Instead, she appeared in a prerecorded video message—and, in true Dolly fashion, managed to make everyone smile even while our hearts were breaking that she couldn’t be there to kick it off in person.

“I am still in Nashville, and I am sorry about that,” Dolly told the crowd. She explained that she has been dealing with “a few little health issues,” including occasional dizziness and dehydration. 

“So I guess if your doctor tells you, ‘You ain’t traveling this week,’ you ain’t traveling this week,” she said. Then, wearing a pair of fluttering butterfly wings, she added with that unmistakable Dolly humor, that her Nashville doctor had “clipped my wings!”

Dolly reassured everyone that she is doing well and said she likes to keep her fans “in the loop.” And she clearly wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to talk about the reason we were all gathered at Dollywood. “I’ve been wanting to tell everybody about our great new ride, NightFlight Expedition,” she said. “You have fun, and I’m gonna see you down the road.” 

What is Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition?

If you’ve heard people calling NightFlight Expedition a new roller coaster, that’s true—but it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. 

This is not your typical thrill ride.

NightFlight Expedition is an immersive indoor adventure that combines four experiences into one all-indoor ride: a nighttime flight over the Smoky Mountains, a whitewater rafting adventure, a coaster-style mountain journey and a mysterious trip across a glowing lake—all packed into about 5½ minutes.

The attraction is housed inside a massive 44,000 square-foot, climate-controlled building, so unlike many Dollywood attractions, NightFlight Expedition isn’t dependent on the weather. It features a 1,255-foot track, reaches speeds of up to 29 mph and has a minimum height requirement of 39 inches. Each ride vehicle seats 10 people.

The ride’s custom amphibious vehicles are part of what makes the attraction so unique. They transition between different portions of the experience and use projection technology, lighting, audio and other effects to make you feel like you’re actually moving through the various environments rather than simply watching a screen.

The project represents more than a $50 million investment, making it the largest single attraction investment in the park’s history.

Dolly Parton’s Songwriting Secrets—From ‘Jolene’ to ‘Coat of Many Colors’—In Her Own Words!

NightFlight Expedition tells a story

The story centers around twins Cora and Jasper Oakley, scientists who are fascinated by the mysterious bioluminescence found throughout Wildwood Grove. Their research leads them to believe that the source of the glowing phenomenon may be Secret Lake, a hidden body of water deep within the Smoky Mountains.

So, naturally, they set off to find it—and we, as riders, get to come along for the adventure.

As explorers on their expedition, riders are given a special tool to help with the search: a “Bioluminator,” which is built right into each NightFlight Expedition vehicle. The device helps riders track the mysterious glowing roots that stretch through the mountain and ultimately lead toward Secret Lake.

The story also ties directly into the Wildwood Grove section of Dollywood, including the magical Wildwood Tree, the mysterious lake and the bioluminescent roots all help tie the story into this section of the park.

Dolly has said the ride was inspired in part by her memories of the Smokies at night, particularly fireflies, moonlight, owls and the stars. “I love to see the stars sparkling like rhinestones up in the big old sky,” she previously said of the attraction. “It’s pure mountain magic.”

“I’m so proud that we’re able to create something like NightFlight Expedition and give families a brand-new way to experience the Smokies together,” Dolly adds. “Growing up here, I learned to love these mountains in a way that stays with you your whole life. I always want folks who visit Dollywood to feel that same way.

“This ride truly is an adventure that lets you see the mountains the way I always remember them, full of wonder and beauty. I’m also excited that with NightFlight Expedition we’re able to tell stories about what happens in the mountains after the sun goes down. Whether a family is coming for their hundredth visit or if they’re coming for their very first time, I hope they’ll make memories here that are just as special as the ones I made growing up.”

And that description reveals what Dollywood is trying to accomplish here: to make you feel like you’ve entered a completely different world.

Is NightFlight Expedition worth it? My honest review

The staging area

As soon as you enter the enormous building, you’re transported into the world of Cora and Jasper Oakley. The space feels like a fascinating mash-up of an old-school airplane hangar and a natural science laboratory, with colorful lights, glowing effects and plenty of details that make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a real scientific expedition. One of my favorite parts? The line is all indoors and it’s wonderfully air conditioned! 

As you move through the line, you’re surrounded by clues about the adventure ahead, from the twins’ scientific research to the mysterious bioluminescence they’re trying to understand. The colorful effects give the space an almost futuristic feel, while the aviation-inspired details reinforce the idea that you’re about to take flight.

Rather than making you stand in line and then suddenly dropping you into a story once the ride begins, Dollywood uses the staging area to set the scene and get you curious about what you’re about to discover.

It also helps explain why you’re about to climb into what looks like a very unusual ride vehicle: You’re joining an expedition.

And by the time you’re ready to board, you’re already wondering what—and who—you’ll encounter once you take off. 

Is it good for plus-size riders?

The first thing I noticed was how accommodating the ride vehicle was.

