Sea lion dies from avian flu in Morro Bay

Author

Carly Heltzel
March 31, 2026

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, and I’m looking at John Oliver’s new stickers to cover up Trump’s face on this year’s national park annual passes. Onto the five Cal Poly, SLO and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

SLO County marine mammals could be in trouble. After a deadly strain of the avian flu was detected in Bay Area elephant seals last month for the first time ever, at least 47 are now dead from the virus. Now, a sea lion washed up died from the same virus on Morro Strand State Beach, and it has been detected in at least one otter. It’s unlikely the disease will transmit to humans, but county health officials warned to steer clear of marine mammals in case. 

2.

As SLO County’s long-time public health official retires, she warned to not get caught up in thinking there “isn’t work to be done” in the “wonderful and paradisal” SLO County. Dr. Penny Borenstein lead the county through COVID-19, a unique challenge that she said eroded public trust in health officials, and she said she now leaves at a time when federal health officials are veering away from science-based decisions. She said the biggest challenges the county faces are the health challenges of homelessness. 

3.

A SLO café that employs formerly incarcerated people is closing today. The Bridge Café was the first social enterprise café, or one that trains and employs a vulnerable population, on the Central Coast when it opened three years ago. Its non-profit owners Restorative Partners announce the closure saying it was a “difficult decision” but the right one for them to not renew their lease.

4.

Only 54% of high schoolers in California complete the necessary courses to attend a public university in California because they don’t take or pass the necessary courses. If you attended high school in California, the A-G requirements might ring a bell. Of the state’s 1,468 public high schools, 222 of them have less than 30% of their students pass the A-G courses. One in 10 high schools don’t offer the necessary courses for students to complete the requirements.

5.

Hole Party in San Francisco drew about 250 people to dig a gargantuan sand hole at the beach — the organizer said it’s just a “surprisingly good way to bring people together.” When someone hit water or a helicopter flew by, the entire ensemble would chant “Hole! Hole! Hole!” The deepest part of the hole, which was more of an amoeba than a proper circle, was as deep as the adult man digging it was tall. One sand expert said this is dangerous, adding “That seems like a ridiculous thing to be doing.”