In this episode, Daralyse and Emily welcome the Beacon’s newest teammate, Ben Bennett, our first full-time staff reporter. Ben talks about how he went from writing movie reviews in high school to discovering his love for hyperlocal journalism at WHYY — and why the Beacon immediately felt like the right fit.

With thirteen school districts and endless meetings, Bucks County desperately needed someone who could focus on Lower Bucks education, and Ben is already diving in. He explains what it means to build an education beat from scratch: showing up, listening, earning trust, and connecting the dots between local decisions and bigger national trends.

The conversation also touches on objectivity, opinion, and the art of writing voter guides that help people make informed choices without nudging them in any particular direction. Daralyse talks about mission-driven journalism, Emily reflects on her long-standing commitment to civic engagement (plus one campaign mailer she regrets), and Ben says he’s excited to help build something meaningful from the ground up.

To learn more about how Ben came to work for the Beacon (supported by a grant from Report for America), read Bucks County Beacon Welcomes Ben Bennett as Report for America Corps Member - Bucks County Beacon

And, if you have a story tip, email Ben at ben@buckscountybeacon.com.

If you want to support our work financially, visit buckscountybeacon.com and click “Support the Beacon.”