Newsom signs 2 laws boosting housing production

By Adam Beam | The Associated Press

They’ve become a familiar sight along the wide commercial corridors of America — empty buildings once filled by big retailers who have closed their doors, in part because many of their customers shop online.

Now, two new laws in California will let developers build housing on land zoned for retail, offices or parking and largely prevent revenue-hungry local governments from stopping them.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the laws Wednesday, opening...