Luz Pena
A notebook: blank pages waiting to be filled with ideas, stories, and memories. The medium remains constant, but with time the stories change. At age 11, the pages were filled with childhood memories from my hometown in Barranquilla, Colombia. At age 12, the memories and adventures stopped and were replaced with simple words and phrases: "Hello", "My name is Luz", "I'm from Colombia". My notebook became my tool to learn English as a young immigrant to the US. Today, my notebook is for our community, where each blank page is an opportunity to give someone a voice. What's your story?
I've worked in the NY, LA, and SF markets. In the Bay, I was a video journalist for Univision 14. In Los Angeles, I was a reporter, host and digital correspondent for Fox Spanish national network, and Fox Sports/Fox Deportes. In New York, I was a reporter for the FoxNews.com platform.
Throughout my journalism career, I've been honored with 9 Emmys, a Society of Professional Journalist - excellence in journalism award, a L.A Press Club Award, and named one of the top 40 Latinos in American Media by the Huff Post. I graduated from Hofstra University in New York with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science.
I'm thrilled to be part of the ABC7 news team and would love to tell your story! Reach out anytime on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Luz's Stories
San Francisco memorial honors immigrants who died in ICE custody; calls for detention reforms
"Our hearts are broken." San Francisco's immigration building became the site of a memorial Wednesday as interfaith leaders, advocates and families gathered to remember dozens of people who recently died in immigration detention centers or were shot and killed by ICE agents.
More than 100 people rally on SF streets, urging city to enforce drug laws: 'We are fed up'
People in recovery, formerly incarcerated individuals and advocates gathered in San Francisco on Tuesday to call for stronger enforcement of laws related to public drug use and to urge city leaders to hold people accountable while expanding access to treatment.
SF issues 396 warnings under Mission Street vendor law aimed at curbing suspected stolen goods
The changes follow the approval of Senate Bill 276 by the California Senate last year. The legislation allows San Francisco to require street vendors selling merchandise to obtain permits as a way to crack down on the sale of stolen items.
SFMTA report shows severe injury collisions up 8% on city streets in 2026
Residents say the data reflects what they experience on city streets. "It's kind of dangerous if you are a walker or a biker to be in this city," said San Francisco resident Martin Galaz.
Person killed, another injured in shooting on campus of East Oakland adult education center
Oakland Police Chief James Beere says this was not a random act of violence and, after talking to the family, they have some good leads. Chief Beere said he's fairly confident they will be able to identify the people responsible and determine a motive.
'To Catch a Dumper': Oakland leader uses social media, offers $500 reward to catch illegal dumping
Oakland Councilmember Kevin Jenkins recently took an unconventional approach after becoming frustrated with illegal dumping in his district. He posted a video online and asked followers to help identify a person he believed was connected to dumped items, offering a $500 reward.
SF boat capsize triggers focus on SF firefighters' training for life-or-death bay rescues
The San Francisco Fire Department is sharpening its focus training for rescue boat operations as authorities continue responding to last week's deadly boating disaster.
Wreckage of sunken boat located near Alcatraz Island, San Francisco police confirm
San Francisco police on Friday said they found the wreckage of the 49-foot cabin cruiser Volare in the area where it sank earlier this week near Alcatraz Island. The 20-passenger boat that carried mostly family members sunk on Tuesday, and two people are still unaccounted for.
California's Delete Act forces brokers to erase personal data starting Aug. 1: What to know
More than 300,000 Californians will soon have their personal data deleted as the state's Delete Act moves toward its first enforcement deadline on Aug. 1.
'It was a scene from the Titanic': Fishermen recall rescuing passengers from sinking boat in SF Bay
"It was a scene from the Titanic in real life. Like people banging on the window trying to get out. It's probably something I will never forget." Two commercial fishermen described the desperate rescue efforts they undertook after a three-level vessel sank in San Francisco Bay with 20 people on board, leaving several people trapped and others struggling in the water.