The Counter with JP Rosales

Today, The Counter remembers Dolly Parton.

Dolly died Tuesday at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond country music. From growing up as one of 12 children in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to becoming one of the most recognizable entertainers in American history, Dolly built a life defined not only by what she accomplished, but by what she chose to do with her success.

In this special episode, I look back at the songs that transcended generations, from “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” to “9 to 5,” and how artists from Whitney Houston to Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter helped introduce Dolly's work to entirely new audiences.

We also remember the legacy she built away from the microphone: Dollywood, her enduring connection to East Tennessee, her response when the Smoky Mountains needed her, and the Imagination Library, which grew from a literacy program inspired by her father into an international effort that has put hundreds of millions of books into the hands of children.

And finally, we reflect on Carl Dean, the extraordinary national response to Dolly's death, and what 80 years of Dolly Parton ultimately meant.

She wasn't given very much at the beginning.

Look what she did with it anyway.

What a life.

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The United States is dramatically escalating its economic campaign against Iran.

In this episode of The Counter, I break down Operation Economic Outcast, the Trump administration's sweeping effort to sever Iran's remaining financial lifelines around the world. With new pressure targeting digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping, the question now becomes how far Washington is willing to go, especially when enforcement could collide with countries like China.

Then, the U.S.-Canada trade war is getting uglier. As tariffs escalate and Canada prepares to fight back, opposition is emerging from governors, businesses and even within the Republican Party. How much economic pain can both countries inflict on each other before somebody decides enough is enough, and what could this fight mean heading into the midterms?

Finally, a 15-second Good Good / Callaway advertisement has turned into a full-blown corporate PR disaster. Callaway now acknowledges that it approved the controversial video before it was posted and says internal and external investigations are underway. How did this get approved in the first place, and when does “cancel culture” become legitimate accountability?

New episodes Monday through Friday.

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The first regular episode of The Counter is here.

Iran is facing growing pressure from the U.S. naval blockade, but a divide between President Pezeshkian and IRGC hardliners raises a bigger question: what happens if the pressure works economically but fails to force the people who matter toward a deal?

Then, Wyndham Clark nearly watches a five-shot lead disappear at the BMW Championship before closing with three straight birdies to secure the win at Bellerive.

Finally, the IndyCar Freedom 250 Race in Washington opens up a broader conversation about sports, politics and patriotism. From IndyCar to the UFC and the World Cup, sports have provided some of the most patriotic moments of the summer, but can they still bring people together when the politics surrounding them can be just as divisive?

Plus, a quick rant about why apparently news stops happening at 6 p.m. on Sundays.

New episodes Monday through Friday.

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Welcome to the first episode of The Counter

In this first episode, I explain what this show is all about, where my perspective comes from and why I believe there is an important difference between privilege and entitlement. I also look back at my time at Shorecrest, my work with The Chronicle and the journey that eventually brought me to Arizona State University's Cronkite School.

The Counter isn't here to tell you what to think. I'm here to tell you what I think about the stories shaping sports, politics, media and everything in between. What you think is entirely up to you.

New episodes Monday through Friday.

Follow The Counter: @thecounterjp
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