Parton died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, her publicist said in a statement.

Known for her curves, massive blonde wigs and skin-tight outfits that served her self-deprecating wit, she was among the most beloved personalities in music and beyond 鈥� the rare celebrity whose appeal transcended generations, geography and politics.

She wrote hundreds of songs, including such favorites as 鈥淛olene,鈥� 鈥淐oat of Many Colors鈥� and 鈥淚 Will Always Love You,鈥� which totaled more than 100 million worldwide sales and more than 1 billion online streams. Parton was a and whose projects included near her birthplace.

Her career was influenced by her upbringing as one of 12 children born into what she called a 鈥渄irt poor鈥� Tennessee family. She started her , Imagination Library, to send free books to needy children because her father quit school to work on the farm and struggled to learn to read.

Her first musical performances were in church, where her grandfather was a preacher. At 13, she appeared on the in Nashville, where Johnny Cash introduced her as 鈥渁 little girl here from up in East Tennessee.鈥�

With a suitcase of songs, she followed her uncle, Bill Owens, also a songwriter, to Nashville after graduating high school.

鈥楾he Porter Wagoner Show鈥�

Her partnership with Porter Wagoner and his syndicated TV show kicked off her career. Their first duet, 鈥淭he Last Thing On My Mind,鈥� was released in 1967, the year she started her publishing company.

Their duets were often radio hits, but her solo singles didn鈥檛 chart as highly at first. With Wagoner as co-producer, she adjusted her country warble to a more polished pop-leaning style.

Her first No. 1 solo single was 鈥淛oshua.鈥� She reached the top 5 with the ballad 鈥淐oat of Many Colors,鈥� about her mother sewing together scraps to make a coat Parton wore 鈥渟o proudly鈥� even as her peers mocked it.

In 1973, she had the hit that made her career 鈥� 鈥淛olene,鈥� a country music standard with its churning rhythm and Parton鈥檚 repetition of the title as she pleads for the woman not to steal her man.

A pop crossover star

鈥淛olene鈥� was followed by the 1974 hit, 鈥淚 Will Always Love You,鈥� an ode to Wagoner that helped her win the Country Music Association鈥檚 female vocalist of the year back to back in 1975 and 1976. She famously turned down Elvis Presley, who wanted to record it, because she would not share publishing rights.

Decades later, Whitney Houston鈥檚 version became a smash for the 1992 soundtrack of her film, 鈥淭he Bodyguard.鈥� Houston won a Grammy for her performance in 1994, presented to her by Parton.

Down home charm

For millions, she was simply 鈥淒olly,鈥� a mixture of Southern charm, humor and glamour. She was also considered a feminist role model for holding the reins of her career, writing her own songs, owning her content and controlling her finances in an entertainment world dominated by men.

Parton was open to making fun of herself; when she hosted 鈥淪aturday Night Live鈥� in 1989 she told the writers her only restrictions were she wouldn鈥檛 curse and wouldn鈥檛 make fun of Jesus. She’d regularly joke about her breasts or her dumb blonde appearance, but with a wink that she was the one controlling the laughs. In the memoir 鈥淢y Life So Far,鈥� her friend Jane Fonda remembered Parton鈥檚 way with a wisecrack, 鈥渦sually high raunch,鈥� and a laugh that was 鈥渟omewhere between a girl鈥檚 giggle, an explosive shriek, and a cascade of little bells.鈥�

She married Carl Dean, an asphalt paving contractor, in the mid-1960s and they were together until his death in 2025 at the age of 82. Though rarely seen in public, he was an influence on her career: She said she wrote 鈥淛olene鈥� about a flirty bank teller who seemed to take an interest in Dean.

鈥�9 to 5鈥� to Hollywood and Broadway

In her first major film role, Parton played alongside Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the hit comedy 鈥�9 to 5.鈥� Critic Roger Ebert called her a 鈥渘atural-born movie star鈥� and the title song, written by Parton, earned her two Grammy Awards and was a pop crossover hit. Starring roles in 鈥淭he Best Little Whorehouse In Texas鈥� and 鈥淪teel Magnolias鈥� followed.

鈥淚 never thought of myself as a movie star,鈥� she told The Associated Press’ Bob Thomas in 1979. 鈥淚 knew I鈥檇 be a star, but as a singer or as a writer of songs or books or poetry. I wanted to be a famous performer and wear flashy clothes, but singing in movies was not one of my ambitions. My family lived in the mountains and we didn鈥檛 see movies.鈥�

Her love affair with TV and film continued for decades, with appearances alongside Miley Cyrus on 鈥淗annah Montana鈥� and adaptations of her music for Christmas specials, films and streaming series.

The stage adaptation 鈥�9 to 5: The Musical鈥� debuted in 2009, and was set to open in December 2026.

United States of Dolly

Parton鈥檚 appeal spanned social and political divides. But she was strict in not voicing her own political beliefs, often turning aside questions about presidents, candidates, policies and other controversies.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 do politics,鈥� Parton told Jad Abumrad on his hit podcast 鈥淚 have too many fans on both sides of the fence. Of course, I have my opinion about everything, but I learned years ago to keep your mouth shut about things.鈥�

When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation sent out a ballot with her name on it, though she said , the voters answered with a 鈥淗ello, Dolly.鈥� Parton showed up to the induction ceremony, performed and then .

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The sheriff’s office said Isaac Melendez-Carranza, 31, was charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of sale of drugs near certain properties.

Investigators with the Drug and Gang Unit identified Melendez-Carranza as a suspected dealer connected to overdoses involving Park View High School students in May, according to the sheriff’s office.

Melendez-Carranza was taken into custody Aug. 20 after deputies executed search warrants. During those聽searches, deputies seized around 100 narcotics pills as well as U.S. currency.

Melendez-Carranza is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

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State health officials announced the deaths Tuesday. They did not reveal any details about the people who died, other than that they lived in Lancaster County, west of Philadelphia.

鈥淢y deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,鈥� said state Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen. 鈥淏ecause measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don鈥檛 fully understand the potential severity of the illness.”

The U.S. has now seen five measles deaths in the last two years 鈥� more than the combined total of reported deaths over the previous three decades 鈥� and is enduring its worst year for measles since 1991.

With 2,777 cases as of Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this year already 2025’s measles count.

In November, international health officials will meet to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have . The U.S. eliminated local measles spread in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, which have fallen in recent years to needed to prevent outbreaks.

Governor suggests Trump administration could do more to promote vaccines

The measles surge has coincided with moves by President Donald Trump’s administration to scale back childhood vaccinations, based on concerns 鈥� unfounded, according to scientific studies 鈥� about vaccine safety.

earlier this month signed an executive order calling for revamped . He also advocated separating the into three different shots, and administering all childhood immunizations at separate appointments whenever possible.

Doctors have raised concerns that Trump and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are stoking confusion and hesitancy.

In a media briefing Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had spoken with Kennedy, who offered the assistance of federal health staffers. Shapiro declined the offer, saying Pennsylvania’s health department was able to handle the current situation.

鈥淚 was very, very blunt with him,” Shapiro said. “I made very clear that his actions and the rhetoric that鈥檚 coming from this administration are having a negative impact on communities across America, particularly right here in Pennsylvania.鈥�

He added: “There鈥檚 real-life consequences to scaring people and not relying on actual doctors and actual medical professionals to provide unbiased information to parents so that we can make reasonable decisions for our kids.”

Federal health officials did not immediately comment on the Pennsylvania deaths or on Shapiro’s account of the exchange with Kennedy.

Vaccination rates are declining nationwide

Decades of widespread vaccinations turned measles cases and deaths into a rarity, causing people to forget that the very contagious virus can be deadly, said Dr. David Margolius, director of Cleveland鈥檚 health department and a leader in a coalition of big city health departments.

He said that some Cleveland residents have expressed irritation with vaccine-promotion campaigns.

鈥淭hey say, 鈥極h, that鈥檚 not a big deal. I mean, do people even die from measles? And, you know, why do you care so much? Why do you keep calling me about this?鈥欌�� he recounted.

Margolius said the Trump administration has reacted to outbreaks with offers of assistance.

鈥淏ut the time to prevent measles is before the outbreaks happen,” he said. “And the way to do that is clear and consistent and very visible messaging” about the importance of vaccinations.

