Fernanda Galan Martinez
Fernanda Galan Martinez(she/her/hers)
News Reporter, Los Angeles

Fernanda Galan Martinez expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in art history. Galan has worked for AZ Big Media, The State Press and Downtown Devil.

Latest from Fernanda Galan Martinez

Vietnamese EV survives Arizona’s heat, but navigating a tight U.S. market will be tougher

LOS ANGELES – Although it performed well in Arizona’s heat, the Vietnamese EV VinFast won’t have it easy competing against a cascade of new electric models on the way from established automakers, experts say.

The VinFast VF8 is coming to the U.S. in early 2023, company officials say, along with the VF9. Photo taken Nov. 17, 2022, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Photo by /Cronkite News)

This three-wheel vehicle can’t fit a family, but it can deliver their pizzas

LOS ANGELES – It may not be the ride of your dreams, but the single-seat ElectraMeccanica Solo, a Chinese vehicle imported by a Canadian company, can get you from A to B economically.

An ElectraMeccanica Solo that's outfitted to deliver pizzas is displayed Nov. 17 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. (Photo by Emeril Gordon/Cronkite News)

Shuttle Endeavour conquered space. Now it has to survive a move to a new home in LA.

LOS ANGELES – The retired shuttle’s final frontier will be a new building, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, next door to the California Science Center, where it’s displayed horizontally. The spaceship will be displayed upright, in launch position, with its enormous orange fuel tank appearing to be attached to its belly and two white booster rockets on either side and a launch gantry to view the shuttle at every viewpoint.

Space shuttle Endeavour doubled attendance at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, drawing thousands of visitors to stand in awe of the craft that went 122 million miles in space. (Photo by Emeril Gordon/Cronkite News)

Hotel Heave-Ho: LA unhoused could return to streets as Project Roomkey winds down

LOS ANGELES – The L.A. Grand Hotel has housed the unsheltered under a federal grant in the name of public safety during the pandemic. Now, authorities intend to lock the door on the remaining Project Roomkey participants at two hotels by February.


Arizona votes are now counted, but election drama will go on

Arizona votes are now counted, however the ordeal goes on as three races are headed for automatic recount and two counties delay certification. Democrat Katie Hobbs defeated Republican Kari Lake in the governor race, which does not qualify for an automatic recount.

An election worker gathers ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on Nov. 10, 2022. (Photo by Drake Presto/Cronkite News)

‘Sentimental thing:’ Neon signs still cast an eerie glow, but mostly in museums

GLENDALE, Calif. – The warm glow of neon is being preserved in cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Casa Grande, Arizona. Some find it soothing reminders of yesteryear. Others just get a laugh out of some of it.

This iconic sign belonged to Paramount Pest Control in the Frogtown section of Los Angeles. Photo taken Sept. 16, 2022, at the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, California. (Photo by Emeril Gordon/Cronkite News)

Arizona added 100,000 jobs in 2022, but home prices limiting growth, economist warns

Arizona’s economy is well-positioned even as the Federal Reserve hits the brakes on the economy to slow inflation, economists tell attendees at the 59th annual ASU/PNC Bank Economic Forecast Luncheon.

Arizona will have added more than 100,000 jobs by the end of the year, with 86,000 of them in metro Phoenix. (Photo by Ross D Franklin/AP/Shutterstock)

Trash talk: Los Angeles is losing its battle with litter, and neighborhoods are stepping up

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles residents are fed up with trash they have decided to take matters into their own hands and create their own trash clubs, the city of Los Angeles, is stymied over the problem, and is heavily losing the fight against trash.

A man crushes cans and containers that can be cashed in at recycling centers. Scavengers go through some of the garbage left curbside Los Angeles. The city faces big problems of trash left on streets. (Photo by Emeril Gordon/Cronkite News)

‘Blue mirage:’ Why Democrats’ leads slipped, bolstering GOP hopes

Tuesday night started with a blue hue in Arizona. In the morning, there was a red glow. How could this happen?


