PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Country music icon Dolly Parton addressed fans candidly about her recent health challenges and the profound grief following the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, during her first major public appearance in months on March 13, 2026.

Speaking at the opening day celebration for the 41st season of her beloved Dollywood theme park, the 80-year-old superstar delivered a keynote that blended optimism, reflection and reassurance. Parton explained that a combination of minor health issues and the emotional toll of Dean’s passing on March 3, 2025, had left her “worn down and worn out,” prompting her to step back from touring and public engagements.

“I’ve not been touring, as you know,” Parton told the crowd. “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them. I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on. I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically.”

The remarks, reported by outlets including People, USA Today, Variety, ABC News, Fox News, The Hollywood Reporter and Cosmopolitan, marked a rare moment of vulnerability for the typically upbeat performer. Parton emphasized that she is now “back to normal” and focusing on recovery, with medical professionals helping manage her unspecified conditions.

Dean, 82 at the time of his death in Nashville, had been Parton’s steadfast partner since their 1966 wedding. The couple met outside a laundromat in Nashville when Parton was 18 and Dean was 21; he famously avoided the spotlight throughout their marriage, once joking that he was “just the husband.” Parton has often credited him with providing quiet stability amid her whirlwind career.

Following his passing, Parton shared a heartfelt statement on social media: “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending.” No cause of death was disclosed publicly.

The loss came during a period of personal and professional transitions for Parton. She postponed a planned Las Vegas residency, originally slated for late 2025, to September 2026 to prioritize her well-being. Fans expressed concern online and in media as public sightings dwindled, with some speculating about her health based on canceled appearances.

At Dollywood, Parton struck an uplifting tone, assuring supporters she remains committed to her projects. She highlighted ongoing work at the park, including new attractions and expansions, and teased future music and creative endeavors. “I ain’t dead yet,” she quipped in one lighthearted moment captured in video clips shared by local outlets like WVLT News.

The appearance underscored Parton’s resilience. Known for her philanthropy through the Imagination Library, her work in film and television, and her enduring catalog of hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” she has long balanced personal trials with public generosity. In recent years, she has spoken about aging gracefully, maintaining her signature style and wigs while advocating for health awareness.

Industry observers note that Parton’s candor could resonate with fans facing similar grief and health challenges. The country legend has previously discussed the importance of self-care, family and faith in navigating life’s hardships.

Dollywood, which Parton co-founded in 1986, remains a cornerstone of her legacy. The park’s 2026 season kickoff drew crowds eager to see her, with many praising her strength in social media reactions. Videos from the event show Parton radiant in her trademark sparkle, waving to fans and sharing laughs.

As she continues rebuilding, Parton reiterated her gratitude for support. “All is good,” she said, signaling readiness to re-engage with her audience. Upcoming plans include the rescheduled residency and potential new releases, though specifics remain under wraps.

The emotional address serves as a poignant reminder of Parton’s humanity behind the larger-than-life persona. After a year marked by profound loss and physical setbacks, her return to Dollywood symbolizes hope and perseverance.

Fans worldwide continue to rally around the star, sending messages of love and healing. With her trademark optimism intact, Dolly Parton appears poised for a renewed chapter, honoring Carl Dean’s memory while embracing life’s next notes.

The Adani Group company said the power will be supplied from one of its upcoming ultra-supercritical thermal power projects (USCTPP). The LoA comes after the company emerged as the lowest-tariff bidder in the competitive bidding process, offering power at a combined tariff of Rs 5.30/kWh. The supply of power under the proposed 25-year Power Supply Agreement (PSA) is scheduled to commence in the financial year 2030–31, the firm said.

“This achievement marks yet another PSA win for APL during a period of renewed surge in investments in the thermal power sector. Adani Power has established itself as a leading provider of new generation capacity, supporting the nation’s goal of adding 100 GW of thermal power capacity by 2032. During FY25–26, APL has won five long-term PSA bids with a combined capacity of 10,400 MW,” the company said in its exchange filing.

With India’s power demand continuing to rise steadily, long-term and reliable capacity addition is critical to ensuring energy security, said SB Khyalia, CEO of Adani Power.

