User:Benblantonproducer

Ben Blanton is a news producer with experience on morning, evening and late newscasts in a top 40 market. Ben has been with WHNS-TV since his college internship, after which he joined the FOX Carolina team as a news writer. Promoted four times in as many years, Ben Blanton has proven his ability to create engaging and substantive newscasts on a daily basis.

Ben is currently the 11PM producer at WHNS. The newscast launched in April 2012, competing head-to-head with other local shows that have been on the air for decades. In just a few months, Mr. Blanton has helped build a dedicated audience for FOX Carolina in the time slot by offering viewers a fresh alternative for late news through a compelling, fast-paced format.

Proficient in Avid iNews, Avid Interplay and Microsoft Office, Ben is also a regular contributor to the station’s award-winning website, FOXCarolina.com, where he frequently posts both print and video content. Mr. Blanton also utilizes FOX Carolina’s social media platforms to drive traffic to both site and screen.

When he’s not in the newsroom, Ben Blanton prefers to be outdoors—enjoying the beauty of nature through hiking and backpacking. With the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains right in his backyard, Ben loves spending weekends exploring the countless trails in the upstate of South Carolina and in western North Carolina.

Ben Blanton is also active in the Greenville, South Carolina community, teaching a weekly English class for non-native speakers at the Greenville Literacy Association. Ben works with students from all over the world, including Vietnam, China, Mexico, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Spain, Iran, Palestine, and Myanmar.

Online news writing samples

 * "Nurse accused of practicing without license for 27 years" by Ben Blanton, WHNS producer
 * "Report: Greenville has best tasting tap water in the nation" by Ben Blanton, producer at WHNS-TV
 * "Plant expansion to create new jobs in Greenville County" by Ben Blanton, WHNS producer
 * "Mauldin to honor CWS star Scott Wingo" by Ben Blanton WHNS news producer
 * "Man throws bag of stolen items at store employees" by Ben Blanton, producer at WHNS-TV
 * "Charter School program director arrested" by Ben Blanton, WHNS news producer
 * "Upstate officers stage hostage drills" by Ben Blanton, WHNS FOX Carolina producer
 * "Spartanburg street named for legendary Beacon employee" by Ben Blanton FOX Carolina news producer
 * "Deputies: Mother, son safe after false kidnapping report" by Ben Blanton FOX Carolina producer
 * "Greenville library system now offering e-books" by Ben Blanton FOX Carolina (WHNS)