News brief
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law yesterday to go into effect on Jan. 1, allowing public schools and community colleges to close and state employees to take the 鈥淔estival of Lights鈥 off. The decision follows moves in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists celebrate Diwali, which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.