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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.

Gov. Lee takes step to name Nashville airport after Dolly Parton

Gov. Bill Lee and BNA leadership support renaming the airport after Dolly Parton.

Gov. Bill Lee and the Nashville airport announced their intent Friday to name the airport after the iconic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="2e0c9c1f-c560-49df-920f-9dd91411b431" data-vars-headline="Gov. Lee takes step to name Nashville airport after Dolly Parton" 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">Dolly Parton</a>.Why it matters: Dolly will be the name that welcomes millions of travelers to Tennessee&#x27;s capital city.<ul><li>At a time when politics divides us, renaming the airport to honor the universally beloved Parton became an idea everyone seems to support.</li></ul>

Dolly Parton's legacy of giving expands far beyond the Imagination Library

She supported life-saving medical research, disaster relief and education.

Millions of children had stocked bookshelves by the time they turned 5 thanks to Dolly Parton, but the Imagination Library was just one part of her sprawling philanthropic portfolio.The big picture: The international icon, who <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="7bd2cb8c-bbdc-4efa-afd4-14a5caf17aa2" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s legacy of giving expands far beyond the Imagination Library" 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>, pumped massive amounts of money into several causes over the course of her life.<ul><li>Her most famous passion was literacy, but she also supported life-saving medical research, disaster relief and even quietly bought students their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high school band uniforms" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/dolly-parton-philanthropy-country-music-obituary-6c10fced8ebea114cebbad1851e95d4c" data-vars-content-id="7bd2cb8c-bbdc-4efa-afd4-14a5caf17aa2" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s legacy of giving expands far beyond the Imagination Library" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/dolly-parton-philanthropy-country-music-obituary-6c10fced8ebea114cebbad1851e95d4c" target="_blank">high school band uniforms</a>.</li><li>She often invested in the hills of Appalachia, where she sought to lift up communities like the one she grew up in.</li></ul>

Nashville councilman pitches renaming airport for Dolly Parton

However, a 2010 policy prohibits renaming the airport for someone until two years after their death.

Nashville International Airport would be renamed for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="c72e2ff0-450b-4e9f-8f74-fe082f0106a9" data-vars-headline="Nashville councilman pitches renaming airport for Dolly Parton" 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">Dolly Parton</a> under a push that was revived this week following the country icon&#x27;s death.Why it matters: Parton played an integral role in exporting Nashville to the rest of the country and the world, making her name a fitting welcome sign for visitors, Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford argues.<ul><li>She&#x27;s also the template for aspiring songwriters who sojourn here to carve out their own niche in Music City, as she did immediately after graduating high school.</li></ul>

Ticketing fees and resale upcharges cost fans $11.3 billion, Vanderbilt finds

The new research offers model legislation on ticket reselling.

Ticket market middlemen added a cumulative $11.3 billion in unnecessary costs for fans going to live events last year, according to new research from the Vanderbilt Policy AcceleratorWhy it matters: Federal and state lawmakers have struggled to regulate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the ticketing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/blackburn-live-nation-ticket-bots-hearing" data-vars-content-id="74f1de4f-1047-4993-9931-891e1f567f51" data-vars-headline="Ticketing fees and resale upcharges cost fans $11.3 billion, Vanderbilt finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/28/blackburn-live-nation-ticket-bots-hearing" target="_self">the ticketing market</a> — and save fans money. The new research includes model legislation that could provide a roadmap.

Nashville mayor pitches plan to help small businesses

Mayor O'Connell offered a three-pronged plan to help Nashville small businesses.

Nashville&#x27;s government would provide tax dollars to long-running mom-and-pops under Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell&#x27;s new plan to help small businesses.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been a difficult stretch for Nashville small businesses as they face unprecedented economic challenges and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="soaring property taxes downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/12/tennessee-leaders-ponder-special-session-to-address-honky-tonk-owners-tax-concerns" data-vars-content-id="80392625-27eb-453b-8a8b-28bd42bd330a" data-vars-headline="Nashville mayor pitches plan to help small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/12/tennessee-leaders-ponder-special-session-to-address-honky-tonk-owners-tax-concerns" target="_self">soaring property taxes downtown</a>.

Bonnaroo will take "a year off," 2027 festival is canceled

The Farm "needs time to rest and recover" following years of heavy rain.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/27/bonnaroo-turns-to-fans-to-help-decide-festivals-future" data-vars-content-id="716edae7-6f4c-4e55-a938-3dbc1cd78b47" data-vars-headline="Bonnaroo will take &quot;a year off,&quot; 2027 festival is canceled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/27/bonnaroo-turns-to-fans-to-help-decide-festivals-future" target="_self">Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival</a> will take a &quot;year off&quot; and will not take place in 2027, organizers announced Friday.Why it matters: The cancellation raises renewed questions about Bonnaroo&#x27;s future after a rocky few years.

Family says error at St. Thomas Midtown paralyzed patient

St. Thomas confirmed an "event" at the hospital had affected four patients.

A Middle Tennessee woman&#x27;s family said a medical mixup last week at St. Thomas Midtown left her paralyzed following a routine knee replacement surgery.<ul><li>In a statement responding to reports about the matter, Ascension St. Thomas confirmed to Axios that an &quot;event&quot; at the hospital had affected four patients. The statement did not disclose the nature or cause of the event.</li></ul>

News 🗞

Gov. Lee takes step to name Nashville airport after Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton's legacy of giving expands far beyond the Imagination Library

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

Nashville councilman pitches renaming airport for Dolly Parton

Tennessee will get $751.9 million from Meta settlement