James Torrez
James joined KTVU in January 2021. Since his time, he's reported on the COVID-19 pandemic, mass shootings in San Jose and Sacramento, as well as playoff runs for the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors.
James began his career as a reporter/fill-in anchor at WTVC in Chattanooga Tennessee, where he was named Best TV News Reporter by Tennessee Associated Press in 2017. After 2.5 years, he moved back home to West Palm Beach where he became a multimedia journalist at WPEC. There, he earned an EMMY nomination for his work covering the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian striking the Bahamas.
James was born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications with a specialization in News and Producing at the University of Florida. In college, James won a professional Florida Associated Press award for a feature piece produced with a study abroad group in Florence, Italy.
Coming from South Florida, James was excited to escape the humidity and learn about the microclimates of the Bay Area. He also loves to explore the different cuisines in each district of San Francisco; you can easily find him looking for the next DIm Sum spot in Chinatown. James also enjoys all kinds of sports. He plays and coaches soccer and volleyball in the Bay Area. On Saturdays in the Fall, you can find James rooting on his beloved Gators on the college football field.
The latest from James Torrez
OUSD weighs deep budget cuts as district faces $100M deficit
Oakland school board members are weighing deep budget cuts as the district faces a $100 million deficit and the possibility of returning to state receivership if they fail to balance the books before the next school year.
West Contra Costa Unified teachers reach tentative deal, ending 1st strike
Schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District are set to reopen Thursday after a days-long teachers' strike ended overnight with a tentative agreement between district leaders and the educators’ union. While both sides have reached an agreement, the deal still needs to be ratified by the school board and members of the union.
Man drowns in Pescadero; 8th drowning along California coast this year
The drowning is the eighth along the California coast in the past year — and the fourth in the last month on either the Monterey or Humboldt County coastlines.
DA seeks to try teen as adult in triple Westfield Valley Fair mall shooting
Prosecutors announced on Wednesday that they are seeking to try a 17-year-old boy accused in a Black Friday triple shooting at the Westfield Valley Fair mall as an adult, and charges against three other people who they say acted as accessories after the fact.
Sheriff urges witnesses of the deadly Stockton shooting at a child’s party to come forward
Sheriff's officials in Stockton are urging witnesses of a deadly shooting at a child’s birthday party to come forward as the search for a suspect stretched into another day.
Sisters book hotel room for Black Friday sales in Livermore
Black Friday crowds packed into stores across the Bay Area on Friday as retailers braced for what could be a record-setting kickoff to the holiday shopping season, according to retail analysts.
Oakland committee votes down expansion of Flock cameras amid heated debate
The Oakland Police Department sought approval to install up to 40 additional cameras as part of a proposed two-year contract extension.
Coach Beam murder suspect makes 1st court appearance in Oakland
The 27-year-old man charged with murder and gun enhancements in the shooting death of legendary Laney College Coach John Beam made his first court appearance on Tuesday, but did not enter a plea.
Coach Beam's death sparks resurrection of gun enhancement charges
The shooting death of legendary football Coach John Beam at Laney College last week prompted the Alameda County District Attorney on Monday to announce she would seek to resurrect mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related convictions, reversing a trend by the ousted DA.