Dave Lopez wins awards for autobiography

DOWNEY — Retired television journalist Dave Lopez can now add a new notch into his hat: award-winning author.

Lopez recently took home honors for his book “It’s a Great Life if you Don’t Weaken: Family, Faith, and 48 Years on Television” at the 25th annual International Latino Book Awards in Los Angeles, winning a gold medal in the Best Audiobook – English category and silver medal in the Best Autobiography – English category.

Published in 2022, “It’s a Great Life” chronicles Lopez’s life and career, including his upbringing, his battle with cancer, the loss of his wife and mother, and, of course, his tenure with CBS2 / KCAL9 and many of the stories he covered throughout.

ILBA judges commented on how open and engaging Lopez was in the book, while praising the audiobook as being “read cleanly” with a “clean voice.”

The ILBA is put on by Empowering Latino Futures, a nonprofit foundation founded in 1997 to recognize excellence in literature and promote Latino authors.

The cover of Lopez’s book will now feature an emblem that recognizes its award-winning status.

Of the awards, Lopez said he was “Deeply, deeply honored.”