Ben Handelman
It is a dream to be able to tell the stories of Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin. Since joining the FOX6 News team in April 2011, I have traveled across the state and the country as an anchor/reporter for Wisconsin’s largest newsroom.
I am proud to call Milwaukee’s east side my home. My journey here brought me out of the woods of Connecticut, and through some of our country’s largest farm fields in Illinois before finding a home in the brew city!
I grew up in northwest Connecticut and graduated from Quinnipiac University (GO BOBCATS!). A desire to be a professional storyteller helped me land my first job at ABC affiliate WICS in Springfield, Illinois. I was promoted and sent to sister station WICD in Champaign, Illinois where I met my wife. At the time she was a reporter for the competition. I’m happy to say Ashley Sears and I found a way to be on the same team when we both moved to Milwaukee to work at FOX6! We enjoy working together a lot better than against each other.
Here in Milwaukee, I have anchored and reported on every newscast from morning to night. Currently, I can be found anchoring weekend evening newscasts and reporting for FOX6 news at nine and ten throughout the week. In my time here I’ve covered some of Wisconsin’s biggest stories from the Sikh Temple and Azana Salon shootings to the unrest in Sherman Park in 2016. I’ve walked with Brett Favre during his return to Lambeau Field and helped push cars stuck in the snow during several Wisconsin winters.
I’ve been sent across the country where I’ve seen the destruction of an F-5 tornado in Oklahoma and the heartbreak left behind following the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. In Dallas, I saw the resilience of officers who had to head back to work after five of their coworkers were killed, and have stood feet away from Air Force One for two different presidents.
My work has received recognition from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association, Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, and the Milwaukee Press Club.
In Milwaukee, you can often find Ashley and me jogging along the lakefront or attending one of the million festivals in our great home city. In 2016, I started a goofy boat blog to share pictures of Milwaukee’s vibrant shipping industry (bigboatsmke.com). I am on a lifetime journey to sample as much Mexican food as I can find. I am always looking for story ideas or recommendations for my next adventure.
Feel free to reach out ben.handelman@fox.com. Let’s connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The latest from Ben Handelman
Wisconsin EV charging network; bill could unlock $78M in funds
A Wisconsin bill that could make a statewide EV rapid charging station network possible is now on Gov. Tony Evers' desk.
Wisconsin teen's duck calls are taking flight
John Vail from Trempealeu is hopeful his outdoor outfitter business that centers around his custom duck calls is about to bring in an impressive haul.
Wisconsin teen's business may sew up $10,000
It's a skill that calls for precision. With a needle and thread, you can make just about anything. Simply ask 16-year-old Kaylee Lamers.
Franklin teen creates keyboard of the future
A Franklin teen's attempts to redesign something that has stayed pretty constant for the past half century has now earned him a chance at a $10,000 scholarship.
Kohler boy's candy business is sweet as can be
Truman McNitt is not just a fan of sweets, but his sugar-induced creations have landed him on an exclusive list as a finalist for Junior Achievement’s Young Entrepreneur Live competition.
Wisconsin college student hopes new app will catch fire
Middleton native Michael Mounajjed is hoping to wow some new investors.
Brewers spring training: Wisconsin boys receive unforgettable day
If spring training is where dreams are made, count on it being mission accomplished for three kids from Wisconsin.
2024 Brewers spring training; autographs sought by baseball fans
The Brewers are in Arizona for spring training and if there's one thing fans are excited for, it's the autographs. Fans and players give their perspectives.
Open Record: The CurderBurger
What started as a joke becomes reality for a Wisconsin-based restaurant chain.
Open Record: Range Anxiety
An old state law is threatening Wisconsin's plan to solve the lack of high-speed chargers for electric vehicles.