American Shelton Reaches US Open Final; Nashville Unites for Dolly Parton Airport

American tennis star Ben Shelton has advanced to his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals on Friday. Shelton's victory marks a significant moment for American men's tennis, as he is the first American man to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2003. He is also the first Black American man to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Shelton is set to face Alexander Zverev in the championship match.

Meanwhile, in Nashville, officials have moved forward with plans to honor country music icon Dolly Parton. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board unanimously voted on Friday, September 11, 2026, to begin the process of renaming Nashville International Airport after Parton. This initiative has garnered bipartisan support, including from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville's Democratic Mayor Freddie O'Connell. The decision comes weeks after Parton's passing in August at the age of 80. While a final name is pending, the board emphasized this is an initial step in a multi-stage process, with costs estimated between $8 million and $10 million and a transition period of six months to a year. The airport will maintain its current BNA designation.