Dolly Parton, Queen of Country Music has died. The news came directly from her nephew on a video posted to her official socials. The icon has been the subject of concern in recent months after canceling her planned Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Casears Palace in May.  That residency was originally scheduled in late 2025 but got bumped last December.  Parton made a video to fans earlier in the year apologizing for missing the shows but saying she needed to take care of herself.  Parton herself said she had been undergoing treatment for kidney stones for several years and had digestive and inflammation issues, but glossed over anything more definitive.

During her more than 60-year career, Parton sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards, making her one of the best-selling musical performers of all time.  Just last week she announced that her new "Life of Many Colors Museum" would open this Fall. She was 80 years old.

 

 

 

 

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Actress Hayden Panettiere is dead.  A representative confirmed the news yesterday (8/16).  No cause of death was given.  The 36-year-old "Nashville" star leaves behind an eleven-year-old daughter with former fiance Wladimir Klitschko.  Panettiere was found unresponsive at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina. According to TMZ, first responders administered advanced cardiac life support following a 911 call from a friend, but they were unable to revive her. While dispatch audio referenced a potential overdose and cardiac arrest, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.  The actress would have turned 37 on Friday, Aug. 21.

 

 

 

 

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photo credit: Toglenn