Governor joins push to rename airport for Dolly Parton

The push to rename Nashville International Airport for Dolly Parton has accelerated since her death Tuesday, with more than 150,000 people signing an online petition by Friday afternoon, including singer Sheryl Crow. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he will back the effort and place a proposal before the airport authority at its September meeting after consulting with Parton’s team. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority oversees the airport’s name, and its policy bars naming property after someone who hasn’t been dead for at least two years, plus requires a substantial personal contribution to aviation in Tennessee or to the authority. Lee’s office said Sept. 17 will also include discussion of changing the policy. The article also notes political tension over state control of major municipal airports.