriously. The American team might

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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 21 2026POLITICS

Gas prices: Why official predictions keep changing

Officials keep giving different answers about when gas prices might drop. First they said weeks, then months, then maybe never before the election. Energy Secretary Chris Wright started with a confident \"weeks\" timeline in early March. By April, he called summer a \"very aggressive\" guess. Just d

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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 18 2026POLITICS

Nordic Countries Back Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Move

Officials from Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark spoke up after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open for ships. The statement followed a truce worked out in Lebanon, which paused a long-running dispute in the area. The Nordic leaders didn’t just cheer Iran’s words—they stressed that real peace

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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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