Radio Broadcasting
Radio Mourns Loss: Dolly Parton died at age 80 on August 21, 2026, after a brief battle with an undisclosed cancer, a diagnosis that explains her reduced public appearances and medical treatments in the year prior.
Country Radio's Queen: Major U.S. country radio stations, especially those based in Nashville, responded to the death of Dolly Parton (the “Queen of Country”) on Tuesday, with immediate tributes, emotional on-air statements, and heavy rotation of her classic hits.
Court Restricts L-U-C: The U.S. Court of Appeals on Tuesday granted a petition by four Democratic politicians and set aside as unlawful an FCC Media Bureau Public Notice that would have expanded eligibility for discounted political advertising rates on broadcast stations.
Media Industry
Calif AG Ready to Talk: California Attorney General Rob Bonta is open to restarting negotiations with Paramount Skydance as early as this week—but only if the company stops leaking and misrepresenting confidential information to the press.
FCC Asked Broadcasts Of Speech Intentions: The FCC contacted major broadcast station groups before President Donald Trump’s July 16 prime-time speech on election security to ask about their coverage plans, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.
'Red Line' Became Issue: Erik Slavin, former editor-in-chief of the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes, was abruptly dismissed by the Pentagon on Friday for “insubordination” over a CBS News interview that aired July 5. In the interview, Slavin said hypothetical censorship at Stars and Stripes would be a “red line” for him.
U-S News
Graham Wins Primary: Sen. Darline Graham has won the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina to replace her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, in November's midterm election, Decision Desk HQ and NBC News projected Tuesday
What About China? The U.S. launched what it described as an unprecedented campaign to cripple Iran’s economy by cutting off “every remaining lifeline” sustaining the country. Yet unmentioned in Scott Bessent’s speech announcing “Operation Economic Outcast” was the country that has enabled Iran to withstand years of American pressure: China.
Center Doomed: Justice Department lawyers argue that the Kennedy Center cannot be saved without President Donald Trump’s financial support and naming rights, while Rep. Joyce Beatty seeks to block the restoration of Trump’s name and claims the renaming violates a court order.