Zach Rael

Award-winning journalist Zach Rael is a Santa Fe native who is excited to be back in New Mexico to tell the stories important to his home state. He joined the KOB 4 team in January 2025. You can watch him anchor the weekend evening newscasts and report during the week.

Zach has deep roots in New Mexico and journalism. His family traces their history back to northern New Mexico for generations. Zach’s fourth great-grandfather, Thomas Sheridan Tucker, was one of the first co-publishers and editors of the Santa Fe New Mexican. As a native of New Mexico, Zach feels honored to serve the community that built the foundation for his career.

Zach is a proud graduate of St. Michael’s High School and New Mexico State University. While earning his degrees in journalism and government from NMSU, Zach jumpstarted his career as a part-time reporter at a television station in El Paso, Texas. After graduating, he was brought on full-time and spent the next two years covering the U.S-Mexico border.

Zach then moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he would spend nearly a decade reporting in the heart of Tornado Alley. Throughout his career, Zach has broken many major news stories. From being the first reporter on the scene after devastating severe weather, anchoring big breaking news stories and covering political shifts, Zach is an experienced journalist who has taken viewers to where news happens.

Zach’s reports have earned him several recognitions, including two regional Edward R. Murrow awards and several Oklahoma Broadcasting Association awards for “Outstanding Reporting” and “Best Newscast”.

Most importantly, Zach met his wonderful wife in Oklahoma – and now they have a beautiful baby boy. They are excited to be closer to family and friends in New Mexico and can’t wait to show their son all of what the Land of Enchantment offers. The Rael family also has two dogs who can’t wait to explore the many trails of the state.

Outside work, you can catch Zach hitting the slopes across New Mexico (he has been skiing at Ski Santa Fe since he could walk), teeing off at the state’s great golf courses and hanging out with his family and friends who call our beautiful state home.

And in case you are wondering… “Christmas.”

If you have a story idea or want to say hello, you can email Zach at zach.rael@kob.com.