Weird NewsVIRAL WATCH

A red panda cub named after Dolly Parton? How you can help decide

USA Today says the public can weigh in on what to call a new red panda cub, with Dolly Parton as one idea; the panda abstained.

On air: Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte on BBN Overnight
Published 1:52 AM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Photo: David Gahr · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Weird News

Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte on this story, from BBN Overnight at 1:52 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are USA Today's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: David Gahr · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Dolly Parton — Photo: David Gahr · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by USA Today: “A red panda cub named after Dolly Parton? How you can help decide”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 1:52 AM ET on BBN Overnight, by Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte; aired 4 times.
Topics: Dolly Parton.
BBN covered this story before: Melanie Walters out of Strictly, Welsh star of Gavin and Stacey (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

USA TodayA red panda cub named after Dolly Parton? How you can help decide

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentUSA Today says there's a red panda cub that could be named after Dolly Parton, and voters get to pick the name.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt is a naming poll for a cub. Nobody is being elected.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentLook at this. It's file footage, not the actual cub, but the candidate is clearly in profile, mouth open, reaching for the leaves.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat is a red panda eating. They do that a lot.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWatch the chewing here. Total focus, no comment on the vote, and the leaves keep coming.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentOkay, run it back.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI knew you cared. I'm giving it a Viral Score of seven, because the panda never once stopped for a campaign photo.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentI already voted, and I'm not telling you for what.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore Weird News →

More Shorts

All videos →

Photo: Marvel · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ Short · Weird NewsFox News host bans daughter from pop star's showsRead the story
Photo: M. Rehemtulla · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ Short · Weird NewsAnimal Talk Adoptable Dog of the Week - IslaRead the story
▶ Viral Video Breakdown · Weird NewsHofstra Service Puppy: No Video, So We Hired a Stunt DogAbout this segment
Photo: StockSnap · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ Short · Weird NewsTrailer full of french fries catches fire on Utah highwayRead the story
Photo: Paul Berendsen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · Weird News‘Puppy With a Purpose:’ Hofstra University’s newest service animalRead the story
▶ Animal Cam · Weird NewsGiant Panda Eats Lunch Like a Magistrate Ruling on BambooAbout this segment
Photo: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from Washington… · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsShlesinger on parenting with an audience, and a new retro toonRead the story
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsOfficer shoots dog after animal bite call in LaredoRead the story
▶ Viral Video Breakdown · Weird NewsNational Geographic's Helpful Bird: Anchor Treats Stock Footage Like Game TapeAbout this segment
Photo: Karin Langner-Bahmann , upload von Martin Bahmann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ Short · Weird NewsLondon Cat Sneaks Into Neighbor's House, Eats Dog's DinnerMore about this Short