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
Alameda County to ICE: Stay away from Santa Rita Jail
Alameda County counsel has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ICE, telling federal agents to stay off Santa Rita Jail's property to conduct civil immigration enforcement activities.
Man stabbed in California prison nearly 180 times, video of his death leaked
A 36-year-old man was stabbed nearly 180 times at a California state prison and someone inside captured video of the gruesome death before leaking it to the outside, where it went viral on social media.
10th officer at FCI Dublin women's prison convicted of sexual abuse
A discipline hearing officer who worked at the now-closed FCI Dublin women's prison has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two women and also lying to federal investigators, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.
Here's why California high tides are so crazy big this year
There are four key scientific reasons why Californians have been watching trucks this week get stuck in flooded coastal waters and kayakers paddling down residential streets.
Alco Iron & Metal in San Leandro to pay $1.5M enforcement judgment
San Leandro metal recycling company, Alco Iron & Metal, must pay nearly $1.5 million to the state of California following "repeated violations" of a hazardous waste law, the Department of Toxic Substances Control announced.
Oakland native is 5th in-custody death at Santa Rita Jail
A fifth person has died in the custody of Santa Rita Jail, KTVU has learned, after the sister of the man who died came forward, shedding some light on what happened to her brother.
Oakland woman, 36, dies at Santa Rita Jail
A 36-year-old Oakland woman has died at Santa Rita Jail, the fourth person to die in custody at the Dublin facility this year.
Women's wellness experiences: What's behind their popularity
Women's wellness experiences are growing in popularity. Many say the in-person connection to work out in community is even greater after the solitude of the pandemic.
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer in medical rehab; concert with Lionel Richie canceled
An Earth, Wind & Fire drummer who suffered a heart attack on the night of a San Francisco concert date is now in medical rehabilitation but is still in need of financial help. At the same time, the twice-postponed concert with Lionel Richie has now been formally canceled.
Morgan Hill mom beaten to death, her face was 'unrecognizable:' court docs
The family of a 34-year-old Morgan Hill woman, who allegedly died at the hands of her husband, is trying to help her three surviving children, some of whom witnessed her brutal death.