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
Inside SFPD's new 'nerve center': The high-tech surveillance tools helping fight crime
The San Francisco Police Department on Wednesday gave an inside look at its new technology center and the tools officers are using to fight crime.
Student shot at San Francisco high school; suspect arrested
A student at a San Francisco high school was shot, and the alleged shooter was arrested Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
New Sunset supervisor, Alan Wong, sworn in
San Francisco's Sunset District once again has a new supervisor.
Man charged, victim identified in deadly San Francisco home invasion
The suspect, Cassidy Wyatt Allen, is facing one count of murder and one count of first-degree residential burglary, with a special circumstance alleging the murder occurred during the burglary.
Suspect arrested in deadly San Francisco home burglary
Cassidy Wyatt Allen, 45, was arrested on suspicion of murder and burglary after a woman was found dead Sunday at a home in San Francisco’s Taraval District.
SF Mayor closing in on Sunset District Supervisor
The mayor's office is confirmed at least five names are on its list of replacements for former Supervisor Beya Alcaraz.
New data shows massive surge in Bay Area poverty
The Bay Area’s poverty rate rose from 12.2% in early 2023 to 16.3% by the end of the same year.
San Francisco's new schools superintendent says difficult cuts lie ahead
For the students and families in San Francisco, Superintendent Maria Su said the district is focused on getting the basics right.
Mission District shooting: Altercation preceded deadly gunfire
Two men were found lying on a San Francisco street in the Mission District with gunshot wounds early Sunday after an altercation, and one later died from his injuries, police said.
San Francisco to open new sobering centers
San Francisco plans to open new sobering centers to get drug users on a path to treatment, while freeing up police to do their jobs patrolling streets for public safety.