That might not be the what you’d expect me to say about a new coaster, but as a plus-sized rider myself, it’s important. The ride vehicle was comfortable and felt welcoming to a wide range of body types. It has a broad seat with a personal lap bar that comes down without being too snug. 

Is the ride scary? 

Once I was settled in, the fun really began. Our first stop was the illusion of flying over the Smokies. The combination of movement, music, color and scenery genuinely made me feel like I was soaring. The fact that you can pick out Dollywood landmarks below you makes it even better.

Then your vehicle moves backwards and turns into a rushing rapid, but here’s some good news for visitors who hate water rides—I barely got wet. Just as you round a bend you go down a short but steep drop that has your heart pounding—in a good way—and though it’s fast, I’d say it’s still very kid friendly.

The lake, however, is stunning and relaxing. As you approach it, the water glows in brilliant shades of blue, pink and purple. It’s one of those moments where you gently float and take it all in.

My final verdict 

I think Dollywood got it right with this ride. It’s thrilling without being terrifying. It’s exciting without being too intense for families. And it conveys the joy, personality and color of Dolly herself.

Best of all, it’s just plain fun.

Yes, there were a few little glitches during our preview. The ride actually went down while we were waiting in line, and we experienced a small glitch after the first segment. But I wasn’t worried about it.

This is still a brand-new, incredibly complicated attraction, and Dollywood has said the ride’s opening was delayed in part because of the complexity of the project. Give it a little time.

I expect those kinks will soon be worked out, and they’ll be quickly forgotten. There were plenty of smiles, laughs and people talking about their favorite parts as we exited. And for me, the biggest compliment I can give is simple: I wanted to go again.

When can you ride NightFlight Expedition?

NightFlight Expedition officially opens to the general public on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

The ride is a big swing for Dollywood—and after experiencing it firsthand, I understand why. It’s not the fastest coaster in the park. It’s not the biggest drop. And it’s not trying to be.

Instead, Dollywood has created something that feels like an immersive Smoky Mountain fairy tale. And perhaps that’s the most fitting tribute to Dolly.

She has spent decades taking something familiar—country music, a theme park, a story—and adding a little more magic to it. NightFlight Expedition does just that.

D23 2026 delivered major news for Walt Disney World and Disneyland fans, including new rides, reimagined classics and immersive lands. Here are nine D23 announcements we’re most excited about—from good to absolutely magical. 

What were the biggest D23 announcements in 2026?

No. 9: Disneyland’s Tomorrowland is getting a major reimagining

Disney announced plans to completely reimagine Tomorrowland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The land will get new attractions, more open spaces and new areas designed to capture the optimistic, forward-thinking spirit Walt Disney envisioned when the original Tomorrowland opened in 1955. Details are still limited, but Disney says Imagineers are working on a transformation that “honors Tomorrowland’s legacy while looking toward what’s next.”

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No. 8: Walt Disney World’s Carousel of Progress gets a makeover

One of Walt Disney World’s most nostalgic attractions is also getting a major update! The Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland takes guests on a rotating journey through a family’s life as technology changes across the decades. Originally created by Walt Disney for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the beloved Audio-Animatronics attraction has been entertaining guests for generations.

Now, it’s getting a fresh spin: The Carousel of Progress will reopen in late spring 2027 with a new introduction featuring a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure and four updated scenes that move the family’s story from the 1960s through the future. Disney also revealed that Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston will voice Mom and Dad, Sarah and John. It’s a clever way to give this beloved classic a modern refresh without losing the heart that makes the experience so special.

No. 7: What’s changing on EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth

EPCOT’s giant geodesic icon is blasting into the future! Spaceship Earth will receive its first update in nearly two decades, with the attraction’s story moving beyond its current focus on human communication and into the internet age and beyond. 

The new version will emphasize human connection while adding new magic throughout the attraction. Disney hasn’t announced when the work will begin, but for longtime EPCOT fans, the thought of seeing one of the park’s most recognizable attractions refreshed for a new generation is undeniably exciting.

No. 6: Avengers Campus is expanding

Marvel fans, assemble! Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure is set to double in size when two new attractions—Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab—open in 2028. Disney shared new details about both experiences at D23, giving fans an even better idea of what’s coming to the superhero-filled land. 

With more room for Marvel stories, heroes and high-flying adventures, this expansion could make Avengers Campus one of the biggest must-visits at Disneyland. 

No. 5: Piston Peak is getting two wild new ‘Cars’ rides 

Get ready to race, spin and bounce your way through the American West—Cars style! Magic Kingdom’s new Piston Peak National Park is getting two attractions. On Cars Ridge Run Rally, guests will race through snow-capped mountains, over bumps and through a geyser field in specially designed vehicles that react to the terrain. 

Then there’s Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along, a family-friendly demolition derby starring the delightfully chaotic school bus from Cars 3. The Cars-themed area is replacing Tom Sawyer Island, and these rides promise to bring a whole new kind of high-octane fun to Frontierland.

