As part of her exploratory moves towards announcing a Senate bid, Elizabeth Warren has been avoiding the press. Her statewide listening tour among potential supporters has been reported only by the individuals who were invited. Accounts can be read on CW as well as BlueMassGroup.

The media’s reaction has been varied. When Warren wouldn’t talk to New Bedford Standard-Times columnist Jack Spillane, he wrote a scathing blog post and column slamming her as “fragile.”  On the other end was the Globe’s non-reaction, a report on Warren’s “Coming home” post at BlueMassGroup, which not only didn’t include a link to the post, but referred to BlueMassGroup simply as “a website supportive of the Democratic party.” The Phoenix’s David Bernstein, while considerably less critical, wondered whether Warren will make avoiding the press part of her long-term strategy.

BlueMassGroup doesn’t seem to mind Warren’s strategy, with opinions on the site ranging from “what’s the rush?”  to a lengthy explanation by ebIII a.k.a Ernie Boch III, that Warren’s post (and the WEEI/David Portnoy rumble) heralds the diminishing role of traditional media.

Both sides have good points. She’s not a candidate just yet, and she’s still rounding up support in advance of a run. But she’s nevertheless publicly expressed interest, making her fair game for media scrutiny.

But this is certainly not a “new media vs. old media” debate. Had Warren taken some of the more substantive questions posed at BlueMassGroup, it might be a different story. In that scenario the role of mainstream media would have been replaced by a more direct, two-way conversation. She didn’t take those questions, choosing instead to respond to questions about her campaign timeline and travel plans. She got her message out without direct interaction with the media. Reporters, meanwhile, are hounding her for a very good reason. She’s running for US Senate. Perhaps she should take the Boston Globe’s advice to heart.   

                                                                                                                                                                    –CHRISTINA PRIGNANO

BEACON HILL

A home rule petition by the Lowell City Council to require people who own 10 or more guns to notify police of the firearms’ locations has been turned into a statewide bill that supporters say weakens its chances of passage.

In an effort to counter the increasing negative climate for unions, lobbyists for organized labor are on a pace to set records for spending on Beacon Hill.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Abington officials are eyeing a former dairy farm as a potential site for a new middle school. And a solar farm. And athletic fields. And a dairy farm.

The Gloucester Fire Department has already used more than a quarter of its overtime budget just one month into the fiscal year.

BlueMassGroup has new redistricting maps.

NATIONAL POLITICS/WASHINGTON

US Rep. Niki Tsongas took a break from her vacation to tell Keller@Large the president and Congress should curtail their vacations and get to work on a jobs bill.

The Obama administration’s new immigration enforcement policy may not improve life for law enforcement officials.

The Wall Street Journal previews Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s annual Jackson Hole speech by rounding up his ugly summer.

The Globe reports that federal stimulus money is running out at a time when state officials are concerned about staving off a second recession.

Senator John Kerry’s next diplomatic test will be on the home front in the form of deficit reduction talks, the Globe reports.

ELECTION 2012

A political organizer laying the groundwork in Iowa for a run by Sarah Palin tells the National Review the former Alaska governor will be all in by the end of September. Palin organizers are also telling the American Spectator it’s a matter of “when,” not “if.”

Mitt Romney picks a bad time to build a McMansion.

Jon Huntsman’s real goal may be 2016. The former Utah governor and ambassador to China went on the attack over the weekend, calling his Republican rivals unelectable. The Atlantic wonders why Huntsman carries weight in the media, while Ron Paul doesn’t.

Rick Perry befriends rich folk in Texas. New York magazine looks at how Perry’s entrance has reshaped the GOP race for the White House.

David Bernstein returns from vacation to find Elizabeth Warren all over everything, and ponders what it all means.

Anthony Weiner’s New York City district has taken a sharp turn to the right. Meanwhile, the battling GOP governors of Wisconsin and Ohio make conciliatory moves toward disaffected Democrats.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

The Salem News reports foreclosures are down around the North Shore but experts say the numbers are not reflective of the problems that still persist in the housing and mortgage markets.

Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli tells arts organizations in the Berkshires not to fret about the possibility of a casino in the region.

After the Evergreen Solar debacle, The MetroWest Daily News says that state government should give up gambling on companies.

Striking Verizon workers agree to return to work.

The Globe reports on the growing income disparity in Massachusetts between the very rich and very poor.

EDUCATION

A former Andover high school student who was alleged raped on a school-sponsored trip to Europe three years ago is suing two teachers and the town saying they are responsible for the rape and the failure to act in the aftermath.

The Globe editorializes against cutting the tough achievement standards for No Child Left Behind.

TRANSPORTATION

The number of traffic accidents involving pedestrians in Lynn is up over last year due mainly to jaywalkers, according to the vice chairman of the city’s Disability Commission.

ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT

The EPA plans to implement strict new emissions rules for coal-fired power plants that will cause some older plants to close, which is making some Republicans very unhappy.

The Cape Cod Times says that NOAA needs to work on improving its relationship with the Bay State’s commercial fishing fleet.

MEDIA

Former prosecutor and victim advocate Wendy Murphy says Norfolk District attorney Michael Morrissey should press child pornography charges against David Portnoy, who runs Barstool Sports out of Milton, for posting and commenting on pictures of Tom Brady’s naked son. The panel on Beat The Press beats on Portnoy for his actions but also the Attorney General for sending state police to Portnoy’s house to take down the post.

Dan Kennedy, who has a daughter with dwarfism and has a written a book on the subject, is calling attention to a discussion on WTKK’s Michael Graham show last Friday where someone made a tasteless joke about dwarfs in regards to a Starbuck’s discrimination suit settlement. Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo, who was on the show, wrote on his Facebook page that he was the only one who defended the woman in the suit and called on WTKK to post the audio.

RECOGNITION

A Worcester veteran, pointing out that Elvis and Garfield have one, wants the US Postal Service to issue a stamp to recognize the World War II landing ship tanks that were instrumental in ferrying soldiers to beachhead fights.