Ben Wheeler is a Law Enforcement Watchdog Reporter. He predominately focuses on law enforcement accountability reporting for McClatchy. He graduated with a BA in Communications from Tennessee Technological University, and a Masters in Journalism from the University of Memphis. He joined McClatchy in 2025. He has ten years of experience in journalism.
He has worked for the last decade in various markets doing a variety of roles. He started out as a general assignment reporter in South Dakota at the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan, then his hometown paper the Herald-Citizen in Cookeville, TN. He then worked as an investigative reporter at The Daily Memphian in Memphis, before working as a digital director at ABC24 in Memphis, Tennessee. Outside of work, him and his wife have two cats and are enjoying checking out the new city.
LATEST FROM BEN WHEELER
Local
August 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Government & Politics
Executive Phil LeVota vowed to fix Jackson County. Now he’s part of its chaos
August 10, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Local
Jackson County executive apologizes for ‘stain’ on county, denies charges
Updated August 6, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Local
Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota indicted on federal bribery charges
Updated August 6, 2026 at 5:33 PM

Elections
Which counties voted down the Kansas Supreme Court amendment? See our interactive map
Updated August 6, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Elections
Every single Missouri county rejected Amendments 4 and 5. ‘Incredibly unpopular’
August 5, 2026 at 4:34 PM

Elections
Controversial Wyandotte County judge’s reelection bid too close to call
Updated August 5, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Local
Another KC area news outlet sues Independence for former police chief’s pay agreement
August 4, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Local
Lawsuit alleges KC police officers shot, killed man as he fled, cites video
August 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Local
Is controversial ex-police chief still working for Independence? Here’s what we know
Updated August 4, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Government & Politics
Jackson County legislator Abarca defends spending on Hawaii conference trip
Updated July 31, 2026 at 1:42 PM