Tom Vacar
After two years of freelancing while working full time in L.A., Tom became a full-time staff member of KTVU as Consumer Editor, in 1991.
Tom has covered every major disaster including earthquakes, wildfires, floods, levee breaks and droughts and has had a big hand in covering business, economics, consumer affairs, aerospace, space, the military, high technology, ports, logistics, airlines and general news.
Tom worked at KGO TV and KGO Radio from 1979-1985. He moved to KCBS-TV and KNX News Radio in 1985 before moving to KTTV in 1988.
Tom is originally from Salem, Ohio (a small industrial town of 11,000 people between Cleveland and Pittsburgh). He got his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Government at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio in 1972 as a designated Undergraduate Scholar. Tom got his Law Degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1978.
In his 31 years at KTVU, he calculates that he has covered 8,000 stories. For 18 years, KTVU was home to Tom’s syndicated Great American Toy Test (nominated for a national Emmy). He has covered many major disasters including the Caldor Fire in Lake Tahoe, the L.A. quake in 1994, the Napa Quake, the Great Recession, the Pandemic and the long drought.
Tom loves the diversity of the region’s people, cultures and ethnicities. That, he says, is what truly makes the Bay Area’s natural beauty even more beautiful.
Tom shoots still pictures, mostly of wildlife while traveling with his wife Sharon, a former SF Opera soprano who also worked as a producer for 17 years. He has also traveled to England, Italy, Japan, Honduras, Bahrain, British Virgin Islands, The Grenadines, St. Martin. Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Society Islands, Panama, etc.
The latest from Tom Vacar
Price recall supporters pushing for special election
The voters of Alameda County will have the opportunity this year to decide whether controversial District Attorney Pamela Price will remain in her position or be ousted, similar to the recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin almost two years ago.
Business owner goes on hunger strike over Valencia Street bike lane
A six-month trial of a new bike lane down the middle of San Francisco's Valencia Street is causing pain for businesses and worry for some cyclists as they maneuver in and out of the bike lane into traffic lanes.
San Francisco closing designated site for Mission street vendors
Illegal street vending in San Francisco heavily contributed to the city losing businesses whose merchandise became targets for thieves to resell, mainly on Mission Street and other locations.
Superblooms sprout bursts of colors around the Bay Area
As spring continues to unfold, between intermittent rains, wildflowers are eager to explode into a floral wonderland.
Secretary of Health comes to Oakland's Clinica de la Raza
The Secretary of Health, a native-born Californian through and through, came home to highlight the Biden Administration's healthcare investments.
Bay Area awed by rare solar eclipse
For millions of Americans, Monday's solar eclipse was the celestial event of their lives.
Oakland A's game day workers will likely lose jobs at end of season
Some office staff and game day workers for the Oakland Athletics have been informed they will likely lose their jobs at the end of the season due to the move to Sacramento, which requires a smaller staff.
Port of Oakland moves toward zero emissions
California's ports are receiving $1.2 billion to invest in newer, cleaner technology. That includes the Port of Oakland.
Travelers returning from Taiwan recount feeling 7.4 magnitude earthquake
Taiwan is still reeling from the strongest earthquake in 25 years.
California's water supply gets a grade of A+ due to Sierra snowpack
Average performance usually earns a grade of C, but for the state water supply, it's an A plus because we are slightly above average with a historical snowpack for the Sierra and Trinity Mountain ranges.