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
July 31, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Local
As KCPD chief retires, leaders point to record on transparency, homicide rate
July 30, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Local
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves explains retirement. What's next for KCPD?
Updated July 30, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Local
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves announces plan to retire
Updated July 30, 2026 at 11:49 AM

Local
Wyandotte County judge mishandled pleas, berated attorneys in court: complaint
July 29, 2026 at 8:47 AM

Local
Former Independence officer in Pike shooting sues city over return-to-duty
July 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM
University of Kansas
KU basketball’s Melvin Council sues NCAA for additional year of eligibility
July 27, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Chiefs
‘Like out of a movie.’ Eric Bieniemy neighbor describes police response to shooting
Updated July 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Chiefs
Chiefs coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s wife shot in Virginia home, son arrested
Updated July 27, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Government & Politics
Man behind state’s discrimination case against KC was convicted of bribery, conspiracy
Updated July 24, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Local
Manny Abarca, voted out as chair, touts wins and recommits to political future
July 21, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Government & Politics
Democratic candidates for Jackson County exec say allegations could erode public trust
Updated July 21, 2026 at 4:09 PM