No. 4: Monstropolis is bringing laughter to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Monstropolis, the new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, will begin opening in phases in 2027, bringing Mike, Sulley and their monster-filled world to life. Guests will find Harryhausen’s restaurant, complete with an Audio-Animatronics sushi chef, Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, the Scareporium shop and a new show called Welcome to Monstropolis, featuring Mike and Sulley—and a new song from Disney Legend Randy Newman. 

The land’s biggest thrill, however, is still to come: a suspended roller coaster inspired by the iconic door chase from Monsters, Inc.

No. 3: Villains Land will be deliciously dark

It’s time to get wicked! Disney revealed more details about the long-awaited Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom—and this is not your typical Disney story. 

The land will be set in a dark forest surrounding a corrupted Wishing Well, with Disney villains drawn to its powerful magic. It’s expected to be comparable in scale to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and will feature two major attractions (see below for our No. 1!). With twisted trees, sinister lairs and plenty of familiar villains, this could be one of Disney’s most immersive lands yet. 

No. 2: Indiana Jones is heading to Animal Kingdom

Grab your fedora! Disney revealed exciting new details about Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, a new ride-through attraction coming to the new Tropical Americas land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027. The adventure will put guests alongside Indiana Jones as they journey deep into a Mayan temple said to contain a passage to the Underworld. Along the way, they’ll encounter a massive serpent called Tsukán, plus bats, scorpions and snakes (why did it have to be snakes?). It promises to be an immersive, high-energy adventure that brings the world of Indiana Jones to life in a whole new way.

And here’s the really fun part: Harrison Ford himself will serve as the model for the Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronics figures—the first time his likeness has been used for Indy in a Disney attraction anywhere in the world.

No. 1: Maleficent is getting her own wickedly thrilling ride

This is the one we’re counting down to! Disney saved one of its most exciting reveals for Villains Land: a brand-new Maleficent-themed roller coaster that will race through the enchanted briars surrounding the villain’s mountaintop fortress. Imagineers teased that the attraction will feature elements they’ve never attempted before on a Disney coaster, which immediately has our attention. 

The ride is part of the massive new Villains Land, where Maleficent will join the Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, Dr. Facilier and other fan-favorite baddies. We don’t know exactly when we’ll be able to climb aboard—but we’re ready to follow Maleficent straight into the briars. Talk about a happily ever after!

One of the biggest thrills for readers is imagining what their favorite characters look like—and debating who should play them if the book is ever adapted for the screen. Thanks to BookTok, and the fact that more and more books are coming to life, those conversations have become louder than ever, with fans eagerly fan-casting beloved novels long before Hollywood gets involved.

That has certainly been the case with Better Than the Movies. Ever since the romantic comedy became a BookTok favorite, readers have shared countless dream casts for Liz Buxbaum and Wes Bennett. Now, Netflix has officially revealed who will bring the beloved characters to life.

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Who is playing Liz Buxbaum?

Rom-com obsessed, quirky and hopelessly romantic, Liz Buxbaum is the kind of character Better Than the Movies fans have been imagining on screen since the novel debuted in 2021. Naturally, readers have had some pretty strong opinions about who should play her. 

In the book, Liz is determined to capture the attention of her longtime crush and enlists the help of her irritating next-door neighbor, Wes Bennett. What follows is a love letter to romantic comedies, packed with fan-favorite tropes—including fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, the boy next door and, of course, a makeover—along with plenty of nods to classic rom-coms.

As for who will bring Liz Buxbaum to life? That honor goes to up-and-coming actress Beatrice Kitsos, best known for her role in Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023). You can also catch the 21-year-old actress in The Exorcist (2017), iZombie (2019) and Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2021).

“Liz has been my dream role since reading the book. I am honored and so so excited for this opportunity,” Kitsos wrote in an Instagram post. “Thank you to Lynn [Painter] and Julia [Hart, director] and all those who saw Liz in me.”

Who is playing Wes Bennett?

For those who have been swooning over Wes Bennett since his 2021 debut, you know that his casting has been of utter importance to readers everywhere. Now, the beloved character has been cast with an actor who was already a fan-favorite from another book-to-screen adaptation, David Iacono, previously Cam Cameron in The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Although fans have been a bit uncertain about the announcement, Iacono is thrilled to step into the role. In an Instagram post, the actor wrote, “Can’t wait to bring this guy to life. Thank you @juliamhhart @lynnpainterbooks 💜”

If you want to see him in some of his other roles, you can catch Iacono in Grand Army (2020), The Flight Attendant (2020-2022), Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025) and Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025).

What everyone’s saying

With a book-to-screen adaptation that millions admire, mixed fan reactions are inevitable, especially when readers spent years imagining who would bring their favorite characters to life. While some had hoped to see Sadie Sink (currently starring in Spider-Man: Brand New Day) as Liz or Jack Champion as Wes, many are thrilled that Kitsos and Iacono have scored the leads.