“This LoA from MSEDCL reflects the competitiveness of Adani Power’s cost structure, our ability to deliver dependable baseload power, and our commitment to supporting India’s growing electricity needs through long-term partnerships. As India’s leading private power producer, we are keen to support Maharashtra’s and the nation’s ambitious development goals with reliable and affordable electricity supply,” the CEO added.

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With the latest LoA, Adani Power has now tied up long-term PSAs of 13.3 GW out of its 23.8 GW under-implementation pipeline. The company said this marks a significant step towards its stated objective of securing almost its entire capacity under such contracts. More than 95% of Adani Power’s current operating capacity of 18.15 GW is now tied up under medium- to long-term PSAs, while over 55% of its upcoming capacity of 23.8 GW is secured under 25-year PSAs.
“The MSEDCL bid incorporates a pre-determined coal linkage, ensuring long-term fuel security and supporting reliable and cost-effective power supply. Adani Power is undertaking India’s largest private-sector thermal power capex programme, expanding its capacity from the current 18.15 GW to 41.87 GW by FY31–32, with investments of approximately Rs 2 lakh crore.These projects are aligned with India’s rapidly growing electricity demand, driven by economic expansion, urbanisation, industrial growth, and increasing household electrification. During the project phase, they are expected to generate employment for tens of thousands of people and stimulate industrial demand across multiple sectors,” Adani Power said.

Adani Power shares have gained more than 8% in the past five days.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

Retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has stepped in as interim chief executive of Robert Dyas as the high-street chain battles declining sales and changing consumer habits.

Paphitis, who owns the business through the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, said he had taken a more direct role in the company’s leadership in recent months in an effort to stabilise operations and reshape the brand’s strategy in what he described as a “testing time” for the retailer.

The 66-year-old businessman, widely known for his appearances on the BBC programme Dragons’ Den, said he increased his involvement last summer to “steady the ship and refocus the strategic direction” as the company faces a tougher trading environment on the UK high street.

Robert Dyas, which operates 93 stores across the UK, has been grappling with declining footfall and softer consumer demand. Like-for-like sales fell by 5 per cent in the year to the end of March, with the company blaming reduced shopper traffic and unusually mild seasonal weather that dampened demand for some of its core products.

The retailer also experienced a slowdown following a surge in sales the previous year during the height of the cost-of-living crisis. At that time, customers had flocked to purchase energy-saving products such as air fryers, dehumidifiers and related accessories, boosting demand across the sector. As household spending patterns normalised, however, sales momentum faded.

In response, the company said it has begun implementing a series of strategic changes aimed at revitalising the brand. These include reviewing its product ranges, sharpening its focus on traditional home and garden categories, and expanding in-store services designed to drive customer engagement.

Although Robert Dyas has faced a more difficult trading period, other businesses within the group have reported stronger performance. The stationery chain Ryman delivered improved results, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rising 20.5 per cent to £1.94 million in the most recent financial year. The company expects that figure to grow further to around £3 million in the current year.

Ryman’s recovery has been driven by improved margins, the expansion of its own-brand arts and crafts ranges and the introduction of additional services across both physical stores and online platforms. The retailer is also experimenting with new store formats, including combined outlets with Robert Dyas, partnerships with the Post Office and the rollout of a new “Ryman Design” concept.

Meanwhile, lingerie brand Boux Avenue has also delivered improved results, reporting a significant increase in profitability. Earnings improved by £6.4 million following a 6.9 per cent rise in sales and stronger profit margins. The company expects EBITDA to reach at least £4 million in the current financial year after a strong Christmas and Valentine’s trading period that delivered double-digit growth.

Paphitis has built a reputation over several decades for turning around struggling retail businesses. He first rose to prominence after rescuing the stationery chain Ryman from administration in 1995. He later moved into the lingerie sector by acquiring the UK arm of La Senza in 1998, successfully reviving the business before selling his stake in 2006 for a reported £100 million.

