Some very sad news today: longtime television reporter Huell Howser has passed away at 67. Few people cared as much about California as did Howser, who probably did more than anyone else in the Golden State to promote all that makes California special.

Above is a program he did on streetcar tunnels in downtown Los Angeles in which he brings his usual enthusiasm to the program’s topic. And here’s a photo of Huell at a Metro event in 2007 promoting the launch of the Metro vanpool program. He also emceed the grand opening of the Metro Orange Line.

Metro sends its condolences to Huell’s family, friends and colleagues.