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Primary Content

Benjamin Payne

Benjamin Payne
Savannah Reporter
News Reporter

Benjamin is the Savannah-based reporter for GPB, where he covers Coastal Georgia.

Prior to coming to Savannah, he freelanced in Bellingham, Washington, for public media outlets including NPR, Marketplace, and PRX. Previously, Benjamin hosted Morning Edition for WVIK, his hometown NPR member station in Rock Island, Ill. Before that, he served a news internship with NPR member station WBEZ in Chicago.

Benjamin is a graduate of the University of Nevada-Reno's journalism master's program, and earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from Augustana College in Rock Island.

Bottom Content

News Stories by Benjamin Payne

The container ship Marius sails toward the Talmadge Memorial Bridge en route to the Port of Savannah's Ocean Terminal on Feb. 20, 2023.

Tagged as: 

  • Economy

Ports of Savannah and Brunswick at standstill as workers go on strike amid coast-wide walkout

The International Longshoremen's Association is seeking a new six-year contract with an alliance of port employers.

October 01, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in Savannah on Sept. 24, 2024.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Trump campaigns in Savannah, pledging higher tariffs and lower corporate tax rate

Tariffs begun by Trump and continued under Biden have hurt U.S. households, according to many economists.

September 25, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Savannah State University freshman Sanaai Stewart on campus after updating her voter registration at an event hosted by Black Voters Matter on Sept. 20, 2024.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Black Voters Matter holds registration drives at 3 HBCUs in South Georgia

Oct. 7 is the last day Georgians can register to vote in the presidential election.

September 23, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones speaks during a voters' forum next to Republican challenger Andre Pretorius at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah on Sept. 16, 2024.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Chatham County district attorney candidates make their case to voters at forum

Shalena Cook Jones became the first Black woman to serve as Chatham County DA when she won office in 2020.

September 18, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
A rendering of the future Savannah Station Hotel near Interstate 16 west of downtown is shown in blue, with the orange building depicting the current Savannah Station event space. The Mordecai Sheftall Cemetery is directly adjacent. The Levi Sheftall Cemetery, not shown in the rendering, is located on the other side of Cohen Street.

Tagged as: 

  • Business

Historic Jewish cemeteries in Savannah give OK for new hotel nearby, after concessions from builder

The Mordecai Sheftall Cemetery and the Levi Sheftall Cemetery were established in the mid-1700s.

September 16, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
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