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CNN Headlines: Dolly Parton, Queen Of Country Music And Humanitarian Hero, Dead At 80; CNN Projects Darline Graham Wins South Carolina GOP Senate Runoff; FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds To Help Nevada Fight Hawk Fire. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired August 26, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:30:02]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It's just about half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.
CNN projects Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham, will claim the GOP nomination in South Carolina. She defeats Congressmember Ralph Norman in the Republican Senate runoff. Graham is favored to win a full term in November's election against Democrat Annie Andrews.
And the Department of Justice says it's considering additional charges against the ICE agent accused of shooting a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg in Minnesota early this year. Federal charges would mark a start contrast to the Trump administration's prior defense of actions by immigration enforcers and officers. Now, Christian Castro is currently in custody in Texas where a judge will decide if he can be extradited to Minnesota.
And FEMA has approved a grant to assist Nevada in its battle against the massive Hawk Fire. The state's emergency manager tells CNN the funds will help pay for a portion of wildfire suppression costs but adds that the grant is not to be confused with a presidential emergency declaration. Nevada is currently assessing a request for that.
Country music icon and humanitarian Dolly Parton died peacefully in Nashville at the age of 80. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced it on Tuesday. And Parton -- well, we know she rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most beloved, unifying, and philanthropic stars in America.
CNN's Randi Kaye has more on her legacy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): She was quite simply an American original.
DOLLY PARTON, COUNTRY SINGER-SONGWRITER: Singing "Coat of Many Colors."
KAYE (voiceover): In her 70-year show business career, Dolly Parton sang, acted, and charmed her way into the hearts of millions and built a music catalog for the ages.
PARTON: I love that I can write --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Um-hum.
PARTON: -- because I can express everything.
KAYE (voiceover): Among her iconic hits a plea to a local bank teller Dolly thought might have eyes for her husband.
PARTON: Singing "Jolene."
KAYE (voiceover): Always true to her Tennessee roots she was also a pioneer in the world of country-pop crossover artists.
PARTON: Singing "Here You Come Again."
KAYE (voiceover): Dolly's songs were so popular, in fact, not only were they hits for her, they became hits for others.
PARTON: Singing "I Will Always Love You."
KAYE (voiceover): In time, the movie industry beckoned.
PARTON: Singing "9 to 5."
KAYE (voiceover): It turned out Dolly Parton was as memorable on the silver screen as she was on the stage.
(Clip from 20th Century Fox "9 to 5")
(Clip from Tri-Star Pictures "Steel Magnolias)
KAYE (voiceover): She was so beloved that in 2019 The New York Times declared that if there was one thing Americans could agree on, even in hyperpolarized times, it was their love for Dolly Parton.
And if there were those who didn't take her seriously because of the hair and the makeup and the outfits -- well, that didn't bother Dolly, who famously said, "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap" and made it clear early on that she was in on the joke.
PARTON: I know exactly what I'm doing, and I can change it at any time. I make more jokes about myself than anybody because I enjoy it. I know -- like I say, I am sure of myself as a person.
KAYE (voiceover): As for her legacy, Dolly Parton pointed to her worldwide Imagination Library program funded by her Dollywood Foundation. The program gives books away to preschool aged children every month.
PARTON: And that's been a wonderful program because my dad couldn't read and write and so that's what inspired me to do that program. When you think of me when I'm gone, I'd like you to smile and think oh, she was funny. I would just like to be known for what I think I am --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah.
PARTON: -- which is just a regular person.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah.
PARTON: I always say I'm a -- I'm a workhorse that looks like a show horse. I just hope I leave something good behind for other people to enjoy.
KAYE (voiceover): Randi Kaye, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Dolly Parton funneled much of her success into philanthropy so naturally, her loved ones request donations to Parton's Imagination Library in lieu of flowers.
Dolly's funeral will be private and intimate, according to her family.
And, of course, Nashville is the Country Music Capital of the World and fans there are also paying tribute to Dolly Parton. Here with that is Shimon -- CNN's Shimon Prokupecz there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here in Nashville where Dolly meant so much to this city and this city meant so much to her, this is the city that she really became who she was and who she is. And many of the people out here who are celebrating for different reasons and partying, and listening to rock and roll, and listening to country music all had the same thoughts. They were happy -- happy to talk about Dolly and happy to talk about what she meant to them and their families, and what she meant to the world.
Take a listen to what some of them told me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are so blessed to be in her hometown tonight. We feel so blessed to be part of it. It feels a little closer to Dolly.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We used to dance a lot in my mom and dad's kitchen, and we'd dance to Dolly.