The overall U.S. kindergarten inched down last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted last week.

Lancaster County is known as the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish community, a religious group that is sometimes reluctant to embrace modern medical interventions such as vaccines. About 88% of kindergartners in the county were up to date on their measles vaccines during the last school year, according to state data.

Pennsylvania has counted nearly 400 measles cases this year, state officials said.

The state has been promoting measles vaccinations as cases have risen, and about 35,000 people have been vaccinated, up from the usual pace of about 25,000 per month, officials said.

___

Stobbe reported from New York.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute鈥檚 Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Some of their responsibilities include helping students with course selection, writing recommendation letters, organizing information sessions with admissions officers and submitting transcripts to colleges post-acceptance.

“The counselor is really the partner, ally and advocate for the student because they sit at the intersection of the student and the school,” says Lindsay Tanne Howe, founder and CEO of LogicPrep, a global college admissions consultancy. “They are the experts in the school environment and they’re also responsible for managing the really essential administrative tasks that support the student’s submissions.”

Beyond their administrative tasks, counselors often provide emotional support and answer students’ questions about applying to college and the process.

“We have a really good understanding of the context of our school environment, but as much as we are a resource, we also have access to resources,” says Candice Mackey, college counselor at in California. “We have relationships with college admissions counselors and representatives. We can hopefully direct and provide opportunities and resources for students and their families.”

[Read: ]

Benefits of Building Rapport With Your Counselor

Since counselors often work with many students, especially at public schools, it can be difficult for them to write a personalized . Therefore, students may be asked to fill out and submit an information sheet about themselves, providing details about their interests, strengths and goals.

Students who are proactive and build relationships with their counselor may receive a stronger letter, since the counselor would then have details beyond what’s written in a resume.

“Your counselor has to write a letter for all of the kids they have,” says Brie Jeweler-Bentz, director of college counseling at The School Counseling Group, an educational consulting organization. “You want your letter to be better than their letters. You want them to have specific things to say about you that distinguish you from your peers. It could be the leadership that you’ve displayed. It could be your kindness. … If (you’ve) started to develop that relationship from day one, the counselor is going to have their own stories to tell.”

Appreciation also goes a long way, experts say.

“Counselors have a lot on their plate. They’re often very busy and very stressed out,” Jeweler-Bentz says. “Even if you don’t love your counselor … recognize you don’t want to burn a bridge. If you can respect their time and appreciate them and if they’re writing a letter, maybe get them a Starbucks gift card or something like that. It can be a really nice thing to do.”

When Should You Connect With Your Counselor?

Some high schools have both guidance counselors and designated college and career counselors. However, if you have the same counselor throughout the entirety of high school, initiate that first conversation early, experts say. That often means reaching out in ninth or tenth grade.

“Don’t be afraid,” Mackey says. “Students sometimes may feel a little bit intimidated or feel like, ‘Oh, well, they’re busy. I’ll put it off and I’ll talk to them later.’ Or, ‘I’ll talk to them as I get closer to this process.’ But part of managing some of the stress and the feelings of being overwhelmed at times is having those conversations early on so that it can make things a little bit easier with getting, as I call it, advanced knowledge and preparation when the stakes are lower.”

School counselors may have different communication preferences, but a good rule of thumb is reaching out via email to make an appointment or dropping in during set office hours before or after classes.

[Read: ]

However, be mindful about how — and how often — you communicate with your counselor, experts say.

Students should know “how to contact their counselor,” Mackey says. “There’s that fine line with being persistent and then also just being rude.”

Examples of Questions to Ask Your High School Counselor

Given counselors’ time constraints, students should come to their appointment with a list of questions. Here are some examples.

What Are All of my Options?

Some students aren’t always sure if college is the . But counselors can help, such as by making introductions to students who have pursued other options, Howe says.

“If a student is sitting there in the fall of senior year saying, ‘I’m not sure which path to pursue, I have multiple forks in the road,’ the counselor can certainly share their perspective based on the academic record, based on the goals the student is articulating,” she says. “But they can also make helpful introductions to students and families who have a more longitudinal view. I wouldn’t hesitate to ask, ‘Do you have a resource that you’ve worked with in the past who can share their experience and their perspective?'”

?Does my College List Look Balanced?

There are many types of colleges, and their acceptance rates and requirements vary.

“So often, students are coming back to school having spent the summer researching schools, maybe , starting to work on applications,” Howe says. “It’s great to have the counselor take another look at the list to evaluate whether there are enough schools on it and whether the student has options across different admissions probabilities that they can be really excited about.”

[Read: ]

The list should be assessed from both a “probability and financial aid perspective,” she adds. “It’s more of a global conversation to say, ‘These are the factors I’m considering. I’m looking at this potential major, , affordability is a factor as well. Can you weigh in across all of those different areas?'”

Would my Test Scores Be a Positive Addition to my Application?

The standardized testing landscape is constantly , so students can ask their counselors about whether submitting their score at a test-optional school would benefit their overall application. ? “Let’s say I’m a student and I have a 1200 on my SAT and I’m applying to a college that’s test optional — meaning it’s up to me whether I want to submit it or not,” Jeweler-Bentz says. “If I go to my counselor and say, ‘Hey, can you tell me what the average SAT score is for our high school?’ If I find out it’s 1100, my 1200 is going to seem really good. If the average is 1400, my 1200 is not going to seem so good, and that’s really helpful information that the counselors have.”

Searching for a college? Get our of Best Colleges.

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She immediately contacted Medicare to report that she hadn’t ordered the tests. A couple of months later, she again received COVID tests that she hadn’t asked for. She called Medicare to report the fraud a second time but never received any confirmation that the situation had been resolved.

Later, when she received an explanation of benefits, she saw the charges on her Medicare statement.

“Medicare scammers send emails, make calls and create fake websites to trick you into giving them your personal Medicare and Social Security information,” says Ari Parker, co-founder and head of Medicare Advisory at Chapter, an independent company that offers free Medicare advice from licensed independent Medicare advisors.

And now is the time to be on alert, as Medicare fraud is more common during the annual (October 15 to December 7), a window in which you can change your Medicare Advantage plan or drug coverage.

[READ: ]

Understanding Medicare Scams and Medical Identity Theft

Medicare fraud costs Americans an estimated $60 billion a year, according to (SMP). SMP is a group of volunteer-based organizations funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to educate Medicare beneficiaries on how to prevent, detect and report Medicare errors and abuse.

A Medicare scam occurs when a provider, a supplier or an individual poses as you to receive medical care, services, supplies or prescription and uses your personal information — your name, Social Security number, Medicare number — without your consent to submit false Medicare claims.

Beware of criminals pretending to be from Medicare or other known organizations trying to trick you into giving them your information. It’s one of the most rampant kinds of fraud in the country and is a serious crime.

[READ: ]

Official Medicare Outreach vs. Fraudulent Scammer Tactics

[Read: ]

Common Medicare Scams During Open Enrollment

Medicare scams come in many different and ever-evolving forms. A good rule of thumb to combat all of them is to never give your personal information to anyone unless you are completely certain of who they are. Guard your Medicare and Social Security information the same way you would guard your credit cards.

Here are some of the current common Medicare scams:

Identity theft and account exploitation

— Enrollment center and card impersonation: Scammers call, claiming they’re from your Medicare Enrollment Center and requesting your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (the series of 11 letters and numbers listed on your Medicare card). They might say that they’re doing a survey that requires your information, that you need a with a chip or that you need a laminated card. Medicare cards come in paper form only.

— Phony organization calls: Callers pose as representatives from your doctor’s office or a state or local agency and request information.

— Unwanted plan switching: Scammers try to convince you that your coverage is ending and offer to you to a lower-cost plan, for which they’ll need your personal information, including your MBI.

Unsolicited supplies, tests and care billing

— Unrequested medical equipment: Scammers ship unneeded equipment, such as back braces, wheelchairs or electric scooters, and bill it to Medicare or ask your doctors for supplies and you don’t need. They may also say they’re from companies offering free medical supplies or testing trial offers and need your MBI before you can receive these services.