Some fans have explained that Iacono can portray more than just his iconic The Summer I Turned Pretty character, writing, “the people who are excited are people who know that David is an actor and has a range 😭 He can be more characters other than just Cam Cameron.”

Another fan wrote, “He has that Wes vibe, like he genuinely feels like one of those popular guys that can get along with [everyone]. He seems so silly in a cool funny way JUST LIKE WES.”

As for the book’s author, Lynn Painter, her reaction is that she’s ecstatic. On Kitsos’ Instagram post, Painter commented, “BEYOND excited!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️,” while she wrote, “WES BENNETT IS IN THE BUILDING!!!” on Iacono’s post. So, it’s safe to say, the creator of these characters feels they were cast correctly.

Keep up with all of the Better Than the Movies news including more casting announcements, the plot and a release date!

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most picturesque places on the planet. Between the tall, green trees in the summer to the snowcapped hills in the winter, it makes total sense that over 4.8 million people visit it annually. Among those doing so? Tom Murphy, a photographer who has been profiling the park for 50 years. Woman’s World recently sat down with Murphy to discuss what he’s seen while visiting and discover what went into his new Yellowstone-inspired stamp. Read on for more. 

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Tom Murphy looks back at his time in Yellowstone 

Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park,Yellowstone spans 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. It has historical landmarks such as Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring along with a plethora of wildlife that you have to see to believe. 

“It’s changed a lot in good ways and bad ways,” Murphy said of the park. “Ive seen the 1988 fires and the reintroduction of the wolf was also a huge change in 1995 and 1996. There’s a lot of interest in the wolves. Always will be. It’s one of the people’s favorite animals. And the last change I’m seeing, which is not good, is climate change. I’ve skied a lot in the back country of Yellowstone, including clear across the park, three times. And at this point in the year, I used to be able to count on a really good back country ski until about the first of April. Right now, though, there’s basically no snow and it’s 40 degrees, so that’s pretty worrisome.” 

Even with all of that worry, Murphy still encourages people to visit the park, so long as they “take a week to do it.” 

“It’s a big park. So my recommendation is, try to take at least a week and once you get there,  go early in the morning, skip breakfast if you can, go find a hillside and just sit and watch,” he advises. “It’s a wild place. You get away from the road and you walk just 300 yards away from the road and get away from some of the noise of the cars. It’s a wonderful experience that you can’t get anywhere else.” 

Tom Murphy opens up about his photography journey 

Murphy has been photographing Yellowstone for 50 years and according to him, nothing will compare to getting a photograph of a bison. 

“They’re the last remaining member of what they call pleistocene megafauna, which are large ice age animals that used to be around and now look at what’s left. They’re down to maybe 500,000 in the whole entire world. That’s one reason, because they’re survivors,” he explains. “I grew up on this ranch in western South Dakota and I dug up bison skulls, so I was always intrigued by what big herbivores used to live on our ranch before and Yellowstone has given me an opportunity to watch them a lot.” 

Something he’s not watching? Taylor Sheridan’s hit show Yellowstone, which is set in the same area. 

“I tried to watch a couple of episodes but it’s too violent for me,” Murphy explains. “I grew up on a cattle ranch. I know a lot more than I want to know about cows, and the shows are not particularly accurate on how you deal with cattle. There’s too much fighting and killing. It’s like people think that’s normal Montana or Yellowstone. That’s not normal.” 

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Tom Murphy discusses his new stamp

In May, two of Murphy’s bison photographs will be turned into a nationally distributed stamp. They were designed by Greg Breeding, who has served as the art director of postage stamp design since 2012. 

“It’s surprising to me how much interest that stamp has generated in my friends as well as all over the country,” Murphy exclaims. “It’s being released in May, and I hope I last that long.”

Along with the stamp. Murphy is also releasing a book entitled Yellowstone Bison: The Return of the Last Wild Herd later this year. 

“It’s going to be released on July 4, and it’ll be used as a catalog for a show at the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, Wyoming,” Murphy said. “The museum there is phenomenal. They’re doing a two year show on bison, and they’re going to use the book as their catalog for their show.” 

Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are well under way, and this year everyone’s talking about one thing: Curling. That’s right. This sport, which involves sweeping a stone onto a target, is taking the internet by storm, and we at Woman’s World are obsessed. Read on to learn everything you need to know about curling, from how it’s played to where they get the stones for this sport. 

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What is curling? 

Curling is an ice sport in which players—or “curlers”—slide,then sweep heavy granite stones down 150 feet of ice to a circular target called the “house,” which looks like a target. 

Men and women play in teams of four or  two, and during each end (or round) of curling, every team gets eight stones— in red or yellow—and it’s up to them to figure out how to move, sweep and aim each stone.

The team that has the most stones closest to the center of the house gets one point for each round. After eight or 10 rounds, the team with the most points wins. 

“Curling is a game of skill and of tradition,” reads the World Curling Organization’s website. “A shot well executed is a delight to see and it is also a fine thing to observe the time-honoured traditions of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler never attempts to distract opponents, nor to prevent them from playing their best, and would prefer to lose rather than to win unfairly,”. 