PROKUPECZ: What (INAUDIBLE) was that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was an icon.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My mom is 91. She sent a family text out and she goes "I don't know of any person on the planet that has given more than Dolly Parton -- not just to East Tennessee but to the world."
PROKUPECZ: The celebrations and remembering Dolly here, who is really the queen of country, will continue. Flowers placed outside her home. Other vigils planned for all across the city as people continue to remember Dolly Parton.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. Shimon Prokupecz there. Thank you.
The former mayor and current city manager of Dolly Parton's hometown, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, reflected on her enormous impact on their community.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID WEAR, CITY MANAGER, PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE: Every time there was something that we needed help with as a community she was always there, especially the wildfires in 2016. She came in huge and changed the trajectory of our recovery not just emotionally and our well-being but also our economy. She has made an impact on this world but none as much as here in Sevier County.
One story that really sticks out to me -- and I don't know if I'm going to tell it very well -- but my daughter -- she was very young. And we used to have a homecoming parade in Pigeon Forge and Dolly was the grand marshal every year. And we get some time to meet and talk with Dolly. And again, my daughter being young, she just thought of her as a special friend.
Years later my daughter grew up a little bit and Dolly did a concert here at our local LeConte Event Center. And she turned to my wife and said, "Are all these people here to see Dolly?" She had no idea that Dolly was as famous as she was because that's not how she knew her. She knew her as -- knew Dolly as her special friend, which is the kind of person she was.
She was larger than life on stage and as a performer, but if you got the chance to talk to her face-to-face, one-on-one, she was just real as they got.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: That's incredible.
The Grand Ole Opry also paying tribute to the beloved singer, writing "We will always love you" in its post on social media. The message adds, "There is no doubt Dolly's mark on the world, and on us here at the Grand Ole Opry, will be deeply felt for generations to come. There will never, ever be another one like her."
Now, one of things that people really admire about Dolly is her work ethic. She worked nine to five and well beyond on her many business ventures -- one of those being her lifestyle brand. And here's Parton discussing it with former HLN news anchor Robin Meade.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBIN MEADE, FORMER HLN NEWS ANCHOR: I don't know what your style is at home. I don't think I've ever seen a picture inside your home to know what it is. But we do have this big lifestyle and home brand coming up that you are going to put your name on.
What do you want it to look like?
PARTON: Well, actually, that depends. I'm going to be working very close with the people since we've signed this new deal with the branding. I'm sure we'll get into homes and all of that stuff too.
MEADE: OK.
PARTON: I'll probably do a backwoods collection, you know, where the --
MEADE: A backwoods Barbie couch.
PARTON: Yeah, a backwoods collection, yeah, yeah.
But we'll actually have willows and bamboos and wood things -- a lot of that.
MEADE: Yeah.
PARTON: But also, we'll probably do some of everything in addition to natural things, like wigs and makeup, skincare, clothes, jewelry.
MEADE: That just seems logical.
PARTON: Yeah, all of that. So I'm looking forward to doing that -- a worldwide brand to kind of, you know, get that out there and just get some mailbox money, they say. Get them royalties coming in. I can sit home and say, "What am I doing today? What did I create today?"
MEADE: Now, the money will happen but that will -- will you ever slow down? What is it about you --
PARTON: No.
MEADE: -- that makes you tick differently than people who say put a fork in me, I'm done?
PARTON: Oh. Well, I never once thought about retiring. Unless I got sick or had to be home with my husband I would never even slow down, you know. So I just love what I do.
MEADE: Yeah.
PARTON: It's very energizing. I feel like I'm really doing something important. I feel like I'm creating something and leaving something in the world today that wasn't there yesterday. And I just want to feel useful. I just want to feel like I'm doing my part.
MEADE: Yeah.
PARTON: I just always ask God to lead me, and I just want to glorify God and uplift people and have a good time myself. (END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: And she did all that and more.
Now, Robin Meade also joined Erin Burnett last night to remember Dolly. Here's part of their conversation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR: Could you just talk about how you saw her and how incredibly hard she worked? How relentless she was about her work.
[05:40:00]
MEADE (via telephone): Yeah. When you think about her age, even in the past five to 10 years, it's like her work never leveled off. Like, she was, sure, a touring musician and a great songwriter and performer that we knew her for. And we saw her in television. We saw her in the movies. And, of course, all the things that she did to help other people.
I mean, you know, the other day I looked down -- I think I was at the grocery store. I looked down and there is a Dolly Parton cake mix staring back at me in the grocery store. I looked online and there was Dolly Parton "Joleans," I think by Good American.
