Quick Local Notes

--Health Care For All has reached out-of-state to replace executive director John McDonough, who has joined Sen. Ted Kennedy's staff to work on national reform. The new hire is Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, a veteran advisor to health care organizations -- and once upon a time, a Kennedy staffer.

--Not easy to run a legislative session while your friends are being investigated, wouldn't you think?

--Top Moody's analyst sez much of America is in recession,  most of the rest is heading there. But not Massachusetts, one of just seven states in expansion -- thanks to health care and education services, he says.Because we rock, I say.

--Not long ago, the Globe was editorializing about the importance of John Kerry debating his then-opponent Ed O'Reilly.  Then yesterday, they couldn't bother to wait an extra day to catch Kerry's first debate with Beatty before rolling out their endorsement for re-election.

--Sam Yoon just deposited $24,090 from donors in California. Don't forget, they can all give again (max. $500) in 2009!