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
White House offers few specifics on what's going on with tariffs
When reporters asked the White House Press Secretary for specifics on Wednesday regarding tariffs, they were met with few answers.
How much did your 401(k) lose this week? Trump tariffs bring stock declines
Tariffs often cause bad side effects such as higher prices and inflation, making your money worth less. Another big risk -- damage to Americans' long-term retirement goals.
Trump's tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports loom large for Tuesday
President Donald Trump said Monday that 25% taxes on imports from Mexico and Canada would start Tuesday, sparking renewed fears of a North American trade war that already showed signs of pushing up inflation and hindering growth.
Israel blocks humanitarian aid into Gaza
In a very dangerous development, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza until Hamas renews its agreement to a ceasefire.
'Chief is My Belief': Black history being made by firefighters in Alameda County
On the last day of Black History Month, KTVU is taking a look at the future through the eyes of the heroes we call firefighters.
PG&E costly power line 'undergrounding' moving ahead
PG&E continues to underground powerlines to slash wildfire risk. Customers are noticing the hit to their wallet, but PG&E says the changes will pay off in the long run.
Oakland schools reveal major success in sending students college bound
The Oakland Unified School District on Wednesday announced a jump in the number of high school students completing eligibility requirements to enter California State and University colleges.
Alameda County Fairground workers face job losses, evictions with end of horse racing
The Alameda County Fair Association, a nonprofit that has operated and maintained the county fairgrounds for nearly 50 years, is mired in controversy.
Gov. Newsom pushes new effort to hold communities accountable on reducing homelessness
California Governor Newsom on Monday announced online that the state has created a new homeless accountability website called accountability.ca.gov with $920 million in funding.
Rally at Sonoma State over planned cuts of faculty, majors, athletics
The California Faculty Association, students and other unions held a 1 p.m. rally at Sonoma State University on Friday ahead of an on-campus legislative forum with several lawmakers that will discuss planned cuts to the school and the California State University system.