This woman's work -- it never slowed down even as she approached, you know, 80 years of age, and even after, you know, the death of her longtime husband. So I feel like her work ethic is so amazing and such an example to all of us. She put a lot of work, I feel like, into each -- other people and her fans, but she knew the connection that she had. She was very hands-on.
She reached out -- apparently, she was a longtime viewer of our morning show that went off the air, like, three-four years ago. But she had reached out when the wildfire happened and so many people lost their homes in the Smoky Mountains and she wanted to do this big telethon fundraiser. And she could have just stood there in the limelight and had the cameras come on and call on her friends to donate, but she didn't.
She had me -- she asked if I would come and help co-host it and we sat up together that morning and she edited the --
BURNETT: Wow.
MEADE: -- scripts herself. She looked at the rundown herself.
This was a hands-on woman and that's just on angle of it. I think she was hands-on in everything she did.
I mean, that day she called Cyndi Lauper and Kenny Rogers, and all of her celebrity friends. (INAUDIBLE), Reba McEntire came and they performed. But people also donated. Taylor Swift donated, Paul Simon. It was like this. If Dolly Parton called, you know, you stepped up to the plate because you knew that she cared for so many people --
BURNETT: Yeah.
MEADE: -- that much to her fans.
And I want to point out too that this is a woman who could have had anything she wanted. She could have had a bunch of fancy schmancy folks around her, but she didn't. As far as I could tell, the people around her -- and I'm talking like her longtime stylist, the guy who sewed every sequin on every bodice that she wore. You know, these are people that have been around her for a very long time. A tiny, tight- knit group and -- you know, along with her nieces --
BURNETT: Yeah.
MEADE: -- and her nephews, and her siblings.
My heart goes out to that core group because what an absence, you know. There's never going to be another one like her and the world was better for her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: We will be remembering Dolly Parton throughout the day here on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
We do want to get you to some other big stories this morning as well.
We're hearing from the final witnesses in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy. She is the Massachusetts mother who is accused of killing her three children. Her defense says that she suffered from postpartum psychosis.
On Tuesday, a forensic psychiatrist took to the stand to testify about the 11-hour interview that he did with Clancy. He was asked about her claim that she heard a man's voice in her head that repeatedly told her to kill her children and herself, but she says that voice stopped after she strangled the children.
Here's part of the psychiatrist's testimony.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And it is typical, based on your training and experience, for someone to hear command hallucinations and then for them to stop abruptly?
DR. GREGORY SAATHOFF, FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST: No. Um, committing the act is not curative of the voice. I've not -- I've not ever seen that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Court resumes this morning with rebuttal witnesses for the prosecution.
Well, FEMA approved a request from Texas for money to fight a big wildfire that's just eight percent contained. It's called the Ross fire and it's burning in north central Texas. It started Monday and rapidly spread through rural areas, and that's led to evacuations and some schools are closed and canceled.
A sense of normalcy is returning for people in parts of Indiana as power has finally been restored for most in the northwest part of the state, including in the city of Gary, which has been struggling without electricity for two weeks. Gary is one of the last places to get its power back after those deadly storms on August 11.
Next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, whether you're planning to travel by air or car, what you can expect this upcoming Labor Day holiday.
And this masked man is suspected of terrorizing people all around Philadelphia and now police say they have him in custody in Las Vegas. Details on that and much more coming up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:48:20]
SMITH: Let's get a check-in on some of the other stories making news across the country.
We start in Philadelphia. Police say that the man accused of terrorizing people while wearing a Chuckie-style mask was arrested in Las Vegas. U.S. marshals said that he had lived in Vegas since February but has family in Philly. Investigators say that he chased and tried to scare at least six people near City Hall all within a 15- minute timeframe, including asking one woman "Are you ready to die?"
All right. A man in New Hampshire is accused of stealing a fire truck as his home was on fire. Police say that he jumped in the truck, hit other emergency vehicles, and then drove away. He was arrested later and his home was destroyed.
[05:50:05]
And in Washington, D.C., an unusual sight near the Supreme Court. Capitol Police say a man drove from California with a guillotine in the back of his pickup truck. Now, he was arrested for carrying a dangerous weapon and authorities say that they're still trying to determine why the suspect traveled all the way to D.C.
And finally, in Colorado, a bunch of furry, four-legged employees are clocking in for work at Centennial Airport this week. More than 300 goats have been hired to graze along the airfields helping to clear vegetation near the runway. The goal is to keep wildlife away and limit the risk of wildfires. The owner of Goat Bros. says his animals have already eaten about 10 acres worth of vegetation. Good teeth, better jaws.
