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
Overall homelessness in San Francisco trending downward city data shows
San Francisco's latest Point-in-Time count took place at the end of January and shows unsheltered homelessness is at its lowest level in 15 years.
New parking meter apps being rolled out in San Francisco
Finding parking may not be getting easier in San Francisco, but paying for it is.
San Francisco's 19th Avenue will be closed, again, this weekend: What to know
Caltrans will be repaving the road, repairing potholes, plus upgrading the area's traffic detection system, during three weekend closures in April and May.
San Francisco Immigration Court halts hearings ahead of closure
One of San Francisco’s immigration courtrooms has stopped holding hearings months ahead of its scheduled closure, as cases are reassigned and a growing backlog strains the system.
May Day demonstrations across Bay Area and beyond
May 1 marks the annual observance of May Day, a date traditionally used by unions and community organizations as a day of action, strikes, and protests.
San Francisco deputies target distracted drivers in citywide push
San Francisco sheriff’s deputies spent the day busting distracted drivers, pulling over vehicle after vehicle to issue warnings and citations in a citywide crackdown.
California Academy of Science cuts jobs, cites multi-million dollar deficit
53 employees – constituting about 9.3 % of the staff – would be let go as the academy struggles with a cash deficit of $7.3 million from 2025, and a projected deficit of more than $8 million in the current year.
SF drivers brace for 19th Avenue closure as weekend construction project approaches
Last week it was I-80 along the east side of San Francisco that was shut down. Now drivers are preparing for major roadwork on one of the busiest streets on the west side of the city.
San Francisco honors ‘Grandpa Vicha’ with resolution focused on elder safety
San Francisco leaders on Tuesday honored Vicha Ratanapakdee, the elderly man known as “Grandpa Vicha,” who died after being shoved to the ground, with a resolution aimed at strengthening protections for seniors.
Healing spaces: Hospital rooms transformed for families at Sutter CPMC once upon a room
Some families at Sutter’s CPMC hospital in San Francisco experienced a welcome change of scenery Thursday, as ordinary hospital rooms were transformed into colorful, personalized spaces designed to lift spirits.