Shail B. Desai

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[Dolly Parton @DollyParton]

Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at https://t.co/cLu9I7M2wC

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at https://t.co/arzrqInqJA

[Encyclopaedia Britannica @Britannica]

Dolly Parton created the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 to provide inspiration and educational resources to children.

The Imagination Library, inspired by her father’s inability to read, has donated millions of books globally to promote childhood literacy.

Thank you, Dolly.

[Clay Travis @ClayTravis]

RIP Dolly Parton. An all time Tennessee legend. Her Imagination Library is one of the all time great charities. She will be sorely missed.

[TIME @TIME]

TIME’s new cover: Dolly Parton, the beloved country-music superstar, died in Nashville at 80.

Known for writing about the lives of working-class people in more than 3,000 recorded songs and later giving away nearly 300 million books to children around the world, Parton’s life was a true Cinderella story. https://t.co/9hT8kjv3S0

[Secretary Linda McMahon @EDSecMcMahon]

I join the nation in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton.

Through her Imagination Library, she placed millions of books into the hands of young children and helped spark a lifelong love of reading. Her music, storytelling, and generous spirit enriched American culture for generations.

Her light will continue to inspire.

Rest in peace, Dolly.

[DJ Judd @DJJudd]

A hawk perched on the White House flagpole just as they lowered the flags in honor of Dolly Parton today.

[U.S. Marines @USMC]

“You got to do something because every second counts."

Marine rushes into burning Okinawa hotel to alert sleeping occupants.

Read more below ⬇️

[Thizzler On The Roof @TheThizzler]

Steph Curry quietly sells 17,761-square-foot Bay Area estate for $29.1M

[Anish Moonka @anishmoonka]

The doctor who delivered Dolly Parton in a one-room Tennessee cabin in 1946 was paid with a sack of cornmeal. Her father farmed other people's land and could not read or write. Eighty years later, the reading program she built in his name has mailed more than 300 million books.

She wrote "I Will Always Love You" on the same afternoon she wrote "Jolene," as a goodbye to Porter Wagoner, and released it in 1974. Elvis wanted it. The night before the session, Colonel Tom Parker called and said Presley would only record it if they got half the publishing, meaning half of everything the song ever earned. She had been in Nashville ten years by then. She said no, and cried all night. Whitney Houston cut her version in 1992, held number one for fourteen weeks, and Forbes later put Parton's royalties from it near $10 million. She put some of that money into an office complex in Nashville and called the place the house that Whitney built.

Dollywood opened in Pigeon Forge in 1986 because she wanted paychecks in the county she came from. Around 4,000 people work there now. Three million visitors come every year. The University of Tennessee put its economic impact at $1.8 billion, and it is the largest employer in Sevier County. Since 2022 the company has paid tuition, fees, and books in full for every worker from their first day, seasonal hires included.

Wildfires tore through those mountains in November 2016, killing fourteen people and destroying more than 2,400 buildings. Her foundation was handing out money within 48 hours. Every family that lost a home got $1,000 a month for six months, regardless of income. The final check was $5,000. Total delivered: $8.9 million.

In April 2020 she sent $1 million to Vanderbilt for coronavirus research. When Moderna's vaccine results ran in the New England Journal of Medicine that November, her fund appeared in the footnotes.

Carl Dean, her husband of nearly sixty years, died in March 2025. The note she wrote to fans afterward ended with the same five words she wrote for Porter Wagoner back in 1974. She died in Nashville today. Her family asked that instead of flowers, people give to the Imagination Library, which still mails 3.4 million books a month to children who will never get to meet her.

[Jennifer Sey @JenniferSey]

According to the WNBA …

A teenaged girl is “f-ing insane” for knowing men can’t become women.

A mom is “offensive” for knowing the same.

And a man is a “threat” for wearing a t-shirt with the dictionary definition of woman on it.

Who’s actually f-ing insane??

[Tim Burchett @timburchett]

Kelly and I are saddened by the news of Dolly’s passing. She was an incredible East Tennessean who served as an inspiration to little girls everywhere. Dolly never changed her accent or forgot where she came from.

[SleeperOrioles @SleeperOrioles]

I feel like there's a few options, so I'll nominate Cal's home run in the 2001 All-Star Game #Birdland

[Katie Miller @KatieMiller]

Absolutely stunning image of SpaceX Falcon 9 by the Washington Monument this morning.

[AG @AGHamilton29]

Clarence Thomas is one of the most impressive figures in American history. The stuff he has overcome and accomplished despite those obstacles is incredible.

It’s a shame so many refuse to recognize that because they don’t like his judicial philosophy.

[Baltimore Orioles @Orioles]

Alonsooooo gone!

[Legion Hoops @LegionHoops]

Klay Thompson on Ray Allen comparisons:

“I love Ray Allen. Are you kidding me? Him and Reggie were the blueprint for my whole off ball formula. It gives me chills I’m even in the same sentence as Ray, because if you told me this my rookie season, I would’ve never believed you. Ray has one of the greatest shots in history and I still practice that back pedal drill he did in Game 6 of 2013. I love those comparisons.”

(h/t @TheHeatCentral)

[Mayor Muriel Bowser @MayorBowser]

First day at the newly renamed John R. Thompson Jr. High School.

Named in honor of the legendary Washingtonian, educator, and Georgetown basketball coach whose impact reached far beyond the court.

What a way to celebrate his legacy—by welcoming students back to a beautiful, reimagined campus with expanded capacity, a new building, an indoor courtyard, views of the Potomac, and, most importantly, incredible teachers and staff ready to make this a great year.

[Rutgers Football 🪓 @RFootball]

⚫️ The Blackout is BACK! ⚫️

📆 Saturday, October 3rd
⏰ 8:00 PM
🏟️ SHI Stadium
🆚 Indiana

🎟️ https://t.co/QdHdBsiRBj

Presented by @RWJBarnabas

[Jennifer Sey @JenniferSey]

The idea that you have to be able to name athletes to think female athletes deserve fairness is stupid.

Did we have to name other cyclists to know that Lance Armstrong was cheating by taking PEDs? I can't name a single cyclist other than Armstrong. He still cheated.

[Aaron Torres @Aaron_Torres]

Will Wade and the 2026-2027 LSU basketball team picture