Zach Rael anchors KOCO 5 News at 4 p.m. with co-anchor Abigail Ogle and chief meteorologist Damon Lane. He also reports for the KOCO 5 News 10 p.m. newscast.

Rael joined the KOCO 5 news team in 2016 as a multimedia journalist from a news station in El Paso, Texas.

Rael recalls some of the biggest stories he’s covered at KOCO including the window washers stuck on top of the Devon. He was the first reporter on the ground and was part of our live coverage as they were safely rescued.

As part of KOCO’s reporter team, Rael helped Oklahomans stay informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also seen his fair share of Oklahoma weather, from tornadoes and the damage they leave behind – to the deep freezes and snow storms that have led to power outages and blackouts.

The most powerful story Rael has ever reported is a personal one. In 2020, Rael traveled to California to donate stem cells for his cousin with a rare form of blood cancer. He was able to document his experience and share with viewers the donation process. Not a week goes by that a viewer doesn’t send Rael a message, post a comment, or ask him in person how his cousin is doing and how much the story touched them. Rael is thankful to say the donation extended his cousin’s life. Rael said he is hopeful the story inspired others to sign up to be a donor themselves.

Rael graduated from New Mexico State University with degrees in Journalism and Government. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, taking his dogs to the dog park, and cheering on the Thunder. You might also see him on the golf course (give him a pointer or two if you do.)

If you have a story idea you'd like to share, connect by email zrael@hearst.com and you can follow him on social media.