Audit Finds Public Universities Failing To Return Native American Remains

Here are the morning’s top stories on Friday, December 13, 2024…

• In 1990, a federal law required universities to return Native American remains to their homes. Many institutions had been using them for research and display. But a recent state audit shows many universities have been breaking that law ever since. 
• Health officials are investigating the death of two cats in LA County. The cats died after consuming raw milk that was recently recalled after samples tested positive for bird flu.
• The season for kissing under the mistletoe has arrived! While there’s no guarantee for holiday smooches, you can get a permit to harvest your own mistletoe this season.

UC, CSU Schools Still Failing In Repatriation Efforts

A federal law went into effect in 1990 requiring universities to return Native American human remains and artifacts to the appropriate tribes.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and its 2001 California counterpart establish requirements for the protection of Native American graves and the treatment and return of Native American human remains and cultural items from the collections of government agencies and museums. But a recent state audit shows many universities are not in compliance with the law.

California’s state auditor has conducted three audits: a UC audit undertaken in 2019, a second UC review in 2021, and a CSU survey and report in 2022. The CSU audit revealed collections of more than 700,000, although not all campuses had undertaken required inventories. UC also held sizeable collections, particularly on the UC Berkeley campus, and auditors reported additional collections were found as campuses reviewed their inventories.

Two Cats In LA County Are Suspected Of Dying From Bird Flu

Two cats that died in L.A. County are suspected of having contracted bird flu after consuming recently recalled raw milk, public health officials said Thursday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is working to confirm the two cases as H5 bird flu infections, which are considered rare in cats.

Public health officials said the cats consumed recalled milk from Fresno-based Raw Farm, LLC. Earlier this month, the California Public Health Department recalled all Raw Farm brand milk and cream on store shelves, after milk and cream samples tested positive for bird flu.

Here’s How To Harvest Your Own Mistletoe

The season for kissing under the mistletoe has arrived, and if you want to harvest those white berries yourself in our local forests, you’re going to need a permit

We may associate mistletoe with romance, but it’s actually a parasitic plant that can harm our forest’s trees — severe infestations can even kill them. That’s why the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests require permits to harvest mistletoe.

Found on oaks and pines, the plant siphons nutrients and water. While healthy trees can coexist with mistletoe — and mistletoe can provide a source of food and nesting for local birds and small wildlife — too much of it can weaken trees, especially if they’re already stressed by other impacts such as drought or disease.