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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

Richmond Hill resident Kristina Fredericks addresses the Richmond Hill City Council on Aug. 20, 2024, about flooding damage to her home and yard after Tropical Storm Debby.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

‘We are scared and we feel abandoned’: Richmond Hill residents criticize city's response to Debby

Longstanding drainage problems have been neglected by the city, according to several residents.

August 22, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Coastal Health District director Dr. Bonzo Reddick speaks at a news conference at the Chatham County Health Department in Savannah on Friday about public health risks in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby.

Tagged as: 

  • Health

Coastal Georgia health experts warn of waterborne, mosquito-borne illness threat from Debby flooding

Chatham County's mosquito control fleet is working more than usual to spray insecticides.

August 19, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia Jill Steinberg speaks at a news conference in Savannah on Wednesday next to Savannah Police Chief Lenny Gunther and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Beau Kolodka.

Tagged as: 

  • Law

Federal anti-gun trafficking campaign launches in Savannah, targeting straw purchasing of firearms

Purchasing a gun for a convicted felon or other prohibited person is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison.

August 15, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Bryan County resident Christy Mingledorff and her two children had to evacuate their house, seen at right, in the Morgan's Bridge neighborhood after it flooded on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.

Tagged as: 

  • Weather

‘Everybody there lost everything’: Ogeechee River communities in Georgia reeling from Debby flooding

The Ogeechee crested above 10 feet along the border between Chatham and Bryan Counties on Sunday, setting a new record.

August 13, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Nevils Denmark Road in Bulloch County near Georgia State Route 46 as seen on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.

Tagged as: 

  • Weather

‘We didn't know that it could flood out here’: Georgians recover from Debby, brace for more flooding

Debby was “completely different,” a Statesboro pastor said, from any other storm he had experienced.

August 09, 2024
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
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