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
'Like a legal guardian': SF immigrant parents turn to summer camp counselors for critical help
Recent ICE raids have prompted many undocumented parents in San Francisco to create plans for their children in case they are detained and separated.
SF moves closer to banning RVs from parking for more than 2 hours on city streets
Supervisors voted to move this plan forward, which also includes a proposed investment of $13 million over two fiscal years to offer options like housing vouchers, outreach services and continue investing in hotel vouchers.
Why parking at Golden Gate Park could soon go from free to $3 an hour
Free parking at Golden Gate Park could soon go away. Visitors could end up paying an average of $3 an hour for parking as the Recreation and Parks Department looks for ways to tackle the deficit.
Wooden benches appearing at bus stops across Bay Area. Who is behind them?
The benches are screwed right into the concrete on city streets. Who are the people behind them? And is this legal? The only clue is this website leading us to the San Francisco Bench Collective.
2 in critical condition after fireworks explosion inside Hayward home, police say
Investigators say preliminary findings suggest that there was suspected manufacturing of illegal fireworks or explosives at the residence. The origin of the fireworks and cause for the explosions is still being investigated.
Here's how many speeding drivers SF's new traffic cameras caught in May
"In many ways, it's shocking to see the numbers," said Margaret McCarthy, interim executive director for Walk SF.
Trump threatens to hold back $811 million in federal education grants to CA
A threat by the Trump administration to hold back $6.8 billion in federal education grants nationwide means California could lose over $800 million.
SF supervisor hosts educational workshops as scams targeting teens on the rise
"Scams with seniors are mainly financial - with the teenagers it's more of social, or on social media, or people are being exploited or taken advantage of by adults on social media," said San Francisco Supervisor Engardio.
Oakland airport changes name for 2nd time in a year amid ongoing legal battle with San Francisco
It went from "Oakland International Airport" to "San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport" Then, there was a lawsuit over the name. Now, the name is changing once again.
Seniors with mental illnesses to be evicted from SF General Hospital
San Francisco wants to turn the hospital's Behavioral Health Center into locked down housing for people with severe mental illnesses.