SEVIERVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — Dolly Parton’s theme park in east Tennessee will unveil new features for fans to honor the life of the “dreamer-in-chief,” Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80. Sevierville, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, will also be placing markers throughout the city for a self-guided walking tour of places that were important to the...

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)-Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport gave back to the community recently. Members of the Common Ground Committee spent time sorting clothes for Elijah’s Closet, also helping organize resources for local children and families. Junior Auxiliary says they are thankful for opportunities like these to work with the community. Every bag sorted, box organized, and hour volunteered helps ensure children...

Two Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College students are being recognized for their academic achievement and leadership. Skylar Bell of D’Iberville and Hunter Williams of Hurley have been named 2026 Coca Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars. Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship through the program. Bell and Williams are both sophomores majoring in mechanical engineering and members of Phi Theta...

By  ANDREW DALTON LOS ANGELES (AP) — The new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will serve “Star Wars” fans what they crave, but the saga George Lucas spawned represents just one small corner of the galaxy of creative work within the walls of the Los Angeles institution he calls a “temple to the people’s art.” The purpose of the palace that has become his life’s work...

Harrison County has added roughly 30,000 residents since 2010, and local officials say continued growth and development are increasing demands on infrastructure and public services.  County leaders highlighted investments in public safety, infrastructure, mental health services and programs for older residents during the recent State of the County Address.  “We’ve got a lot of positive […]

By  JESSE BEDAYN The $1 coin designed to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and seemingly President Donald Trump, whose face gazes from one side of the gold finish, will go on sale Wednesday, according the U.S. Mint. The coin’s design — Trump’s visage as “heads” and the Great Seal of the United States as “tails” — was given the stamp of approval this year by the...

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- The City of Gulfport is alerting residents to a road closure scheduled for September 8. Oakleigh Avenue between Switzer Road and East Pass Road will be closed for a sewer cave in repair project. That work is expected to start at 8 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. on September 11. Switzer Road, Lindh Road, and East...

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation provided six coastal animal welfare agencies with a $25,000 grant. These grants go towards the ‘Fixed for Life’ program, a no cost spay and neuter program. Those agencies receiving the grant include: Rise and Shine Animal Rescue Humane Society of South Mississippi Friends of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County Friends of the Jackson County...

By  MARK LONG DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tom Cruise stood up from his chair in front of 40 race-car drivers, jumped over a row of potted plants and directly onto a stage. It was his first of many stunts to come at Daytona International Speedway. The 64-year-old Cruise announced Saturday he will reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle in a...

By  MARCIA DUNN CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s newest crown jewel blasted off Sunday to hunt for planets around other stars, explore secret dark energy and survey the cosmos like never before. SpaceX launched the $4.3 billion Roman Space Telescope shortly after daybreak aboard a triple-the-firepower Falcon Heavy rocket. Roman blazed toward an observation point 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away that’s...