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(RNS) — A native Pennsylvanian, I remember what it was like for my family to celebrate Diwali (or Deepavali, as it is also known for people of South Indian descent) at a time when Hinduism and other dharmic faiths were considered foreign and exotic religions. In the...

HARRISBURG, PA — On Monday, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402 into law, officially designating Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania. This significant legislative act acknowledges the cultural contributions of Pennsylvanians and the over one billion...

A new “portal” art installation in Philadelphia’s LOVE Park will use livestreaming technology to connect the city to three international cities in real time, providing a live look at people in Dublin, Ireland; Vilnius, Lithuania; and Lublin, Poland. The portal could...

Harrisburg, PA — On Oct. 21, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402 into law — officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania. The governor signed the bill while attending a Diwali, Tihar, and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebration hosted by the...

Almost 13 million Americans in Pennsylvania will now have an extra holiday, after Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill into law which recognizes Diwali as an official holiday. Diwali, also referred to as the festival of lights, is an Indian holiday which takes the form...

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Now that Governor Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law, Pennsylvania has a new holiday on the calendar. Formerly Senate Bill 402, introduced by Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry) and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), called for...

Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402(opens in a new tab) into law — officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania while attending a Diwali, Tihar, and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebration hosted by the Governor’s...

Diwali — the religious festival and holiday celebrated by over a billion Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs worldwide — is a step closer to becoming an official state holiday in the Keystone State. The Pennsylvania Senate recently passed Senate Bill 402, which grants...

Philadelphia, PA – On September 26, the Philadelphia Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression members joined the UNITE HERE Local 274 picket line as Philadelphia stadium workers struggled for healthcare and a living wage. The strikes were a culmination of...

A historic bank in Old City that has been empty for a decade will soon be the home of an 8,000-square-foot, six-story immersive art experience. On Tuesday, the nonprofit Ministry of Awe, the team behind the redesign, held a ceremonial wall-breaking, letting everyone...

Efforts to block Gov. Josh Shapiro’s revenue secretary from having to appear before the Pennsylvania Senate next week to explain his refusal to produce tax records for an Allentown revitalization program failed. The Commonwealth Court on Tuesday issued rulings in two...

Bull riding may be coming to Pittsburgh for the first time in more than 30 years, unless proposed legislation reinstates the city’s ban on such events. Professional Bull Riders [PBR] has announced Unleash The Beast tour dates at PPG Paints Arena, Jan. 24 and 25....

On Oct. 9, the Pennsylvania House passed a bill that will recognize Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated in Hinduism and other Indian religions, as an official state holiday. The designation will not require closures of governments, schools, or businesses. 

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a bill that might add an official holiday for the Keystone State: Diwali. Senate Bill 402, headed by Sen. Greg Rothman and co-endorsed by Sen. Nikil Saval, was initially proposed in January 2023.

Four Pennsylvania Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to block their Republican counterparts’ efforts to force Gov. Josh Shapiro’s revenue secretary to turn over tax records for the Allentown downtown revitalization program. Senate Democratic Leader Jay...

Legislation that would make Diwali an official holiday in Pennsylvania passed the state General Assembly. Senate Bill 402 was introduced by state Sen. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry, co-sponsored by Nikil Saval, D-Philadelphia, and would not require...

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Earlier today, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a bill that would create a new official holiday here in the Keystone State. Senate Bill 402, introduced by State Sen. Greg Rothman and co-sponsored by Sen. Nikil Saval, would make Diwali...