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
San Mateo Co. supervisors move to let voters decide on Sheriff Christina Corpus's future
The board introduced the ordinance that will bring the decision to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus to San Mateo County voters in March.
San Jose announces 4,000-home 'net zero' community proposed for downtown using data center power
A 4,000-home "net zero" community powered by data centers has been proposed for San Jose's downtown area, helping to lower the power bill and divert generated heat to homes and businesses. Here's how it would work:
Warriors unveil new City Edition uniforms, paying homage to Golden Gate Bridge
The intricate designs representing the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen up and down the new Golden State Warriors City Edition uniforms. Here's a look.
Here's when to get vaccinated for best protection against COVID, flu, RSV for holidays
The holidays are fast approaching along with cooler weather and various respiratory illnesses. Here's when to get your vaccinations by to be best protected.
Unhoused man's nativity scene in San Jose swept up by Caltrans crews
Miguel Maruyama set up a nativity scene for the holidays after cleaning up the trash-filled area near the San Jose freeway, but Friday morning, it was taken down by Caltrans crews. Now, he and his special needs son say they're left with next to nothing.
South Bay activists, leaders show united support for immigrant communities in wake of election
The coalition of organizations and local government leaders in the South Bay say they're continuing to organize to support the local immigrant community--a community they say is filled with fear after the election.
Pilot of small plane details scary emergency landing on Highway 85 in South Bay
"I turned on all of my lights, the cars started to separate, there were a couple of high-speed Porsche SUVs heading my way playing chicken and I was rocking my wings to try and get everyone's attention and I had to put it down. Stuck the landing."
Ofrendas honor organ donors in South Bay amid effort to encourage more Latinos to register
Families around the world honored Dia de los Muertos this week. While some families in the South Bay are coping with loss, they're also celebrating new life.
'Critically important' National Semiconductor Technology Center coming to Bay Area, Newsom announces
California, more specifically Sunnyvale, has been selected as the headquarters for the facility with the goal of ramping up America's ability to design, develop and manufacture semiconductors.
San Jose neighbors launch recall campaign to oust councilmember Omar Torres amid allegations
Neighbors and business owners are launching a recall campaign against San Jose city councilmember Omar Torres. He is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor, but has refused to resign.