Lauren Martinez
My love for journalism sparked by a suggestion from my dad in high school. It led me to pursue a degree in Broadcast Electronic and Communication Arts from SFSU.
My career spans from being a morning producer in Bend, Oregon, to an evening anchor in Chico. During those three years, our small newsroom covered some of the biggest stories out of Northern California, including the Camp Fire in 2018. To this day the Camp Fire remains California's deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state's history.
I worked briefly in Sacramento in 2019 before joining ABC7 as a freelance reporter. There, I covered the pandemic's impact on the Bay Area.
I experienced the COVID-19 shutdown in one city, and the reopening in another.
In November 2020, I moved to FOX5 in Las Vegas as a weekend anchor and reporter. It was there I covered the city's reopening and economic recovery.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with an Edward R. Murrow Award and two Emmys.
Now, as a full-time member of ABC7's news team, I feel incredibly grateful.
I will be based in our South Bay bureau.
I can't wait to report on the most innovative companies and groundbreaking technologies in Silicon Valley, as well as the vibrant and diverse communities of the South Bay.
I'm excited to share my work with you on social media, where you can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.. And if you have a story idea, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at at lauren.b.martinez@abc.com
Let's uncover the most fascinating and inspiring stories together!
Lauren's Stories
AI will make online child sex abuse problem worse, Stanford report finds
One SJSU associate professor says as AI-generated images become more realistic looking, it's going to become more of a problem for a CyberTipline that's already overwhelmed.
San Jose fire captain among more than 20 arrested in child predator sting operation
The operation led to 24 arrests. Several were people in trusted public positions with access to children.
South Bay students hold rally to end fossil fuels: Here's a look at Bay Area Earth Day events
Young activists are calling for climate action. The Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition helped organized a rally on Friday that is part of a global youth-led movement to end fossil fuels.
San Jose's 1st Spanish language opera production debuts this weekend
Inside the California Theater, Opera San Jose is presenting its first Spanish language opera performance. "Florencia en el Amazonas" by Daniel Catán is a story rich for the eyes and ears.
San Jose residents get heated over option to move homeless encampment
Finding solutions for a San Jose homeless encampment brought residents out to a community forum. Here's why some of them got upset about the option of a safe sleeping site.
Ex-HGTV star and Los Gatos house flipper sentenced in real estate fraud case
Charles "Todd" Hill, who starred in HGTV's "Flip It to Win It," was sentenced to four years and ordered to pay close to $10 million for real estate and financial fraud which impacted 18 homes in the Silicon Valley.
Crews install inclinometer in neighborhood isolated by massive landslide in Santa Cruz mountains
This weekend's wet weather could mean setbacks for people in the South Bay cut off by a landslide that hasn't stopped moving. The main road into their neighborhood is still crumbling. Here's the latest on the damage that keeps getting worse.
San Jose brewery closing from post-pandemic struggles amid changing industry
"Did the best that we could for as long as we could," said the owner of Camino Brewing Co., shutting down after a six-year run. He's now asking people to support their local breweries so they don't see the same fate.
Here's how new CA bill would eliminate housing barriers for pet owners
AB 2216 would limit landlords from denying housing to renters with pets - something pet owners say hasn't been easy to find.
San Jose passes stricter RV, homeless encampment policies around schools
"The intention is not to criminalize homelessness but it is to delineate areas where folks cannot be and in other areas provide services," San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said.