Dana Williams is a reporter and fill-in anchor at NBC 7 San Diego, where she has spent the past seven years serving in multiple newsroom roles, including digital multimedia journalist, assignment editor, and story producer. Her career reflects a deep commitment to modern storytelling — on traditional broadcast platforms and across emerging social and streaming media.
Dana’s reporting has reached national audiences across NBCUniversal platforms including MSNBC, NBC New York, Weekend Today, NBC LocalX, and Dateline: True Crime Weekly, where she discussed her in-depth coverage of the Ali Abulaban murder trial — widely known as the “TikTok murder” case.
In 2025, Dana traveled to support teams at NBC Los Angeles during coverage of the historic and deadly Eaton and Palisades Fires. Reporting from Altadena, she told stories from the front lines — from neighborhoods still smoldering as utility crews worked to secure gas lines, to families sifting through rubble in search of cherished mementos.
Dana is a two-time Emmy Award winner. In June 2025, she received an Emmy for overall achievement in reporting, recognizing her body of work over the previous year. She also earned an Emmy for her contribution to coverage of the 2020 protests and unrest in La Mesa. In addition, she has received multiple honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, including awards for Social Media Personality and Social Media Storytelling.
Passionate about the evolution of journalism, Dana is committed to engaging audiences in innovative and non-traditional ways. She also cares deeply about mentoring the next generation of journalists, having led the internship program at NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 for four years.
A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University, Dana earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in 2019. During her time there, she served two years as editor-in-chief of the university newspaper and interned on the assignment desk at ABC 7 News Bay Area (KGO).
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dana moved to San Diego for college and quickly fell in love with the community she now serves. She is proud to call America’s Finest City home and honored to share the stories that matter most to its residents.
The Latest
-
USS George Washington expected to relieve San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln
After nine months at sea and growing concerns over conditions on board, USS Lincoln is finally expected to be relieved in the Middle East, reports NBC 7’s Dana Williams.
-
‘Here we go': Marines reflect on Miramar F-35B crash in exclusive interviews
Miramar’s specialized Marine firefighters describe their response to an F-35B crash that sent the pilot to the hospital in exclusive interviews.
-
San Diego Humane Society necesita con urgencia adoptantes por falta de espacio
Un portavoz de la Sociedad Protectora de Animales de San Diego declaró que ya no tienen espacio disponible en sus cuatro instalaciones.
-
San Diego Humane Society ‘desperately' needs adopters after influx of hundreds of pets
The San Diego Humane Society put out a desperate plea Wednesday for adopters after receiving an influx of animals in the last few weeks.
-
Mayors from across San Diego County meet to discuss solutions to homelessness
More than a dozen local mayors met for the fifth annual Mayors Symposium to talk about what’s working and what’s not, in an effort to get people off the streets, reports NBC 7’s Dana Williams.
-
Nearly 100 U.S. service members injured in the Middle East in the past 2 weeks
The Pentagon says nearly 100 U.S. troops have been hurt as the war with Iran intensifies, with San Diego-based military personnel and assets front and center, reports NBC 7’s Dana Williams.
-
U.S. retaliates after 3 American service members killed
President Trump issued renewed threats against Iran after the deaths of 3 U.S. troops, reports NBC 7’s Dana Williams.
-
San Diego defense company tied to first U.S. combat use of sea drones
The U.S. military said Saronic sea drones used in strikes on Iran were developed by a company with a major San Diego presence.
-
Half of Mission Bay's restrooms now closed to the public
Thirteen public restrooms in Mission Bay have closed as the City of San Diego continues implementing cost-saving measures mentioned in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget approved unanimously by the City Council last month.
-
Search underway for arson suspect after 3 hurt in Imperial Beach fire
Police are looking for a man who is suspected of setting a camper on fire, which then spread to a nearby apartment unit, leaving three people hurt in Imperial Beach on Tuesday morning.
