Ben Dennis joined ABC 8News in January 2020.
At 8News, Ben’s reporting prompted a city investigation into a homeless shelter, called attention to fentanyl’s fatal grasp in Central Virginia and uncovered government financial handlings at the Richmond Police Department. He also broke news of arrival details for Afghan wartime allies and their families to a Virginia military base, during the turmoiled American troop withdrawal from the country.
Ben’s breaking news coverage has ranged from riots and protests following the death of George Floyd, to a surge of deadly gun violence and has included exclusive reporting on local leaders. Ben also uncovered exclusive disparities among Virginians during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has routinely reported on the removal of Confederate monuments.
Prior to reporting in Richmond, Ben worked at WUTR-TV Eyewitness News in Utica, NY. While in upstate New York, Ben exclusively reported child sexual exploitation efforts, discovered massive tax breaks granted in multi-million dollar economic development deals and followed unsanitary, and potentially sickening public water.
Ben studied print journalism at Penn State University’s Bellisario College of Communications, and interned at CNN’S ‘The Lead with Jake Tapper’ and NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press.’
Don’t be surprised if you bump into Ben at theatrical performances, find him humming pop hits or biking on Richmond’s streets.
