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
Newlyweds celebrate Pride-themed weddings inside SF City Hall as parade preparations underway
On Friday in San Francisco, hundreds of newlyweds began the next chapter of their love story at City Hall. As they got married inside, Pride preparations were also underway outside of City Hall to prepare for one of the city's biggest weekends.
Oakland could soon face fines for illegally docked boats in estuary as efforts to clear it underway
It's been a years-long mess in the Oakland Estuary, and soon the city will be on the clock to clean it up. The Bay Conservation and Development Commission is preparing a notice of violation against the city. It's the first step in an enforcement process that can result in fines.
Camp staffer charged after allegedly sexually assaulting 11-year-old girl in UC Berkeley dorm
Court documents show disturbing details alleging a 27-year-old staffer at a camp on the UC Berkeley campus, which is not run by the university, entered a dorm room twice overnight Saturday and sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl multiple times.
Napa climber is the 1st Puerto Rican woman to summit Mount Everest
Nicole Santiago of Napa made history by becoming the first woman from Puerto Rico to summit the tallest mountain on Earth. She spoke with ABC7 about her journey, reaching the Everest summit on May 20 after weeks of extreme climbing and months of preparation.
Teen killed, 11-year-old among 3 injured in shooting after Fairfield school graduation, police say
A high school graduation celebration turned deadly Wednesday night when gunfire erupted at a ceremony, leaving one teenager dead and three others injured, including an 11-year-old, authorities said.
San Francisco police officer, robbery suspect injured in shootout after pursuit
San Francisco police say a female officer was shot following an attempted traffic stop and chase late Sunday night, but is expected to recover. The passenger in the suspect vehicle was also injured and is in critical condition.
San Francisco landlord pleads not guilty in connection of shooting death of tenant
A landlord and retired dentist accused of fatally killing his own tenant in San Francisco's Outer Sunset neighborhood two weeks ago went before a judge Friday to answer to murder charges. In court, 68-year-old Philippe Chagniot entered a not guilty plea.
Final bell rings for 5 San Jose elementary schools permanently closing
It was the end of an era Friday for several schools in the San Jose Unified School District, as teachers and students entered classrooms for the final time before multiple campuses permanently close.
Los Gatos mom sentenced to nearly 36 years for hosting drunken teen sex parties: 'I am ashamed'
Shannon O'Connor, a Los Gatos mother convicted for hosting drunken sex parties involving teenagers, has received the maximum sentence. She apologized to the victims and their families following several days of their emotional statements, detailing profound, lasting impacts.
DHS considering plans to stop customs processing at sanctuary city airports, including SFO: Mullin
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Fox News the department is considering a plan to halt customs processing for international travelers at airports in sanctuary cities, a threat that could cripple SFO and the Bay Area economy.