Dolly Parton recently canceled her planned appearance at Dollywood on September 17, 2025, where she was scheduled to help announce a new attraction for 2026 at the theme park. The cancellation was attributed to a change in her schedule, and no specific reason for her absence was provided by Dollywood officials. Despite her not attending, the event went ahead as planned. The park, which Dolly has been deeply involved with since 1986, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026 with this new attraction reveal. In addition, 2025 has been a difficult year for Dolly Parton personally, as she is grieving the death of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away in March after nearly 60 years of marriage. Dolly has also taken a break from songwriting as she copes with this loss. Moreover, Dolly Parton recently discussed on Khloé Kardashian's podcast her decision to pause new music projects while she processes her grief, highlighting the emotional toll the loss has taken on her. Meanwhile, other aspects of Dolly's career continue, including her Imagination Library expanding to new locations and the release of a new musical based on her life and music. In summary, Dolly Parton's recent news centers on her cancellation of a Dollywood event due to scheduling changes amid a tough year marked by personal loss and a pause in her music career as she grieves her husband.