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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

Frozen magnolia tree leaves in Savannah on Jan. 22, 2025, shortly following the city's first snowfall in seven years.

Tagged as: 

  • Environment

Georgia's January cold spells could squash farmers' pest concerns come spring

Freezing temperatures can kill off dormant agricultural disease.

January 29, 2025
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Lone Wolf Lounge in Savannah's Thomas Square neighborhood.

Tagged as: 

  • Arts & Life

'Completely out of the blue': Savannah bar earns surprise nomination for coveted James Beard Award

A hidden gem well outside downtown is up for Outstanding Bar among 20 national semifinalists in the prestigious awards contest, sometimes referred to as "the Oscars of the food world."

January 27, 2025
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
Brandon Carter leads his “Savannah Dark History Tour” in downtown's Monterey Square. The Casimir Pulaski Monument is in the background.

Tagged as: 

  • Politics

Savannah set to impose 90-day curfew on downtown walking tours beginning February

The trial period creates two zones with different end times for guided tours.

January 21, 2025
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
A flooded home in Bainbridge, Georgia.

Tagged as: 

  • Environment

Georgia ranks among most expensive states for future flood damage costs, new study finds

Homebuyers in Georgia can expect to rack up roughly $140,000 in flood damages over a 30-year mortgage.

January 17, 2025
|
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

Georgia businesses brace for Trump tariffs: 'We have to plan for reality and hope it's not'

Looming tariffs are testing an already-stretched supply chain in Savannah.

January 14, 2025
|
By:
  • Benjamin Payne
  • Load More

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