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
'Stand Up for Science and Sanity' rally held in Palo Alto amid looming federal cuts
Bay Area doctors, researchers and advocates are speaking up and banding together as the Trump administration plans to slash medical and scientific research funding.
Man arrested for alleged sex assaults of 2 women along Los Gatos Creek Trail: SJPD
A man was arrested Thursday in suspicion of sexually assaulting two women along Los Gatos Creek Trail, San Jose police said.
San Jose middle schoolers to take college classes, get credits through new program
A new program has middle schoolers in the South Bay taking college-level classes and earning college credits before they even get to high school. Here's how they're pulling off this head start.
PG&E delays reopening of Moss Landing battery facility after discovering leak
Months after a massive battery plant fire, the PG&E facility next door was ready to get back on the grid. But the company just discovered a new problem putting things on hold. Here's why leaders in Monterey County are happy to wait.
San Francisco Unified calls off controversial 'equitable grading' initiative
The plan would have moved away from traditional practices - like homework, tests and attendance - when giving a student an academic grade. SFUSD appeared to be considering it, but on Wednesday the superintendent said she has decided not to pursue this strategy.
High density of smoke shops in East San Jose pushes plan for temporary moratorium
An assessment found that East San Jose has more smoke shops than anywhere else in Santa Clara County, with six per square mile, sparking a push from elected officials to cut back.
SJ woman repeatedly loses service due to copper wire thefts; 2 caught with 150 lbs of phone lines
"It affects too many people, and someone could end up dying because someone else decided to take a phone line for a few bucks. And when you put people in danger like that, it's not fair," San Jose resident Ellen Worth said.
Human remains found in Menlo Park ID'd as San Jose man missing for 40 years
Forty years after a 20-year-old San Jose man disappeared, his remains have been identified with the use of cutting-edge DNA technology.
SJ District 3 councilmember candidates share visions for future of downtown ahead of runoff election
ABC7 spoke with Gabby Chavez-Lopez and Anthony Tordillos, the two candidates vying to replace disgraced former City Councilmember Omar Torres, who faced off in a forum Thursday.
San Jose delays earthquake retrofit plans as FEMA cancels grant for CA
The funding loss has the city of San Jose delaying new rules requiring retrofits to certain wood-frame apartment buildings that would be vulnerable in an earthquake.