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We have tragic news to report from the world of television today:

Jim Avila — the award-winning ABC News reporter — has passed away at the age of 69.

Avila’s death was announced Thursday morning by ABC News Live anchor Diane Macedo.

An emotional Macedo shares news of her colleague’s death

“Jim was an L.A.-based correspondent specializing in politics, justice, law and consumer investigations for nearly two decades,” she said, adding:

“He also worked in the White House and broke the news that the U.S. and Cuba had reopened diplomatic relations.

“That story earned him the prestigious Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association.”

While no specific cause of death was given, Macedo noted that Avila “passed away after a long illness.”

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