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
VTA riders feel grateful for return of bus service after struggling during strike shutdown
Riders in the South Bay felt a "wave of relief" Friday as VTA restarted its bus service after a three-week shutdown during the strike which "was quite problematic" to many South Bay residents.
VTA bus service to resume Friday, light rail delayed due to alleged copper wire theft
VTA says light rail services will be delayed as they make repairs after alleged copper wire thefts on the Green Line.
Judge sides with VTA, orders union workers strike to end; partial service resumes Friday
The judge ultimately issued the injunction saying the workers can no longer strike, but did not rule on a new contract between the union and VTA.
Judge to decide whether to end VTA workers union strike
The weeks-long VTA strike is heading to court Wednesday where a judge will decide the fate of the transit agency and its striking workers.
'Taking apart our democracy': Anti-Elon Musk protestors march to SJ Tesla showroom
The rally and march at Santana Row were part of a statewide action that started in San Diego earlier this week, to send a message to Elon Musk and his supporters in Washington.
South Bay community calls out Islamophobia after alleged assault of elderly Muslim person
"As they exited the building, they were confronted by a man who verbally assaulted several of them and then battered an elderly member. In doing so, he expressed his hate for Muslims and Palestinians," said an executive director of CAIR, describing an incident that happened in Morgan Hill after a Ramadan celebration.
NVIDIA CEO debuts latest in robotics at Silicon Valley conference: Here's a look
Big news and impressive technology announced Tuesday at NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference in San Jose. CEO Jensen Huang announced the first open humanoid robot foundation model along with simulation frameworks to speed robot development.
NVIDIA conference and St. Patrick's Day boost downtown San Jose foot traffic
Downtown San Jose business owners and vendors say global visitors like that along with locals coming for St. Patrick's Day are expected to bring in a very welcome boost.
World's largest digital camera created in the Bay Area installed in Chile: Here's a look
The world's largest digital camera made in the Bay Area has now been installed in Chile. The camera is the size of a car and could unlock new views of the universe.
San Jose leaders push to crack down on 'vanlords' exploiting the unhoused
San Jose city leaders say "vanlords" are illegally renting substandard RVs to the unhoused, letting them live in poor conditions while charging them high prices.