Amanda del Castillo | ABC7 KGO News Team
Once upon a time, a 5-year-old girl from San Francisco's Excelsior District had dreams of becoming a TV news reporter.

With unwavering interest, she grew up and ventured to faraway lands seeking experience and wisdom. Years had passed, and apart from the lessons, she also found love. After all the time spent removed from home, she knew the Bay Area was where she was always meant to be.

So she returned home a TV news reporter. And in true Disney fashion, she lived happily ever after.

OK... enough with the third person! HA! Outside of the newsroom- my loving husband, my sweet son and daughter, and my entire, extended, large and loud Filipino family call the Bay Area HOME.

I'm a proud (former) Crocker-Amazon Tiny Tot, Epiphany Eagle, a Mercy SF Skipper, and a San Jose State Spartan! I graduated from SJSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism.

During my college graduation, the director of the program offered a piece of advice that I took to heart: "Remember, there's a life outside of California."

I joined the ABC7 News team as a freelance reporter in June 2018. In October 2018, I officially became a full-time reporter for the 11 p.m. news- with a focus on the South Bay. In March of 2023, I moved to ABC7 Mornings.

As a San Francisco native, I take such pride in local coverage and understand that responsibility. From Super Bowl LIV coverage to reporting on major regional tragedies like the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, the VTA shooting and Half Moon Bay shooting - I've not only been witness to celebration, but also the shock.

Before coming home, I was a resident of the Rocky Mountain region, working as a reporter in Denver, Colorado. I covered the Taylor Swift trial, the terribly cold winters, and other issues impacting one of the most beautiful states I've ever called home.

I won an Emmy Award for my contribution to the station's breaking news coverage on one of the most difficult assignments I've ever worked on as a journalist. In the early morning hours of New Year's Eve Day, a deputy down call turned deadly.

Before Denver, the industry took me to Waco, Texas where I worked as a weekend anchor and multi-media journalist. I did it all, reporting, editing, producing and anchoring. The Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Association was kind enough to award me for my reporting in Waco.

I covered developments stemming from the West Fertilizer Plant explosion, Twin Peaks biker shootout, and contributed to the station's live coverage on Baylor University's alleged sexual assault cases.

Going back even farther to my first on-air job- after college I moved to Casper, Wyoming. Fun fact: more people fit into Candlestick Park, than lived in the small city. While in Casper, I wore many hats. I reported, edited, produced and anchored. I fell in love with the "Cowboy State" and culture. I also fell in love with my husband, who worked at a competing station.

My wildest dream has come true. I'm back to where it all began.

I'm thrilled to be working among journalists I've admired my entire life. I'm grateful I get to tell stories about the people and places I'm so incredibly passionate about.

I'd love to tell your story. Feel free to reach out on X, Facebook or through email: Amanda.L.delcastillo@abc.com.

Amanda's Stories
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