U.S. Senate: Kelly takes lead on Masters amid voting hours dispute

WASHINGTON – Incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly was leading his Republican challenger, Blake Masters, with a narrow lead in unofficial election results.

Left: Sen. Mark Kelly speaks in front of volunteers gathered at his Tucson field office on Election Day to thank them for helping his campaign for reelection to the U.S. Senate. Right: Republican Senate nominee Blake Masters at an Oct. 6 debate for the 2022 Senate election. (Photos by Justin Spangenthal and Alexia Faith/Cronkite News)

Day of the Dead, Hollywood style, comes to movie star cemetery

LOS ANGELES – Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, attracts thousands every year to Hollywood Forever. Families created altars for loved ones who have died, adorning them with photographs, decorations and some of the departed’s favorite things. The hope was, even in death, their family members might return and enjoy the tributes for one day of the year.


Mountain lions like P-22 are revered in California. They’re hunted in Arizona.

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles last weekend celebrated P-22 Day in honor of a cougar that roams Griffith Park – an icon in the fight to save mountain lions across the West, whether in a big-city park or in mountains and rangeland.

P-22, who was first caught on camera in 2012, prowls the night with the Hollywood sign behind him. (Photo by Steve Winter National Geographic)

‘YOU ROCK!!!’: Digital license plate messages let drivers express themselves

LOS ANGELES – Digital license plates are pricey compared to the regular metal plates, but they’re fun, have some practical value and could save motorists from that dreadful annual trek to their state’s department of motor vehicles.


Like some actors, iconic Hollywood sign gets a makeover – and a closeup

LOS ANGELES – A reporter and a photographer get special access to the Hollywood sign, which is being repainted to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. It’s not just a sign, but rather a symbol of the power of storytelling and the pursuit of the American dream.


U.S. House, District 1: David Schweikert leans on conservative credentials to remain in Congress

Rep. David Schweikert is running as a reliable conservative in a redrawn district that isn’t as Republican as the one he has served for five terms. He is campaigning on issues of economic growth and stopping illegal immigration.

David Schweikert (Courtesy of the David Schweikert campaign)

Bolsos veganos hechos de piña, cactus y corcho podrían ayudar a salvar el planeta

LOS ANGELES – Algunos diseñadores reemplazan el cuero tradicional con materiales como la piña, el cactus y el corcho. Se ven muy bien y son mejores para el medio ambiente.


Ghost in the machine? These rental cars are driven by remote control

LOS ANGELES – Anyone who sees this electric rental car whiz by might think it’s yet another self-driving test car. After all, there’s no one behind the wheel. But someone is driving the car – likely from several miles away. That’s what makes this business model stand apart from the many other self-driving vehicle operations.


No dead poets here: Program ignites interest among students blasé about poetry

LOS ANGELES – Get Lit-Words Ignite is an organization that inspires students to perform and write poetry.


Aprueban salario mínimo de $22 la hora en California

LOS ÁNGELES – El gobernador Gavin Newsom de California firma una legislación para empoderar a los trabajadores de comida rápida con nuevos salarios y protecciones en el lugar de trabajo.


Too fast, too furious: Dangerous street takeovers stymie police, anger neighbors

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commission held a hearing to discuss the issue of street takeovers. Officers said they were so overwhelmed by the hundreds of carloads of people that can show up and the potential for violence that an entire station of officers wouldn’t be enough to deal with a major street takeover.


Vegan handbags made of pineapple, cactus and cork could help save the planet

LOS ANGELES – Some designers are becoming more sustainable by replacing traditional leather with such materials as pineapple, cactus and cork. They look great and are better for the environment.


Flip burgers for $22 an hour? California may adopt a labor-management council to set wages

LOS ANGELES – If a bill for California fast-food workers is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a new council of industry and labor representatives could set wages and working conditions for fast-food workers.