Houston firefighters receive $650m back pay settlement, concluding years-long impasse.

Houston firefighters received their first paychecks from a $650m back pay settlement, concluding a years-long impasse with the city. The settlement, part of a $1.5bn deal, provided pay raises and back pay for nearly 5,000 firefighters. Mayor John Whitmire, endorsed by the union, pushed for the unanimously-approved City Council deal, despite controversy.