How Dolly Parton changed the lives of the musicians who never became household names

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By Robb Coles

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    NASHVILLE (WTVF) — Parton was a member of the Nashville Association of Musicians – AFM Local 257 for 58 years.

The Nashville Association of Musicians President Dave Pomeroy remembers Dolly Parton as far more than a country music icon.

“She affected so many lives in so many positive ways; it’s just hard to process losing her,” Pomeroy said. “Dolly Parton joined Local 257 on December 12, 1967, and was a member for 58 years.”

Pomeroy even shared the stage with her for an award show performance.

“I played with Dolly on one of the CMA award shows,” Pomeroy said. “She was very gracious.”

Beyond the songs and sounds, Pomeroy said the way Parton treated her musicians will be part of her legacy for those inside the music business.

“I think that she helped set a standard of how you treat your musicians,” Pomeroy said.

According to Pomeroy, Parton was one of the first major stars to use the same band for both touring and recording, giving those musicians the security of multiple income streams in a business where work can be unpredictable.

“It was like family. It was like an extended family in a way that you don’t always see, and I think she took it to a whole new level,” Pomeroy said. Breaking the mold wasn’t limited to how she treated people.

Pomeroy said she stayed true to herself while writing across many different styles of music and “never stopped evolving right up until the end.”

For so many fans, friends, and fellow musicians, the loss is something they didn’t see coming.

“I don’t use this term lightly; she seemed immortal. How could there ever not be Dolly? And now everyone I talked to today who was close to her is devastated,” Pomeroy said.

This story was reported on-air by journalist Robb Coles and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVF verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Child enters Milwaukee County Zoo animal habitat as staff activate emergency protocols

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By Mia Bearden

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    MILWAUKEE (WDJT) — A child entered an animal habitat at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Monday, Aug. 24, prompting staff to activate emergency protocols in the African Savanna Yard.

The zoo says a staff member saw the child inside the habitat and radioed for help.

“We have staff all out in the park,” said Tracey Dolphin, director of animal management and health for the Milwaukee County Zoo. “Seeing a guest in an animal’s habitat is not normal, so once that person realized that, they radioed and that impacted our emergency protocols.”

Those protocols included getting guests out of the area and moving the animals off the habitat.

Alleged cellphone video shared online appears to show the child chasing a bird before a relative climbs into the habitat and helps the child out using a ladder.

The zoo says pelicans, vultures, southern ground hornbills and gazelles are among the animals that call the African Savanna Yard home.

Dolphin said guests should stay behind the railings and respect the animals and their space.

“Staying behind the railing and looking at the animals, being respectful,” she said. “We have to remember that these are the animals’ homes and it takes all of us to be respectful towards our animals.”

The zoo says the animals in the habitat are not considered dangerous. Dolphin said, however, that any interaction with animals carries a potential risk.

“With any animals, there is always a potential that there could be an injury,” she said.

The zoo is still investigating what happened and how the child got into the habitat.

No people or animals were injured.

“We want to make sure that everyone is coming out to have a safe experience at the zoo and a safe experience for our animals,” Dolphin said.

The zoo has not decided whether there will be any repercussions for the family because the investigation is ongoing.

A man claiming to be the child’s father released the following statement Tuesday evening:

“Here is our family’s only statement and we wish to remain anonymous:

First we want to thank the zoo’s security staff (Particularly Jeff) for their prompt and professional help as well as fantastic follow up after the incident to make sure my son was ok.

We regret the incident that took place at the zoo yesterday. Our son is severely autistic, non verbal, and is also diagnosed with ADHD and epilepsy. Animals are his obsessions and The zoo is likely his most favorite place on earth. we as annual zoo pass holders visited dozens of times in his 13 years of life without incident.

While my wife and I were at work his caretaker and grandmother decided to take him for a nice day at the zoo, and as any parent of autism can attest, we were so grateful for the help. He had a great day without incident then at the very last moment and without warning he was able to break away from his grandmother and jumped into the exhibit with the hornbills. He proceeded to chase them for approximately 30 seconds or so as his grandmother figured out how to get into the exhibit to help him. She was eventually able to get him out with the help of some fellow zoo goers and security staff.

We are animal lovers and are relieved that the animals were not hurt during the incident. I have personally reached out to the director of operations of the zoo as of this morning to personally apologize and see if there is any way we can help or make amends. In the time since the videos were posted, i responded to one of them trying to explain the situation and have since received messages wishing harm and death upon my son and my family.