Next on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, another look back on the life and legacy of Dolly Parton. Stars remembering her humor, joy, and generous spirit along with the love that she shared with so many.
Stay with us.
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[05:55:27]
SMITH: In today's Money Express, global oil prices dropped with news of a proposed deal over the safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.
Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq MarketSite with that and the rest of your top Money Express headlines. Maribel, let's dive in here.
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Ok, Brad.
So global oil prices back below $90 a barrel after the globe -- or Gulf Nations unveiled a proposed framework for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Now, Brent Crude is trading around $86 a barrel while U.S. oil is closer to $80. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of unleaded is $4.10 where it has hovered for most of last month.
Meanwhile, higher gas prices are just one reason AAA says Labor Day travelers should be prepared to pay more this year. Domestic flights are up nearly 20 percent from last year, while hotels are up nearly 10 percent. And the roads are expected to be busier too with peak travel expected Thursday and Friday starting September 3. The association's booking data shows Seattle, Orlando, Denver, and New York are among the top U.S. destinations. It also says travels -- travelers looking for a last-minute deal may want to consider a cruise.
SpaceX has unveiled plans for a massive $100 billion spaceport in Louisiana. The site, called "Starbase Louisiana" would become the company's second dedicated launch site, joining its facility in south Texas. Construction is expected to begin next year with SpaceX targeting its first launch there in 2029. And according to Louisiana economic development, SpaceX is expected to create about 3,000 direct jobs over the next 10 years.
And Brad, you know, thousands more of indirect jobs too.
SMITH: All right, Maribel. I'm setting my kitchen timer once I get home for 2029. Maribel Aber, thank you.
We are remembering the queen of country music and rhinestones, Dolly Parton. She died yesterday at the age of 80. Tributes from celebrities and fellow artists -- they've just been pouring in on social media.
CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister reports with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Paul McCartney to Hillary Clinton to Khloe Kardashian, the tributes for our bedazzled queen Dolly Parton are coming in. Her "9 to 5" co-star Lily Tomlin posted as did her "Steel Magnolias" co-star Sally Field, who had this to say.
"If there are truly angels on Earth, then we have just lost one, Dolly Parton. There will never be another."
Kelly Clarkson also posted about Dolly, as did singer Kasey Musgraves who wrote this on social media. "The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden."
Now, Reba McIntire had this to say about Dolly. "Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed on to the higher and greater side. Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on Earth. Your love, your music, and you gave so much with your huge, huge heart. There will never ever be another you."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: And four years ago our Jake Tapper asked Dolly what advice she'd give to her younger self. Her answer was classic Dolly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: What would you tell your younger self?
PARTON: Well, that's a tricky question. It was my dream to do it. But I would just follow -- looking back, I would just say girl, you better buckle up cause this is -- you're in for the ride of your life. You're going to have to take a lot of stuff, you're going to have to give a lot of stuff, and you're going to have to, you know, stand by your guns and believe in yourself. Stay true to yourself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: And you would never catch Dolly Parton without a fresh manicure. Those acrylic nails weren't just part of her iconic style; they were part of her signature sound as well. And who could forget that classic moment on the '80s variety show "DOLLY" when she used those instruments to make music with Patti LaBelle. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARTON: You know, I've got a lot of songs, but I don't have my guitar. You know, I beat around the dashboard of my car when I'm riding around writing songs.
PATTI LABELLE, SINGER: Uh-huh.
PARTON: But then I have a little rhythm that we can do with these acrylic nails. Can you do that?
LABELLE: Yep.
PARTON: Oh, good. You want to play a little song for them?
LABELLE: OK.
PARTON: Get up close to your microphone. We're mic'd, right, down in here. Get up close to it. OK.
LABELLE: That's cute. PARTON: Can you hear that?
LABELLE: We're playing this, but we don't know how it's going to sound.
PARTON: Well, we will play and see if we could do something like "mama's little children love shortnin', shortnin'. Mama's little children love shortnin' bread. Mama's little children love shortnin', shortnin'. Mama's little children shortnin' bread. Daddy --
(Laughing)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Patti and Dolly were longtime friends. And in a statement shared with CNN, LaBelle said that she was deeply saddened and that Dolly's light will forever shine.
[06:00:00]
Anybody who has ever been to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, you know that her spirit just emanates throughout the Smoky Mountains. The songbird of the Smoky Mountains may be no longer with us. However, her spirit will certainly still certainly still be seen over top of those mountains. Forever shine.
A memorial growing outside of her home near Nashville, Tennessee and a sign on the gate -- it reads "We will always love you."
That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
