Christien Kafton
Christien has been reporting for KTVU since 2009. In his time at KTVU, he has worked every shift, from 4:30am working for "Mornings on 2" to the "Ten O'Clock News."
In his time at the station he has reported on hard-hitting stories including his Emmy-nominated reporting on the morning of the deadly Ghost Ship fire, and the Tubbs fire. Christien has also covered lighter human interest stories including the iconic Bay to Breakers, numerous San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors Championships.
Christien is a Bay Area native who grew up watching KTVU Channel 2 News when legendary anchor Dennis Richmond was on the anchor desk. Christien was born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley. He attended Maybeck High School, and UC Berkeley before leaving the state for graduate school at Northwestern University. His first reporting job took him to Plattsburgh, NY, from here he moved on to Toledo, OH and Phoenix AZ before returning to the Bay Area; first working at NBC Bay Area before joining the Channel 2 News team.
Christien currently heads up KTVU's San Francisco bureau covering stories from City Hall to Chase Center. When he's not working you're likely to find him riding his bike through Golden Gate Park with his family or on the baseball diamond, trying to keep up with his son.
The latest from Christien Kafton
Sanctuary cities brace for more ICE raids after Trump's latest threat
Leaders in some of the nation's largest cities are responding to the latest threat from President Trump to step up immigration enforcement in democratic strongholds.
San Francisco faith leaders remember those who died in ICE custody
Protests are only ramping up throughout the Bay Area opposing the recent increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.
San Francisco groups advocate against budget cuts
Now that San Francisco's mayor has delivered his budget proposal, the city is now grappling with the tough decisions ahead.
San Francisco's mayor pushes new plan to get RV residents into housing
San Francisco's mayor has launched a new plan aimed at clearing recreational vehicles from the city's streets. Mayor Daniel Lurie said the idea is to get people into housing. The mayor said this is part of his broader plan to get housing for the unhoused, including those living in recreational vehicles.
ICE strikes again: allegedly arrests 15 people, including children, in SF
At least 15 people, including a child as young as three, were reportedly arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in San Francisco on Wednesday, according to a statement from SF Supervisor Jackie Fielder.
Nintendo Switch 2 launch draws massive line to Union Square
Fans lined up outside the Union Square Nintendo Store on Wednesday, eager for the chance to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, the newest system from the gaming giant.
San Francisco's fire department seeking creative ways to fund new vehicles
San Francisco city leaders are working on new legislation to help firefighters begin replacing their aging fleet. Some of the vehicles are 50 years old.
San Francisco city workers prepare for likelihood of job cuts
San Francisco city workers are preparing for the likelihood of job cuts as the mayor prepares to deliver his budget proposal on Friday.
Nintendo store comes to San Francisco Union Square, 2nd in nation
Nintendo's second U.S. store opened its door to the public on Thursday in San Francisco, drawing visitors from all over the Golden State for its inaugural opening.
Man fatally shot near San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf
Tense moments unfolded near San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf on Wednesday when a man was fatally shot, and his alleged killer was arrested just blocks away.