Today's Massachusetts Papers, 4/7

--The Herald can't get enough of the Globe's woes. BTW, I have it on good authority that consummate insider Larry Moulter, who just took the Boston Coach CEO slot eight months ago, is not  pursuing a possible purchase of the paper, as the Herald suggests. 

--There's a lot of concern about the local effects of plans announced by Defense Secretary Gates yesterday, to reduce and re-focus military spending. The Globe is all over it, and the Lowell Sun has a good piece.

--Barnstable is in talks with its municipal unions on concessions, the Barnstable Patriot reports. Fitchburg is trying to save teachers' jobs, says the Sentinel & Enterprise.

--South Coast Today reports on Ian Bowles narrowing to three options the plans for rail to New Bedford.

--The Republican writes up Gov. Patrick's Town Hall in Springfield.

--The Eagle-Tribune has the list of names -- including Michael Chiklis Johnny Damon, Rep. Barry Feingold, Evander Holyfield, Hugh Laurie, David Ortiz, Deval Patrick, and Mayor Michael Sullivan, along with local citizens, pols, and journalists -- on whom the school superintendent's right-hand man allegedly ran in-depth background checks for no apparent legitimate reason. Not good.