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Dolly Parton has died at 80

Parton's family confirmed the news in a video message Tuesday.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" target="_self">Dolly Parton</a>, the incomparable icon whose heavenly voice, stellar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="songwriting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/16/dolly-parton-s-new-song-supports-nashville-children-s-hospital" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/16/dolly-parton-s-new-song-supports-nashville-children-s-hospital" target="_self">songwriting</a>, sparkling style and life-changing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="philanthropy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/11/14/dolly-parton-partners-with-the-nashville-library" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/11/14/dolly-parton-partners-with-the-nashville-library" target="_self">philanthropy</a> lifted her out of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and made her one of the most recognizable people in the world, has died at 80 years old.<ul><li>Her family confirmed the news in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="video message Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/DollyParton/status/2092309743981228273?s=20" data-vars-content-id="a2960197-49b5-44e8-88c9-73627e569059" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton has died at 80" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/DollyParton/status/2092309743981228273?s=20" target="_blank">video message Tuesday</a>.</li></ul>

Nashville rumored to be possible destination for Paramount relocation

Hollywood trade publications list Nashville as a possible destination if Paramount leaves California.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paramount" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/paramount-skydance-states-wga-bond" data-vars-content-id="594ae8fe-8500-4cf5-b4de-2049ed9ac738" data-vars-headline="Nashville rumored to be possible destination for Paramount relocation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/paramount-skydance-states-wga-bond" target="_self">Paramount</a> could pack up and move its legendary film and television business to Nashville, according to rumors that at first seemed absurd, but are actually plausible according to political insiders.Why it matters: The relocation of some or all of Paramount&#x27;s business offers a rare economic development opportunity for Nashville by leveling up the city&#x27;s already-booming entertainment industry and attracting thousands of jobs.

Tennessee will get $751.9 million from Meta settlement

This is social media's version of the landmark 1990s tobacco settlement.

Tennessee will get $751.9 million from Meta as part of a deal settling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a multi-state legal challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/10/25/tennessee-sues-meta" data-vars-content-id="9db8d164-28a0-4a7e-9479-86bb309d3b51" data-vars-headline="Tennessee will get $751.9 million from Meta settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/10/25/tennessee-sues-meta" target="_self">a multi-state legal challenge</a> alleging Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that harm children.Why it matters: This is social media&#x27;s version of the landmark 1990s tobacco settlement, a settlement that effectively reshapes the industry and the way young Americans experience some of their favorite platforms.<ul><li>The full settlement deal will reach up to $16.7 billion. The Tennessee attorney general&#x27;s office <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/news/2026/8/26/pr26-33.html" data-vars-content-id="9db8d164-28a0-4a7e-9479-86bb309d3b51" data-vars-headline="Tennessee will get $751.9 million from Meta settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/news/2026/8/26/pr26-33.html" target="_blank">said</a> this state&#x27;s portion &quot;will go directly to protecting and restoring the mental health and safety of Tennessee children via Tennessee&#x27;s new Children&#x27;s Digital Protection Fund.&quot;</li></ul>

Dolly Parton left plans for decades of posthumous releases, team says

Parton "placed her personal stamp" on several projects that are still in the works.

Before she <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died this week in Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="c5a74682-0a15-4316-93f9-94048088ea42" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton left plans for decades of posthumous releases, team says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">died this week in Nashville</a>, Dolly Parton worked with her team on a &quot;project roadmap&quot; that will guide the posthumous release of new music and merch for years into the future.Why it matters: The ever-productive Parton planned in advance to extend her legacy. Management told fans Wednesday that &quot;she placed her personal stamp&quot; on several projects that are in the works.

Bon Appétit names Nashville's Junior one of America's best new restaurants

"Junior exudes a lived-in bravado that shines through the Nashville neon."

Food and Drink

One of the godfathers of Nashville&#x27;s fine dining scene is getting new plaudits.Zoom in: Chef Philip Krajeck, the mastermind behind the Germantown stalwart Rolf &amp; Daughters, tried something new with his restaurant Junior, which opened two years ago on Dickerson Pike.<ul><li>According to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the folks at Bon Appétit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-new-restaurants-2026?srsltid=AfmBOoqDk5qkB0GC8XbDTbyOtxZYE747cCAORb_lzyAMsUHO48paYNie" data-vars-content-id="ac40b060-bdb4-41d0-9999-093fa001c01e" data-vars-headline="Bon Appétit names Nashville&#x27;s Junior one of America&#x27;s best new restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-new-restaurants-2026?srsltid=AfmBOoqDk5qkB0GC8XbDTbyOtxZYE747cCAORb_lzyAMsUHO48paYNie" target="_blank">the folks at Bon Appétit</a>, it worked. The culinary magazine recently named Junior one of the nation&#x27;s 19 best new restaurants.</li></ul>

Axios' guide to dining alone in Nashville 

We asked readers to share their favorite Nashville spots for dining solo.

We asked readers to share their favorite Nashville spots for dining solo. The answers ranged from a 17-year classic to a super-sized sip behind the wheel.

100 Pizza in Brentwood started as a basement experiment

The shop uses "New York water" as a key dough ingredient.

A veteran of marketing, Michael Wilde spent his entire career helping other people build up their brands.<ul><li>Several years ago, Wilde was worn down by the grind of constant travel for his consulting business. One day, he said to himself, &quot;Why don&#x27;t you try to build your own brand and do something with that?&quot;</li></ul>Driving the news: Wilde chose his family&#x27;s culinary passion, pizza, as his entrepreneurial choice. There was only one problem: He&#x27;d never even worked in a restaurant before, not to mention run a pizza shop.<ul><li>So Wilde and his son Parker turned their basement into a test kitchen and got to work experimenting with pizza recipes.</li></ul>

SATCO sold to local investors

The plan is to keep SATCO running the way we know and love it, but also make improvements.

