In an intense South Carolina GOP Senate primary showdown, Sen. Darline Graham emerged victorious over Rep. Ralph Norman on Tuesday. This crucial win propels her closer to securing a full term in the seat once held by her brother.

Backed by President Trump, who personally motivated her to vie for the seat vacated by the untimely passing of Sen. Lindsay Graham, Darline Graham edged out Norman with a 53% to 47% margin. This result came after more than 75% of ballots were tallied in the primary runoff.

Graham’s journey to this point saw her defeating not just Norman, but also overcoming a strong field that included names like former Governor Mark Sanford and Rep. Russell Fry, among others, in the August 11 initial special GOP Senate primary.

Russell Fry, after capturing around 20% of the vote and finishing third, promptly threw his support behind Graham, marking a significant endorsement post-defeat.

With substantial backing, including support from Sen. Tim Scott and Governor Henry McMaster, Graham also benefitted from the financial muscle of over $800,000 from the pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., all strengthening her campaign efforts in securing the critical Senate seat.

“We have known each other for a long time — She is a spectacular person, and a true American Patriot,” Trump said of Graham in a Truth Social post on the eve of the runoff.

“Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina,” the president continued, adding that “there is nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother.” 

Trump urged South Carolinians to get out and vote for Graham last week, telling his supporters at a packed Myrtle Beach rally to “pretend” he’s on the ballot and warning that they’ll “lose everything” if she doesn’t win her Senate race.  

During the primary race, Graham differentiated herself from her brother by highlighting her interest on domestic issues, including affordability, immigration, gun rights, election integrity and opposition to DEI. 

“I loved my brother Lindsey, and I miss him so much every day. But on illegal immigration, I’m tougher than he was,” she said at the Myrtle Beach rally. “It’s simple. If you are here illegally, you got to go.” 

Graham, a political newcomer, had never held elected public office prior to being tapped to step in for her late brother, who died from an aortic dissection on July 11. 

On the campaign trail, she embraced being a Washington outsider.

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“Now the critics say I shouldn’t run for the Senate. They say I’m not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged,” Graham said at the rally with Trump. 

“And by the way, President Trump had never served in an elected office before, and I think he’s done a damn good job,” she added. 

Graham’s inexperience showed during a debate against Norman earlier this month, when she stumbled over a question about the relevance of Taiwan and the South China Sea to US national security.

“I’m not that informed on national security — so,” she replied. “National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military.”

While Norman’s supporters seized on the apparent gaffe, Trump downplayed the effect the moment would have on the race. 

“All she was is being honest. She’s very smart, and she was being honest,” Trump told reporters last week. 

“I mean, she’s into the price of groceries, the price of food, the price of beef, and it’s not — it hasn’t been her thing, but she’s surrounded by very good people, and she said that she’s totally for the military,” the president added. 

In contrast, Norman, a five-term congressman, declared foreign policy and national security to be one of his “top concerns,” along with reining in federal spending. 

“I’m going to be a CHAMPION for fiscal conservatism in the Senate,” he wrote on X Tuesday. “Why? You can’t have military superiority WHEN YOU’RE BROKE! 

“My opponent doesn’t get that, but I do!”

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and outgoing Rep. Nancy Mace were among the notable pols that backed Norman’s campaign. 

Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November general election. 

South Carolina is a solidly red state and Graham will likely be heavily favored against the Democrat.

The final farewell plans for legendary singer Dolly Parton have been announced, though it won’t be an event for everyone, as her family has requested that no floral tributes be sent.

Beloved for her iconic hit “I Will Always Love You,” Parton’s passing at 80 was confirmed by her nephew, Bryan Seaver. He shared the somber news in a heartfelt video on Tuesday afternoon.

Dolly Parton passed away earlier today, following a recent admission to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center due to complications with autoimmune and kidney issues, as reported by TMZ.

Upon confirmation of her passing, her publicist shared heartfelt tributes on social media, announcing her wish for how she would like to be remembered.

‘In accordance with Dolly’s wishes, there will be an intimate service for close family only. Fans and admirers globally are encouraged to honor Dolly by sharing memories online or leaving messages at dollyparton.com.

‘In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at http://imaginationlibrary.com,’ the statement added. 

Further details about her funeral have not been announced. 

Mourning fans have started leaving flowers, candles and pictures of Parton on her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, California.  

