Since our very first newscast,

Fox News at Nine has been the only local news department to cover

Las Cruces and Southern

New Mexico with reporters and photographers who live and work in the community. Based in our offices on East Idaho, Ben Swann and photographer George Cervantes cover stories throughout Southern New Mexico. Among his awards, Ben was honored with first place for overall News Reporting by the Southern New Mexico Press Club. And on President Bush's trip to Las Cruces, Ben was the only local television reporter to receive White House credentials to follow the President every step of the way.

If home is where the heart is, my heart will forever be here. Growing up in the Sun City, (a middle child of ten kids) I never really thought that home could be any other place. I went to school here, but left the southwest for the first time to attend Brigham Young University, "Go Cougars" where I earned my Bachelor's in Liberal Arts. I then attended C.S.U. Dominguez Hills where I earned my Master of Arts in the Humanities.

I first came to work for KFOX in the fall of 1998 to work as a Photojournalist. I had the distinct privilege of working with a tremendously talented group of reporters and photographers. I have always been very impressed with the quality of the news product here at KFOX, and the integrity with which it is produced.

I left KFOX during the summer of 1999 to serve as the Associate Pastor of a church in Portland, Oregon (yes, I am an ordained Reverend), but it wasn't long before I felt El Paso calling me back. I returned to the Sun City at the beginning of last year, and I couldn't be happier, home with my family, and with the award winning crew here at KFOX.

When I am not at the station, you can find me spending most my time with my wife and two baby daughters, who truly are the "loves of my life."

It's good to be home.

Awards

RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards

2003

Regional Award Breaking News Flash Floods: Tragedy and Heroism

2002

National Award - Continuing Coverage - Alexandra Flores

Regional Award - Continuing Coverage - Alexandra Flores

Texas Associated Press Broadcasters

2003

1st Place - Continuing Coverage - Brianna Lopez

1st Place Station/Breaking News Flash Floods: Tragedy and Heroism

New Mexico Associated Press

2003

2nd Place Breaking News Flash Floods: Tragedy and Heroism

2002

1st Place - Breaking News - Windstorm!

2nd Place - Continuing Coverage - Alexandra Flores

Houston Press Club

2003

2nd Place Station/Breaking News Flash Floods: Tragedy and Heroism

Southern New Mexico Press Club

2002

1st Place - News Reporting

1st Place - Sports Reporting - BMX Bike Theft