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
North Bay school rallies against district cutting contracts for Black student program leaders
The Tamalpais High School community came out in big numbers to voice concerns over a controversial decision to cut the contract for the "Black Student Success Support Team," which was costing the district $250,000.
Here's a look at controversial San Jose shelter plan for unhoused ahead of next week's budget vote
San Jose is days away from voting on a controversial shelter initiative proposal from Mayor Matt Mahan. Leaders and business owners say they support it, but not everyone thinks it's the best way to solve the homelessness crisis.
VTA workers approve new contract to raise wages and improve benefits, ending months-long conflict
VTA workers have voted 'Yes' on the latest contract proposal after almost three months of negotiations that included a historic strike that shut down VTA service for weeks.
'Another blow': Bay Area advocates react to Supreme Court immigration parole ruling
Bay Area immigrant rights groups say the ruling will have ripple effects and raises questions about what legal protections remain for those who had received parole.
5 Metro by T-Mobile stores face civil lawsuit from Santa Clara Co.
Investigators say some workers were as young as 14, working long hours without permits, overtime pay, or breaks. County officials say the workers were paid in cash without records, violating wage laws and state oversight.
High density of smoke shops in East San Jose pushes plan for temporary moratorium
An assessment found that East San Jose has more smoke shops than anywhere else in Santa Clara County, with six per square mile, sparking a push from elected officials to cut back.
Victim in 1981 San Jose cold case murder identified; authorities looking for her killer
More than 40 years ago, San Jose police found a dismembered torso of a woman, killed by multiple stab wounds. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office identified the victim as Vivian Moss. And now, they're hoping to find out who killed her.
What is the timeline for repairs to the partially collapsed Santa Cruz Wharf?
Aftermath of the December collapse that sent more than 180 feet of the Santa Cruz Wharf into the ocean could still be seen Memorial Day weekend, with many tourists seeing the damage for the first time. Here's when repair construction could start.
2 killed in head-on Highway 4 crash in Contra Costa Co. that caused EV fire
Two drivers were killed following a head-on collision Wednesday night near Brentwood that created a dangerous battery fire in one of the electric vehicles and blocked all lanes on Highway 4, the CHP said.
BART's Green Line service down as impacts continue from fire at San Leandro station
While some disruptions continue, BART says full service to all 50 stations resumed Wednesday morning after they made repairs and tested equipment and the track following the fire that shut down three major lines.