While we understand how upsetting it is, we do ask for some patience, empathy and understanding for our son. He adores animals and would never do serious harm to them. It’s apparent he didn’t fully understand his actions and his impulses took over. We don’t use this as justification, we just ask for some grace as we move forward to make things right.”

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NC State honors astronaut Christina Koch with campus homecoming, rename building

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By DeJuan Hoggard

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    RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) — NC State University welcomed NASA astronaut and three-time alum Christina Koch back to campus Monday for a celebration marking her historic Artemis II mission and the renaming of Engineering Building II as Christina Hammock Koch Hall.

Koch is back in the state for a two-day celebration following her historic role as a mission specialist on NASA’s Artemis II mission earlier this year.

More than 1,200 students, alumni and faculty gathered for the event in Koch’s first public visit to campus since becoming the first woman to travel around the moon. The university dubbed the celebration “Around the Moon and Pack Again.”

Chancellor Kevin Howell announced the building’s new name during the ceremony. “I am delighted as Chancellor to announce that Engineering Building Two will henceforth be known as Koch Hall,” he said.

Koch, who earned degrees in physics and electrical engineering from NC State, reflected on her time as a student. “When I walked into that classroom, I wasn’t Astronaut Christina Koch. I likely had ripped jeans and pink hair,” Koch said. She added that naming a building carries meaning. “I do know that what an institution chooses to name things is a commitment to values.”

In 2013, Koch spent nearly a year in orbit during a previous mission, an accomplishment Howell highlighted. “For nearly one year, our beloved state of North Carolina rolled past her window more than 5,000 times,” she said.

Families and students said Koch’s achievements inspire them. “I think she’s really cool and that she inspires a lot of people,” said young student Alexandra Bigler. Her mother, Rebecca Bigler, called the moment “such history for humanity.”

Koch also acknowledged the women who paved the way for her career. “We named our spacecraft Integrity, and then we had to go fly it like we meant it,” she said.

The celebration included performances from the NC State band, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Wuf, and the release of a limited-edition Howling Cow ice cream flavor, “Howl at the Moon,” honoring Koch’s lunar journey.

Students said seeing an alum reach such heights motivates them. “I was so absolutely amazed and so proud of the Wolfpack for having somebody so brave,” said sophomore Sabine Spaulding.

Koch will remain on campus Tuesday for a student Q&A and discussions on wellness, grit and self-trust as the university’s new semester has already officially begun.

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INL building up 2,000-acre Nuclear Energy Launch Pad in Idaho desert

KIFI on August 26, 2026

David Pace

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho National Laboratory is creating a physical launch pad across 2,000 acres in the Idaho desert for the future of nuclear power.

Twelve companies and 13 projects have been selected to participate in the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program, which is hosted by the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) and will be located at the Central Facilities Area.

“The NRIC Nuclear Energy Launch Pad allows private industry to come in and build their own facilities on Idaho National Laboratory property,” said NRIC Chief Operating Officer Josh Gillespie. “We have set aside about 2,000 acres out in the desert site that we’re setting up – similar to a subdivision – where we’re going to put in roads, utilities, survey the land and allow developers to apply to obtain a lease and build their own facilities at their own cost, but we will bring to bear the resources of the national laboratory system to help them with their objectives of testing out their technology with the purpose of obtaining a commercial license.”

Companies participating in Launch Pad INL and Launch Pad USA include:

Antares Nuclear

Atlas Atomics

Deployable Energy (2 projects)

Forge Atomics

Hexium Inc.

Lightbridge Corporation

Nusano, Inc.

Oklo

Raven-Flint Nuclear

Scaled Atomics

Sublime Nuclear

Valar Atomics

Six of the projects will be located here in Idaho.

“We have three reactor demonstrations,” Gillespie explained. “We have a fuel enrichment. We have a fuel fabricator, and we have a fuel converter.” 

These later projects will help work toward American fuel independence.

“The fuel fabrication space, the fuel enrichment space is one area that as a nation we’ve lagged behind over the past few decades,” Gillespie said. “There is a definite national need to go off and grow our ability to domestically manufacture fuel in this country. For decades, we’ve obtained the fuel from other nations. We need to go off and develop that capability here to do that domestically.”

With more AI data centers, factories and electric vehicles coming online, INL is also aiming to fill the world’s voracious appetite for energy with nuclear power.

“We need more and more electricity. Our goal is a nation by 2050 is to have 400 GW of electricity powered by nuclear on our grid,” Gillespie said. “Today, we only have 100 GW of nuclear.”

400 GW of power can power 300 million homes.

Quadrupling America’s nuclear energy output in 24 years requires the best minds in industry to converge with Idaho National Laboratory’s infrastructure and decades of experience in cutting-edge nuclear research and leadership.

