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 school cleans up for Earth Day with inspiration from Pixar film 'Hoppers'
The Earth Day cleanup sent students from San Francisco's St. Thomas More Catholic School on a mission to pick up litter and learn about protecting the environment. It was inspired by "Hoppers," a Disney and Pixar film that focuses on improving conditions for animals and the environment.
This San Francisco store is run by artificial intelligence: Meet Luna, the boss
Imagine walking into a store and finding out the boss behind it all is artificial intelligence. That's the experiment a group of entrepreneurs is running San Francisco's Andon Market. Here's how Luna, the boss, works.
SF County fatal drug overdoses rank 2nd highest in the country, CDC data shows
In 2025, San Francisco's fatal drug overdose numbers surpassed every other county in the country but one: Baltimore. We spoke with advocates and city leaders about the plan to tackle this crisis.
Parents of SF 2-year-old who overdosed on fentanyl charged with murder, DA says
In a first for SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, she announced increased charges of murder against the parents of a 2-year-old who died from a fentanyl overdose in February after strong evidence was found.
SF gives $3.3 million to residents, nonprofits with projects to beautify the city: Here's a list
San Francisco is granting $3.3 million to residents and nonprofits who have ideas to make their neighborhoods more beautiful through the Community Challenge Grant. Out of 100 applications, 25 projects were selected.
20-year-old arrested after throwing Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman's San Francisco home, OpenAI says
A 20-year-old man has been arrested after throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco home and making threats at the company's headquarters early Friday morning, a spokesperson says.
SF names new Department of Homelessness director as city faces $643 million deficit
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the appointment of Mike Levine as the new executive director of the city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, a move city leaders say comes at a critical moment in addressing homelessness. Levine will take over the department as the current director, Shireen McSpadden, prepares to retire at the end of June.
SoMa residents file complaint with state, accusing SF of pushing unhoused resources to their area
Fed up with the "concentration" of public health and unhoused services in their neighborhood, a group of neighbors are now asking the state for help.
Serial rapist who posed as SF rideshare driver convicted, faces more than 100 years in prison
A man accused of posing as a rideshare driver in San Francisco and raping four women in the last decade is set to spend more than 100 years in prison. "After many years of waiting, justice has finally been served," said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Teen reunites with UCSF surgeon who saved him as a fetus, 18 years later
It's a full circle moment for a patient and the doctor he met before anyone else. "I'm grateful that I'm here standing," said 18-year-old Mason Ellinger.