'Today' host Natalie Morales heading to 'Access Hollywood'

NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- Today Show co-host Natalie Morales is moving to Los Angeles to serve as host of Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live following Billy Bush's exit.

Morales, 43, will continue with NBC's Today as its West Coast correspondent while also working with Access, Deadline reported.

Today Show vice president Noah Oppenheim released a statement to the outlet, writing Morales will remain a "prominent" member of the show and also appear on Dateline.

"With our show's increasing focus on West Coast stories, it became clear to me that having a permanent anchor presence in LA would be of enormous value," he continued.

Morales has been working with Today since 2006 and became a primary anchor two years later. Her new role was created due to the already significant amount of time spent in California, Oppenheim said.

The news comes shortly after it was reported Access Hollywood anchor Billy Bush would be leaving the show to join Today in New York. The move is expected be announced on May 16, according to The Hollywood Reporter.