“That’s a tremendous challenge, and it’s only a challenge we’re going to achieve by partnering with industry, by working to advance and deploy very quickly and very safely to make sure that we can satisfy the needs of Americans and industry, and keep us as positioned as the premier power providers in the world,” Gillespie said.

The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad adds to the Department of Energy’s successful Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Programs launched last year, safely accelerating the advanced nuclear technology pipeline from test prototypes to full deployment.

The Launch Pad will help the nuclear industry test new advanced technologies and prepare to scale them commercially across the globe.

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PCE Inflation Data, Nvidia Earnings, Canada Retaliates on Tariffs

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By Jacqueline Policastro | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — Market Recap: U.S. stocks closed higher Tuesday as technology shares rebounded and Treasury yields and oil prices declined. The Dow and S&P 500 each gained about 0.3%, while the Nasdaq rose 0.7%.

New-home sales fell 10.5% in July to their lowest level since January, while consumer confidence dropped to a seven-month low. Consumers’ 12-month inflation expectations rose to 5.8%.

Canada announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on about $20 billion of U.S. goods starting Sept. 8, after new U.S. tariffs took effect Saturday and President Trump threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian autos starting Jan. 1.

Today’s Focus: Investors are watching a busy day of economic data and earnings. July PCE inflation, consumer spending and income, the second estimate of second-quarter GDP and durable-goods orders are due at 8:30 a.m. ET. The spending and income data will show whether consumers are continuing to spend despite elevated inflation and signs of weakening confidence.

Core PCE inflation is expected to remain at 3.3% annually, well above the Fed’s 2% target and a key consideration for policymakers weighing their next rate move. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivers the keynote address Friday at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium.

Nvidia reports earnings after the closing bell, with investors watching for signs that strong demand for AI chips is continuing.

ON THE SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026

-8:30 a.m. ET – July durable-goods orders, second estimate of Q2 GDP and July PCE inflation

-Earnings – Nvidia, Salesforce and CrowdStrike

-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. ET – Weekly jobless claims and July Advance Economic Indicators

-Thursday earnings – Best Buy, Dollar General and Dollar Tree

-Friday morning – Fed Chair Kevin Warsh speaks at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium

-Friday, 10 a.m. ET – Final August University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment

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Hope School District Students Look Forward to New School Year

KEYT on August 26, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Hope School District students are settling into a new school year.

And for some of the district’s youngest students there’s already plenty to look forward to.

From making new friends to learning new things, students shared what they’re most excited about in the year ahead.

“I’m looking for this year to learning long division and hanging out with my friends,” said student Sammy Lopez.

“Reading more chapter books improving on my math skills,” said student Heather Mannion.

“I’m excited for school because I love my teachers,” said student Heaven Desalegn.

“I’m excited for making paper houses,” said student Orion Tane.

Tane is only in kindergarten.

Tuesday marks day four of the year for students at Vieja Elementary School.

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Missing hiker in Placer County found dead after days-long search

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By Carlos E. Castañeda, Richard Ramos

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    PLACER COUNTY, California (KOVR) — A hiker in Placer County who had been missing for days was found dead Tuesday after hundreds of search-and-rescue personnel worked through challenging terrain to locate him, authorities said.

Ian Roberts, 24, was found dead Aug. 25 in the Auburn State Recreation Area, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said.

Roberts was last seen Friday morning in the Overlook Park area in Auburn, according to authorities. He was reported missing to the Roseville Police Department on Saturday morning, and his car was found shortly afterward in the Overlook Park parking lot.

Sheriff’s investigators determined that Roberts had gone for a hike into the American River Canyon area on Friday and had not returned, prompting a search.

The sheriff’s office said Roberts was found within Auburn city limits, and the Auburn Police Department will investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Authorities said it appears Roberts slipped and fell down a steep embankment. There was no indication of foul play.

Before Roberts was found, the sheriff’s office said about 100 search-and-rescue personnel were working in the surrounding area, using drones, rescue dogs and a sheriff’s office marine unit to search areas along the North Fork American River.

The sheriff’s office said they have been helped in the search by more than a dozen law enforcement and volunteer agencies, including California State Parks, Bay Area-based volunteer groups California Search and Rescue and California Rescue Dog Association, and the sheriff’s offices from Contra Costa, El Dorado, Marin, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Tuolumne, and Yuba counties.

The California Highway Patrol also assisted with a helicopter crew, and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office also requested a California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services FIRIS flight which uses data sensors mounted on fixed wing aircraft.

