Anser Hassan
My journalism career began in Pleasanton, for the now defunct CTV30, covering the Tri-Valley cities of San Ramon, Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton. A prestigious, peer-nominated New York Times Minority Trainee opportunity took me to the Midwest to work in the Quad Cities region, reporting from both Illinois and Iowa. I also had the incredible opportunity (although brief) to serve as a national correspondent for the Black News Channel, until it went bankrupt in 2022.
I completed my undergraduate degrees, with honors, from San Francisco State University. My first degree is in TV-Radio News. My second degree is in International Relations, with a Middle East regional concentration, and an emphasis on Islamic political movements and Islamic feminism. My master's degree is in Comparative Political Economy from the London School of Economics. I studied and speak seven languages: Urdu, English, Saraiki, Punjabi, French, Hindi and Arabic.
My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Multan, Pakistan. I was born in Michigan, where my father was completing his doctorate degree. When I was two months old, my dad got a job in San Francisco. My family has been here ever since. I grew up in Danville, so covering the East Bay for ABC7 News is truly one of those full-circle moments.
My work has earned me several awards including an Emmy in 2021 for a Black Lives Matter protest, as well as national awards from the Radio Television and Digital News Association and the National Press Foundation for my coverage of the American-Muslim community. I have also been involved in programs to train foreign journalists; most recently in conjunction with the United States State Department, and another with the Media Diversity Institute in London.
Random notes about me: My favorite color is black. I have never drank coffee. I tried to be vegetarian - it didn't work, although I haven't eaten red meat since high school. If I wasn't a journalist, I would be a fitness trainer. I have traveled to 99 countries, which leaves 98 left to visit!
This gig has been a front row to history, having interviewed President Obama, President Bush, U.S. cabinet members and governors, along with other national and state politicians. There have been numerous professional athletes (yes, even some Olympians!), actors, Silicon Valley big wigs, amazing soccer moms, spelling bee champs, and Nobel Prize winners. I have been attacked at an anti-Muslim rally in Sacramento, spit on by White nationalists, and have talked with former Black-Panthers... you get the idea.
This job is not always easy. The working is grinding. A reporter must get as many sides to a story as possible, be factual, be resourceful and be responsible. But most nights I come home and think, "Wow! This is what I get to do every day?" And I wouldn't trade it for any other job.
Anser's Stories
Alameda County DA visits Union City Walmart to learn how store fights organized retail crime
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson toured the Union City Walmart on Tuesday to learn how the store is working to prevent organized retail crime, with the goal of helping the DA's office better prosecute those cases.
3 men sentenced after pleading guilty in 2021 fatal shooting of former SJ officer Kevin Nishita
One man has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison and two others to 25 years, after pleading guilty in the 2021 shooting death of retired SJPD officer Kevin Nishita. He was shot and killed in downtown Oakland while guarding a TV news crew.
East Bay police search for suspect in Vallejo killing as family seeks justice for young woman
"I found out through her friends... Was banging on the door and said my daughter is dead." A Vallejo family is demanding justice as police work to track down the suspect responsible for the deadly shooting of 21-year-old Demonie Whitehead.
Alameda Co. resolution seeks to block former Dublin prison to be used as ICE detention facility
This week, Alameda County will vote on a resolution to prevent the former Dublin women's prison from becoming an ICE detention facility. It comes a year after the Dublin City Council passed a resolution seeking to do the same.
5 homes damaged in San Leandro fire; no reports of injuries, officials say
Alameda County firefighters were quick to put out three-alarm house fire in San Leandro that spread to four other homes. Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire, but say wind may have played a role.
Oakland launches 1st-of-its-kind affordable housing project for teachers thanks to nonprofit
Oakland is launching a first-of-its-kind teacher housing project that many say could become a model for the rest of the country. It's an attempt to allow teachers to live in the communities where they work. It's all thanks in part to local nonprofit, The Oakland Fund.
Golden Gate Fields horse racetrack could become new East Bay waterfront park
Horse racing ended at Golden Gate Fields in 2024. The land is for sale. So, what comes next? Here's what to know about efforts to change it into a brand-new East Bay waterfront park.
TSA employees to get paid Monday following Pres. Trump directive as shutdown continues
Passengers traveling out of Oakland San Francisco Bay airport this weekend saw small lines and a few delays. But many still took precautions to come early. "Morale is really, really, low at Oakland airport right now, nationwide as well,' said a TSA officer.
'Ringleader' of Antioch PD text scandal sentenced to 4 years in prison after accepting plea deal
Eric Rombough, who was described as the "ringleader" and the "worst of the worst," took a plea deal and a lesser sentence to testify against two other officers, Morteza Amiri and Eric Wenger, who were also both convicted.
35-year-old Northern California man arrested in deadly stabbing in Lafayette, police say
Saturday's homicide inside a home in normally quiet Lafayette is a confirmed stabbing, police said. A 35-year-old man from Chico in Northern California has been arrested.
