"Meet The Press" host Tim Russert dies at 58

Sad news for political junkies and journalists everywhere.

Tim Russert, best known as the host of NBC's "Meet the Press," died today of sudden heart attack at the age of 58 in Washington D.C.

Read NBC News' update here. Former anchor Tom Brokaw announced the news of the death of their colleague on NBC, saying "This news division will not be the same without his strong, clear voice."

As someone who grew up watching "Meet the Press" on Sundays, Russert was a far cry from the blowhards that dominate cable television news channels today. He did what all journalists should have done -- asked the hard questions and asked them repeatedly -- and it's hard to imagine a presidential election year without his presence and his trusty whiteboard that made its appearance in 2000 during the election (later upgraded to a PC in Election 2004).

-- Malavika Jagannathan, mjaganna@greenbaypressgazette.com