Rey Llerena
Reporter
Charleston SC
Rey joined the Live 5 News team in November 2021.
Professional Experience: WSVN-TV News as a digital journalist, internship at the Miami Herald
News Philosophy: Find how every story impacts the viewer/person watching or reading it.
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Communications from Florida International University
Family: I am the grandson of Cuban immigrants who came to the U.S. in the late 1960s. Although I was born and raised in the states, I’m very passionate about my family’s culture.
Hobbies & Interests: Whenever I’m not working, you can find me at the local golf course playing a round. The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is one of my bucket list courses to play.
Favorite Books/Music: I typically listen to electronic music throughout the day, but I was raised on '80s and '90s music.
Likes Best About the Lowcountry: The weather and the food have been amazing so far. Please don’t be afraid to send recommendations to my email on restaurants to check out!
Most Interesting Story I've Covered: The Surfside Condo Collapse in June 2021 was the most heartbreaking story I have ever covered. The amount of loss and worry in the immediate aftermath of the partial collapse took a toll on the South Florida community, and residents of the area became more proactive as to how older buildings are inspected and maintained.
Dorchester County has released updated plans for the proposed redevelopment of its county headquarters in Summerville.
Changes are soon coming to Marion Square in downtown Charleston, as officials are trying to preserve the remains of an old Revolutionary War fort that’s underground.
Dorchester School District Two announced they would implement metal detectors at all three district high schools in an email to parents.
A nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic violence released its initial findings as to how common this type of violence is in the Lowcountry.
Dorchester County says they are getting ready to build a new fire and EMS station in one of its fastest-growing areas to help serve the lower parts of the county.
Dorchester School District Two has outlined their guidelines as they plan to rezone students ahead of the upcoming school year.
The school year may have just started, but Dorchester School District Two is already looking at potential changes to the calendar for the next school year.
The City of Charleston and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have partnered again for a new project focused on flooding in areas away from the coast.
The American Red Cross says they are going through a national blood and platelet shortage and are asking for people for their help.
The latest tourism numbers show that more people are visiting the Charleston area, and they are spending more money during their stay.
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A recount is underway after the Democratic primary race between two state representatives ended with a 1% or less margin of victory.
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority is undergoing a study funded by the federal government that, they say, will help them optimize their bus routes in downtown Charleston.
Changes are in store for a Charleston landmark as reconstruction of the Low Battery Seawall enters its final phase.
Dorchester District Two has seen an increase in the percentage of students living in poverty over the past several years, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Education.
People attending high school football games in Dorchester School District Two will notice enhanced security measures in place to help keep everyone safe.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum on the USS Yorktown will be temporarily closed for the next several months due to a renovation that will cost several million dollars.
Several area nonprofits have come together to eliminate several million dollars worth of medical debt from thousands of people in nine South Carolina counties.
A North Charleson-based nonprofit has deployed teams to see how they can help with relief efforts in Morocco after last week’s deadly earthquake.
Dorchester District Two’s board will receive information on a proposed timeline and rezoning for several schools in the Ashley River area.
The Citadel has officially cut the ribbon on Capers Hall, its newest academic building, this morning, celebrating the completion of the $67 million building.
Charleston Police say they have gone over their overtime budget for 2023 by around 35% with three months left to go in the year.
The Town of Summerville says they have started a drone program that they say will help both save time and money.
The South Carolina Department of Education released its SC READY assessment results for the 2022-2023 school year.
Mount Pleasant will soon be changing how fast bicycles and e-bikes are allowed to ride on their sidewalks.
Living Darshan, a nonprofit based in Charleston, is looking to increase autism awareness in the Lowcountry, and they’re also looking to build a place where people with autism can feel safe.
Dorchester School District Two’s board has signed a resolution that clears another hurdle for a potential redevelopment of the county’s Summerville headquarters.
As people are returning to the sand after Idalia passed through the Lowcountry, some residents are noticing some erosion on the dunes out on Folly Beach.
A judge on Tuesday will decide if two murder suspects will stay behind bars ahead of their trial.
The City of Charleston says they will soon begin their preparations for Tropical Storm Idalia, which is scheduled to impact the Lowcountry later this week.
A new multimillion-dollar library under construction near Ashley River Park will soon be the largest in Dorchester County.
A new app has made its way onto electronic devices given to students in Dorchester District Two, which allows students to anonymously report activities on campus.
As part of their first-ever State of Our Families event, Trident United Way says 40% of homes in the Tri-County area are struggling to make ends meet.
For the past two years, the City of Charleston has partnered with a community organization to run a mentorship program centered around the Palmetto Rose at the Charleston City Market.
Dorchester School District Two says they have increased the mental health resources available to students over the past year, as they prepare to return to class.
An extension of a storm drainage tunnel downtown is nearing completion.
As students prepare to return to class next week, Dorchester School District Two has created more financial incentives for the bus drivers who will safely take them back to campus.
Capers Hall, the Citadel’s new humanities and social sciences building, will be set to open next week, filled with numerous amenities for cadets, faculty and the community.
Isle of Palms Police say they identified a Summerville High School senior as the sole gunman in a shooting that sent five people to the hospital in April.
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott has signed the Republican National Committee’s pledge to officially qualify for the upcoming presidential primary debate later this month.
An Ohio family says they are upset after their trip to the Charleston City Market ended with their getting assaulted by people who, police say, may have been selling Palmetto Roses illegally.
Dorchester School District Two says they can expect around 16,000 more students over the next 10 years, but they’re already seeing a rise in the number of Hispanic students on their campuses.
\Former President Donald Trump headlined an annual fundraiser for the South Carolina Republican Party in Columbia.
Charleston Police have developed a Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Use Program with help from the federal government to fight a rise in overdoses in the area.
The town of Mount Pleasant revealed the results of a survey conducted to determine what people want their government to focus on over the next few years after months of public hearings.
Dorchester School District Four will be opening its first new school in nearly 25 years in 2024, a new middle school next to Woodland High School.
The Medical University of South Carolina has received final approval from the City of Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review for a new multistory building downtown.
A local non-profit has announced a new mission to help bring scholarship opportunities to aspiring college students across South Carolina.
The city of Charleston says they are nearing a design agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to build a storm surge protection barrier on the peninsula.
Charleston Waterkeeper says they will petition the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to help clean up a North Charleston creek that, they say, is contaminated with fecal bacteria.
Charleston County is looking at a potential way to help provide incentives to property owners, so housing prices remain affordable for locals.
