Ben Bradford
Former State Government Reporter
Ben Bradford is a city mutt, who has lived in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., the Bay Area and most recently Charlotte, North Carolina.
Before entering journalism, he did stints as a bartender, actor, undersized bouncer, stuntman, viral marketer and press secretary to a Member of Congress.
Deciding he would rather explain and examine the political system than serve it, Ben entered the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism to be a newspaperman and quickly found himself in public radio.
He sold his second-ever radio story to WNYC, and his third to NPR.
For WFAE in Charlotte, he covered the arrest and resignation of mayor Patrick Cannon for public corruption, the removal of the confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse, the Duke Energy coal ash spill, and how cities find sister cities (it’s a lot like dating).
He won the 2014 national Edward R. Murrow award for hard news reporting.
As the State Government Reporter, Ben covered California politics, policy and the interaction between the two.
Lawmakers Approve Releasing Police Video 45 Days After An Officer Shooting
August 31, 2018
Two measures passed by the Legislature late Friday night would require the release of body camera footage and records related to shootings and deadly use-of-force incidents.
California Lawmakers Pass Net Neutrality Rules, Sending Bill To Governor
August 31, 2018
Gov. Jerry Brown will decide whether California should create the nation's strongest net neutrality rules, defying the Trump administration.
California Lawmaker Reprimanded For Giving Woman A ‘Noogie' During A Photo
August 31, 2018
An outside investigation found that Republican state Sen. John Moorlach put a woman into a headlock and gave her a noogie at a Republican caucus reception. It also found that the lawmaker has given others noogies.
California’s 2017-18 Legislative Session Is Over. Find Out What Laws Passed And Failed Here.
August 31, 2018
On Friday, California lawmakers have sent state net neutrality rules to Gov. Jerry Brown and approved a bill delaying school start times, but didn't vote on bills providing clean drinking water or banning gay conversation therapy.
California Assembly Approves 100 Percent Renewable Energy Goal
August 28, 2018
It would be the fourth major augmentation to California’s climate change policies in four years.
New Firearm Restrictions Passed By California Lawmakers
August 27, 2018
Senate Bill 1177 would extend a one-purchase-per-month restriction to rifles and long guns. Assembly Bill 2103 would require an eight-hour training class for people applying for concealed-carry permits.
New Bill Would Give California Voters A Second Chance To Match Ballot’s Signature To One On File
August 27, 2018
The measure would require that county election officials notify a voter if their signature on the mail-in ballot does not match the one on file. Voters would have two days before the election results are certified to return a valid signature.
Cost Of Wildfires Could Get Passed On Under California Lawmakers’ New Proposal
August 24, 2018
California lawmakers have released a new proposal to improve the state’s preparedness and response to wildfires — and to soften the financial cost of those fires on electric utilities.
California Legislature Approves Ban On Paying Ballot Initiative Signature-Gatherers By Each Voter Signature
August 23, 2018
The California Legislature has passed what would be a major change to the state’s initiative process. A measure on its way to Governor Jerry Brown would ban paying initiative signature-gatherers for each voter signature they collect.
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California Net Neutrality Measure Advances, As Firefighters Complain Of Throttling
August 22, 2018
An effort in California to impose net neutrality through state legislation passed a key vote Wednesday, two days after the Santa Clara County Fire Department complained of Verizon throttling its data.