Seaver, who served as his aunt’s head of security for more than two decades, said in the emotional clip that the video is something his late aunt wanted him to do a couple of years ago. 

‘I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,’ Seaver began.

‘Sister, sis, Aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next. 

‘This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.

‘As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,’ he said. 

Seaver continued: ‘It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.’

He went on to hail his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and ‘countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.’ 

Just four days before her death, the ‘Jolene’ singer told People that she was ‘dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.’

Her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82 after a private battle with Alzheimer’s and other health complications.

The pair were married for 59 years. He largely stayed out of the spotlight throughout their relationship. 

She had previously raised fan concerns at the end of September, when she announced that  unspecified ‘health challenges’ had forced her to postpone her Las Vegas residency — originally scheduled from December 4 to December 13 at the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace — until September 2026.

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She shared the news directly with fans on Instagram, explaining that her medical issues had required her to undergo several procedures.

‘I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts,’ Parton wrote.

‘As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.’

She became the subject of frightened speculation that October when her sister Freida asked the public for prayers amid the singer’s illness.

‘Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,’ Frieda wrote on Facebook on October 7, 2025. ‘Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.’

As panic mounted, Freida backpedaled, trying to assure the public her sister had ‘been a little under the weather’ but that she never intended to ‘make it sound so serious’ and merely issued her request out of a belief in ‘the power of prayer.’

Parton herself then posted a video of herself in hair, makeup and costume at an ad shoot for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in order to comfort her fans.

‘Do I look sick to you?’ she chirpily asked, adding that ‘I appreciate your prayers, because I’m a person of faith, I can always use the prayers for anything and everything, but I want you to know that I’m okay!’

Soon after the news broke, tributes started to pour in for the songstress, including one from President Donald Trump.

‘Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people,’ he said, adding that he has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in her honor. 

Trump continued: ‘There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you. President DONALD J. TRUMP’

Kelly Osbourne also shared a touching post about Parton alongside a photo of her, the late singer, and her son. 

‘Dolly, thank you for paving the way. Not only for women in music, but for women everywhere to be unapologetically themselves. You showed us that we could be ambitious and kind, strong and soft, fearless and authentic,’ Osbourne wrote, in part. 

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker also shared a tribute to Parton despite never meeting her. 

‘I never met @dollyparton but my gosh, did I love her. I don’t think any of us had to know her to love her. One of the greatest this country ever produced. Legend. For real. Forever. 

‘And always advocating for those she knew and understood needed a champion. What a loss. But aren’t we so lucky, so fortunate for the endless gifts she shared,’ Parker posted.  

The fourth of 12 children, Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946.

She and her siblings, Willadeene, David Wilburn, Coy Denver, Bobby Lee, Stella Mae, Cassie Nan, Randle Huston ‘Randy,’ Larry Gerald, twins Floyd and Freida Estelle and Rachel Ann, were raised in the Great Smoky Mountains where they slept on beds made of straw and lived with no running water, gas or electricity.

After developing a love of music at an early age, Parton sang frequently on the local radio and made television appearances in East Tennessee as a child before releasing her first single, Puppy Love, at the age of 13.

She then went on to enjoy an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5. 

In a chilling admission, a former news anchor from Missouri confessed last week to the gruesome crime of stabbing her own mother to death on Halloween, under the mistaken belief that her mother was possessed by evil.

Angelynn “Angie” Mock, aged 48, accepted the charge of first-degree murder for killing her 80-year-old mother, Anita Avers, on October 31, 2025, as released by the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office on Friday.

The plea agreement stipulates that Mock will serve a life sentence, but will become eligible for parole after 25 years.

Responding to an emergency call, police arrived at the Wichita residence shared by Mock, her mother, and Mock’s stepfather at approximately 7:50 a.m. on October 31. Upon arrival, they discovered Mock outside the home with lacerations on her hands, as reported by the Wichita Police Department.

Avers was taken to a hospital with multiple stab wounds, and later died.

Mock made several statements indicating she believed her mother was the devil, according to a probable cause affidavit. She allegedly told authorities that she killed her mother to “save herself.”

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Mock’s stepfather told KAKE-TV that she had been diagnosed with mental illness and suffered from delusions and depression.

She previously worked as a news anchor and reporter for Fox 2 in St. Louis from 2011 to 2015, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Prior to that, she worked as a morning anchor from 2007 to 2011 at KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City, the profile states. Mock held other reporting stints in Minnesota, Montana, and Nebraska.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 5.

