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
SF nonprofit meant to help unhoused community accused of fraud after $100K 'disappeared'
Multiple fake invoices collecting more than $100K has led San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu to take action against nonprofit Providence Foundation which is being accused of fraud. The invoices were submitted in 2022 for painting the Oasis Hotel's exterior and the removal of its locks - work the city's attorney's office discovered was never done.
SF mayor proposing plan to create CA's 1st 'entertainment zone' allowing street alcohol sales
The new rule would allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol during outdoor events, with the first "entertainment zone" on Front Street, between California and Sacramento Streets.
200+ San Francisco office workers volunteer to clean up downtown
Employees traded laptops and in-office meetings for safety vests, gloves and trash bags to embark on revitalizing downtown San Francisco.
SF Capp St. sex worker issue improved but drivers blocking barriers are now creating hazards
The barriers installed to keep sex workers off Capp Street in San Francisco's Mission District did their job. However, all the cars parked behind the barriers are now the problem for residents and first responders.
How could the US Supreme Court's case Grants Pass v. Johnson impact SF's unhoused community?
The case City of Grants Pass v. Johnson is the most significant case on homelessness in more than 40 years. It would make it a crime for anyone without a home to sleep outside when they have no other options.
SF Zoo gears up for giant pandas as it plans for multi-million dollar facility
Pandas in San Francisco will come with a hefty price tag. Before the pandemic, the estimated cost to build a new facility for the pandas at the zoo was estimated at $25 million.
SFMTA announces traffic safety proposal after family of 4 killed in West Portal
The changes are designed to prioritize people walking and shopping in the West Portal district, but some say it's a "half-baked plan" that will hurt businesses.
SF gears up to give out more parking citations. SFMTA calls it 'intense operations'
ABC7's data team found that in 2023, the majority of San Francisco parking citations were for street cleaning with over 500,000 tickets. Now SFMTA will be increasing enforcement, focusing on public safety.
Here's what protesters could face for blocking off Bay Area freeway, bridge
A similar disruption happened on the Bay Bridge during the APEC summit last year; 80 protesters were charged with five misdemeanors.
Tow company in viral video was recently banned from doing business with SF, city attorney says
Prior to this incident, San Francisco received complaints from multiple victims who were allegedly scammed by Specialty Towing, according to City Attorney David Chiu.