CBS Television Stations today announced veteran journalist Scott Rates has been promoted to vice president of news for CBS Northern California’s Sacramento stations, KOVR-TV and KMAX-TV, effective March 23. In his new role, Rates will oversee editorial strategy and newsroom operations for both stations, including staff leadership and content development across broadcast and digital platforms. He will report to Scott Warren, president and general manager at CBS Northern California.
Together with CBS Bay Area, the Sacramento stations are part of a unified CBS Northern California operation serving one of the largest and most dynamic broadcast regions in the country, reaching audiences across the Pacific coastline through the Bay Area, Sacramento and Central Valleys and into communities along the Sierra Nevada. The region also emerged as a leader in newsroom innovation, becoming the first in the nation to introduce full augmented and virtual reality capabilities (AR/VR) across its newsrooms, supported by two state-of-the-art studios in San Francisco, and one under construction in Sacramento.
Rates’ extensive experience reporting across California uniquely positions him to help lead these efforts and continue expanding the stations’ reach and storytelling capabilities across the region.
“Having spent my career working in newsrooms across California, it’s a privilege to step into this role serving communities throughout Northern California,” said Rates. “CBS Sacramento and CBS Bay Area have a strong legacy of innovation in local news, and I look forward to working with these outstanding teams at KOVR and KMAX as we continue delivering trusted journalism that informs and connects viewers across the region.”
Rates joined CBS Bay Area in November 2025 as a bureau reporter. His coverage of the King City mass shooting and Santa Cruz Wharf collapse earned regional Emmy recognition. Rates is also a 2023 fellow of the Kneeland School for Responsible Journalism, which provides intensive training and mentorship to television newsroom leaders focused on news ethics, management and journalistic excellence.
“Scott brings deep experience as a news director and a strong understanding of the stories that matter most to communities across Northern California,” said Scott Warren, president and general manager at CBS Northern California. “Having led multiple newsrooms in the region and reported in San Francisco, he combines editorial leadership with the instincts of a seasoned journalist.”
For the past 16 years, Rates has held nearly every position within the newsroom, starting out as a multimedia journalist, photographer, editor, investigative unit member, helicopter photojournalist, and later serving as anchor and reporter. During his tenure as a journalist, Rates has covered major news stories such as the crash of Asiana Flight 214, the Casey Anthony case, and the Trayvon Martin case. He later transitioned into newsroom leadership roles and served as both an assistant news director and news director at multiple stations across California.
(This post was taken from a press release sent to me by CBS)
