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
California Dems gather in San Francisco to shape 2026 governor’s race, midterm strategy
California Democrats head into the weekend with a packed agenda — from narrowing a crowded field of gubernatorial candidates to preparing for the upcoming midterm elections.
San Francisco city attorney raises concerns over plans for 'RESET' center
San Francisco is planning its latest approach to battle the drug crisis with a new RESEST center that is an alternative to jail for people who use drugs openly on the streets. But the city attorney has raised some concerns with the program.
CSU maintenance workers on strike across 22 campuses
Unionized workers across the California State University system on Tuesday launched a four-day strike, saying they are seeking wage increases and salary steps they were promised.
San Francisco Unified teacher strike: Classes canceled on Friday
Classes will be canceled on Friday at all San Francisco Unified School District schools as the teachers' strike continues, officials say.
San Francisco teachers strike: Schools will be closed Wednesday as negotiations continue
The second day of the teachers strike continued in San Francisco on Tuesday with teachers asking for a 9% raise and fully covered family health care. Here's the latest.
Super Bowl Experience coming to San Francisco
Super Bowl LX Is still more than a week away, but work is underway to prepare for the big game and the crowds it will draw to San Francisco.
Vigil to honor Grandpa Vicha, as jury revisits case
A vigil is being held Wednesday night in San Francisco for Vicha Ratanapakdee, also known to many as Grandpa Vicha, the 84-year-old man who was shoved to the ground and killed, five years ago. Meanwhile, a jury decided on aggravating factors that could add to the defendant's sentence in the related criminal case.
Mountain lion in San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood released to wild
A young male mountain lion was spotted in San Francisco and eluded animal control officers for hours, while simultaneously captivating a human audience – watching online and in person – for more than a day.
Rally for local man to avoid ICE detention
Immigration activists rallied today in San Francisco. Organizers say local issues and immigration enforcement in Minneapolis are all part of a broad pattern of abuse.