Beloved country music legend Dolly Parton passed away following a brief encounter with cancer, her representatives confirmed on Tuesday.

“Today, Dolly peacefully left her Earthly life at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by family and dear friends, after courageously battling cancer for a short period,” according to a statement from the “9 to 5” singer’s team.

In remembering her vast contributions, her team added, “From donating hundreds of millions of books through her cherished Imagination Library to supporting research that birthed a lifesaving global vaccine, Dolly’s profound love for humanity inspired her enduring legacy.”

Details about the specific type of cancer Dolly Parton faced were not revealed.

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The news of her tragic passing at the age of 80 came via a touching family announcement shared on social media Tuesday. This follows reports that she was admitted to a Nashville hospital just days earlier due to complications related to autoimmune and kidney issues, as highlighted by TMZ.

Parton admitted in her final interview with PEOPLE published Friday that she was “dealing with some health issues” that she “just didn’t pay attention to” as she was “watching over” her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, before his death in March 2025.

The celebrated Grammy-winning artist canceled several performances and appearances over the last year over her growing health problems, including a scheduled event at her Dollywood amusement park on Aug. 14 due to dehydration.

A groundbreaking study has shed new light on the controversial topic of prenatal exposure to pesticides and its potential link to autism symptoms. According to these recent findings, there may be no connection between toxic pesticide exposure in the womb and the development of autism traits.

Autism spectrum disorder has seen a stark rise, now affecting one out of every 31 children in the United States. This marks a significant increase from one in 150 just two decades ago, prompting experts to explore possible causes and develop early detection methods.

Among the many suspects under scrutiny are environmental pollutants and agricultural pesticides, which permeate the food supply, notably in fruits and vegetables. The focus on these factors stems from their pervasive use in farming practices.

There has been a longstanding hypothesis among scientists that these chemicals may provoke brain inflammation and disrupt key neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Such disruptions are believed to manifest in autism-related challenges like communication issues and increased activity levels.

In a study by researchers at NYU Langone in New York City, an investigation into mother-child pairs exposed to organophosphate pesticides—known for their toxic nature during pregnancy—revealed no substantial correlation between these pesticides and autism-like characteristics. This finding challenges previous assumptions and opens the door for further research.

It’s unclear what exactly led to the results, but the researchers suggested that the benefits of a diet high in fruits and vegetables, such as reduced inflammation, may offset the potential harms of pesticides.

The team said that while the findings do not conclusively prove that pesticides are safe for children and pregnant women, they do suggest pesticides and autism may not be related.

They noted future studies may help inform policies and restrictions surrounding pesticides, which have also been linked to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and several forms of cancer. 

‘While we know that organophosphate pesticides can harm the developing brain, they were not a major driver of characteristics seen in autism at the relatively low exposure levels we observed,’ Dr Haleigh Cavalier, lead study author and doctoral student at NYU Langone Health’s Departments of Population Health and Pediatrics, said. 

‘These results should not be interpreted to mean that such pesticides are safe, nor do they rule out autism-related risks at higher exposures or among more vulnerable groups.’

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The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, looked at data from 3,339 pairs of mothers and children enrolled at 20 medical centers in the US National Institutes of Health’s Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, a nationwide study that examines the impact of environmental, social and biological factors on a child’s health.

The researchers measured levels of metabolites, byproducts of chemical breakdown in the body, in urine samples during pregnancy. The tests revealed 99 percent of mothers had detectable levels of organophosphate pesticides in their urine. 

The team then looked for associations between metabolite levels and how the children scored on the Social Responsiveness Scale, a 65-item questionnaire designed to identify social communication issues and autism-related traits such as eye contact avoidance, difficulty understanding people’s emotions and needing to follow specific routines.

Children were evaluated between five and seven years old on average. 

There were no consistent associations between the levels of metabolites detected in urine and autism-related traits when adjusting for sex and dietary factors, the study found. 

The authors note that one limitation is that metabolites are short-lived in the human body, so exact levels can vary over time. Additionally, individual metabolism can impact levels. 

This means the markers may not provide the full picture in terms of pesticide exposure, but additional studies may strengthen the findings.

‘Our results demonstrate that there is still much more to be learned about autism,’ Dr Akhgar Ghassabian, senior study author and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said.

‘Careful, long-term research can help clarify which environmental exposures matter most so that communities and policymakers can make more informed decisions.’ 

