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
San Francisco chooses new name for Cesar Chavez Street, honoring female farmworkers
The push to rename the Mission District thoroughfare follows allegations that labor leader Cesar Chavez sexually assaulted women decades ago.
ICE confirms SoMa arrest of previously deported man after video shows agent drawing gun
Following the arrest of a man swarmed by armed tactical officers and plainclothes agents in San Francisco, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Tuesday that its officers carried out the operation.
New San Francisco police drone guidelines don't protect privacy enough, some say
San Francisco's Police Commission voted on Wednesday to approve new rules governing the use of police drones, but some say the new rules don't go far enough to protect San Franciscans' privacy.
SF bar owner charged after allegedly attacking man with baseball bat over parking dispute
A well-known San Francisco bar owner is behind bars after allegedly assaulting a man following an argument over a parking space.
Social workers call for new safety measures following stabbing death of colleague
Social workers in San Francisco on Wednesday held a vigil to demand safer working conditions, following the stabbing death of a colleague last year.
Mountain lion tranquilized, captured in SF's Outer Sunset
San Francisco Animal Care and Control officers on Friday morning tranquilized and captured a mountain lion that had made its way into the city’s Outer Sunset neighborhood.
Artificial intelligence debate top of mind for Salesforce Dreamforce attendees
The three-day Dreamforce conference is wrapping up in San Francisco, and the topic top of mind for attendees, guest speakers and hosts is artificial intelligence.
San Francisco unveils tenant protection plan as city rents spike over 25%
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, the Board of Supervisors and the City Attorney's office are all pulling together on a plan to help people who rent to stay in their homes.
Sea lion dies at San Francisco beach after possible poisoning from algae bloom
According to volunteers with the Marine Mammal Center, the sea lion likely developed domoic acid poisoning from algal blooms.
Golden Gate Bridge protesters receive their sentence
Seven protesters who were convicted last month of blocking the Golden Gate Bridge to protest aspects of the Israel-Hamas war, were sentenced to jail time and fines on Friday by a San Francisco judge.