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
Sherri Papini, who faked own kidnapping, appears in court for child custody hearing
Papini is also asking a judge to prohibit her ex-husband from showing their children the Hulu docuseries "Perfect Wife," claiming it opens "old wounds."
Bill that would allow SFPD to crack down on illegal vending passes 1st committee meeting
Senate Bill 276 passed its first committee meeting, which now opens the doors for more conversations about San Francisco police officers having the authority to cite people for selling stolen items. This is something they can't do right now.
Oakland teen shot and killed in apparent attempted robbery of his backpack
Fifteen-year-old Derbing Alvarado loved soccer, his mom, dad and sister. His family and community now mourning him.
SFMTA considers higher parking meter rates, pickleball court amid budget deficit
The proposal comes as SFMTA faces a projected $320 million budget deficit by July of 2026.
SF mayor announces 'Breaking the Cycle' plan to address homelessness crisis
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is outlining his "Breaking the Cycle" vision to more effectively get people off the street and connected to services while preventing more people from becoming unhoused. Here's what it entails.
Restaurant owners feel trapped after SF buys their building for formerly homeless youth
"We are the tenants, too." Bay of Burma owners say with the crime spike in the area, their restaurant has been robbed twice at gunpoint and now they're afraid the new housing project will only make it worse.
SoMa residents declare victory after San Francisco withdraws relocation of mental health center
"It is ground zero right here": After community opposition, San Francisco's Department of Public Health withdrew their plan to relocate the mental health service center to the SoMa neighborhood.
Mothers fearing homelessness and facing eviction from SF shelter get 30-day extension
Two mothers woke up Monday morning knowing they would have to tell their young kids that their San Francisco shelter time had reached its limit. The city then extended their stays for another 30 days.
San Francisco wins Supreme Court case against EPA over wastewater discharge into bay, Pacific Ocean
The city of San Francisco won a Supreme Court case against the Environmental Protection Agency over the wastewater that is being discharged into the Bay and the rules it follows. Here's what this means.
SF Mayor Daniel Lurie makes new changes to city's police commission: 'Era of collaboration'
More changes are coming to San Francisco. This time, the focus is on replacing some of the members of the city's police commission, the group that oversees the San Francisco Police Department and the Department of Police Accountability.