Pledge of Allegiance controversy, more storms. Top Sacramento stories for May 27

From a heated congressional primary clash to severe weather and a billionaire’s real estate ties, here is a quick digest of the day’s top stories.

• Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang’s campaign is blaming rival Rep. Doris Matsui for stoking conservative media attacks over Vang’s refusal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at a council meeting. Vang, the progressive challenger in the 7th District primary, says Matsui is trying to elevate a MAGA Republican to avoid facing a fellow Democrat in November.

• The National Weather Service is forecasting more isolated thunderstorms across the Sacramento area Wednesday and Thursday, following a Tuesday evening storm that one witness in Davis called “one of the most insane thunderstorms I’ve ever witnessed.” Tuesday’s storms dropped a half inch to 1.5 inches of rain across Northern California.

• Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer has roughly $3.5 million invested in Bridge Partners real estate funds that own apartment complexes with histories of evictions, fee hikes and maintenance problems — complicating his populist pitch to stop Wall Street from buying up middle-class homes. Steyer’s spokesperson said he invested in the firm because of its focus on multifamily affordable housing.

• The Velocity Invitational motorsport festival returns to Sonoma Raceway this Friday through Sunday after a one-year postponement in 2025. The event features drivers from Formula 1, the American Rally Association and Formula Drift, including Red Bull Racing reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda, rally champion Lia Block and “Fast & Furious” actor Sung Kang.