{
  "id": 4037219,
  "title": "Dolly Parton airport? Tennessee governor backs fans’ push to rename Nashville airport after country music icon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/dolly-parton-airport-tennessee-governor-backs-fans-push-to-rename",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-28T21:24:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/dolly-parton-airport-tennessee-governor-backs-fans-push-to-rename-nashville-airport-after-country-music-icon-11787950670296.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A push by fans to rename Nashville's airport for country music icon Dolly Parton appears to be gaining traction just days after her death. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority both expressed support for the name change on Friday, with the decision expected to be discussed at the authority's meeting next month. Parton, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80, sparked the online petition for the airport's renaming in January 2025, which gained significant momentum following her death, reaching over 155,000 signatures by Friday. Governor Lee expressed his agreement with the proposal, stating that it would be fitting for Nashville International Airport to bear the name of Tennessee's favorite daughter, honoring her enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness. Parton, born in poverty in the Great Smoky Mountains, became an international icon with hit songs like \"Jolene\" and \"I Will Always Love You,\" as well as starring roles in Hollywood films such as \"9 to 5\" and \"Steel Magnolias.\" Numerous American airports already bear the names of beloved celebrities, including Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which was renamed in 2001. However, putting Parton's name on the Nashville airport may necessitate a review of the airport authority's policy, which currently requires that airport properties be named only for individuals who have been deceased for at least two years. The governor's office stated that the proposal and the naming policy would be discussed at the airport authority's meeting on September 17.",
  "summary": "A campaign to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton has gained support from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the airport authority's CEO, just days after the country music icon's death at 80.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Fortune",
        "title": "Crypto traders turn Dolly Parton’s death into a memecoin frenzy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/crypto-traders-turn-dolly-partons-death-into-a-memecoin-frenzy",
        "published": "2026-08-26T21:41:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}