Today’s Boston Globe North section has an article by John Laidler on Senator-elect Eileen Donoghue. In the story, Donoghue calls current Senator Steve Panagiotakos a “great mentor” who is greatly easing the transition process. Donoghue says she’s confident she can be a positive influence on Beacon Hill because many of the problems faced by the state today are similar to those facing the city of Lowell back in 1995 when she was first elected to the city council.