Irene Cruz Biography: Weekend Morning Anchor & Reporter at KABC-TV Los Angeles
Irene Cruz is an Emmy-nominated journalist currently working as a weekend morning anchor and general assignment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles. She joined the station in June 2022.
Early Life and Education:
Irene Cruz is a proud Filipina-American and a native of Orange County, Southern California.
She is an alumna of the University of California, Irvine, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literary Journalism in just three years, receiving the Chancellor’s Award of Distinction.
During her college years, she gained valuable experience through internships at KNSD (the NBC station in San Diego) and WBBM (the CBS station in Chicago).
In 2012, she was also awarded a student scholarship by the Asian American Journalists Association.
Career Path:
Cruz began her professional journalism career at KYMA, the NBC affiliate in Yuma, Arizona.
There, she anchored and produced weekday evening newscasts, covering a wide range of stories, including major drug busts and a harrier jet crash, spanning parts of California, Arizona, and Mexico.
She later moved to ABC10 (KXTV) in Sacramento, California, where she served as an anchor and reporter, including anchoring for “News10 Mornings” on weekends.
Before joining KABC-TV, Irene Cruz was an evening anchor at News 4 San Antonio (WOAI) in Texas, where she co-anchored with Randy Beamer.
Joining KABC-TV Los Angeles:
Irene Cruz joined ABC7 KABC Los Angeles in June 2022. By November 2022, she was promoted to her current role as Weekend Morning Anchor. She also works as a general assignment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News.
Accolades and Interests:
Irene is a two-time Emmy-nominated journalist. Outside of her work, she has diverse interests, including writing fiction, playing piano, singing, and reading comic books.
She reportedly developed her interest in journalism as a child, inspired by “Superman: The Animated Series” and a desire to be like Lois Lane.
She’s also known for her love of superheroes, sci-fi, and fantasy, and has even engaged in cosplay, posting photos of herself dressed as characters like Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn.
Age:
Irene Cruz was born in May 1992, making her 33 years old as of 2025. Her zodiac sign is Gemini.
She was born and raised in Irvine, California, making her American by nationality. Irene is of Filipino descent, identifying with Asian-American ethnicity.
Parents and Siblings:
Irene Cruz was born and raised in Irvine, Orange County, California, into a Filipino family. Her parents migrated from the Philippines.
However, specific details about her family members, including her father, mother, and siblings, are not publicly available. She is known to be a fluent Tagalog speaker.
Husband:
Irene Cruz is currently single. She tends to keep her personal life private and hasn’t shared much about her dating life or marital status publicly.
Height:
Irene Cruz stands at an average height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) and maintains a body weight of 128 lbs (58 kg). Her body measurements are 35-28-37 inches (bust-waist-hips).
Career and Background:
Irene Cruz has had a dynamic career in journalism. She is currently a weekend morning anchor and general assignment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles, a position she has held since June 2022.
Before joining ABC7, Irene worked at WOAI-TV in San Antonio, Texas, where she anchored the 10 p.m. newscast on weeknights and reported on various stories.
During her time there, she earned two Emmy nominations, including one for a report on the risks of deepfake technology.
Prior to her stint in Texas, Irene was at KXTV-TV in Sacramento, California. She covered significant events such as the Northern California wildfires, the potential failure of the Oroville Dam, and protests at the state Capitol.
Irene Cruz’s journey into journalism began with her education at UC Irvine, where she earned a B.A. in Literary Journalism.
She was also awarded a scholarship from the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), which helped her pursue her passion for storytelling.
Irene started her career at KYMA-TV in Yuma, Arizona, where she anchored multiple newscasts and reported on various topics, including border security and immigration.
Her dedication and hard work have led her to various roles across the country, eventually bringing her back to Southern California, where she continues to make an impact as a journalist.
Her reporting has earned her recognition for both breaking news coverage and investigative journalism. Irene is passionate about telling stories that impact the community and advocating for those whose voices need to be heard.
Notable Stories Covered by Irene Cruz
Irene Cruz has reported on a variety of significant stories throughout her career. Some of the notable ones include:
- Northern California Wildfires: Covered the devastating wildfires that affected large parts of Northern California.
- Oroville Dam Crisis: Reported on the potential failure of the Oroville Dam, which posed a significant threat to nearby communities.
- Deepfake Technology Risks: Produced an Emmy-nominated report on the dangers of deepfake technology while working in San Antonio, Texas.
- Airport Fire: Covered the Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties, which destroyed multiple homes and burned over 23,000 acres.
- Inclusive Event in Chino: Reported on a first-of-its-kind event celebrating the neurodivergent and special needs community in Chino.
Irene Cruz works with a talented team at KABC-TV (ABC7) in Los Angeles. Some of her notable colleagues include:
- Brandi Hitt: Reporter and anchor.
- Marc Brown: Co-anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News.
- Michelle Tuzee: Co-anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News.
- Leslie Sykes: Co-anchor for the morning newscast.
- Dallas Raines: Chief Meteorologist.
- Rob Fukuzaki: Sports anchor.
These colleagues, along with many others, contribute to the comprehensive news coverage provided by ABC7.
Net Worth and Salary:
Irene Cruz’s exact net worth and salary aren’t publicly disclosed. However, as a weekend morning anchor and general assignment reporter for a major news station like ABC7 in Los Angeles, she likely earns a competitive salary.
News anchors in large markets such as Los Angeles can earn anywhere from $60,000 to over $200,000 annually, depending on experience and the specific role.
Is Irene Cruz Married?
As of the latest available information, Irene Cruz has not publicly confirmed her marital status. Therefore, it remains unknown if she is married.
How Old Is Irene Cruz?
As of 2025, Irene Cruz is 33 years old, having been born in May 1992.
Where Is Irene Cruz Working?
Irene Cruz is currently working at ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles as a Weekend Morning Anchor and General Assignment Reporter.
She joined the station in June 2022, where she anchors the weekend morning newscasts and reports on a wide range of stories during the week.
Her role involves:
- Anchoring weekend morning broadcasts, delivering breaking news, weather, and community updates.
- Reporting during weekdays on general assignment stories, including local events, public interest features, and major developments across Southern California.
Irene Cruz is active on several social media platforms. You can follow her here:
She often shares updates about her work, personal interests, and behind-the-scenes moments from her life as a journalist.
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