LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Laura Diaz, one of the most respected and popular broadcast journalists in Southern California, announced today that she will be leaving KCBS-TV after nine years to produce projects under her own banner.

A Southern California native and first-generation Mexican-American, Diaz has served as solo anchor of the weekday editions of CBS2 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 CBS2 anchor.

“We have the utmost respect for Laura and appreciate her many contributions to the success of CBS2 during the last nine years,” said Steve Mauldin, President and General Manager, CBS2 and KCAL9. “I am confident that Laura will continue to be successful as she begins her new venture.”

“It has been an amazing run at CBS2, 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.”

“I feel now is the perfect time to branch out and begin producing my own shows and other content. I look forward to being back on the air shortly, and continuing to keep our city and our people informed.”

Diaz, who is one of the most honored journalists in Southern California, last month won a nationally renowned Imagen Award (the third of her career) when “Eye on Our Community” was selected as Best Local Informational Program.

In addition, Diaz has won 14 Emmy Awards and numerous other honors from industry, community and civic organizations, including several that have recognized her as a pioneer and a role model for young women.

In 1997, Diaz became part of Southern California television history when she was named lead anchor for KABC-TV’s 5 and 11 p.m. newscasts – a promotion that made her the first Hispanic to have such a prestigious position at a Los Angeles television station.

In September 2002, Diaz joined KCBS as lead anchor. She was a member of the 11 p.m. news team that delivered a first-place finish in the May 2006 sweep – the station’s first late-news victory in a major non-Olympic sweep month since the 1960s.