Zach Fuentes
I come from a very diverse background and was taught at an early age just how important freedom of the press is. My dad is Afro-Cuban, coming to this country from Communist Cuba. My mother is Puerto Rican and Irish, and raised by my Italian-American grandfather. I was born and largely grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada with a lot of other kids from similar, diverse backgrounds. Through that my interest in people and other cultures was born!
When I was a teenager, my parents moved us to a town about an hour away from Vegas called Pahrump. At the time, leaving a big city for a small one was not easy for me but it led to my first job in broadcasting as a teenager at a very small TV station.
My time at KPVM started as a summer volunteer position, answering phones and doing other tasks that no one else wanted to do! It was there that I discovered I could be paid to go places, write, meet new people and talk! Most of all, I saw firsthand, the critical role journalists play in informing people and holding those in power accountable. I decided journalism was for me and went back to Vegas to pursue my degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During my time in college and after, I worked at the Las Vegas ABC affiliate both in front of and behind the camera.
After that, California called and I gladly answered! I worked at KION in Monterey-Salinas as an anchor/reporter and most recently at KXTV in Sacramento. While there I covered COVID from the beginning, the protests following George Floyd's murder, the state's EDD crisis, and wildfires. They were heavy times for the community but also an opportunity to showcase the true strength people have when coming together.
I am so grateful to work from the South Bay bureau, continuing to tell stories of diverse people, and important events. Feel free to shoot me an zach.j.fuentes@abc.com and connect with me on social media to send story ideas, or, just say hi!
Zach's Stories
CA gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell denies 'false' accusations of inappropriate behavior
With California's primary election weeks away, Eric Swalwell has addressed accusations of inappropriate behavior with female staffers, denying the reports as his campaign says he's being targeted because he's a frontrunner in the race.
SF names new Department of Homelessness director as city faces $643 million deficit
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the appointment of Mike Levine as the new executive director of the city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, a move city leaders say comes at a critical moment in addressing homelessness. Levine will take over the department as the current director, Shireen McSpadden, prepares to retire at the end of June.
San Mateo Co. demands $157 million from CA in vehicle license fee revenue
Officials say the money supports essential services, including police and fire departments, rental assistance, services for unhoused residents, after-school programs and infrastructure repairs such as potholes. Without it, leaders warn, the county could be forced to scale back.
Here's how San Francisco's new Sunset supervisor is pushing for more parking
San Francisco's Sunset parking situation is dire, and the city's newest supervisor has come up with "a win-win solution" that he feels is sure to succeed: turning existing street spaces into angled or 90-degree parking.
Santa Cruz Mountain communities woken up to 4.6 earthquake, felt throughout Bay Area
The epicenter was in Brookdale, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. ABC7 Eyewitness News viewers from across the Bay Area felt the shaking and were woken up from the early morning earthquake.
East San Jose's Regional Medical Center marks 1 year since restoring trauma care
East San Jose's Regional Medical Center is marking one year since trauma services were restored at the hospital, a milestone community members and health officials say has already saved lives.
2 dead in fiery crash at Travis Air Force Base after leading Napa Co. deputies on chase: sheriff
Two people are dead after a pursuit overnight Tuesday that began in Napa County and ended in a fiery crash at the entrance to the Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, authorities say.
Oakley father accidentally shoots 5-year-old son in chest while cleaning AR-15-style rifle: police
A 5-year-old boy is expected to recover after Oakley police say he was shot in the chest by his father, who allegedly accidentally pulled the trigger of an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle while cleaning it.
Parents furious after San Jose Unified board votes to close 5 elementary schools
Parents packed the school board meeting. The overwhelming majority of them fiercely opposed to the board's decision and feeling like their voices have been ignored. "They're disgusting. This has been an absolutely disgusting process," said Travis Curran, a SJUSD parent.
H Mart opens first East Bay location to eager crowds after years of wait
The grand opening of H Mart in Dublin has generated quite a buzz with huge crowds of shoppers, eagerly lining up before sunrise to be the first ones through the door. The long-awaited cult-favorite grocery chain location features a giant food hall and endless aisles of Korean products.
