Benjamin Payne

Benjamin Payne is a contributing reporter and floating host at KUNR. He is currently pursuing his master's degree at the University of Nevada, Reno's Reynolds School of Journalism, where he also works as a teaching assistant.

Before moving to Reno, Benjamin worked as the local Morning Edition host at NPR member station WVIK in his hometown of Rock Island, Illinois — also home to the first NFL game, as he reported for NPR.

He started his career as a news intern at NPR member station WBEZ in Chicago, shortly after graduating with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Augustana College in Rock Island.

Benjamin roots for the Chicago Cubs — and did so even before they finally ended their World Series drought in 2016.