Atlanta, GA
‘We will see resignations’: Atlanta firefighter union says 2025 pay is inadequate
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – On Tuesday, roughly two dozen Atlanta firefighters showed up to the Atlanta City Council appealing to city leaders to increase their pay plan for 2025.
“If the plan doesn’t change, we will see resignations,” said Nate Bailey, president of Atlanta Professional Firefighters, the union representing roughly 600 Atlanta firefighters and paramedics.
Bailey said the city suddenly removed four large cities – New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia – when calculating the 2025 budget for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD), a change that decreased the overall salary budget by roughly $5 million, said Bailey.
“We need to increase the staffing, and the only way to do that is good pension and competitive salaries,” said Bailey.
Bailey said there are currently roughly 860 firefighters in the department. He said the ideal size is 1,100 members.
Atlanta News First reached out to AFRD to get a sense of their department size. A spokesperson has not responded to that request.
Bailey said he fears firefighters will leave Atlanta for higher-paying departments should the pay scale not be adjusted.
A city spokesperson told Atlanta News First that Mayor Andre Dickens’ commitment to first responders has been clear since he took office.
The city has invested roughly $105 million into Atlanta fire equipment and facilities under the Dickens administration, according to a city spokesperson.
The city said they’ve also increased starting salaries for critical fire positions by 15 to 37 percent since 2022.
“There is always more work to be done. However, Mayor Dickens and City Council have made significant investments in the men and women of AFRD, their facilities and the equipment they use to keep our communities safe,” said a city spokesperson.
The current pay scale would increase the salary for every firefighter and every employee by at least 2 percent.
Bailey recognized the increase, but said that does not match market value and fears the pay will leave the department inadequately staffed.
“It’s a safety issue. It’s a huge safety issue,” Bailey said. “We already have firefighters work 48 hours straight, sometimes even 50-52 hours without sleep, because we have some of the busiest engine companies in the country. So it means more overtime shifts, it means less safe firefighters.”
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Warming centers opening in metro Atlanta ahead of cold nights
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — There are several warming centers opening in DeKalb County and Atlanta ahead of cold nights.
“We are housing our unhoused neighbors, providing a warm space and place for them,” Will Butler with Frontline Response said.
Frontline Response International warming center has multiple beds and a lot of food for those who need it.
For Butler, it is important to give back to others.
“We hear it all the time, people are so thankful,” he said. “The hugs, the tears, the hand shakes, it makes it all worthwhile.”
In Atlanta, there are also two warming centers opening at the Central Park Recreation Center and the Old Adamsville Recreation Center.
The warming centers in DeKalb County opened at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.
Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
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.
Even Steve Harvey couldn’t help hyping them up: “From Atlanta, Georgia… It’s the Norman Family!”
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.
“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.
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.”
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.
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.
“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+.
Atlanta, GA
Christmas tree sales fund student scholarships across metro Atlanta
Trees for Tuition raises money for scholarships
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.
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:
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.
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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