He subsequently founded Boux Avenue before expanding further into the homewares sector by acquiring Robert Dyas in 2012 for approximately £10 million. The purchase came after the 140-year-old ironmongery and homewares retailer had been put up for sale by its lenders.

Reflecting on the challenges facing traditional retailers, Paphitis said heritage brands must constantly adapt to remain relevant in an era when consumer behaviour is rapidly shifting toward online shopping and digital marketplaces.

“We are in a time where other heritage brands, such as WH Smith, have disappeared from the high street,” he said. “It’s a stark reminder to retailers that they must constantly evolve, remember their purpose and give customers a reason to visit their stores.”

He added that modern consumers are more willing than ever to switch between brands and retailers because of the abundance of online choices available.

Despite the difficult trading environment, Paphitis said he believes Robert Dyas can regain momentum through sharper product positioning, stronger store experiences and a renewed focus on its core home and garden categories.

The appointment signals a more hands-on approach from the entrepreneur as he attempts to steer the retailer through what he described as one of the most challenging periods for high street businesses in recent years.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

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“We have relied on word of mouth for support up to now, but we’ve decided in our 60th year to get out there and raise awareness, to try to attract more referrals from all areas of the Scottish Borders and more funding to help us meet these needs,” she said.

Daniel Tuffy is a healthcare leader with a career built on service, discipline, and operational excellence.

He began his professional journey in clinical care, working as a Physical Therapist Assistant for nearly a decade. This hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of what patients and clinicians need most.

Over time, Daniel moved from patient care into leadership roles within healthcare organisations. He became focused on improving access to ambulatory care, strengthening workforce engagement, and reducing provider burnout. He is known for helping teams remove barriers, improve quality, and deliver better outcomes while managing costs.

Daniel has a strong background in healthcare operations, including surgical schedule utilisation and smart growth strategies within orthopaedic and outpatient settings. His leadership style centres on trust, communication, and building cultures where teams can learn, adapt, and perform at a high level.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Central Florida, an Associate degree in Physical Therapist Assistance, and an MBA from Webster University. He also completed an Executive Presence and Influence programme through Wharton Business School. Daniel is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Beyond his professional work, Daniel is part of the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2026 and remains active in community service. He brings the same commitment to personal growth through endurance sport, having completed multiple Ironman triathlons.

Daniel’s career reflects a steady focus on leadership, culture-building, and delivering meaningful improvements across healthcare systems.

Q: You started your career in clinical care. What drew you into healthcare in the first place?

I grew up in Florida, and both of my parents ran a private duty home health agency for 30 years. Healthcare was always part of dinner table conversation. But what really pushed me toward it was my own knee surgeries in middle and high school. I spent a lot of time in physical therapy. That experience stuck with me.

By the time I graduated high school, I had volunteered around 700 hours at a local hospital. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, even if I did not yet know in what capacity.

Q: Your early career was hands-on. What did those clinical years teach you?

I worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant for about ten years in Orlando. Those years grounded me. When you are face-to-face with patients every day, you see the system up close. You see what works. You also see what creates frustration.

It taught me that small operational issues can have a big impact on patient care. A delayed schedule. A staffing gap. Poor communication. Those things matter. That perspective has stayed with me as I moved into leadership.

Q: Why did you transition from patient care into leadership?

At first, I thought success meant taking on more and doing everything myself. I believed high performance meant not depending on others. Over time, I realised that my mindset was limiting. After a few hard lessons, I began to see that leadership is about building trust and empowering a team.

I had also experienced a leader who relied on intimidation. I saw how that damaged morale and performance. I decided I wanted to lead differently. That shift moved me towards operational and administrative roles.

Q: What became your focus as you moved into executive leadership?

Access, efficiency, and culture.

In ambulatory and orthopaedic settings, access to care is critical. If patients cannot get timely appointments or surgery slots, outcomes suffer. I became very focused on surgical schedule utilisation and operational flow. When schedules are optimised and teams communicate well, both quality and cost improve.

At the same time, I saw provider burnout increasing. Clinicians often feel burdened by systems that make their work harder than it needs to be. I believe leaders have a responsibility to remove barriers so clinicians can focus on patients.

Q: How do you approach culture building?

