Getting an HD local in another time zone is always better because it gives you flexibility in recording. If DVR tuners are busy recording other things, you can always record the major net show a few hours later.
BTW, about the local news: if you were one of the majority of LA residents who think our local news is far too alarmist, wastes too much time promoting the network's prime time programming during the newscast, and overkill with minor stories about beauty secrets, social trends, and--of course--romance/dating, then it's gotten worse.
KCBS is now focusing on more coverage of the most inconsequential BORING stories in as many of the small cities and villages throughout the LA metro area calling it "NewsCentral: News in your area that matter to you." They dug up poor old Ed Ansner to record a 6 minute piece that introduced the new concept (and replayed it all weekend) as if it were the greatest things since flush toilets ("Back in the '70's, history was made on this very studio lot with a program where I played a news director. Well, [now I paraphrase] a new history is going to me made with a new kind of innovative newscast not seen anywhere else, and it will be coming to you . . .) Well, It aint the greatest since flush toilets.
By far the worst is KTLA, still trying to regain its long-ago lost #1 at 10:00 status by being the most vapid, silly, uber-hyper, nerdy trying to be hip, music to introduce almost any segment newscast ever. And they play dance tracks (you know, music heard in clubs) leading out to and returning from commercial. UUUUHHHGG!!! They are trying to be so hopelessly hip. In a way, it is almost entertaining in itself. BTW KTLA has more bimbos reading it newscasts and features segments than anyone out there.
Having said all this, it is exactly why LA news is quite popular with people who live in other cites and get our stations via satellite. Yes, the news here is often more entertaining than the fiction Hollywood dreams up for its TV shows. I hope you can get LA HD locals, after all.