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
Special election approved for open San Jose city council seat
San Jose will hold a special election next year to fill the seat of an embattled ex-City Councilmember, Omar Torres. Meanwhile, the council will appoint a temporary replacement until then.
Preparations underway, excitement building for major sporting events in Bay Area and LA
The Bay Area will be the only region to ever host a FIFA World Cup and a Super Bowl in the same calendar year. Here's how officials are preparing for public safety concerns.
Fremont bans long-term RV street parking: A closer look at impact here
Fremont City Council voted unanimously on a proposal that would limit parking for 72 hours, and ban parking RV's in residential areas.
San Jose's plan to remove RVs from city streets with over 900 likely-occupied vehicles identified
In a new pilot program, San Jose will establish tow-away zones for some RV encampments in 2025 as they track where and how many lived in-vehicles are parked on city streets.
Santa Clara Co. launches 911 Nurse Navigator program to free up resources for emergencies
With this pilot program, Santa Clara County 911 dispatchers will still pick up the call but if an in-person response is not needed, the caller could be connected to a licensed nurse.
Veterans train their own service dogs through Bay Area nonprofit
Operation Freedom Paws in San Martin is an organization that changes two lives in one team. Veterans get to train their own service dogs.
13-year-old sole survivor of deadly Bodega Bay boating trip describes ordeal, last moment with dad
"I prayed to Jesus Christ and all of my family members that I can make it out alive." A 13-year-old boy, who went crabbing with his father and some other family members last weekend in Bodega Bay, shared what happened after their boat capsized. The boy is the only one who survived.
Students, parents rally as another San Jose school district considers closures
Frustrated South Bay parents are questioning if the Berryessa Union School District has taken proper measures as it looks to close three of its 13 campuses.
San Jose residents 'feel betrayed' with lack of representation following Omar Torres' arrest
Former San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres' child sex abuse arrest and absence from City Hall has left his district of roughly 85,000 residents without representation and finding a replacement will take time.
10 San Jose schools may close or consolidate due to $20 million budget deficit, district says
Families in San Jose are confronting the harsh reality that some of their schools could be shut down. "Honestly pretty sad."