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Amazon driver strikes 71-year-old man in California gas station in newly released video

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By Richard Ramos

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    ELK GROVE, California (KOVR) — Newly released surveillance video shows an Amazon delivery driver striking a 71-year-old man inside a Northern California gas station earlier this year after a dispute over a parking space, officials said.

The incident happened around 3:15 p.m. on March 30 at an ampm convenience store and gas station in the 8300 block of Sheldon Road, near Highway 99 in the Sacramento suburb of Elk Grove.

Elk Grove police said the victim had just pulled into a parking stall when the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Terrence Wheeler of Antioch, became upset because he intended to park in the same space.

Wheeler was working as an Amazon delivery driver at the time, police said.

Surveillance video shows Wheeler confronting the man inside the store.

Police said Wheeler threatened to assault the victim. As the 71-year-old walked past him, Wheeler struck him on the side of the head with enough force to knock him to the ground.

The video was captured in late March but was only recently released.

Police identified Wheeler during their investigation. Wheeler turned himself in later that day and was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of felony elder abuse, felony criminal threats and misdemeanor battery.

Wheeler’s next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 24.

The victim’s attorneys are seeking $10 million in damages from Amazon and Wheeler.

Amazon said Wheeler was not directly employed by the company. Instead, he was working for an independent business that contracts with Amazon to deliver packages.

Amazon said it learned of the incident and that the driver was subsequently released by the contractor.

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SFMTA investigates after video shows Muni train operator apparently dozing off before crash

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO, California (KPIX) — Transportation officials in San Francisco are investigating after video apparently showed a Muni metro train operator dozing off moments before a crash last month.

According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the crash involved two L-Taraval trains near 47th Avenue and Wawona Street in the city’s Sunset District on the morning of July 31. The video, which was originally posted on a social media account called NorCal Bodycam, showed the operator nodding off before rear-ending another train on the track.

Two passengers on the train at the time of the crash exited the train after it came to a stop.

“This type of incident is simply unacceptable,” SFMTA Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum said in a statement. “The safety of our passengers and operators is our most important priority, and we are grateful that no one was injured.”

In a statement Monday, the agency said vehicle and infrastructure issues have been ruled out and that the initial determination was “operator error caused by fatigue.”

SFMTA said the formal investigation is ongoing and that they are working closely with the California Public Utilities Commission, as it does on all rail safety incident investigations. The operator has been placed on “non-driving status” during the investigation.

“When the investigation is completed, we will move quickly to take appropriate action based on the final determination,” Kirschbaum added.

To address fatigue and improve safety, the agency said it has increased random video reviews and allocated additional rest time on all operator shifts. Staff also receive routine training and the agency has ongoing fatigue awareness campaigns to prevent incidents.

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Suspect acted alone in deadly Oakland stabbing rampage, police say

CNN Newsource on August 26, 2026

By Maddie White

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    OAKLAND, California (KPIX) — A man acted alone when he randomly attacked five people across Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood in a deadly stabbing spree on Monday night that police say lasted less than 30 minutes.

The Oakland Police Department said at a press conference on Tuesday that three men and two women were stabbed at several locations across East Oakland.

“Five people were injured. One lost their lives,” said Acting Captain Gloria Beltran. “We do believe that these were random. We don’t have any connection with the suspect and the victims.”

The violence unfolded in rapid succession. As officers worked on one stabbing scene, more calls came in — another stabbing, then another, then three more, all before officers tracked down and arrested the suspect nearby.

The attacks played out across several parts of Oakland, starting at Cesar Chavez Park, then moving to 38th Avenue toward San Leandro Street, and eventually to International Boulevard near the Fruitvale BART station.

One victim died, another was in critical condition, and the remaining three are stable, with the victims’ ages range from their 30s to their late 50s. Police believe the suspect is unhoused.

Beltran said the investigation moved quickly thanks to residents who stepped in to help.

“They made contact with officers, directed the officers to where the suspect was, which greatly helped with taking them into custody,” she said.

That was especially true near the BART station and Cesar Chavez Park, a spot Beltran noted is typically full of families.

“This park is heavily populated by families so it could have absolutely been worse,” she said.

Beltran said the community’s response likely kept a bad situation from turning into something worse, and she urged residents to keep doing the same in the future.

“So I would just say thank you and just continue to do that whenever we respond because that obviously helps with the investigation and with just taking the suspect into custody swiftly,” she said.

Police have not released a motive for the attacks, or the identities of the suspect and victims. The suspect is in custody, and no further details on charges were immediately available.

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