Dolly Parton red panda vote: the ballot is still open

USA Today says the public gets a say in the red panda cub's name, with Dolly Parton as one option; the ballot is still open.

On air: Kenji Moonfield and Vera Bullock on BBN Tonight
Published 7:18 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Updated 1:52 AM ET · aired 4 times

Photo: David Gahr · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Weird News

Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN Tonight at 7:18 PM 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 Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 7:18 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Kenji Moonfield and Vera Bullock; 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

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSome lighter news now, and it is still open: USA Today says the public can help name a red panda cub after Dolly Parton, and voting has not closed.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI said it was the only election I'm invested in, and I've since gone full campaign mode. I have a slogan.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentIt's just the word leaf.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLeaf.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRoll it. This is archival material, not the actual cub—we're looking at a stand-in from the footage library.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentLook at this, the face in profile, then the mouth opens and goes straight for the leaves.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWatch the chewing here, because he keeps going and never looks up once. Steady. Committed. I trust him more than most candidates.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentRun it back. You said you didn't care, Vera.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI have a write-in name ready, and I am not sharing it.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentViral Score, nine out of ten. One point off because he never once glanced at the camera while eating.

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