“Curlers never knowingly break a rule of the game, nor disrespect any of its traditions. Should they become aware that this has been done inadvertently, they will be the first to divulge the breach. While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the relative skill of the players, The Spirit of Curling demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honourable conduct. This spirit should influence both the interpretation and the application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice,” the organization continues. 

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Where are curling stones made?

Curling stones are made from a special type of igneous granite. Each one weighs between 38 and 44 pounds.

“Every single Olympic curling stone comes from this little island off the coast of Scotland called Ailsa Craig. And no other stone curls like an Ailsa Craig stone,” Erika Brown, the former Team USA TK explained to Scientific American in 2014. “The layer of rock that runs along the ice doesn’t chip or absorb water, but most importantly, it’s very predictable on ice—you know what your shots are going to do. And the middle layer doesn’t break when the stones collide.”

Why is curling so popular right now? 

Curling has taken over social media for one simple reason: People think they can do itSports fans have even gone as far as to post videos of themselves practicing sweeping objects down long stretches of land to “practice.” 

“If I had two tips for a beginner, the first would be: Don’t run on the ice. You will fall over, and ice is hard,” former British olympian Eve Muirhead told The New York Times. “You [also] can’t curl on a skating or ice hockey rink. The stone wouldn’t go anywhere. So you put millions of tiny water droplets on the sheet to cause less friction between the ice and stone. The droplets freeze into what we call ‘pebble’— if you run your hand over the ice, it’s rough.”

Who is on the 2026 United States Olympic curling team? 

There are three United States Olympic curling teams: men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.. The curlers on each team are as followed: 

United States Olympic mixed doubles curling team

• Korey Dropkin, a 30-year-old from Southborough, Massachusetts. 
• Cory Thiesse, a 31-year-old from Duluth, Minnesota. 

United States Olympic men’s curling team

• Aidan Oldenburg, 24, Mapleton, Minnesota  (Lead thrower) 
• Ben Richardson, 27, Issaquah, Washington (Second thrower) 
• Luc Violette, 26, Lake Stevens, Washington (Vice-Skip/third thrower)
• Danny Casper, 24, Briarcliff Manor, New York (Skip/fourth thrower)
• Rich Ruohonen, 54,  Brooklyn Park, Minnesota (Alternate) 

United States Olympic women’s curling team

• Taylor Anderson-Heide, 30, Broomall, Pennsylvania (Lead thrower) 
• Tara Peterson, 34, Eagan, Minnesota (Second thrower) 
• Cory Thiesse, 31, Duluth, Minnesota (Vice-Skip/third thrower)
• Tabitha Peterson Lovick, 36, Eagan, Minnesota (Skip/fourth thrower) 
• Aileen Geving, 38, Duluth, Minnesota  (Alternate) 

Currently, only the mixed doubles team has competed, and got silver, making it the first time an American woman has medaled in the sport. 

“I’m still pretty speechless,” Thiesse told NBC News. “When Korey and I were walking out there I said, ‘Can you imagine at the beginning of the year if we said we were going to be silver medalists at the Olympic Games this year, we’d be pretty happy with that.’”

“It was a great game. Two really good teams, very back and forth,” she continued. “We just needed to be a little bit sharper than we were today, but we’re not going to let that game take away from the week that we had. We’re so proud of the way that we played this week and battled in that last game. They’re a great team [Sweden’s Isabella and Rasmus Wrana, who won first] and props to them. We’re very excited to be walking away with the silver medal, for sure.”

When is the next curling match? 

The men and women’s tournaments start on Wednesday February 11, and goes until February 21 and you can either it live or streaming later  on Peacock.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics—also known as the XXV Winter Olympic Games—are less than 20 days away, and millions of sports fans around the globe are eager to celebrate. Read on for everything you need to know about the Games, including when they start and the way Italy is making history!

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Where are the Winter Olympics being held this year? 

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to February 22 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. It will be the first time Milan has hosted the games, but Cortina played host 70 years ago, in 1956. 

“Cortina has been renovated and is continuing to be renovated with new services, new hotels, new ski lifts, so we are ready to welcome you,” the city’s mayor, Gianluca Lorenzi, told The New York Times earlier this month.  “We look forward to seeing [everybody] both during the Olympics and, above all, after the Olympics, because after the Olympics, you will see the Cortina of 2026, which is a Cortina that was absolutely at the forefront in terms of the environment but has been renewed in its services to be comprehensive in relation to market demands.” 

As with every Olympic Games, there are safety concerns, especially since construction on the new bobsled track resulted in Lorenzi receiving a death threat. The mayor has assured people that despite all of that his city is ready to host the massive sporting event. 

“As for security, there are 1,147 officers from various forces, including the state police, special units, the finance police and the Carabinieri [the Italian military police], who will ensure the safety of the athletes, spectators and dignitaries,” he told The New York Times. “So it’s a very important system, which has also been very complex because we had to find a place for them to stay and sleep. It wasn’t easy, but I must say that the prefecture did an excellent job.” 

