The longtime political columnist for The Providence Journal is retiring.

M. Charles Bakst is taking a buyout that was recently offered to a number of Journal employees.

For the past 40 years, Bakst has written weekly and Sunday columns for the newspaper. He also served as State House bureau chief.

He is known for skewering high-ranking politicians from both parties.

Bakst's last day at The Providence Journal will be Sept. 12.