Trust is the foundation. I set long-term goals and communicate them clearly to the team. That creates clarity. It also creates accountability.

I also believe in benchmarking performance. If you are not aiming to be in the top quartile nationally in the metrics you track, you are probably not pushing hard enough. But performance cannot come at the expense of culture. Teams need psychological safety. They need room to learn and, at times, to fail.

I have learned that perfection is not the goal. Growth is.

Q: You continued your education while building your career. Why was that important to you?

Education has always been part of my development. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration, later an MBA, and recently completed an Executive Presence and Influence programme at Wharton. I also achieved Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

For me, continuing education is about staying relevant. Healthcare changes quickly. Leaders need to adapt. I attend continuing education events each year because I do not think you ever stop learning.

Q: Outside of work, you have completed eight Ironman-distance triathlons. Has endurance sport influenced your leadership?

Absolutely. Training for an Ironman teaches discipline and long-term thinking. You cannot prepare for that distance overnight. It requires structure, resilience, and patience.

Leadership is similar. You set a goal, build a plan, adjust when things do not go as expected, and keep moving forward. I have competed in around 20 half-Ironman races as well. The process is humbling. There is always room to improve.

Q: What motivates you today?

The idea of being better every day, in some way. That could be in leadership, communication, or simply listening more effectively.

I am currently part of the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2026, which has given me a broader perspective on community impact. Healthcare does not operate in isolation. It is part of a larger system.

Looking back, I started working odd jobs at 12 and later delivering pizzas to help make ends meet. That background shaped my work ethic. It also shaped my respect for teams at every level of an organisation.

Healthcare is complex. But when leaders focus on access, culture, and removing friction for clinicians, real improvement is possible. That is the work that continues to drive me.

More than 1,800 flights within, into or out of the United States had been canceled as of 7 a.m. ET Monday, as a massive weather system disrupted air travel across parts of the country, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.

More than 1,200 additional delays involving U.S. flights were also reported, the data showed.

The disruptions come during the busy spring break travel season — one of the peak periods for airline demand — leaving many travelers scrambling to find alternative flights.

The bulk of the cancellations were reported at airports in the New York region, with 149 flights canceled at LaGuardia Airport, 88 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, about 63 at Boston Logan International Airport and 27 at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to FlightAware.

2K FLIGHTS CANCELED IN SINGLE DAY, TURNING MAJOR AIRPORT INTO VIRTUAL GHOST TOWN

Travelers look at a flight information display board showing several flights cancelled due to weather at LaGuardia Airport in New York. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The region is one of the busiest aviation corridors in the world, meaning disruptions there can quickly ripple across the national air travel network.

Another major disruption point was Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the nation’s largest airline hubs, which reported 133 canceled departures and 202 canceled arrivals, according to the data.

Several major airlines were also heavily affected. Endeavor Air reported 278 cancellations, followed by Southwest Airlines with 265, Delta Air Lines with 231, American Airlines with 181, Republic with 171 and SkyWest with 156, FlightAware data showed.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport resembled a ghost town on March 15, 2026. (Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul / Fox News)

Other major US hubs reporting cancellations included Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Orlando International Airport, indicating the severe weather was disrupting flights across multiple regions of the country.

The travel disruptions come as a powerful March storm system sweeps across the United States, bringing blizzard conditions to parts of the Midwest and a rare severe storm threat along the East Coast.

The FOX Forecast Center warned that the East Coast faces a Level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk, with damaging winds of 70 to 80 mph and several tornadoes possible from the Mid-Atlantic into parts of the Carolinas later Monday.

Meanwhile, parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes are digging out from historic snowfall totals, including Green Bay, Wisconsin, which recorded 14.8 inches in its snowiest day in 137 years, according to FOX Weather. Spalding, Michigan, also recorded 26 inches of snow, FOX Weather reported.

A fierce snow blizzard lashes the exterior of the airport, grounding flights and disrupting travel at MSP. (MSP Airport/Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul / Fox News)

FOX Weather reported that more than 5,000 flights have already been canceled nationwide through Tuesday as the sprawling storm system continues to disrupt travel across multiple regions.