— Genetic screening and health fair schemes: A company will offer you “free” or “at no cost to you” genetic tests, such as cancer screening tests or , without a physician’s order and will bill Medicare for the cost. Fraudsters will request your MBI at , church-sponsored events or health fairs, where they’ll offer raffles and free gifts that require your MBI.

— Unauthorized service claims: Scammers will try to bill Medicare for fake services, unrequested or unnecessary care.

Financial traps and coercion

— Threats to cancel coverage: You get a call from someone saying there’s been fraudulent activity or a problem with your Medicare account. They may tell you that your benefits will be canceled unless you immediately verify your personal information.

— Fake rebate and refund promises: Scammers offer rebates, refunds, cheaper plans or better deals in exchange for your MBI.

— Pressure tactics: Scammers pose as who pressure you to buy high-priced medical services and diagnostic tests or threaten to withhold services if you don’t provide your information.

How Healthcare Providers Defraud the Medicare System

Most healthcare providers are doing their best and practicing medicine honestly and in good faith. However, there are some who also are scamming the Medicare system. They may use the following tactics:

— Double billing: Submitting multiple claims for the same service

— Phantom billing: Submitting bills for a visit that never took place

— Upcoding: Billing for a more expensive service than a patient received

— Performing medically unnecessary services: Attempting to generate more Medicare reimbursement payments

— Misrepresenting noncovered treatments: Submitting treatments that aren’t , such as cosmetic surgeries, to Medicare for payment

— Falsifying patient : Trying to justify additional tests, surgeries and procedures that aren’t medically necessary

— Unbundling: Billing for each step of a procedure as if they were all separate procedures to be paid higher fees

— Billing Medicare more than the required copayment: Billing for services that were paid in full by a patient’s benefit plan

— Kickbacks: Offering money for patient referrals

Consequences of Medical Identity Theft for Beneficiaries

Medically unnecessary products and services that end up on your records could later result in improper medical treatment from legitimate providers, according to Nicole Liebau, a center director advisor at SMP.

“Because of inaccurate or fraudulent claims to Medicare, you may be denied needed medical benefits,” Liebau explains. “Some services have limits, and if Medicare thinks such services have already been provided, they will .”

Inaccurate medical records could contain misinformation such as false diagnoses, treatments that never occurred, nonexistent or incorrect lab results.

What’s more, Medicare fraud, errors and abuse can result in higher out-of-pocket .

Medicare Education to Prevent Fraud

Because Medicare is complicated, it’s important to learn what your coverage includes, how Medicare uses your personal information, what your rights are and which services providers can and can’t bill to Medicare.

“Educating yourself on how to spot red flags of potential fraud is the best way to prevent and detect Medicare fraud,” Liebau confirms.

Here are some of the ways you can educate yourself to prevent Medicare fraud:

— Learn how to read your Medicare statements. Your Medicare Summary Notice shows the services, supplies or equipment you received, what you were charged and how much Medicare paid. provides information to help you do that.

— Use tools to help you detect Medicare fraud. You can and should track your medical appointments and services. SMP can help with a tool called .

How to Protect Your Medicare Number and Lower Your Risk

Medicare fraud is sometimes hard to detect. Criminals can be very sophisticated in their schemes and fraudulent activities. Here are some strategies to avoid becoming a victim:

— Don’t give out your personal information. As soon as someone asks for your personal information by mail, social media or text or someone shows up at your door, it’s a scam.

— Watch out for phishing. Don’t click on email links, open attachments or call any number on messages. Scammers are likely phishing for personal information.

— Medicare phone calls. Don’t be tricked if someone says they’re calling from Medicare, even if the number looks official.

— Check statements from healthcare providers. Look at the statements you get from your healthcare providers for mistakes. Call them if you think something isn’t correct. Save receipts and statements from your providers to compare with statements sent to you after claims have been processed.

— Protect your medical records. Don’t give anyone access to your medical records except the providers you know and trust.

— Hang up if you accidentally answer an official-looking call. Scammers have many ways of devising phone numbers to make them look official, but if you do answer a call and it isn’t who you thought it would be, hang up immediately.

— Check your prescriptions. Before leaving a pharmacy, make sure you’ve gotten the right medicine and the right amount.

How and Where to Report Suspected Medicare Fraud

Depending on your situation, there are actions you can take for potential Medicare scams:

— If you want to ask questions about potential fraud or error concerns, call the following Medicare fraud phone numbers: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or, for TTY users, 1-877-486-2048.

— Report fraud to the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services. They have a fraud hotline that can be reached at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users, call 1-800-377-4950.

— If you have a or , you can call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-SAFERX (1-877-772-3379).

— The SMP Resource Center can help direct you to your local SMP if you call 1-877-808-2468. You can also report potential Medicare fraud, errors or abuse to the . Your local SMP can assist with appropriate referrals to state or federal agencies.

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At The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

New York

Purse: $5,438,400

Surface: Hardcourt outdoor

NEW YORK (AP) _ Results Tuesday from US Open at The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (seedings in parentheses):

Men’s Singles

Qualification

Michael Antonius, United States, def. Henry Searle, Britain, 6-1, 6-2.

Timofey Skatov, Kazakhstan, def. Gilles Arnaud Bailly, Belgium, 6-4, 6-2.

Kei Nishikori, Japan, def. Sebastian Ofner (16), Austria, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2.

Shintaro Mochizuki (6), Japan, def. Daniel Milavsky, United States, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Braden Shick, United States, def. Clement Tabur, France, 6-4, 7-5.

David Jorda Sanchis, Spain, def. Henri Squire, Germany, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (2).

Dusan Lajovic (30), Serbia, def. Kwon Soon Woo, South Korea, 4-6, 7-5, 3-1, ret.

Grigor Dimitrov (25), Bulgaria, def. Lorenzo Giustino, Italy, 6-0, 6-3.

Luka Mikrut, Croatia, def. Nikolas Sanchez Izquierdo, Spain, 6-3, 6-4.

Women’s Singles

Qualification

Kristina Penickova, United States, def. Elizabeth Mandlik, United States, 7-5, 6-2.

Moyuka Uchijima (2), Japan, def. Polona Hercog, Slovenia, 6-3, 6-3.

Lucie Havlickova, Czechia, def. Elizara Yaneva, Bulgaria, 6-2, 7-5.

Guiomar Maristany Zuleta de Reales, Spain, def. Jodie Burrage, Britain, 7-6 (1), 6-4.

Nao Hibino, Japan, def. Janae Preston, United States, 7-6 (4), 6-1.

Tamara Zidansek, Slovenia, def. Laura Samson (10), Czechia, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-5.

Harriet Dart (29), Britain, def. Jordyn Hazelitt, United States, 6-0, 6-7 (1), 6-1.

Mixed Doubles

Third Round

Gael Monfils, France, and Elina Svitolina, Ukraine, def. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Canada, and Alexandra Eala, Philippines, 4-1, 4-1.

Katerina Siniakova, Czechia, and Henry Patten, Britain, def. Novak Djokovic, Serbia, and Aryna Sabalenka (1), Belarus, 1-4, 4-2, 10-2.

Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik, Czechia, def. Kristina Mladenovic, France, and Marcelo Arevalo, El Salvador, 4-1, 2-4, 10-7.

Tommy Paul and Emma Navarro, United States, def. Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien (3), United States, 5-3, 4-2.

Mixed Doubles

Quarterfinals

Gael Monfils, France, and Elina Svitolina, Ukraine, def. Katerina Siniakova, Czechia, and Henry Patten, Britain, 5-4 (6), 4-5 (3), 10-8.

Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik, Czechia, def. Tommy Paul and Emma Navarro, United States, 4-1, 5-3.

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are still fighting for relevance as they prepare for their 40th season in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Akron made history as the first school to move from Division I-AA (now known as the Football Championship Subdivision) to Division I-A (FBS). With North Dakota State and Sacramento State making the move this season, 35 programs have followed the Zips, who won’t have much to show for it.

Akron has a .353 winning percentage as an FBS program, going 159-288-3. There have been only eight winning seasons, none since 2015, and three bowl trips, the last being a 50-3 loss to Florida Atlantic in the 2017 Boca Raton Bowl.

