5 Things You Need to Know Today, Aug. 13

Today is Monday, Aug. 13. Here are five things to know today in Peabody.

1. Republican presidential candidate and former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney finally named his running mate on Saturday: Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Shortly after the news, we sent out a poll to Bay State Republicans and .
2. We also polled Mass. Democrats over the weekend and they said Ryan's controversial budget plans .
3. Hear the candidates: Tomorrow night, all five candidates seeking to fill Fred Berry's shoes in the state Senate . The show, which will be aired by Salem Access Television, begins at 7 p.m. The candidates are Democrats John Slattery, Mary-Ellen Manning, Joan Lovely and Edward Carroll and Republican Richard Jolitz.
4. The candidates are then going to appear again together Thursday night at Beverly High School for a debate hosted by the Salem News and BevCam. The debate starts at 7 p.m.
5. But before you head to Beverly for the debate, tune in to Peabody Patch for a live chat with John Slattery. The former state representative and city councilor will be chatting with readers from 2-3 p.m. on Thursday. We are in the process of scheduling live chats with the remaining candidates as well prior to the Sept. 6 primary.