Colleagues, friends, readers and Mainers are mourning the death of Chris Cousins, a veteran political reporter for the Bangor Daily News.
The paper reports that Cousins died of a heart attack Wednesday morning at the age of 42.
Cousins was the State House bureau chief at the newspaper, where he had worked since 2009.
Senate President Michael Thibodeau released a statement saying "...he set high standards for fairness, accuracy, and professionalism. At the same time was a kind and thoughtful individual, and by all accounts a wonderful father."
Bangor Daily News President Todd Benoit remembers Cousins as a someone who other reporters looked up to and respected because of his news judgement and knowledge of the Maine.
He is survived by his wife and two sons.