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
Community mourns death of 15-year-old high school student hit and killed in San Jose
The person hit by a car just before 1 a.m. Wednesday has been identified as Justin Estira, a 15-year-old Willow Glen High School student.
South Bay authorities detail how deadly crime spree unfolded, say suspect was on probation
The suspect is in Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of the various crimes, and was on active probation at the time, with several felony and misdemeanor convictions on his record, police said.
Drag storytime returns to South Bay bookstore after hecklers disrupted 2022 event
In the City of Campbell, triumphant progress was made inside the doors of a local bookstore in a tale of drag storytime resilience.
Leaders in AI concerned tech could cause risk of 'human extinction'
"We become very dependent on them and we're completely subject to them always doing our bidding. If they turn in another direction or pursue something else, then we would be powerless to correct it."
Seacliff State Beach in Santa Cruz County reopens after repairing storm damages
One of the most popular beachfront parks in Santa Cruz County is open for visitors this Holiday weekend -- months after being ravaged by winter storms.
Bay Area food banks experiencing critical volunteer shortage despite higher need
"People are shocked to realize that we're serving, at this point, as many people as we were at the peak of the pandemic - because it seems like the crisis is over, but the crisis is far from over for low-income people," said Tracy Weatherby with the Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.
World's largest semiconductor tech site being built in SF Bay Area, says VP Kamala Harris
In an effort to encourage more production of semiconductor chips in the U.S., VP Kamala Harris announced a new semiconductor research and development facility is set to be built by early 2026.
NFL owners set to OK 49ers' Levi's Stadium as host of Super Bowl 60 in 2026
This would bring the Super Bowl back to Levi's Stadium for the first time since the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 in 2016.
Class action lawsuit against Wells Fargo gets support from former SF mayor, civil rights attorney
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump announced their support in front of the San Francisco Federal Courthouse where the lawsuit is filed.
South Bay officials, nonprofits formulate plans to welcome migrants as Title 42 ends
It's still unknown how many may come to Santa Clara County as a result of Title 42 ending, but preparations for an influx are underway.