Ben Stanfield
Anchor/Reporter
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Ben Stanfield anchors News Leader 9 Morning weekdays from 5-7 AM.
Ben joined the WTVM News Leader 9 team in February of 2020, and the spot on the anchor desk he holds now has strong sentimental value. Ben came in behind his longtime friend and Columbus TV legend, Chuck Leonard, who retired just a few months prior to his arrival. Ben will tell you it was a special opportunity to take the role he serves in now. He is from the Wiregrass in Southeast Alabama. He grew up in Dothan and lived there until making the 2020 move to work in the Chattahoochee Valley. He worked for Gray Television station WTVY-TV in Dothan as a news and sports anchor and later at WDHN-TV as an anchor and news director. He also does color commentary for ESPN 3 and ESPN+ broadcasts of Troy Trojans Football home games. His entire world revolves around his family. He’s the proudest dad you’ll ever meet to two girls. He’s married to Michelle, a rockstar school teacher. They have two dogs, poodles, Rosie & Pixie. Ben is not a cat person but now they are pet parents to a cat named Lucy.
Ben & Michelle both are graduates of Troy University, and he realized he had met his wife halfway through their first date at a now shuttered Quizno’s.
The Stanfield’s live in Auburn and are members of Auburn United Methodist Church. The morning commute gives Ben plenty of time to blast great 80s music en route to the WTVM Studios.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 11:17 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
They stand tall and somewhat awkwardly gazing over certain intersections in Phenix City. These poles aren’t like other poles. Instead, they’re waiting and watching, ready to snitch if you push it through the red light.
Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:05 AM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
The results can be deadly - and the chaos - wide reaching. Surprisingly, the penalties for this behavior are also light.
Updated: Oct. 13, 2022 at 5:14 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
The lockout at the Russell County WestRock Paper Mill continues while negotiations for a new contract between the United Steel Workers Unions (USW) have essentially come to an end. The stalemate comes down to pay for overtime hours for workers and the company’s offer to “purchase” those rights to overtime pay from them.
Updated: Jul. 19, 2022 at 5:55 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
The city council was split this morning over the issue but ultimately decided that the number for this year’s budget is too close for comfort.
Updated: Jul. 8, 2022 at 6:13 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
For Muscogee County seniors, a big step happened this morning when a senior center was reopened.
Updated: Jul. 8, 2022 at 10:25 AM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
The Auburn Knights Reunion is getting set to kick-off their annual festivities this weekend.
Updated: Jul. 4, 2022 at 6:55 AM EDT
|By Leonard Hall and Ben Stanfield
He vowed to continue making necessary decisions and working with public safety partners to avoid potential problems that can stem from overcrowding.
Updated: Jul. 1, 2022 at 8:11 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Fourth of July weekend brings a lot of fireworks, noise, fun and, for some, flashbacks.
Updated: Jun. 30, 2022 at 6:06 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Georgia Democrats are speaking out against Republican efforts to push through an abortion ban.
Updated: Jun. 17, 2022 at 12:34 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
If you’ve served in the military and are maybe at a crossroad trying to decide what to do next - there’s a targeted program statewide that helps veterans plant seeds for a new career.
Updated: Jun. 14, 2022 at 7:43 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
The pandemic hit volunteer efforts across the Columbus area hard - many people pulling back to avoid getting sick.
Updated: Jun. 13, 2022 at 1:21 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Columbus ranks as one of the least friendly cities in the nation for the LGBTQ population, according to a recent study.
Updated: Jun. 7, 2022 at 5:18 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
A Columbus couple has been viral on social media since Saturday.
Updated: Jun. 1, 2022 at 6:49 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Auburn kids rejoice! A project that’s a decade in the making is now wide open for the summertime, and it will impact generations.
Updated: May. 31, 2022 at 7:31 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
It runs like a machine - cranking out hundreds of meals each week. A soup kitchen in Opelika feeds the body and the soul in big numbers.
Updated: May. 25, 2022 at 5:49 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Governor Brian Kemp’s campaign shifts the focus now as they look forward to November.
Updated: May. 23, 2022 at 9:59 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
A few things to remember as you head to the polls on Tuesday, Georgia and Alabama both require a photo ID to vote.
Updated: May. 20, 2022 at 5:10 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Today is the last day for early voting in Georgia, and the push is on for many candidates ahead of the Tuesday primary.
Updated: May. 11, 2022 at 1:11 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
The Georgia State Senate seat currently held by Republican Senator Randy Robertson has two challengers from the Democrat side who are on the primary ballot.
Updated: May. 4, 2022 at 6:30 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
A business is being forced to close after a vote by the city council in Phenix City.
