Lyanne Melendez
In 1999, Melendez won an Emmy and RTNDA for "Nicholas' Gift of Life," the story of a Bay Area boy whose organs were donated to seven Italian recipients. In 1992, she received the Latina Media Person of the Year Award from New York University, the Asociación de Cronistas de espectaculos Award for Reporter of the Year and the Outstanding Person in Communications Award from the Puerto Rican Institute of New York.
Melendez came from CNN-SPANISH in New York where she worked as a senior correspondent and substitute anchor. She's also worked at television stations in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She began her broadcasting career in 1984 as a production specialist at WTMJ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Melendez received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Alabama and a Master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Melendez has traveled to Somalia, Iraq, Central and South America, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on special assignments.
Melendez covers the AIDS and education beat in the Bay Area.
Lyanne's Stories
1 Bay Area county among few in US that record homeless deaths. Here's how it can help save lives
Every city in America tries to get an accurate count of the number of unhoused people, but few record their deaths. Alameda County has been analyzing homeless deaths since 2018. Here's the reason for that.
Rev. Cecil Williams, longtime leader of SF's GLIDE Foundation, dies at 94
Rev. Cecil Williams, the well-known and longtime leader of San Francisco's GLIDE Foundation has died, he was 94.
Pushing California's public workers to come back to the office
Public servants are supposed to work for the government and for citizens. But what ABC7 News found is that some California cities seem to be keeping the public out - out by keeping some offices locked.
Why Oakland is behind on goal to address potholes and repave streets
Oakland has many problems, but none as bumpy as the pothole problem plaguing the city. ABC7 News drove around the city for two days documenting what residents were experiencing.
The lives of San Francisco's unhoused pet owners, and the support they need
Many of the unhoused in San Francisco have animal companions that were once surrendered or brought in from perfectly solid homes. Even with limited funds, they choose to spend for the pets and make sure they're healthy. "They need just as much love as we do," said one woman living on the streets with two dogs.
San Francisco taxi drivers want financial relief from medallion debt
New York City has awarded $350 million in debt relief to many medallion owners since 2022. San Francisco, however, has not.
SFMTA to add 35 more transit fare inspectors amid financial crisis
The SFMTA board is about to approve a budget that would attempt to close a deficit of $12.7 million over the next two years. One way to get revenue is to improve enforcement.
UC Berkeley students share the Power of a Princess with Bay Area elementary schools
The UC Berkeley student organization "Power of a Princess" gives children the opportunity to meet their favorite movie characters in real life.
SF street team B.E.S.T. helps bring health care, resources to those at risk
B.E.S.T., or Bridge and Engagement Services Team, helps people experiencing serious mental illness, as well as chronic and severe substance use in San Francisco.
San Francisco approves expansion of Homeward Bound program for the unhoused
Homeward Bound has been around in San Francisco since 2005 and focuses on helping the unhoused return home by offering a bus ticket.