Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi governor Tate Reeves reportedly rejected calls to lower state flags in honor of country music legend Dolly Parton, saying the tradition should be reserved for military personnel, first responders and other figures whose public service, in his view, meets a higher threshold.
In particular, the governor criticized Parton’s decision to publicly support COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic. He falsely claimed that her advocacy had caused “countless Americans to contract autism,” offering no evidence for the assertion.
Medical research has found no causal relationship between vaccines and autism. The claim that vaccines cause autism has been repeatedly rejected by major health authorities and extensive epidemiological research.
Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, was widely recognized for her music and philanthropic work. She donated $1 million to COVID-19 vaccine research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and received a COVID-19 vaccine publicly in 2021.
The governor’s remarks drew criticism from supporters of Parton, who argued that her charitable work and cultural influence warranted a public tribute. Others defended the governor’s position, saying official honors should be applied sparingly and according to consistent standards.
President Donald Trump ordered American flags lowered to half-staff nationwide for one week. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves subsequently ordered both U.S. and state flags in Mississippi to be flown at half-staff in accordance with the presidential directive.
Parton’s career spanned seven decades encompassing music, film, television, business, and philanthropy. Known for beloved hits such as "Jolene," "9 to 5," and "I Will Always Love You," she was cherished by fans across political lines. Notably nonpolitical, she declined to involve herself in presidential politics and turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom offered by both Trump and later by Joe Biden, citing personal reasons and political neutrality.
Jeff Carey is a veteran reporter covering sports and architecture. He was the founding editor of the Minneapolis Mini Times, a local paper with a circulation of more than 500,000. He divides his time between the east and west coast.
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