This decade has been particularly tough. The 16-62 record is the second-worst among FBS programs. Of the nine coaches Akron has had since 1987, none have left with a winning record. Its biggest claim to fame is defensive lineman Jason Taylor, who was a three-year starter from 1993-95 before a Pro Football Hall of Fame career.

鈥淲e just haven鈥檛 been able to win consistently. And the people that have come and gone have had a limited amount of time to stay here and try to cultivate it,鈥� said Mark LaRose, a commentator for Akron radio.

Thing is, Akron isn’t going to change now. There are no plans to rethink the move to the FBS and there are some reasons for optimism. Steady progress has been made under coach Joe Moorhead, including a 5-7 record last season despite being under . Akron鈥檚 promotion for the Sept. 12 home opener against Robert Morris, in which a fan gets to serve as offensive coordinator for the first series, went viral, garnering more than 23 million views on social media.

鈥淭here are high expectations for football in this region,鈥� athletic director Andrew Goodrich said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got to play at a high level to get that respect. And we鈥檙e working on it.鈥�

Lots of challenges

Besides being 115 miles north of Columbus and in the long shadow that Ohio State casts, Akron has to compete with three other programs within a one-hour drive up Interstate 76: chief rival Kent State, Mount Union 鈥� which has won a record 13 Division III championships 鈥� and Youngstown State, a four-time FCS champion. All are draws for local football talent.

While Ohio State鈥檚 athletic department took in $336.1 million in revenue and turned a profit of $15.4 million, Akron鈥檚 revenues were less than one-tenth of that at $32.7 million with an operating loss of $1 million.

Akron also has the second-smallest budget among FBS public schools and the lowest in the Mid-American Conference. That is a primary reason Akron has one of the smallest coaching staffs in FBS and a recruiting department with one full-time person and a graduate assistant. Moorhead has only two graduate assistants on his staff; his analysts don鈥檛 receive a salary.

鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to look to hire older coaches who are maybe out of work or younger coaches where this is the best job that they can get. And then you got to develop them, and you鈥檝e got to coach the coaches. We鈥檝e got to wear a lot of hats,鈥� Moorhead said.

Akron also faces the same challenge as any Group of Six school with constant roster turnover. The Zips lost 41 scholarship players after last season, with 11 of their 15 top players transferring to Power Four programs.

鈥淚 mean, we鈥檙e in the Etch A Sketch era. The season starts, you draw a picture, and it ends and you got to shake it up and draw it again,鈥� Moorhead said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exacerbated by the institutional difficulties of budget and zero up until this December. And now we have a mere pittance, and it鈥檚 not even close to any other schools in the country. There鈥檚 a series of challenges that make it incredibly difficult, but that鈥檚 part of the thing that makes it exciting.鈥�

Moorhead was an assistant with the Zips from 2004-08. After two years as the offensive coordinator at Oregon, he returned to Akron in 2022 and inherited a program that had gone 3-27 the previous three seasons. The Zips went 2-10 in 2022 and 2023, then 4-8 in 2024, and 5-7 last season.

Last season鈥檚 five wins were a huge step, considering it happened under NCAA sanctions for its multi-year Academic Progress Rate score falling below the minimum. In addition to a postseason ban, practice time was reduced. The ban was lifted this spring, making the Zips bowl-eligible if they can improve the wins total.

鈥淭hat was huge because a lot of people had thought this was really the end (of the football program). They really can鈥檛 compete,鈥� Goodrich said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really the student-athletes who fixed everything and did great in the classroom. It has breathed life into our fan base and especially our people on campus. These little victories are leading to bigger victories.鈥�

Doing things differently

Akron has had success in other sports. The men鈥檚 soccer program won the Division I title in 2010 and has been one of the nation鈥檚 top programs for many years, while men鈥檚 basketball became the first team to win the MAC tournament three straight years. The softball team reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time this past season.

According to a study of athletic programs by the consulting group Huron, Akron鈥檚 athletic program ranks ninth among public FBS schools in efficiency, generating $ 194,500 in competitive value per $1 million spent.

Goodrich was hired as Akron鈥檚 AD in May 2025, after four years at Gardner-Webb. Senior deputy AD Matt Pottorff, who oversees football, was hired last August. The two previously worked together at the University of Miami.

There were many gains during Goodrich鈥檚 first year. Akron averaged 7,729 for home games last year, worst in the MAC but a 21% gain. More important was that fundraising was up 109%, corporate sponsorships increased by 20% and more fans meant 20% more in ticket revenue, the school said.

Goodrich also turned in a balanced budget, which saw increased money for football for the first time in at least five years.

鈥淛oe鈥檚 made improvements despite a budget that has decreased year over year until this year. He鈥檚 got a lot of built-in challenges, and it鈥檚 our job to overcome them now. And we鈥檙e working hard to give the team what they need to be successful,” Pottorff said.

Even though the Zips were picked to finish 10th in the 13-team MAC, the improvement over the past couple of seasons and interest in the home opener have given Akron some hope.

鈥淔BS is where we belong and where we need to stay,鈥� Pottorff said. 鈥淕oing FCS is absolutely not the right path for this university. It does not deliver the same return on investment or attract the same eyeballs. We鈥檝e got better facilities than I would say so many of our peers. We absolutely belong. We deserve to be here, and it鈥檚 time to act like it.鈥�

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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the deal was a big win for the state and country, likening the impact of the new launch site to the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

鈥淭oday is nothing short of a transformational moment,鈥� he told lawmakers and others at a special event to celebrate the deal.

Musk was not there, but he appeared with Landry in a promotional video that played before the Republican governor’s speech. SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell also spoke at the event.

The spaceport would be located on 125,000 acres (50,600 hectares) of land along Louisiana’s southern coast about 200 miles (322 km) west of New Orleans in Vermilion Parish. The location provides key advantages, state officials said, including access to abundant natural gas and the ability to launch to a wide range of trajectories.

It would be the company鈥檚 fourth and largest launch site, playing a key role in ramping up missions of its reusable Starship launch system, according to a news release from Louisiana Economic Development. SpaceX wants to dramatically increase rocket launches as it aims to put more satellites in orbit. The Louisiana site could support thousands of launches each year, the news release said.

Anne Rolfes, director of the environmental advocacy group, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, said she was worried the state was moving too fast with a project that would 鈥渋rrevocably alter鈥� the state’s fragile coastline. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first launch targeted for as early as 2029, according to state officials.

鈥淚t should be thoughtfully done 鈥� with public hearings, and a public process that is transparent and gives people time to understand and consider the project,” Rolfes said in a statement. 鈥淭he speed of the project and the fanfare and bombast make it all highly questionable.鈥�

Shotwell said SpaceX planned to keep much of the site undeveloped and would help with restoration and protection efforts, including working to reverse land loss from erosion and 鈥渃areless use.鈥�

鈥淲e are committed to doing our part to ensure that this land doesn’t disappear,鈥� she said.

The company plans to host town halls and other community engagement events in the coming months. State officials said the project would generate 3,000 jobs over a decade.

In June, Musk sold SpaceX shares to the public for the first time in the biggest initial public offering ever. Shares jumped as high as $225 a share, briefly making Musk a trillionaire.

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Thanawala reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Jack Brook in New Orleans contributed to this report.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) 鈥� , the country music icon whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, has died. She was 80 years old.

Parton died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, her publicist said in a statement.

Known for her curvy physique, massive blonde wigs and skin-tight outfits that served her self-deprecating wit, she was among the most beloved personalities in music and beyond 鈥� the rare celebrity whose appeal transcended generations, geography and politics.

She wrote hundreds of songs, including classics like 鈥淛olene,鈥� 鈥淐oat of Many Colors鈥� and 鈥淚 Will Always Love You,鈥� that totaled more than 100 million worldwide sales and more than 1 billion online streams. Parton, who plucked bejeweled banjos, guitar and dulcimers with her long fingernails during performances, was a and whose projects included near her birthplace.

Her career was forever influenced by her upbringing as one of 12 children born into what she called a 鈥渄irt poor鈥� Tennessee family. She started her , Imagination Library, to send free books to children in Tennessee because her father, who quit school to work on the farm, struggled to learn to read.