“Unfortunately, we then had to put security measures in place at my home and for my family, which is never pleasant, but of course, a death threat does not make me back down from my thoughts and idea of moving forward,” Lorenzi continued. “Certainly, there is a part of the population that was not in favor of, or is not in favor of, the sliding center [which is used for the bobsled race], but unfortunately, it is difficult to get everyone to agree. I am convinced that the fact that we have carried out the project is an added value for Cortina.” 

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How the 2026 Winter Olympics are making history 

Despite the primary cities being Milan and Cortina, the 2026 Winter Olympics are actually being held all over Italy. This isn’t the first time a city has made this decision, but it is the first time the cities have been spread this far out. 

Milan (host of the opening ceremony, skating and hockey) and Cortina (host of bobsled, skeleton, luge and women’s Alpine skiing) are 250 miles apart, which is raising some concerns since traveling that far by bus or car could be dangerous if the roads are covered in snow.

The other hosting cities include Valtellina (Freestyle skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering and men’s Alpine skiing) and Val di Fiemme (Cross-country skiing and ski jumping.) Following the events, the closing ceremony will be held in Verona. 

“This approach allows the maximum use of existing venues, reducing the need for new construction and, as a consequence, minimising the carbon footprint,” states the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Olympics.com.

The Olympic Villages are spread out between Milan, Cortina, Anterselva, Bormio, Livigno and Predazzo and are far away from some of the venues, which could cause delays if Italy gets bad  weather . 

“The Games are capitalising on existing infrastructure and local winter sports expertise, aiming to create lasting socio-economic benefits for the local population,” Marie Sallois, IOC’s director for sustainability, said in a statement. “We hope the Games help boost the local economy and inspire more people across Italy and beyond to enjoy winter sports, adding to the already rich winter sport legacy of the region.” 

Where to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics

You can watch the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics starting on February 6 on NBC and Peacock.

In 2028, the Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. The City of Angels is no stranger to the Games, having hosted in 1932 and 1984—and even though it’s still two years out, people all over the world are already preparing for what’s sure to be a historic moment in sports. To learn more about the Games, including how to score $28 dollar tickets, keep scrolling. 

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What we know so far about the 2028 Summer Olympics

The 2028 Summer Olympics—also known as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad and LA28—will take place in Los Angeles from Friday, July 14, 2028 to Sunday, July 30, 2028. Currently, the  city is working to prepare for the massive event by building new arenas and figuring out how they can accommodate the influx of people expected to visit during the Games. 

“The 2028 Games are an opportunity to reimagine our infrastructure, strengthen community resilience and expand opportunity for all Angelenos—a true ‘Games for All,’” L.A. mayor Karen Bass said in a statement in October of 2025. “This is my Vision for the 2028 Games—an L.A. made better for all Angelenos. We will accelerate street projects, streamline City processes and permitting requirements and make sure that we are taking advantage of the economic impact when we welcome the world. L.A. will shine on the world stage.”

One of the big changes Bass is expected to make is the expansion of public transportation across the city, which she said will help make the 2028 Games a “no-car” event. 

“As we’ve seen here in Paris, the Olympics are an opportunity to make transformative change,” Bass said in 2024, per CBS. “”Back in L.A., we’re already meeting with businesses about procurement, especially small businesses. And I’ll say that that’s something that I admire Paris for, making a commitment that a percentage of the business goes to small businesses here, we’re already working to create jobs by expanding our public transportation system in order for us to have ‘no car’ games.”

As of publication, there have been no advancements on that front, but conversations surrounding the 2028 Games are expected to pick up once the 2026 Winter Olympic Games wrap up at the end of February 2026. These conversations will also shine light on President Donald Trump’s new 2028 Summer Olympics White House Task Force, which the government says was created to “manage security, transportation and entry/exit processes.” 

The task force will also “streamline visa processing and credentialing for foreign athletes, coaches, officials and media.” 

“Over the years, Team U.S.A. has won triple the number of Summer Olympic gold medals as the next closest country, and I’m confident that that’s going to continue in 2028,” President Trump said in a statement after he announced the task force in August of 2025. “This administration has delivered critical security funding in the recent bill that will be used by local and State agencies and the Federal Government to make sure that our Games are safe and secure and ultimately the best place to experience and be an Olympic fan. We remain incredibly confident in our ability to deliver the greatest Games ever, and that starts with the support of this administration every step of the way.” 

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How to get tickets to the 2028 Summer Olympics

If you want to attend the 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A., applications to enter the lottery are open from now until March 18. Then, event staff members will randomly select people who can purchase tickets in the April presale. Prices for those tickets haven’t officially been announced yet, but Olympic organizers have said that there will be 1 million $28 tickets available for purchase during presale. 

