HAPPY NEW YEAR! @losgatan
vol . 5 , no. 18 : december 31 , 2025-january 6, 2026 : losgatan.com
pg&e substation catches fire p5 : blum on misconduct complaint p8 : gifts for farmworkers' kids p9 Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan
HERE ARE THE NEW LAWS THAT ARE GOING INTO EFFECT ON JAN. 1 From a minimum wage hike, to outdoor dining and sex abuse suit rules Todd Guild, Pajaronian Editor
Every year, lawmakers in Sacramento introduce a flurry of bills, most of which are eviscerated during the legislative process and end up on the Assembly or Senate trash heap. A select few make it to the governor’s desk. Assuming they dodge the veto stamp, they then become new laws. This year’s Senate Bills (SB) and Assembly Bills (AB)— most take effect on Jan. 1, while some come into force in July—include a prohibition on cat declawing, healthier school lunches and a slew of workplace protections. One of the most striking of these laws takes aim at book censorship. Under AB 1825, also called the California Freedom To Read Act, public libraries and those in schools are prohibited from banning books or other materials because of their content. These institutions are not allowed to exclude titles from their catalogs in a way that discriminates based on race, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ➝ New laws, 4
HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES Janice Maxie-Reid belts out a tune during the Tony Lindsay & Friends “Spreading Joy to the World of Jazz— a Holiday Benefit” winter fundraiser, held Dec. 22 at the Rinconada Hills Clubhouse. The event raised money for the summer Jazz on the Plazz concert series, as well as youth music education programming.
UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCES: 2025 SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW Athletes’ achievements left lasting impressions Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor
As the calendar turns, it’s impossible to reflect on the past year without celebrating the remarkable memories created by the Los Gatos High School sports teams and the student-athletes. From Friday Night Lights to packed gyms and early-morning practices, individuals and teams
delivered performances that went far beyond the scoreboard. There were unforgettable comebacks, record-setting moments and quiet displays of leadership. These actions defined what it means to represent their school with pride. LGHS tends to dominate the local sports chatter. However, let’s not forget that über-talented athletes from every age level and division—
youth, college and professional—turned in praiseworthy performances in 2025. In no particular order, let’s take a look back at some of the biggest stories of the year. Taking opponents to the mat In Fe b r u a r y, t h e L G H S wrestling program set several program records, creating moments that will be talked about for years to come. In finishing as the runner-up to Gilroy High ➝ Sports, 6
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