Parton’s first musical performances were in church, where her grandfather was a preacher. By age 10, she was learning guitar and singing on local television shows. At 13, she appeared on the in Nashville, where Johnny Cash introduced her as 鈥渁 little girl here from up in East Tennessee.鈥�

With a suitcase of songs, she followed her uncle, Bill Owens, also a songwriter, to Nashville after graduating high school in 1964. Fred Foster, who produced Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and more, saw her potential and got her songs cut by other artists, as well as recording and releasing Parton singing her own material. By the mid-1970s, Parton was a Nashville queen.

A key collaboration with Porter Wagoner

Parton’s partnership with Porter Wagoner, a pencil-thin pompadoured star with flashy rhinestone outfits, was key to her career. She honed her acting skills on his syndicated TV show and he advocated for her to get a record deal at RCA. Their first duet, 鈥淭he Last Thing On My Mind,鈥� was released in 1967, the same year she started her own publishing company.

While their duets were often big radio hits, Parton’s solo singles didn鈥檛 chart as high at first. With Wagoner as a co-producer, she began to adjust her country warble to a more polished, pop-leaning style.

She got her first No. 1 solo single with 鈥淛oshua,鈥� and reached the Top 5 with the ballad 鈥淐oat of Many Colors,鈥� about how her mother sewed together scraps of clothes to make a coat Parton wore 鈥渟o proudly鈥� even as her peers mocked her for being poor. The song, with its Biblical references and ode to maternal love, was later made into a children鈥檚 book and a TV movie.

In 1973, she had the hit that made her career 鈥� 鈥淛olene,鈥� a country music standard with its steady, churning rhythm and Parton’s repeated delivery of the title as she pleads for the woman not to steal her man.

The song topped the country charts, crossing over to pop and later being released internationally, opening up new audiences for Parton. 鈥淛olene鈥� is one of her most covered compositions, including by Miley Cyrus (Parton鈥檚 goddaughter), Olivia Newton-John and The White Stripes.

She left Wagoner鈥檚 show in 1974, amid reports of squabbling between the two, although they continued to record together and Wagoner stayed her producer for years after that. But the relationship turned litigious when Wagoner sued her in 1979 for millions in management fees and royalties.

A pop crossover star

She followed 鈥淛olene鈥� with a huge hit in 1974, 鈥淚 Will Always Love You,鈥� an ode and farewell to Wagoner that helped her win the Country Music Association鈥檚 female vocalist of the year back-to-back in 1975 and 1976. She famously turned down Elvis Presley, who wanted to record it, because she would not share publishing rights.

Decades later, Whitney Houston鈥檚 version of 鈥淚 Will Always Love You鈥� became a smash for the soundtrack of her 1992 film 鈥淭he Bodyguard,鈥� and broke sales records. Houston won a Grammy for her performance in 1994, presented to her by Parton.

鈥淗ere You Come Again,鈥� a pop crossover hit and one of the few she didn鈥檛 write, further established Parton as a multi-genre entertainer and brought her first Grammy Award in 1979.

鈥淎 lot of people thought I had totally lost my mind,鈥� she told The Associated Press in 1979 of changing her singing style. 鈥淏ut I had no fear of change. I expected success, but I was braced for failure. I didn鈥檛 care if people thought I was wrong. In my own heart, I knew I was doing the right thing.鈥�

Parton’s other crossover hits included the title song from 鈥�9 to 5,鈥� the 1980 comedy starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin; and her duet with longtime friend Kenny Rogers, 鈥淚slands in the Stream,鈥� written by brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. In 1987, she collaborated with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris on the million-selling 鈥淭rio鈥� album.

Down home charm

For millions of fans, she was simply 鈥淒olly,鈥� a mixture of Southern charm, humor and glamour. But she was also considered a feminist role model for holding the reins of her own career, writing her own songs, owning her content and looking after her finances in an entertainment world dominated by men.

Parton was open to making fun of herself; when she hosted 鈥淪aturday Night Live鈥� in 1989 she told the writers that her only restrictions were she wouldn鈥檛 curse and she wouldn鈥檛 make fun of Jesus. She regularly joked about her breasts or her dumb blonde appearance, but with a wink that she was the one controlling the laughs. In the memoir 鈥淢y Life So Far,鈥� Fonda remembered Parton’s way with a wisecrack, 鈥渦sually high raunch,鈥� and a laugh that was 鈥渟omewhere between a girl’s giggle, an explosive shriek, and a cascade of little bells.”

After her gown split down the front when she won CMA’s entertainer of the year in 1978, Parton quipped: 鈥淢y Daddy said that’s what I got for putting 50 pounds of mud in a five-pound bag.鈥�

Throughout her career, she embraced her glamorous style, often wearing custom curve-hugging rhinestone dresses and bodysuits even if they drew tsk-tsks from others in the industry. Her look was always a part of her larger musical business plan.

鈥淚 knew my songs were good even if I had been ugly as sin,鈥� she told the AP in 2014. 鈥淪o I thought, 鈥榃ell, I would have probably chose to look this way even if I had been a waitress.鈥� I mean, this is my look. I mean, I like a lot of makeup. I like a lot of hair. I like flashy clothes. I like to show it off. But that鈥檚 just who I am.鈥�

She married , an asphalt paving contractor, in the mid-1960s; they were together . Though rarely seen in public, he was an influence on her career. She told NPR that she wrote 鈥淛olene鈥� about a flirty bank teller who seemed to take an interest in Dean.

鈥�9 to 5鈥� to Hollywood and Broadway

In her first major film role, Parton played alongside Fonda and Tomlin as office workers who rebel against their tyrannical boss in 鈥�9 to 5.鈥� Critic Roger Ebert called her a 鈥渘atural-born movie star鈥� and the title song earned her two Grammy Awards and a ranking of 78 on the American Film Institute’s list of top 100 movie songs. Starring roles in 鈥淭he Best Little Whorehouse In Texas鈥� and 鈥淪teel Magnolias鈥� followed.

“I never thought of myself as a movie star,” she told AP鈥檚 Bob Thomas in 1979. “I knew I’d be a star, but as a singer or as a writer of songs or books or poetry. I wanted to be a famous performer and wear flashy clothes, but singing in movies was not one of my ambitions. My family lived in the mountains and we didn’t see movies.鈥�

Her love affair with TV and film continued for decades, with appearances alongside Cyrus on 鈥淗annah Montana鈥� and adaptations of her music for Christmas specials, films and streaming series. She also became an author, her books ranging from the memoir 鈥淒olly鈥� to a bestselling novel co-authored by James Patterson, 鈥淩un, Rose, Run.”

The stage adaptation 鈥�9 to 5: The Musical鈥� debuted in 2009, and had been set to open in December 2026.

United States of Dolly

Beyond her music, Parton鈥檚 most lasting legacy might be her generosity and broad appeal.

When a deadly wildfire swept through the Smokies in 2016, she held an all-star telethon and set up a foundation that sent monthly checks to residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

She opened up her Dollywood theme park in East Tennessee, a major economic driver in Appalachia that draws tourists from around the country, and established the Dollywood Foundation. She wrote books and memoirs, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and was given a lifetime achievement award by the Recording Academy. She was selected for the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the in 2025.

With 55 Grammy nominations and 10 wins, Parton is the third-most nominated woman in , only behind Beyonc茅 and Taylor Swift.

Parton spanned social and political divides, through multiple generations of fans, urban and rural and in between. In tumultuous election years, it wasn’t uncommon to see 鈥淒olly for President鈥� shirts. But she was strict in not voicing her own political beliefs, often turning aside questions about presidents, candidates, policies and other controversies.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 do politics,” Parton told host Jad Abumrad on his hit podcast

“I have too many fans on both sides of the fence. Of course, I have my opinion about everything, but I learned years ago to keep your mouth shut about things.鈥�

When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation sent out a ballot in 2022 with her name on it, though , the voters answered with a 鈥淗ello, Dolly.” Parton showed up to the induction ceremony, performed and then .

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Associated Press writer Hillel Italie contributed.

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Speaking in a news conference at the presidential palace in Damascus, Mazloum Abdi said the SDF has completed a merger with the Syrian army and would cease to operate as an independent force.

The Kurdish-led force lost most of its territory in northeast Syria to a government offensive in January and then signed the deal to merge with the army.

