'You Have No Plan:' Pressley Slams School Reopening Push: PatchPM

Today is July 13. Here are some of the top stories we've been covering from across Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley slammed U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos over the federal government's push to reopen schools this fall. Pressley, a Democrat, tweeted that she wouldn't trust DeVos to "care for a house plant let alone my child" after the secretary's appearance on CNN Sunday.

DeVos said that while there may be exceptions, the "rule should be that kids go back to school this fall." CNN host Dana Bash asked DeVos how the federal government can reconcile its call to reopen schools with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance that children meeting in groups "can put everyone at risk."

"The CDC has also been very clear to say they never recommended schools close down in the first place, and they are very much of the posture that kids need to be back in school for a multitude of reasons," DeVos said. "The American Academy of Pediatrics has said the same thing. Kids need to be in school. They need to be learning. They need to be moving ahead."

The issue of holding in-person classes this fall has been a political lightning rod, with President Donald Trump threatening to withhold federal funds from schools that do not reopen. Preliminary guidelines in Massachusetts call for districts to prepare plans for in-person classes, remote learning and a hybrid model.

Also Across Massachusetts

Saugus Woman Charged In Dog's Death At Revere Beach

State Police and the Animal Rescue League are investigating the death of a dog at Revere Beach Sunday. Troopers were called to the area of the Shirley Avenue Bathhouse for a report of an injured dog around noon and found lifeguards and Revere firefighters trying to resuscitate a small Chihuahua mix who was in "severe medical distress," a State Police spokesperson said.

Efforts to save the dog were unsuccessful. The dog's owner, a 57-year-old Saugus woman, told troopers the dog suddenly became stricken and drowned when she took it into the water, State Police said.

The woman was allowed to leave with the dog's body; however, several beach-goers told troopers they saw her abusing the dog before it died, police said.

MBTA's The Ride Drivers Strike Amid Contract Negotiations

Contract negotiations were still in the works on Monday for the MBTA's The Ride program and many drivers aren't getting behind the wheel until the contracts are ready. The drivers started a strike on Sunday with several people joining picket-lines in Watertown and Everett.

Teamsters Local 25 and Veterans Transportation, one of two providers of paratransit service to the MBTA are still negotiating terms of the labor contract and drivers say health insurance is the contract's biggest issue. Union shop steward Ray Domkowski told CBS Boston that the new contracts cut back health insurance for drivers, a major issue since the drivers are essential workers and have been working with vulnerable populations throughout the pandemic.

The Ride is a door-to-door, shared-ride paratransit service offered through the MBTA to the elderly, disabled and veterans. As negotiations and the strike continued on Monday, the MBTA issued a statement warning commuters to expect delays or service disruptions and consider using taxis or Ubers in the meantime.

Also

Coast Guard Recovers Missing MA Swimmer's Body Off Of RI Beach

Coast Guard crews recovered the body of a missing swimmer from Fitchburg off of Scarborough State Beach early Monday morning.

Supreme Judicial Court Allows Helen Brady On Congressional Ballot

The decision reversed a ruling from the State Ballot Law Commission that would have barred Helen Brady, R, from being on the primary ballot.

Anti-War Protesters Call On Raytheon To Stop Selling Weapons

A group of activists plan to hold an anti-war vigil on the Common and ask Waltham-based Raytheon to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Auburn Mall Stabbing: Man Arraigned On Assault Charges

Yohance Jones, 19, was arraigned Monday in connection to a stabbing that left a man in critical condition.

State Police Cruiser Vandalized In Quincy

Police said three windows were smashed while the car was in a parking garage on Brook Road overnight.

Proposed Beverly Cannabis Shop Gets Pushback From Neighbors

Trask Street residents say they're worried about the recreational marijuana retailer that wants to open on Sam Fonzo Drive.