Updated: May. 3, 2022 at 8:51 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
President Joe Biden headed back to Washington, D.C., following his stop in Alabama.
Updated: Apr. 27, 2022 at 5:29 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
House of Heroes, an organization that helps veterans in need of home repairs in the Chattahoochee Valley, was back at it this morning, making a difference in the community.
Updated: Apr. 26, 2022 at 1:17 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
A Harris County senior's goal is to reach 10,000 shoe donations for Soles for Souls.
Updated: Apr. 25, 2022 at 10:27 AM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and Ben Stanfield
Smoke billowing over the peaceful skies of south Phenix City this Monday morning.
Updated: Apr. 21, 2022 at 8:47 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Young people in Russell County are making history for the area, and soon they will take their talents to our nation’s capitol.
Updated: Apr. 19, 2022 at 4:01 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
A local business owner in Phenix City could be shut down soon due to come code issues, specifically problems with oil on the ground.
Updated: Apr. 11, 2022 at 1:22 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says there are 400 felony-level cases that his office has forwarded to law enforcement in the state.
Updated: Apr. 7, 2022 at 4:59 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
An altercation between teen girls at a city park turned deadly last Thursday. Now, one is facing murder charges.
Updated: Apr. 4, 2022 at 6:46 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
A historic run came to an end today in Atlanta. Representative Calvin Smyre’s 48-year career has come to an end.
Updated: Apr. 1, 2022 at 5:19 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
A great weekend of events is ahead, and it all starts in Uptown Columbus this evening.
Updated: Mar. 30, 2022 at 7:15 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
After the reports of chaos in Panama City Beach, Florida, last weekend, their mayor wanted to share a message with our viewers.
Updated: Mar. 29, 2022 at 5:49 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
As Spring Break kicks into high gear with Muscogee County students out next week, could changes happen in Panama City Beach after a past weekend of significant challenges law enforcement faced?
Updated: Mar. 28, 2022 at 2:08 PM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and Ben Stanfield
Historic Westville has announced April events for the public to enjoy
Updated: Mar. 17, 2022 at 4:19 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
By now you’ve likely heard a lot of talk about a pay study for the Columbus Police Department, in order to become more competitive in recruiting efforts for new officers.
Updated: Mar. 16, 2022 at 6:33 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Thousand of people tuned in last night for the WTVM News Leader 9 Mayoral Debate.
Updated: Mar. 15, 2022 at 9:36 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
Are you making the trip to South Carolina to see the Auburn Tigers play this weekend?
Updated: Mar. 14, 2022 at 3:23 PM EDT
|By Ben Stanfield
The SEC Champion Auburn Tigers are heading to the NCAA Tournament this weekend - facing Jacksonville State on Friday.
Updated: Mar. 4, 2022 at 8:04 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
Welcome to March in Georgia and Alabama - where we get to experience every season, every day.
Updated: Mar. 4, 2022 at 11:46 AM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
The aftermath was a community’s worst nightmare: a school taking a direct hit from a powerful tornado and nine lives were lost.
Updated: Feb. 24, 2022 at 3:12 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
You’ve likely heard us mention the organization “ADECA” in a number of Alabama news stories. But do you know what this office does for the state and for newly elected officials in the state?
Updated: Feb. 23, 2022 at 8:51 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
The statistics are staggering. Five million infants in the United States live in poor and low income families. The poorest 20 percent of Americans spend nearly 14 percent of after-tax income on diapers.
Updated: Feb. 18, 2022 at 12:42 AM EST
|By WTVM Staff and Ben Stanfield
The $40+ million project to build a bridge over the train tracks is well underway.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2022 at 5:03 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
The discussion over murals in Auburn continues and there may be some progress for a process very soon.
Updated: Feb. 15, 2022 at 7:32 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
For now, a wooded area on Lakewood Drive will remain just that.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 at 8:26 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
Many relationships start online these days, but how do you know the person on the other end is legitimate?
Updated: Feb. 11, 2022 at 1:33 AM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
Five local hospitals are being penalized by Medicare and it’s going to cost them money as a result.
Updated: Feb. 9, 2022 at 6:28 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
The scammers threatening jail time if you don’t pay up.
Updated: Feb. 8, 2022 at 6:56 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
14-year-old Hagan Fredette is accused of murdering his father’s girlfriend in Sept. 2020.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2022 at 12:59 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield and Jessie Gibson
According to court documents, the trial for a father-son duo accused of murder was expected to start today. However an attorney says it probably won’t happen for a while.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2022 at 7:11 PM EST
|By Ben Stanfield
Two local organizations are facing cuts and they say this would cause major problems.
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