Diaz leads KABC race to replace McRee

By VARIETY STAFF

While KABC denies it has made any decision, Laura Diaz has emerged as the clear front-runner to replace Lisa McRee on the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. editions of "Eyewitness News." McRee departed Aug. 15 to take the co-host chair on ABC's "Good Morning America."

KABC spokesman Bill Burton said, "We're still interviewing candidates." He added that no announcement would be forthcoming until next week at the earliest.

A key factor working in favor of Diaz, who has been the station's primary fill-in on McRee's shifts, is the fact news ratings are holding steady since McRee's departure and have on a few occasions even improved.