“We have about 14 million tickets to sell across these 51 sports across these 49 venues and have priced the tickets accordingly, utilizing data from past Olympic and Paralympic Games, and certainly other events in the region, to understand really where we should be priced,” Chief of Sport and Games Delivery Shana Ferguson said in  November 2025. “The pricing is set. We’re not doing dynamic pricing [changing the price of tickets based on supply and demand]. We will have, certainly, more details in the coming weeks and months, because, again, we are going on sale earlier than ever before.” 

Following the presale, the LA28 organizing committee will have an official ticket sale, but the dates for that have not been announced. There will also be resale tickets available from secondary sellers like like Stubhub, Ticketmaster and Seatgeek. Those resale tickets do tend to cost customers a lot more, but Ferguson said they are hoping to avoid that.

“We understand the concerns that folks will have about secondary ticket markets and ticket pricing and we will address all of those concerns when we do roll out our more-finalized ticket plan,” she assured . “We recognize that folks are nervous about ticket prices and that’s always the case when it’s a big sporting event, certainly, and we’ll have more details in the coming weeks and months, for sure.” 

The first time man walked on the moon and many Super Bowl games rank among some of the most-watched TV programs of all time, raking in millions of viewers for the massive, televised events. Whether these programs were a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime moment or a yearly occurrence, audiences continue to top themselves, tuning into these events.

Check out some of the most-watched televised events of all time, a few that had major cultural impacts!

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1. Apollo 11 moon landing

This moment has gone down as one of the most-watched televised events of all time, even today. On July 20, 1969, passengers on Apollo 11 — Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin — took man’s very first steps on the moon. Around 650 million people tuned in to watch worldwide, with nearly 125-150 million viewers from the United States alone.

2. Super Bowl LVIII

The most recent NFL championship game, Super Bowl LVIII, was the most-watched of all the 58 Super Bowls. On February 11, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers, making it the team’s fourth win overall. The game drew in over 120 million viewers in total, almost 10 million more than the year prior.

3. Richard Nixon’s Resignation Speech

The massive Watergate scandal occurred in 1972, leading to abuses from the Nixon administration, including President Nixon himself. On August 8, 1974, the President addressed the United States from the Oval Office, announcing his resignation. This event gathered an audience of about 110 million viewers.

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4. ‘M*A*S*H’ series finale

High up on the list with over 100 million viewers was the series finale of the sitcom, M*A*S*H. The final episode of the series drew in 105.9 million viewers to say goodbye to the staff of 4077 M*A*S*H unit. This finale was the most-viewed TV finale of all time, and its record still hasn’t been beaten.

5. Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show with Michael Jackson

It comes as no surprise that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, drew in the most viewers of a Super Bowl Halftime Show with about 102 million people. Jackson’s performance started with the singer standing silently for 2 full minutes before jamming out to a mashup of his biggest hits.

6. O.J. Simpson police chase

Although this is quite a different televised event from the Super Bowl’s and TV series finales, the O.J. Simpson police chase was certainly something that caught audience’s attention. Airing across multiple TV stations, the June 17, 1994, chase of the white Bronco carrying Simpson occurred on the 405 in Los Angeles and garnered about 95 million viewers. It lasted for nearly 90 minutes, from 6 pm to just before 8 pm, when he surrendered at his home.

7. The Beatles debut on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’

This televised event didn’t have quite as many viewers as some of the others on this list, but the Beatles debut on The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the most massive cultural phenomena of its time as it marked the beginning of Beatlemania. The performance gathered 73 million viewers, making it the most-viewed television event of its time.

This appearance by the Beatles was the most-watched performance on The Ed Sullivan Show and allowed the English rock group to skyrocket in America. Although they were huge in England already, this performance was only the beginning of their infinitely successful career.

Kimbal Musk—brother of Tesla chief executive officer (CEO) Elon Musk—is teaming up with former DreamWorks Animation Studios CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg to bring a brand new type of entertainment into the skies. In a recent announcement, the two shared that they would be joining forces to help bring Musk’s drone show, Nova Sky Stories, to people all around the world. We have what you need to know about both the show and Musk’s history with the sky-high technology below. 

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What to know about Kimbal Musk’s drone shows

Musk and Katzenberg announced that they would be joining forces to bring drone shows to people all over the world under the name Nova Sky Stories. 

“I just wanted his [Katzenberg’s] advice, because I have so much admiration for his work as a storyteller. Some of my favorite movies of all time are Jeffrey’s movies. And during this process, he said, ‘You know, maybe this could be a fun thing to join.’  So he joined as an investor, but also as a strategic advisor to help us build a business and also build the creative now,” Musk told Deadline. 

“I’m very good at technology, but it’s not my love. I love the art form. I’ve been a musician my whole life, a storyteller. Now, because I’ve been involved in technology, what I end up doing in those companies, whether it’s Tesla or companies I’ve been part of, it’s always in product design. It’s always in the customer experience. So, for me, Nova is this beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to completely dive in on the storytelling, artistic side of who I am, and it’s just been wonderful, especially with Jeffrey now onboard.” 