The SDF was once the main partner of the United States in Syria as it battled the Islamic State group. But after the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Washington formed close ties with the new government in Damascus led by interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former leader of an Islamist insurgent group.

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The two-week runoff window since the two Republicans were the in an Aug. 11 primary has been a slugfest. Darline Graham 鈥� a political newcomer serving as interim replacement for her late brother 鈥� has struggled to define herself to voters who routinely backed Lindsey Graham in the heavily Republican state. Norman, who’s served the better part of two decades in state and federal elected office, has stressed his experience to voters already aware of him from his years in Congress, plus an unsuccessful run for governor earlier this year.

In the background of all of this is President Donald Trump, the longtime Lindsey Graham ally who endorsed Darline Graham’s candidacy to replace her brother in the November general election before she even entered the race, stumped for her in the state days ahead of the runoff and held a runoff eve tele-rally with Graham.

On Monday, MAGA Inc., the super PAC that supports Trump and aligned Republicans 鈥� but has spent little thus far on Trump’s picks in this year’s midterms 鈥� for voter calls and text message blasts.

Among the unknowns is whether Trump’s backing is enough to boost the novice candidate with the famous last name, but whose political positions were previously unknown, across the finish line to the nomination. Also yet to be determined is whether Norman’s hard-line conservatism has an appeal statewide two months after he finished third in the Republican governor’s primary.

Will Trump’s backing be enough for Graham?

After losing a top Senate advocate when Lindsey Graham , Trump has angled to play a role in picking his successor.

Trump heralded the selection of to serve as her brother鈥檚 interim replacement as 鈥渁 fabulous tribute.鈥� He also in the special primary, endorsing her before she鈥檇 made her candidacy official.

On Friday in Myrtle Beach, Trump reiterated that sentiment to a crowd of several thousand, encouraging people to vote for Graham to preserve tax cuts, among other things.

鈥淚 want it to happen,鈥� he said. 鈥淕ood luck, Darline.鈥�

In forging a relationship with her, Trump could be angling to develop another ally to help steer his agenda through the Senate.

Throughout her brief campaign, Graham did just that. She repeatedly stressed to voters her intent to support Trump鈥檚 policy positions and often referenced in particular her co-sponsorship of a voting bill that鈥檚 become a key priority for the president.

Casting his ballot for Graham at an early voting location near Trump’s rally site, Robert Tropiano said Friday that the president’s backing for the candidate was enough to win his support.

鈥淭rump wants her, he’s doing a great job and I believe we should give him what he wants,鈥� Tropiano said.

In the primary’s opening days, when she was largely absent from candidate events because of her obligations as a sitting senator, Graham reminded voters via video messages that she remained in Washington 鈥渨orking hard for you鈥� and decried the notion of congressional recess breaks.

Norman promotes legislative know-how over Graham’s inexperience

Fresh off his unsuccessful primary run for governor, Norman entered the Senate contest as one of several politicians more familiar to South Carolina voters. He snapped up endorsements from the likes of Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Lee of Utah, as well as former South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint and Turning Point Action, the conservative youth movement founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

During the sprint to the runoff, Norman 鈥� one of the most conservative U.S. House members 鈥� frequently touted his experience in Washington and willingness to take unpopular stances. That includes at times challenging Trump, whose policies Norman has routinely supported in Congress. But Norman campaigned against Trump in the early part of the 2024 presidential primary, siding instead with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

A wealthy developer before he entered politics, Norman has put some of his own fortune toward the campaign, including more than $1 million in the closing week.

In the head-to-head with Graham, he’s stressed what he characterized as the highly managed nature of Graham’s campaign. He portrayed her during as beholden to 鈥淲ashington elite鈥� special interests that, by way of funneling money to her campaign, were 鈥渄ictating the terms and giving her the political answers.鈥�

Will Graham’s debate flub come back to haunt her?

Graham and Norman met for a single runoff debate, and there was one moment from the hourlong face-off that lived on.

Graham about foreign policy 鈥� a signature issue of her late brother 鈥� when asked whether the U.S. has a national security interest in Taiwan and the South China Sea, a longstanding contention of both Democratic and Republican administrations.

She struggled to answer before admitting 鈥渘ational security is not my thing鈥� and 鈥淚鈥檓 not that informed on national security.鈥�

Graham avoided a direct response and instead mentioned her brother鈥檚 wealth of experience and her desire to focus on more domestic issues like affordability. Norman called Taiwan 鈥渁 definite ally鈥� when posed the same question, applauding Trump for 鈥渆nabling Taiwan to defend themselves against China.鈥� Afterward, he suggested Graham’s answer showed her lack of qualifications for the office.

The Democratic nominee was chosen months ago

Annie Andrews, a Charleston physician, won her party鈥檚 primary outright in June. Having set up her entire campaign based around challenging Lindsey Graham, Andrews has been forced to pivot to a broader critique of the Republican contenders.

No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina in decades. When Graham last ran in 2020, he defeated his Democratic opponent by .

That contest was the most expensive in state history and among the country鈥檚 most expensive congressional races ever.

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Kinnard can be reached at

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A lo largo de su vida, Parton vendi贸 m谩s de 100 millones de discos, pero fue mucho m谩s que una cantante carism谩tica con un estilo ostentoso y una voz ani帽ada. Su exterior vivaz y cercano ocultaba una profunda reserva de inteligencia emocional, como lo evidencian las m谩s de 3.000 canciones que escribi贸 a lo largo de su vida, junto con una feroz astucia empresarial que se tradujo en un impacto demostrable en muchos 谩mbitos de la industria, desde patrocinios de productos hasta parques tem谩ticos.

Entre los cientos de canciones que Parton public贸 y lanz贸 se encuentran 茅xitos country perennes como 鈥淛olene鈥�, 鈥淐oat of Many Colors鈥� y 鈥淭wo Doors Down鈥�. Tuvo 25 canciones que alcanzaron el No. 1 en las listas de m煤sica country de Billboard, incluidas 鈥淛olene鈥�, 鈥淭ouch Your Woman鈥�, 鈥淭ravelin鈥� Man鈥� y 鈥淚 Will Always Love You鈥� 鈥� la 煤ltima de las cuales m谩s tarde se convirti贸 en un enorme 茅xito pop para Whitney Houston. Muchas de las canciones de Parton han sido versionadas incontables veces, incluida 鈥淛olene鈥� tal como aparece en el 谩lbum ganador del Grammy a 谩lbum del a帽o de Beyonc茅, 鈥淐owboy Carter鈥�.

Parton, quien lanz贸 la asombrosa cifra de 49 谩lbumes y gan贸 11 Grammys ella misma a lo largo de su c茅lebre carrera, tambi茅n se convirti贸 en una de las artistas country m谩s exitosas en el cruce hacia el pop, logrando 茅xitos en las listas pop con 鈥�9 to 5鈥�, 鈥淗ere You Come Again鈥� e 鈥淚slands in the Stream鈥�, un dueto con Kenny Rogers.

Si bien su 茅xito sin parang贸n en el mundo de la m煤sica es innegable, el legado, el impacto y la longevidad de Parton en otros 谩mbitos, incluidos el cine, los negocios y los esfuerzos humanitarios, tambi茅n son dif铆ciles de ignorar. Fue una emprendedora intr茅pida, fil谩ntropa y modelo a seguir para mujeres de mentalidad independiente en todas partes que llevaba sus or铆genes a flor de piel; mientras que otras estrellas de su talla podr铆an ser celebradas por ser maestras de la reinvenci贸n, Parton fue ejemplar en el sentido opuesto, alguien que nunca dej贸 de ser exactamente quien era desde el principio: una chica de pueblo de los Apalaches a la que le encantaba escribir canciones y cantarlas por la alegr铆a que le brindaba a ella misma y a los dem谩s.

Nacida como Dolly Rebecca Parton el 19 de enero de 1946 en una caba帽a de una sola habitaci贸n en Tennessee, fue la cuarta de 12 hijos y ha dicho en entrevistas que creci贸 鈥渆n la pobreza m谩s absoluta鈥�. Escribi贸 muchas canciones sobre su infancia, como 鈥淚n the Good Old Days鈥� y la c茅lebre 鈥淐oat of Many Colors鈥�.

