  We study the gross properties of even-even and $N=Z$ nuclei with $A=48-64$
using shell-model Monte Carlo methods. Our calculations account for all $0
\hbar \omega$ configurations in the $fp$-shell and employ the modified
Kuo-Brown interaction KB3. We find good agreement with data for masses and
total $B(E2)$ strengths, the latter employing effective charges $e_p=1.35e$ and
$e_n=0.35e$. The calculated total Gamow-Teller strengths agree consistently
with the $B(GT_+)$-values deduced from $(n,p)$ data if the shell model results
are renormalized by $0.64$, as has already been established for $sd$-shell
nuclei. The present calculations therefore suggest that this renormalization
(i.e., $g_A=1$ in the nuclear medium) is universal.

Nuclear Theory