As of publication, it appears as though both Musk and Katzenberg want to create their own stories to convey in the sky through drones. And while that may seem ambitious, the idea isn’t exactly a new one. Disney has been doing it for years, and several counties and states have organized drone shows instead of fireworks to help protect their land and wildlife. 

“What will be revealed very quickly is a spectacular technology platform that is these proprietary drones,” Katzenberg told Deadline. “They have been designed very specifically for this purpose – they are purpose-built for art. The features and functions around these are quite dazzling. So, it’s not just blinking lights in the sky, but when you look at the complexity of it, think of it as an individual pixel. It is simply amazing in terms of what they are capable of today and what will be coming in the next generation of drones, which is literally next year.” 

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A history of Musk’s drones: from Burning Man to Paul McCartney 

Much like his brother, Musk has always had a certain amount of flair when it comes to technology. Originally a chef, the 57-year-old first brought his drone story idea to life in 2022 at the Burning Man festival, and since then, he has made strides in turning it into a must-see show. 

“This is a show we started last year. We sold 6,000 tickets. We are on track to sell half a million tickets this year. We are flying this weekend alone because it’s digital art; we have fleets all over the world. London, Nice, the Netherlands, San Francisco, Australia. I believe those are the five this weekend alone, and each one of them is between three and 5,000 paying customers per evening,” Musk said of the company’s growth. 

“Still, I look at it as if it’s like we’re playing bars right now. Yeah, and we are not even in the clubs yet, and not the stadiums. We’ve worked with Paul McCartney and others. We’ve worked with the greatest artists. What we have found, though, is that we can draw the audience with our own content, with our own stories, and it’s just so much more fun.” 

Because of the show’s success, Musk is planning on stepping back from his other companies, like Kitchen Restaurant Group and Big Green. But he will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors for Tesla. 

“Nova’s my passion, and I’m just so happy to have the opportunity to grow it,” he said. “And Jeffrey’s done this before so many times, and it just kind of is working out so well that he wants to do this with us.” 

To learn more about Nova Sky Stories, including how you can book a show in your area, click here!

AOL—or American Online, as it was once called—is officially ending its dial-up internet service after 36 years. This change comes after the 2023 United States Census Bureau report that claimed approximately 163,000 —or 1%—of American households with an internet subscription were using the service. But what exactly does this decision to close dial-up internet mean for those who still have the service and how will this affect both their bill and browsing history in the future? We look into all of that, and more below! 

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What is dial-up internet and how did it work? 

Dial-up internet is exactly what it sounds like. After turning on your computer, the device’s modem would dial a phone number provided by your internet service provider (ISP). It would then go through an authentication process before finally connecting your computer to the World Wide Web.

The service was originally invented back in the early 1990s, and AOL was made even more popular by the hit 1998 Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan film You’ve Got Mail, which featured both the online connection and the highly recognizable noises that the AOL dial-up internet made once in use. 

Since the 1990s, though, the service has become less and less popular due to things like high-speed broadband internet, WiFi and cellular data popping up everywhere, including at home. It’s because of this that AOL has decided to stop its dial-up internet service altogether. 

“AOL routinely evaluates its products and services and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet. This service will no longer be available in AOL plans,” the company said in a statement. “As a result, on September 30, 2025, this service and the associated software, the AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, which are optimized for older operating systems and dial-up internet connections, will be discontinued.”

What the change means for current users

While AOL’s dial-up internet service will end on Tuesday, September 30, the company says this change will not impact any other benefits included in AOL plans, such as email addresses. However, AOL has not explained how the shutdown will affect current dial-up customers or what assistance it will offer them during the transition. Woman’s World has reached out to the company for clarification but has not yet received a response.

Affordable options to replace dial-up

Switching doesn’t have to break the bank. If T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is available in your area, you can get 87–318 Mbps speeds starting at about $35/month, with current offers including prepaid gift cards up to $300.

Cable providers like Xfinity offer solid plans from around $40/month with equipment and long-term price guarantees. Spectrum is another budget-friendly choice with plans as low as $25–30/month, no contracts and no data caps.

If fiber is available, Frontier delivers 200 Mbps starting at $29.99/month. In some regions, Mediacom stands out with a 250 Mbps plan for $19.99/month.

Low-income households may qualify for discounted plans through Xfinity Internet Essentials, AT&T Access or Spectrum Internet Assist, as well as government subsidies like Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Once you make the switch, your home computers should be able to connect to the new service, as should your phone and TV.  Plus, since you’re only switching providers, most of the time your browsing history and device settings can and will transfer over, making it simple and easy for you to dial into this new digital age. Just be sure to do it on or before September 30, otherwise you risk not having any internet connection for a little while. 

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Where you can still get dial-up internet

If you still prefer dial-up internet over WiFi or broadband, we have some good news! Both NetZero and Juno Internet still offer the service to people all over the country and you can sign up from their websites. Happy dialing!