In 1967, the charismatic duo of country music, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, graced the stage together on Porter Wagoner’s famed variety show, captivating audiences with their harmonious performances.

John Belushi and Dolly Parton

In New York, 1970, Dolly Parton wrapped John Belushi in a warm embrace, capturing a moment of joy and camaraderie that reflected her infectious spirit.

Emmylou Harris, Nudie Cohn and Dolly Parton

During 1978, a notable gathering saw singer Emmylou Harris, renowned fashion designer Nudie Cohn, and the illustrious Dolly Parton come together, merging musical talent and fashion flair.

Dolly Parton receives the Entertainer Of The Year award

The same year, at the prestigious Country Music Association awards, Dolly Parton stood triumphantly flanked by Johnny Cash and Ronnie Milsap as she accepted the coveted Entertainer of the Year award.

Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton on the set of “9 To 5”

On the Los Angeles film set of “9 to 5” in 1979, laughter erupted between actors Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton, highlighting their chemistry and the lighter side of movie-making.

Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson

Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson perform on Parton’s variety show “Dolly” in 1987. 

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Dolly Parton at her Dollywood theme park

Dolly Parton poses with visitors to her Dollywood theme park in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1987.

Dolly Parton at the premiere of “Steel Magnolias”

Left to right: Actresses Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts and Daryl Hannah at the premiere of their film “Steel Magnolias” in 1989. 

Dolly Parton and Norah Jones at the CMA Awards

Norah Jones and Dolly Parton perform onstage during the 37th annual CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House on Nov. 5, 2003, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus perform on “The Voice”

Dolly Parton and her goddaughter Miley Cyrus perform on “The Voice” in November 2016. 

Dolly Parton performs at SXSW

Dolly Parton performs on stage at ACL Live during Blockchain Creative Labs’ Dollyverse event during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals on March 18, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

Dolly Parton at her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Dolly Parton with Neil Giraldo, Dave Stewart, Pat Benatar, Brandi Carlile, Simon Le Bon, Rob Halford, Sheryl Crow, Pink and Annie Lennox during the 37th annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Microsoft Theater on Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California.

In an adrenaline-pumping rescue along California’s breathtaking Big Sur coastline, two climbers were left stranded Saturday, their only salvation being a helicopter crew from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The stranded duo found themselves perched precariously 600 feet below the highway, trapped on a daunting cliffside.

Dramatic footage released by the CHP captures the intensity of the situation. The video reveals an H-70 helicopter hovering unflinchingly over a rugged ravine near Hurricane Point as a rescue technician, suspended by a cable, bravely descends to reach the isolated climbers.

The rescue operation was initiated when Big Sur Fire, recognizing the severity of the situation, called upon the CHP’s Paso Robles Air Unit at approximately 6:24 p.m., according to official reports. The prompt response underscored the coordinated efforts between local emergency services and state resources.

When the rescue technician reached the first climber, the steep terrain posed significant challenges, preventing him from safely detaching from the hoist hook. Undeterred, the technician adeptly secured the climber in a Pelican rescue harness. Together, they were hoisted majestically into the air, safely transported to rescue personnel stationed at a strategic staging area, marking a successful and heroic end to a nerve-racking ordeal.

The helicopter then returned to the ravine and carried out the same technical maneuver to bring the second climber to safety.

CHP did not release the climbers’ names or explain how they became stranded.

Social media users praised the CHP air crew and the rescue teams involved after video of the operation was posted online.

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“Incredible rescue!! Well done guys!!” one commenter wrote. Another called it an “amazing job by all involved,” while another added, “Just incredible, you guys, thanks for what you do!”

Both climbers survived the ordeal, authorities said.

“These high-risk, low-frequency rescues are exactly what CHP Air Operations personnel continuously train for,” the agency said. “There is no room for error when operating in steep terrain, under hoist, and in challenging environmental conditions.”

The cliffside rescue followed two separate Aug. 9 rescue missions for the same H-70 crew.

The air unit first hoisted an injured 13-year-old hiker from Pinnacles National Park, working with a Paso Robles Fire Department helicopter rescue technician, CHP said.

Later that day, the crew pulled a person who suffered severe injuries in a fall from a waterfall in Big Sur Gorge to safety.

H-70 then responded to another call in the remote Los Padres National Forest, where a hunter suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration was brought aboard using a hover step-on maneuver and flown to waiting medics in King City.