Hi there! My name is Benjamin Payne, and I'm a journalist and communications professional passionate about strengthening local news and ensuring communities have access to trusted information.

I most recently served as the Savannah-based reporter for Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), the statewide NPR network for the Peach State, where I covered stories across coastal Georgia. In August 2025, I moved to my wife's hometown of Bellingham, Washington, as she begins an exciting new chapter in her career.

Here are a few recent stories I'm especially proud of:

• Mocktails stir change in Savannah's tourism scene amid America's alcohol retreat

• Review: ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil’ takes the stage in lively musical adaptation

• Researchers are generating a ‘turtle's-eye view’ of the beach to save Georgia's baby sea turtles

• ‘Ro-ro’ your boat to Georgia: Why the state sees a lucrative future in automotive shipping

Throughout my career, my reporting has consistently centered community voices and amplified stories from underserved populations — from investigating Gullah-Geechee land rights in coastal Georgia to examining civic challenges facing rural communities like Point Roberts, Washington. My work has taken me from barrier islands to town squares, always with a commitment to accountability journalism that serves the public interest.

I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the most respected names in public media. My reporting has aired on NPR's flagship programs, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition, as well as Marketplace and the Marketplace Morning Report from American Public Media. Beyond reporting, I've participated in on-air fundraising campaigns and moderated high-profile panel discussions, including a conversation on voting rights and election integrity featuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

In 2020, I completed my Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno's Reynolds School of Journalism, where I specialized in news innovation and was recognized as the Reynolds Outstanding Student in Business Journalism. More recently, I contributed to the production of "Slow Burn: Becoming Justice Thomas," which won Podcast of the Year at The Ambies in 2024.

I'm interested in opportunities that allow me to leverage my journalism experience, strategic communications skills, and commitment to equity-focused storytelling. If you'd like to connect, email me at benjaminthomaspayne@gmail.com or find me on LinkedIn.

Thanks for stopping by!