SATCO, the beloved Vanderbilt-area taco shop and survivor of Nashville&#x27;s gritty independent restaurant scene, is being sold to a group of local investors.Why it matters: The plan is to keep SATCO running the way we know and love it, but also make improvements.

Centennial Park to get a restaurant next month

Croquet Cafe is set to open in late August.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centennial Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/01/nashville-tennessee-parks-guide" data-vars-content-id="c9f32831-e4e1-4d2c-8a66-cee10d307704" data-vars-headline="Centennial Park to get a restaurant next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/01/nashville-tennessee-parks-guide" target="_self">Centennial Park</a> will soon open a restaurant for visitors who want to sip coffee or grab a sandwich after strolling around The Parthenon. State of plate: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Croquet Cafe" data-vars-click-url="http://conservancyonline.com/croquet-cafe" data-vars-content-id="c9f32831-e4e1-4d2c-8a66-cee10d307704" data-vars-headline="Centennial Park to get a restaurant next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://conservancyonline.com/croquet-cafe" target="_blank">Croquet Cafe</a> is set to open next month in the park&#x27;s historic 1963 Croquet Clubhouse.<ul><li>The Centennial Park Conservancy will run the nonprofit cafe and proceeds will go toward park projects and Parthenon preservation.</li></ul>

Joyland closes Nashville burger joints

Joyland closes Nashville shops following its investor's financial turmoil.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Joyland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/01/28/a-new-era-at-sean-brocks-joyland" data-vars-content-id="35c4d825-fc1b-4c95-bbf0-3259169cb0eb" data-vars-headline="Joyland closes Nashville burger joints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/01/28/a-new-era-at-sean-brocks-joyland" target="_self">Joyland</a>, the fast food burger concept from acclaimed chef Sean Brock, abruptly closed both of its Nashville locations over the weekend.Why it matters: A reliably good burger option is off the menu for Nashvillians.

Hattie B's rapid expansion continues with new shop in East Nashville

Hattie B's is opening its newest location in Nashville.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hattie B&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/28/hattie-bs-most-photographed-restaurants-in-the-us" data-vars-content-id="f88193f3-7db3-43a9-8303-c1038cfbd671" data-vars-headline="Hattie B&#x27;s rapid expansion continues with new shop in East Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/28/hattie-bs-most-photographed-restaurants-in-the-us" target="_self">Hattie B&#x27;s</a> continues its hot chicken domination with Wednesday&#x27;s opening of its newest location in East Nashville.Why it matters: Hattie B&#x27;s is a soaring local hospitality success story. The growing chain has spread love of Nashville&#x27;s most famous dish across the country.

Chef Julio Hernandez debuts Fonda Fina

Maiz De La Vida tortilla shop converts to cozy Fonda Fina dine-in concept.

Critically acclaimed chef <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julio Hernandez" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/03/julio-hernandezs-james-beard-semifinalist" data-vars-content-id="01d3ae9b-69f8-48a5-ab7f-afbb41983cbb" data-vars-headline="Chef Julio Hernandez debuts Fonda Fina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/03/julio-hernandezs-james-beard-semifinalist" target="_self">Julio Hernandez</a> has converted his North Nashville tortilla shop into a 12-seat dine-in restaurant called Fonda Fina.Why it matters: The new concept debuting Wednesday features a redesigned space and overhauled menu.

Nashville's Portal Cultured Soda launches as a healthy soda option

Byron Stithem, the owner of Proper Saké, collaborated with his son on a new soda company.

The brewing mind behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Proper Saké" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/07/15/proper-sake-rice-vice-bar-nashville" data-vars-content-id="69f5e15c-86f2-4a29-a496-4f08e582a19a" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s Portal Cultured Soda launches as a healthy soda option" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/07/15/proper-sake-rice-vice-bar-nashville" target="_self">Proper Saké</a> is expanding his beverage business to include soda. And this time it&#x27;s a family affair.Driving the news: Byron Stithem and his 14-year-old son Booker Stithem partnered with Nashville&#x27;s kombucha kings the Walker Brothers, creating a new endeavor last year called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portal Cultured Soda" data-vars-click-url="https://portalsoda.com/" data-vars-content-id="69f5e15c-86f2-4a29-a496-4f08e582a19a" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s Portal Cultured Soda launches as a healthy soda option" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portalsoda.com/" target="_blank">Portal Cultured Soda</a>.Why it matters: Portal is a healthy alternative to popular sodas. The Stithems use natural ingredients to create a cultured, probiotic soda.

Xul to host PB&J Mixtape release party in The Nations

Xul brings a jolt of enthusiasm to the Nashville beer scene with its PB&J Mixtape release party.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a gritty stretch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/09/02/nashville-craft-beer-industry-ownership-changes" data-vars-content-id="2ed25cd8-9b38-43a3-9bfc-88ea3152fbca" data-vars-headline="Xul to host PB&amp;J Mixtape release party in The Nations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/09/02/nashville-craft-beer-industry-ownership-changes" target="_self">a gritty stretch</a> for Nashville&#x27;s craft brewery scene.<ul><li>Beloved breweries have consolidated, sold to out-of-towners or just plain closed.</li></ul>

Food and Drink 🍽

Bon Appétit names Nashville's Junior one of America's best new restaurants

Axios' guide to dining alone in Nashville

100 Pizza in Brentwood started as a basement experiment

SATCO sold to local investors

Nashville loses Gio's Chicago pizza spot