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
Fremont standoff over, suspect taken to hospital after barricading himself inside burning condo
A Fremont standoff in the Warm Springs neighborhood is over and the suspect is being taken to the hospital after barricading himself inside a burning condo Friday.
Google opens new Bay View campus in Mountain View
About 4,000 employees will soon work at the campus, which is next door to NASA's Ames Research Center.
San Jose records 9th, 10th homicides of the year less than 24 hours apart over weekend
By May 31 of last year, the city had seen 17 homicides. So far, homicides are trending down for the year, and police say they want it to stay that way.
Relatives charged following death of child during alleged exorcism at San Jose church, police say
San Jose police announced two new arrests in the death of a three-year-old girl.
Brandon Cuellar kidnapping: Suspects tried to take 3-month-old multiple times, DA says
The DA says the suspects attempted to kidnap 3-month-old Brandon at least three other times in the weeks before the actual kidnapping -- one suspect even once allegedly posed as a CPS worker.
SJSU students rally for more protection against sexual assaults: 'We have not seen much change'
It comes after a sex abuse scandal involving the university's former head athletic trainer and director of sports medicine.
SJPD officer accused of sexual misconduct while responding to call, report says
The allegation is serious, a source told the Bay Area News Group that a San Jose officer is accused of masturbating inside a family's home while on duty.
Tech billionaire gives Stanford $1.1 billion for new climate school
SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABILITY: Stanford's first new school in 70 years just got a major donation to find climate solutions.
Hollister's San Benito High named one of ESPN, Special Olympics' national banner schools
For more than a decade, they've put an extra focus on making sure all students can come together as one community.
1 of suspects in San Jose baby kidnapping not facing charges, police say
San Jose police announced that one of the three suspects arrested in the kidnapping of 3-month-old Brandon Cuellar will not be charged and was released from custody.