Sacramento measles surge, bridge budget crisis & more. Your evening news roundup
Sacramento County reported six new measles cases Wednesday, bringing its 2026 total to 11. It’s a noteworthy surge. The disease was only detected twice locally in the previous six years.
But that’s only the beginning of today’s news. From a bridge project that’s coming in way over budget to a postal worker convicted of stealing veterans’ medication, here’s a look at the day’s top stories:
• Picnic Day tightens security: After a shooting wounded three people at last year’s event, Davis is banning off-campus event permits, doubling police staffing and prohibiting alcohol in city parks for Saturday’s 112th Picnic Day.
• Measles cases climb: Sacramento County has confirmed 11 measles cases in 2026, while Placer County has reported eight. Statewide, 39 cases have been confirmed, with 95% among unvaccinated people.
• Bridge bids blow past budget: Bids for Sacramento’s I Street Bridge replacement came in as much as $250 million over the expected $260 million construction cost, likely pushing construction to next year.
• Postal worker convicted: Carrie Wallace, 47, of Pollock Pines pleaded guilty to stealing narcotic medication from VA packages sent to military veterans and replacing the drugs with over-the-counter medication. She faces up to 10 years in prison.
• Nugget Markets opens in Rocklin: The grocery chain opened its 18th location during its 100th anniversary year, featuring a mezzanine with an outdoor patio.
• Bee endorses Dr. Richard Pan: The Sacramento Bee editorial board backed the former state senator for California’s 6th Congressional District, citing his public health credentials.
• California cities rank worst for startups: All 10 of the worst small cities for starting a business are in Northern California, according to WalletHub, with Pacifica ranking last out of 1,334 cities nationwide.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.