Don Shipman

Don Shipman is a First Alert breaking news reporter and anchor at Atlanta News First. On most mornings from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Don canvases metro Atlanta in the First Alert Breaking News Tracker, covering a variety of safety-related topics to help viewers navigate the start of their day.

In his 25 years of journalism experience, Don has covered everything from education and courts to crime and severe weather, as well as many other areas of interest impacting local communities. Don especially likes telling the stories of the helpers in the metro who inspire others to step up and give back.

A native upstate New Yorker, Don began his career at WUTR and WKTV in his hometown of Utica, New York. More recently, Don served as the main anchor of Emmy Award-winning evening newscasts for WWLP 22News in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he also served as lead investigative reporter covering New England's most historic events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Most notably, his investigative reporting helped to uncover a COVID-19 outbreak at a state-run nursing home that claimed the lives of dozens of military veteran seniors. His reporting ultimately led to policy changes to prevent future tragedies.

Don has family roots in the southeast. His late grandmother lived - and extended family still live - in Vidalia, Georgia, where Don spent many happy summers as a child.

Today, Don and his husband Adam, along with their dog Viktor, call Atlanta's Grant Park neighborhood home.

In his spare time, you can find Don at his local CrossFit box, drinking way too much coffee (mocha lattes are his weakness), going on OneWheel adventures, and spending time with his family exploring all that north Georgia has to offer. To connect with Don, email him at Don.Shipman@wanf.com.