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
Evan Low beats Joe Simitian for 2nd place, will face Sam Liccardo in District 16 congressional race
EVERY VOTE COUNTS: The recount process is now finished in the contentious District 16 congressional race following a tie for who would face the first place finisher, Sam Liccardo, this November. Evan Low beat Joe Simitian by only FIVE votes.
Pro-Palestinian student protesters at Stanford could face disciplinary action for encampments
Pro-Palestinian protests are continuing at Bay Area universities, despite arrests at other campuses across the country. While there haven't been mass arrests reported locally, students at Stanford say the university is threatening discipline in a vague way.
Stanford protests continue as university's Admit Weekend kicks off for incoming students
Organizers said they are aligned with other schools across the country demanding that Stanford separate itself from any companies or organizations that are advancing military efforts in the Israel-Hamas war.
Speed may have played role in Pleasanton crash that killed family of 4, police say
Pleasanton police say speed may have been a factor in a crash that killed a family of four. The car appears to have lost control and collided with a large oak tree.
Family of 4, including 2 kids, killed in Pleasanton crash on Foothill Road, police say
Police said that one car was involved in the crash that claimed the lives of the family of four, which happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday on Foothill Road near Stoneridge Drive.
CA's District 16 congressional race nears end on unusual ballot recount
The recount process is winding down in the Silicon Valley congressional race that ended in a tie. Three candidates are moving on to the general election unless the recount finds different results.
Sale of late South Bay teacher's sneaker collection to fund San Jose State University scholarship
A beloved South Bay teacher known for her fierce dedication to students is still giving back to her community, even after her unexpected death.
Here's how much a recount costs in tied District 16 congressional race and who requested it
The recount process started Monday in the Silicon Valley congressional race that ended in a tie for second place between Evan Low and Joe Simitian. It's expected to take a week or two but at a costly price tag.
Dangerous disease-spreading mosquitoes detected in Santa Clara County
The invasive mosquito was found in the East San Jose foothills. Residents in the area are being asked to dump standing water on their properties so that the mosquito can't breed.
Eclipse 2024: Stargazers flock to Bay Area watch parties for rare celestial event
Sold-out eclipse viewing parties at several locations around the Bay Area offered livestreams of the total eclipse from other parts of the country.