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Ground stops were also anticipated at major hubs later Monday as severe storms approached the Atlantic coast, according to FOX Weather.

The Jurassic World Exhibition in Bangkok can be included on the list of the best places to visit in the city as it provides high levels of immersion to the dinosaur and adventure movie fans.

The exhibition is the embodiment of the scenes of the famous franchise, with the use of realistic animatronics and detailed settings and with the interactive presence.

The large dinosaurs and dramatic sets usually draw the attention of the visitors and one can easily miss numerous small details in the course of the exhibition. When the travellers plan their visit via Gother, they usually find that the attraction has a lot of little details that are incorporated to make the experience more realistic. Since the presentation in the exhibition can be enjoyable, it can be even better when attention is drawn to the design details, including interactive ones.

1. The Realistic Sound Design Throughout the Exhibition

Another thing that most visitors overlook is the sound environment which is well-planned. Even though the animatronic dinosaurs cannot be overlooked, the background music has been employed to give the impression of a living prehistoric park.

As you are walking through the different regions you can hear the fading calls of dinosaurs, the sound of rustling leaves and other activities within the setting that are appropriate to the particular setting. These sound effects are not accidental, they are well synchronized and are used to make the exhibition more realistic.

When you take a moment and listen to it, you will hear how the sound design varies in each zone and creates the impression of going through various habitats.

2. Small Interactive Elements Built Into the Displays

Most of the exhibits have interactive features which visitors tend to pass by without perusing. Some sections enable you to feel replica fossils, look through dinosaur eggs or switch on little screens that give you more information on the animals in the exhibition.

The interactive features are aimed at making the exhibition more educative and interesting to the families and to younger visitors. Spending a bit of time at every exhibit can give one information that one would have overlooked when just rushing one dinosaur to the other.

Slow tourists can discover that these minor details can create the experience in a much more meaningful manner.

3. Film-Inspired Props Hidden Throughout the Experience

The viewers of the Jurassic World movies might identify a couple of props which are present all over the exhibition. Some details, like laboratory equipment, security signs, and control panels, can be seen in some parts, which makes it look like the setting is real.

These props are not emphasized directly all the time, yet they contribute to the creation of the atmosphere of the fictional dinosaur park, which is observed in the movies. A close examination of the environment can reveal allusions that the franchise enthusiasts will enjoy.

A lot of tourists prefer to buy Jurassic World Bangkok ticket on Gother and have more time to enjoy the attraction and not to worry about waiting in a long queue to buy tickets.

These details inspired by the films become an added value to the experience when a visitor takes time to see beyond the displays on the surface.

4. The Environmental Design of Each Zone

The other minor aspect that can be easily missed is the architecture of every themed area. The exhibition is split in various areas which are symbolic of various settings in which dinosaurs may have inhabited.

The lightings, plant layouts, and textures used in the background are well tailored to suit each background. Certain regions are like thick prehistoric forests and some other sections seem to be research centers in which scientists examine the behavior of the dinosaurs.

These environmental features allow the visitors to feel that it is the world of Jurassic World that they are entering and not just another traditional exhibition place.

5. Educational Information Hidden in the Displays

Though the show is an entertainment one, in addition, it contains educational data on dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric life. Most exhibitions have brief texts that describe what these various species are and how they were discovered in science.

Those visitors who will find time to read these passages can learn some interesting facts about the way in which palaeontologists investigate dinosaurs and how contemporary research is extending our knowledge about ancient animals.

These learning facts increase the depth of the experience and, as such, the exhibition can be an enjoyable experience not just to movie fans but also to people interested in science and natural history.

A Deeper Way to Experience the Exhibition

The Jurassic World Exhibition Bangkok has much to offer other than great dinosaur models. The attraction has numerous details that the visitors might miss at first sight: hidden props and environmental design, subtle sound effects, educational displays, and so on. Slowly exploring the sites will enable the visitors to be thankful about the innovativeness and the hard work made on the display. To sightseers who are fond of immersive attractions, a visit to the attraction may become an absolute experience after learning these hidden secrets.