La m煤sica siempre fue parte de su familia, como describi贸 Parton, especialmente del lado de su madre, ya que su abuelo era un predicador que tambi茅n tocaba el piano y la guitarra. 鈥淟os m铆os eran los que cantaban en funerales y bodas y reuniones y cualquier cosa a nivel local鈥�, record贸 una vez en The BobbyCast. 鈥淎lgunos de mis parientes, siempre hab铆a alguien tocando鈥�. A帽adi贸 que un t铆o le dio su primera guitarra cuando era ni帽a, y aprendi贸 a tocar cuando ten铆a apenas siete a帽os.

Despu茅s de graduarse de la escuela secundaria, Parton se mud贸 a Nashville para perseguir sus aspiraciones musicales. En 1965, a los 19 a帽os, firm贸 su primer contrato discogr谩fico con Monument Records.

La cantante se gan贸 a los fans por ser autocr铆tica desde temprana edad sobre su figura exuberante, sus enormes pelucas rubias y, m谩s tarde, la cirug铆a pl谩stica, diciendo c茅lebremente con su acento sure帽o: 鈥溌e necesita mucho dinero para verse tan barata!鈥�

Su debut discogr谩fico en 1967, 鈥淗ello, I鈥檓 Dolly鈥�, conten铆a un sencillo, 鈥淒umb Blonde鈥�, sobre una mujer a la que no se subestimar谩 鈥減orque esta rubia tonta no es la tonta de nadie鈥�.

Parton dijo que justo despu茅s de mudarse a Nashville, conoci贸 a su esposo Carl Thomas Dean afuera de una lavander铆a. La pareja se cas贸 al a帽o siguiente, en 1966, y permaneci贸 casada hasta la muerte de 茅l en marzo de 2025. No tuvieron hijos.

A partir de 1967, Parton consigui贸 apariciones regulares en 鈥淭he Porter Wagoner Show鈥�, un programa televisivo de variedades musicales que la ayud贸 a convertirse en un nombre conocido en todos los hogares. Ella y Wagoner tuvieron muchos d煤os exitosos juntos, pero con el tiempo terminaron su relaci贸n profesional 鈥� y aunque los dos no estaban involucrados rom谩nticamente, la transici贸n inspir贸 su 茅xito de 1974, 鈥淚 Will Always Love You鈥�, que escribi贸 sobre Wagoner.

Asombrosamente, Parton escribi贸 la ahora ic贸nica canci贸n el mismo d铆a que escribi贸 鈥淛olene鈥� 鈥� posiblemente sus dos cl谩sicos m谩s atemporales 鈥� y lo llam贸 鈥渦n buen d铆a de escritura鈥� en un episodio de 2017 de The Bobby Bones Show. En la misma entrevista, explic贸 que estaba lista para seguir adelante desde su puesto dentro del programa de Wagoner y lanzarse por su cuenta, mencionando que 鈥溍﹍ no estaba escuchando nada鈥� de lo que ella ten铆a que decir. 鈥淎s铆 que me fui a casa y escrib铆 esa canci贸n, la llev茅 de vuelta a la ma帽ana siguiente y dije: 鈥楽i茅ntate, necesito que escuches algo鈥�. As铆 que la cant茅, y 茅l estaba llorando鈥�. Wagoner cedi贸 y la liber贸 de su puesto, con la condici贸n de que 茅l pudiera desempe帽arse como productor en la pista.

Elvis Presley quiso versionar la canci贸n exitosa, pero Parton se neg贸 porque el m谩nager de Presley, el coronel Tom Parker, quer铆a asegurarse los derechos de publicaci贸n, algo que ella no estaba lista para ceder. La versi贸n de Whitney Houston de la melod铆a domin贸 las ondas radiales en 1992, como la canci贸n destacada de su pel铆cula 鈥淭he Bodyguard鈥�. Esa banda sonora sigue siendo la banda sonora m谩s vendida de todos los tiempos. En la misma entrevista con Bones, Parton describi贸 c贸mo solo se enter贸 de la versi贸n de Houston de la canci贸n en la radio cuando iba conduciendo de regreso a casa en Los 脕ngeles, despu茅s de que meses antes hubiera permitido a los cineastas detr谩s de 鈥淏odyguard鈥� usarla. Tuvo que orillarse durante la canci贸n, llam谩ndolo 鈥渦na de las mayores emociones y una de las sensaciones m谩s abrumadoras que he tenido sobre cualquier cosa en mi vida鈥�.

Despu茅s de su etapa con Wagoner, Parton tambi茅n quer铆a m谩s experiencia frente a la c谩mara, y finalmente naci贸 el programa televisivo de variedades 鈥淒olly!鈥�.

Dur贸 solo una temporada de 1976 a 鈥�77, pero para entonces Hollywood la estaba llamando.

En 1980, Parton hizo su debut en el cine en 鈥�9 to 5鈥� junto a Jane Fonda y Lily Tomlin como secretarias de oficina que planean vengarse de su jefe chovinista. Un precursor temprano del movimiento #MeToo, la pel铆cula tambi茅n incluy贸 la exitosa canci贸n hom贸nima de Parton, y ella pas贸 a obtener tres nominaciones a los Globos de Oro entre la canci贸n y su trabajo actoral como Doralee Rhodes en la pel铆cula, as铆 como una nominaci贸n al Premio de la Academia a mejor canci贸n original. 鈥�9 to 5鈥� tambi茅n se llev贸 dos premios Grammy.

Parton regres贸 a la gran pantalla en 1982 con 鈥淭he Best Little Whorehouse in Texas鈥� junto a Burt Reynolds y m谩s tarde en 1989 con 鈥淪teel Magnolias鈥�, sobre un clan de mujeres sure帽as de fuerte car谩cter, con Sally Field y Julia Roberts, as铆 como pel铆culas para televisi贸n como 鈥淎 Smoky Mountain Christmas鈥� y 鈥淲ild Texas Wind鈥�.

Mientras Parton sigui贸 apareciendo en pantallas grandes y peque帽as 鈥� protagoniz贸 鈥淪traight Talk鈥� en 1992 y 鈥淛oyful Noise鈥� en 2012, e interpret贸 versiones de s铆 misma en varios programas de televisi贸n, incluidos 鈥淭he Simpsons鈥�, 鈥淒esigning Women鈥� y la serie de su ahijada Miley Cyrus 鈥淗annah Montana鈥� 鈥� su vida y su m煤sica han servido como base para muchos otros t铆tulos populares, desde varias pel铆culas navide帽as para televisi贸n hasta la serie de Netflix 鈥淗eartstrings鈥� en 2019. Tambi茅n se reuni贸 con sus coprotagonistas de 鈥�9 to 5鈥�, Fonda y Tomlin, en el episodio final de su serie de Netflix 鈥淕race & Frankie鈥� en 2022.

El hilo conductor de toda la obra de Parton y sus contribuciones culturales puede rastrearse hasta su voz sincera y pura en la m煤sica country y su prol铆fico arsenal de canciones, con puntos destacados en las etapas posteriores de su carrera, entre ellos 鈥淭ravelin鈥� Thru鈥� (2005), que apareci贸 en la pel铆cula 鈥淭ransamerica鈥� y le vali贸 a Parton su segunda nominaci贸n al 脫scar a la mejor canci贸n original. Entre sus casi doce premios Grammy se cuentan trofeos por su trabajo en m煤sica country, bluegrass y cristiana. Fue incorporada al Sal贸n de la Fama de la M煤sica Country en 1999 y recibi贸 el premio a la trayectoria de la Academia de la Grabaci贸n en 2011.

En cuanto al Sal贸n de la Fama del Rock 鈥檔 Rock, Parton inicialmente se mostr贸 reacia ante la posibilidad de ser incorporada, pues coment贸 en 2022 que no sent铆a que fuera una aut茅ntica estrella de rock. Lo tom贸 como una invitaci贸n (a instancias de su esposo) para intentar un 谩lbum de rock, llamado naturalmente 鈥淩ockstar鈥�, en el que la leyenda del country hizo duetos con luminarias del rock como Ringo Starr y Paul McCartney y version贸 canciones cl谩sicas del rock como 鈥淪tairway to Heaven鈥� y 鈥淟et It Be.鈥�

Con los a帽os, Parton se convirti贸 en una fuerza en el mundo empresarial, gracias en gran parte a acuerdos de patrocinio y alianzas de productos, pero tambi茅n debido a que, con solo 20 a帽os, tom贸 la rentable decisi贸n de crear su propia empresa editorial junto con su t铆o Bill Owens, con quien coescribi贸 una buena cantidad de canciones. Seg煤n su sitio web, Parton mantuvo desde el principio una participaci贸n de control en la compa帽铆a.

