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Atlanta HIV prevention advocates plan town hall on Fulton County public health firings

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Atlanta HIV prevention advocates plan town hall on Fulton County public health firings


The Neighborhood Union Health Center at 186 Sunset Ave. NW in Atlanta, part of the Fulton County health department, offers sexual health services. Layoffs at the county agency have advocates worried about any impact on Fulton’s HIV prevention services. (Photo by Rebecca Grapevine)

Atlanta HIV prevention advocates plan to hold a town hall on Wednesday, May 28, to discuss the layoff of 17 workers from the Fulton County Board of Health.

The town hall is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mayfaire Medical, Suite 410, in the Summit South Building at 777 Cleveland Ave. in Atlanta. It is open to the public.

The event is being organized by Daniel Driffin, an independent public health consultant, and William Francis, pastor of The 166 Church. Both have spent years working on HIV prevention.

They are concerned about access to services like testing and access to drugs that can prevent infection in the wake of last week’s layoffs of Fulton health department staff who worked on HIV and sexual health.

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“The safety net is literally being yanked out from under people,” Francis said.

Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties were among the 15 counties in the nation with the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in 2022, according to the latest available data from AidsVu.

“We as a community are going to have to figure out what can be done so people don’t fall through the cracks of public health,” Francis said.

After the surprise layoffs, the state Department of Public Health placed two senior Fulton health department leaders on unpaid administrative leave: District Health Director Dr. Lynn Paxton and Carol Lawrence, human resources director. The DPH said the Fulton layoffs were unauthorized.

Neither state nor Fulton health department officials would elaborate on the layoffs, or the source of the funding for the terminated staff.

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“My greater concern is that this will ripple across the state,” said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, a nonprofit LGBTQ advocacy organization.

“There needs to be some transparency from the state health department and Fulton County immediately,” Graham said, adding that groups that provide services to people with HIV are worried about their own funding and also want to ensure that people have the services they need to prevent HIV.

Some of the affected Fulton workers and other advocates told Healthbeat that innovative services like a syringe exchange and initiatives with community groups to promote HIV testing could be disrupted.

Tyson Randolph, who was among those laid off last week, said the terminations will have “major implications for the community’s health going forward.”

“I was in the developmental process of building the bridge with the kids at this community center … but my efforts are all out the window.”

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta sisters win big on Family Feud — and say the real prize was being together

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Atlanta sisters win big on Family Feud — and say the real prize was being together


The Norman sisters definitely have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: they just won big on Family Feud.

The five sisters — four living in metro Atlanta and one in California — brought their energy, humor, and unmistakable charisma to the popular Steve Harvey-hosted game show. Their episodes, filmed back in March, finally aired this month.

As soon as they hit the stage, their enthusiasm was impossible to miss.

“We’re the Normans! Wooooo!” they cheered in their opening moment on screen.

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Even Steve Harvey couldn’t help hyping them up: “From Atlanta, Georgia… It’s the Norman Family!”

The Norman sisters compete on Family Feud.

Paramount


A dream come true for a lifelong Family Feud fan

For sister Liz Knipe, who lives in Atlanta, appearing on the show was a bucket-list moment more than a decade in the making.

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“I’ve wanted to be on Family Feud forever. My first audition was in 2014,” she said.

The sisters say their chemistry — and very different personalities — helped them stand out during the audition process.

“Seeing us all together, I think it just resonated with people,” said Ericka Grant, who lives in Buford.

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The Norman sisters compete on Family Fued.

Paramount

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Their big win: $60,000 and a luxury Las Vegas trip

And their on-screen charm paid off.

The Norman sisters walked away with $60,000 and a trip for all of them — plus a guest each — to the Bellagio in Las Vegas for a six-day, five-night getaway.

“Bam,” Liz said with a laugh. “Not just a vacation for us but a plus-one for each of us.”

Each sister has her own plan for how to spend her share of the prize money:

  • Liz Knipe (Atlanta): “Praise the Lord, I’m going to be able to pay all my bills.”
  • Ericka Grant (Buford): “I’m going to use it to have some fun with my boys and my husband.”
  • Michelle Norman (Atlanta): “A nice down payment.”
  • Alex Norman (Marietta): “I’m going to spend a little on myself. And my kids. And then some bills. But I’m paying myself first.”

Winning together meant more than the money

Despite the big payout, the sisters say the real reward was the time spent with each other.

“It’s a great bonding moment,” said Alex Norman. “We don’t always get a chance to do stuff together — all five of us.”

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They say family and friends were thrilled to see them on national TV, laughing and playing as a team.

“It was nice for our family to see us together on TV, winning and having fun,” said Ericka.

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The Norman sisters do their makeup in preparation for their episode of Family Feud. 

Paramount


Could the Norman sisters return to CBS on another show?

The sisters aren’t ruling out more TV in their future. In fact, they already have their eyes on other CBS competition shows.

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“I’m trying to get my sister on The Amazing Race with me,” said Michelle. “But the goal is Survivor! That’s the goal.”

Where to watch their episode

The Norman sisters’ Family Feud episodes are now streaming.

You can catch them on Paramount+.



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Christmas tree sales fund student scholarships across metro Atlanta

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Christmas tree sales fund student scholarships across metro Atlanta


A holiday tradition that began as a small side project for two Atlanta teenagers a decade ago has grown into a major scholarship program helping local students pursue college dreams — all through the sale and delivery of Christmas trees.

What we know:

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The effort, called Trees for Tuition, started in 2015 when founders Jack and Will decided to use a pickup truck to deliver a few Fraser firs to neighbors. That first year, they sold about 30 trees. Last season, the business expanded dramatically, with nearly 4,000 trees delivered across metro Atlanta and more than $50,000 donated to support scholarships and local nonprofits.

Trees for Tuition now operates seven locations across the metro area. Customers can visit in person to select a tree or schedule a delivery online as early as the next day. The group sources most of its Fraser firs from North Carolina, with additional Noble firs shipped in from Oregon.

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The founders say their goal is simple: make buying a Christmas tree easier for families while giving Atlanta teens and young adults a financial boost toward their education. 

What you can do:

Tree lots are open from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, including Friday. More information is available at treesfortuition.com.

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Update on travel conditions at Hartsfield-Jackson airport

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Update on travel conditions at Hartsfield-Jackson airport


It’s a busy day of travel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. And although there are a few delays, there have not been any cancelations as of noon. We also now have more info about what happened to the flight to Amsterdam that was canceled on Tuesday night.



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