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Laura Diaz has been the solo anchor on the 6 p.m. news on Channel 2 since last year. She has been an anchor at the duopoly for nine years, after becoming the first Latino lead anchor in Los Angeles at KABC Channel 7. CBS 2 announced today she will leave after this Sunday's 9/11 special "to produce projects under her own banner." Diaz has 14 local Emmys to her credit. From the CBS flackage:
A Southern California native and first-generation Mexican-American, Diaz has served as solo anchor of the weekday editions of CBS 2 News at 6 p.m. since April 2010. In addition, she has produced and hosted a series of “Eye on Our Community” specials for the station, including a half hour on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that will air this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and serve as her final broadcast as a CBS 2 anchor. “We have the utmost respect for Laura and appreciate her many contributions to the success of CBS 2 during the last nine years,” said Steve Mauldin, President and General Manager, CBS 2 and KCAL 9. “I am confident that Laura will continue to be successful as she begins her new venture.” “It has been an amazing run at CBS 2, and I’ll miss the many colleagues who have become close friends,” Diaz said. “Getting a chance to serve Southern Californians with news that matters is something I will always treasure and it’s something I look forward to continuing to do.”
Mauldin also announced that Rick Garcia, who anchors on Channel 9 at 8 and 10 p.m., will handle the 6 o'clock show on CBS 2.
Photo of Laura Diaz: Dana Patrick via CBS 2