Lisa Fernandez
Lisa Fernandez is an old-fashioned newspaper reporter who works online in a TV station.
Lisa came to KTVU in 2017 and has worked in the Bay Area as a journalist for more than 30 years.
At KTVU, Lisa covers the sexual abuse scandal at the all-women's FCI Dublin prison, where she was chosen by the Society of Professional Journalists of Northern California in 2024 as the "Journalist of the Year," the in-custody deaths at Santa Rita Jail, and the federal oversight over the Oakland Police Department. She also covers breaking news, civil rights cases, immigration and education issues and actually loves doing a light feature.
Lisa truly believes that journalism can effect change, by letting the public know more about the world that they live in.
Lisa spent most of her career as a print reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, covering cops, city hall and religion. She's also worked at the LA Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, Reuters, NBC Bay Area, and the Democrat & Chronicle in Rochester, New York, where she is from.
She met her husband in 1995 when they were both young reporters at her first real journalism job: Bay City News in San Francisco.
Lisa loves to teach journalism and she has been an adjunct professor at San Jose State University. She has her master's degree in journalism from Medill at Northwestern University.
In her free time, Lisa volunteers with the Society of Professional Journalists at San Quentin Prison helping incarcerated men hone their writing and reporting skills, and she coaches high school seniors write their college essays.
She is also an exercise instructor, teaching spin, yoga, aqua and body sculpting classes.
Lisa lives in Oakland, Calif., with her husband. She has two adult children.
Have a story tip or idea for Lisa? Contact Lisa at lisa.fernandez@fox.com or (510) 874-0139.
The latest from Lisa Fernandez
Jury deadlocked in sex crime trial for FCI Dublin officer 'Dirty Dick'
Smith is the last of eight officers charged with sex crimes at FCI Dublin to either plead guilty or go to trial.
Newly released video and photos shed light on fatal Cybertruck crash in Piedmont
Newly released photos and videos from a fatal crash in Piedmont are shedding more light on the moments after three college sophomores riding in a Tesla Cybertruck died in a crash on the way home from a get-together with friends.
FCI Dublin officer 'Dirty Dick' will not take the stand, closing arguments
A former FCI Dublin correctional officer nicknamed “Dirty Dick” will not take the stand in his own defense, as closing arguments in his sexual abuse case are expected to take place on Monday in federal court.
How the Alameda County Fair lost a $5 million bet to save horse racing
The Alameda County Fairgrounds is now on the hook for $5 million in losses and the fate of horse racing in Northern California is now in doubt.
FCI Dublin union president testifies he 'hates dirty officers'
The FCI Dublin union president for prison guards testified that he "hates dirty officers." But over the years, sources have said that they believe he swept a lot of misconduct under the rug.
Alameda County supervisor says he doesn't want Wellpath to continue serving Santa Rita Jail
A community group presented an idea to some Alameda County supervisors on Thursday to end a contract with a private healthcare company that provides service to Santa Rita Jail and provide that service through Alameda County instead.
San Jose to pay $1.6M after K-9 bites man's neck for 1 minute
The city of San Jose has agreed to pay $1.6 million to a man who was accused of helping his girlfriend steal tequila and was then attacked by a police K-9 for one minute – the second highest K-9 award in the state of California.
California prisons' mental health programs put into rare receivership
A federal judge in Sacramento has put control of California prisons' mental health programs into a rare receivership, overseen by former Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters.
Major League Cricket bringing world's best players to Oakland Coliseum
Professional cricket is coming to the Oakland Coliseum this June, Bay Area politicians and cricket officials announced on Wednesday, as part of a revitalization of the stadium many had said was "left for dead."
Women attending FCI Dublin officer trial turn T-shirts around to avoid possible mistrial
A small group of women who were formerly incarcerated at FCI Dublin voluntarily turned their teal T-shirts around on Tuesday while attending the sexual assault trial of former correctional officer Darrell Wayne "Dirty Dick" Smith to avoid a possible mistrial.