Atlanta Airport Shifts Into High Gear 

Nearly 4 million travelers are expected to crowd Atlanta’s airport this holiday season, with the busiest day coming on Friday with more than 327,000 expected.

On Sunday, lines at the nation’s busiest airport were steady and wait times were running about 15 minutes, below the security checkpoints’ goal of 30 minutes or less.

Other airports across Georgia reported heavy travel. Savannah’s airport anticipates more than 80,000 passengers, a much busier period than Thanksgiving.

Travelers can expect mostly mild weather with forecasters giving Georgia almost no chance for a White Christmas. Travelers to the West and upper Midwest could see snow in spots.

  Fires Kill 1, Displace Dozens

An elderly woman died in a house fire and dozens were left homeless in two separate fires over the weekend in Clayton County. Video shows the damaged structures.

The woman’s name was not immediately released. A man in the same home sustained burns to both hands and smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital for treatment.

No one was hurt in the fire at the Archway Apartments, where 27 people lived, including a family of five. Both fires started  in the kitchens.

Coming just days before Christmas, the fires prompted quick help from American Red Cross volunteers and other care teams to provide help and temporary housing.

College Playoff Matchups Set

Georgia heads into the Sugar Bowl as a slight favorite against Notre Dame, which upended Indiana 27-17 in this weekend’s opening round of the national college football playoffs.

In the Peach Bowl, meanwhile, Texas will meet Arizona State after beating Clemson 38-24 on Saturday. Texas is viewed as a heavy favorite against Arizona State.

The Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl (Oregon vs. Ohio State) and Dec. 31 Fiesta Bowl (Penn State vs. Boise State) make up the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

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➤ Georgia leaders expressed relief that disaster and farm aid survived tense negotiations over a year-end federal spending package. (More)

➤ Savannah: The Savannah Bananas craze shows no signs of slipping, with the exhibition baseball team selling out its first NFL stadium, a March 15 visit to Florida. (More)

➤  Macon: A gift of a free bus ride awaits Macon-Bibb shoppers from now until Christmas, with routes operating until 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. (More)

➤  Conyers: A sister of a murdered woman called the possible parole of the killer “very cruel,” made worse by the state allegedly failing to give her family advance notice. (More)

➤ Sapelo Island: New gangways are in place for ferry service, the replacements ordered after an October gangway collapse that killed seven. (See Photo)

➤ Port of Savannah: Legislation to study the deepening and widening of the Port of Savannah was approved by Congress, with President Joe Biden expected to sign off. (More)

➤ Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. led Atlanta to its largest margin of victory this season, a 34-7 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. (Watch Highlights)

➤ Valdosta State’s undefeated run ended with a 49-14 loss to Ferris State in the NCAA Division II football title game, after which Valdosta’s coach disclosed plans to take a new job. (More)

➤ Analyst: The Atlanta Falcons are expected to cut Kirk Cousins before another $10 million is owed him in mid-March. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NFL | NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA 

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➤ Georgia farmers say they still face challenges more than two months after Hurricane Helene caused losses of $5.5 billion or more. (More)

➤ Twenty-three Party City stores are closing in Georgia, part of the chain’s planned shuttering of its 850 stores nationwide. (See List)

➤ Small employers say they expect a more business-friendly White House under a new administration set to include Georgia business leader Kelly Loeffler. (More)

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➤ “Stranger Things” wrapped 11 months of filming in Atlanta on its fifth and final Netflix season, set to air next year. (More)

➤ A live-animal nativity display in Waleska gives visitors young and old a chance to interact with donkeys, sheep, and other animals. (Watch)

➤ State troopers plan high-visibility patrols this week and urge holiday revelers to ride with a sober driver, if necessary. (More)

How much are spending on gifts this Christmas?

1. Less than $250
2. $250-$1,000
3. More than $1,000

Friday’s Results:

When will you finish your Christmas shopping?

1. Already done! 48%
2. This weekend: 28%
3. Christmas Eve: 24%

How many travelers go through Atlanta’s airport each year?

Show me the answer