En 1986, Parton compr贸 un parque tem谩tico en Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, y lo rebautiz贸 como Dollywood. Desde entonces, el parque se ha ampliado para incluir un parque acu谩tico adyacente y diversas opciones gastron贸micas y de entretenimiento, incluida la atracci贸n The Dolly Parton Experience, que abri贸 en 2024. Tambi茅n ten铆a previsto abrir un hotel, llamado SongTeller, en Nashville en la primavera de 2026. Incluir谩 un museo llamado Dolly鈥檚 Life of Many Colors en el tercer piso.

La estrella particip贸 en una multitud de l铆neas de productos, prestando su imagen a mezclas para reposter铆a, ropa, alimentos congelados, productos para mascotas, l铆neas de belleza y fragancias, joyer铆a e incluso utensilios de cocina de hierro fundido. Tiene p谩ginas de compras dedicadas tanto en los sitios web de Target como de Walmart y se estimaba que ten铆a un patrimonio neto en el entorno de medio bill贸n de d贸lares, siendo Dollywood y su cat谩logo musical sus principales generadores de ingresos.

Parton tambi茅n fue autora publicada, con t铆tulos superventas que incluyen las memorias 鈥淒olly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business,鈥� 鈥淏ehind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones鈥� y 鈥淪tar of the Show: My Life on Stage,鈥� as铆 como la novela 鈥淩un Rose Run鈥� coescrita con James Patterson. Tambi茅n escribi贸 varios libros infantiles, entre ellos 鈥淚 am a Rainbow,鈥� 鈥淐oat of Many Colors鈥� y la serie 鈥淏illy the Kid.鈥�

A medida que crec铆a su 茅xito en la m煤sica y los negocios, tambi茅n lo hac铆an los esfuerzos humanitarios de Parton. Dos a帽os despu茅s de la apertura de Dollywood, Parton lanz贸 la Fundaci贸n Dollywood, que inicialmente busc贸 reducir la alta tasa de deserci贸n escolar en la escuela secundaria en su condado natal de Tennessee. Tras ampliarse para incluir el Buddy Program, en el que Parton se comprometi贸 personalmente a dar 500 d贸lares a cada estudiante de 7.潞 y 8.潞 grado si se graduaba de la escuela secundaria, finalmente se cre贸 la Imagination Library, que se ha convertido en uno de los principales esfuerzos de alfabetizaci贸n temprana y programas de donaci贸n de libros del mundo. Para 2019, la Imagination Library hab铆a distribuido casi 85 millones de libros en Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Canad谩 y Australia.

Sus esfuerzos por apoyar la alfabetizaci贸n se derivaban de su propia experiencia de infancia. 鈥淢i propio padre no tuvo la oportunidad de ir a la escuela. No sab铆a leer ni escribir, y eso lo perjudic贸 mucho porque era muy inteligente. Eso realmente le molestaba mucho鈥�, dijo Parton una vez. 鈥淢i pap谩 estaba tan orgulloso cuando los ni帽os recib铆an los libros. Estaba m谩s orgulloso de eso que probablemente de mi gran 茅xito en el mundo del espect谩culo.鈥�

Adem谩s de m煤ltiples donaciones y programas de becas, Parton tambi茅n se moviliz贸 a lo largo de los a帽os despu茅s de que desastres naturales afectaran tanto a su estado natal como a las zonas circundantes.

Tambi茅n fue defensora de personas a las que muchos dentro del establishment de la m煤sica country muy probablemente no habr铆an apoyado ni avalado en ese momento.

Adem谩s de letras en su m煤sica en apoyo a la comunidad LGBTQ+ que se remontan a la d茅cada de 1990, Parton le dijo a Larry King en 2016: 鈥淪oy muy franca en cuanto a simplemente aceptar a la gente en general. No creo que debamos criticar y juzgar a otras personas; creo que debemos ser aceptantes y amorosos. Todos somos hijos de Dios. Somos quienes somos, y se nos deber铆a permitir ser quienes somos.鈥�

Cuando King le pregunt贸 si la comunidad basada en la fe se ofend铆a por su postura, Parton respondi贸: 鈥淎bsolutamente. Me pasa todo el tiempo.鈥�

鈥淪igo diciendo: 鈥楽i eres el buen cristiano que crees que eres, 驴por qu茅 est谩s juzgando a la gente? Ese es el trabajo de Dios鈥欌��, dijo. 鈥淣o somos Dios, no somos jueces; se supone que debemos amarnos unos a otros, se supone que no debemos juzgar.鈥�

Otro gran esfuerzo organizado por Parton lleg贸 a ra铆z de la pandemia de Covid-19, cuando la leyenda de la m煤sica intervino personalmente para ayudar a financiar el desarrollo de la vacuna de Moderna. Su donaci贸n de 1 mill贸n de d贸lares a la investigaci贸n sobre el coronavirus en la Universidad de Vanderbilt en Nashville fue documentada posteriormente, y su nombre apareci贸 en un informe preliminar sobre la vacuna entre patrocinadores como el Instituto Nacional de Alergias y Enfermedades Infecciosas.

En el oto帽o de 2025, la hermana de Parton, Freida, public贸 en Facebook que hab铆a estado 鈥渢oda la noche rezando鈥� por la cantante de 鈥淛olene鈥�. Naturalmente, la publicaci贸n caus贸 un peque帽o revuelo, con las masas preocup谩ndose por la salud de Parton, especialmente porque se produjo poco despu茅s de que pospusiera una serie de conciertos programados para ese diciembre en Las Vegas.

Un d铆a despu茅s, sin embargo, Parton comparti贸 un comunicado en video en redes sociales 鈥減ara tranquilizar a todo el mundo鈥�, explicando que gozaba de buena salud y que segu铆a trabajando. S铆 reconoci贸 que hab铆a tenido 鈥渁lgunos problemas鈥� de salud, y se帽al贸 la muerte de su esposo a principios de ese a帽o como un factor que contribuy贸 a que se tomara un tiempo para bajar el ritmo.

鈥淐uando mi esposo Carl estaba muy enfermo 鈥攅so fue durante mucho tiempo鈥� y luego cuando falleci贸, no me cuid茅鈥�, dijo en ese momento. 鈥淎s铆 que dej茅 pasar muchas cosas de las que deber铆a haberme estado ocupando. As铆 que, en fin, cuando me puse a ello, el m茅dico dijo: 鈥楾enemos que ocuparnos de esto, tenemos que ocuparnos de aquello鈥�. Nada grave, pero s铆 tuve que cancelar algunas cosas para poder estar m谩s cerca de casa.鈥�

鈥淎煤n no estoy lista para morir. No creo que Dios haya terminado conmigo y yo no he terminado de trabajar鈥�, a帽adi贸 m谩s adelante en el clip. 鈥淎s铆 que los quiero por preocuparse y sigan rezando por m铆.鈥�

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that while he strongly agrees with coach Josh Heupel that the suspension was ridiculous, a one-game suspension for the is better than two games 鈥� but no suspension would be better in the

鈥泪蹿 , the NCAA should do the right thing and drop it all together,鈥� White said. 鈥淭his is yet another example of applying archaic rules from another era, without evolving, and most importantly, putting student-athletes experiences above bureaucracy.”

Carter signed with an agent and accepted a flight worth $427.28 while figuring out his draft status. He ultimately withdrew from the draft and returned to Tennessee because of a medical procedure for a foot injury.

The NCAA originally suspended Carter three games, which was reduced after an appeal. The latest reduction means the third-year linebacker and two-year starter will be available when visits Georgia Tech on Sept. 12.

鈥淣CAA rules are clear: student-athletes may not sign with agents to pursue NFL Draft opportunities, and this student-athlete knowingly violated those longstanding rules,鈥� the NCAA said about Carter’s suspension in July.

___

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