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
Santa Rosa: The 1906 earthquake almost lost to history
While the Great 1906 Earthquake was a centerpiece of news around the world when it's massive damage and fire destroyed much of the city and took 3000 lives. But another far smaller, far less famous town, suffered massive damage almost forgotten by history.
Europe's worst energy crisis coming our way
The International Energy Agency delivered this ominous message: in six weeks, Europe will be out of jet fuel. San Francisco Airport, which has many flights to and from Europe that could be reduced or outright canceled. This politically driven economic disease is sure to spread worldwide.
Anti-war protesters gather in San Francisco to share message as Tax Day deadline looms
At midnight Wednesday, the dreaded I.R.S. tax filing deadline will have passed, but with fewer last minute filers than you might expect. The three sure things: death, taxes and procrastination.
Talk of United and American airlines mega-merger: Who pays for blockbuster deal?
The CEOs of United and American Airlines are said to have discussed blockbuster merger during a meeting with Donald Trump; The world’s two largest carriers combine would be an enormous $38 to $45 billion deal.
Contra Costa College gives 181 graduating students a sweet departing gift
One-hundred and eighty-one Contra Costa College students graduating in May, got a surprising message from their school that brightened up their day. If Monday mornings are usually a drag, today was a big “yippie-ky-o-ky-yay!
Fuel price impacts felt by truckers, small businesses as inflation's grip tightens
The impact of the war in Iran is still being felt in the Bay Area, whether its at the pump or the Port of Oakland. Some industries are being hit harder than most.
San Pablo double dump dumpster mystery becomes clearer
A dumpster company says it got dumped by a customer who agreed to pay but never did. However, the dumpster company returned the favor by re-dumping the dumpster contents on the driveway.
Ceasefire achieved, significant economic worries remain
Despite a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, there is still a great deal of economic uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and its global impact as ships go through under Iran's control.
New jobs statistics wow pundits. But are they believable?
Today's national jobs numbers were an unexpected thunderclap to the positive side. We crunched the numbers and ask the key question: are they believable?