USC cadaver program may serve troubled IDF unit
Tomo Chien
February 18, 2026
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, and these are the five USC, Los Angeles, and California stories you need to know for today.
1.
A military program that trains Israeli medical personnel using cadavers supplied by USC may involve an IDF brigade that killed 15 Palestinian paramedics last year, a new Annenberg Media story claims. If true, the findings, based solely on a photo taken at LA General, could add fresh controversy to USC’s cadaver-sharing practice.
2.
USC Athletics has a new concessions provider with a troubled legal history. Oak View Group’s former CEO was indicted on federal conspiracy charges last year after allegedly rigging a bidding process — but was pardoned by Donald Trump. The company will provide concessions at venues like the Galen Center and Dedeaux Field.
3.
Drama in Westwood: UCLA’s CFO was ousted yesterday after alleging in a shockingly freewheeling interview that financial management contributed to the school’s budget deficit. Stephen Agostini, apparently eager to self-immolate, told the Daily Bruin that “I have rarely seen the kind of financial management flaws and failures that I see here.”
4.
Young people rarely have good things to say about the dating market. But a quick poll at USC suggests its students may be particularly despondent. “USC is not where you come to find your boyfriend,” said junior Gia Oseguera. “The bar is below hell. It’s in lava,” said senior Yolanda Yang.
5.
Looking for a new culinary adventure? A panel of acclaimed local chefs assembled a list of the “25 Essential Dishes to Eat” in LA. These include soondubu at Surawon Tofu House in Koreatown; a Japanese caesar at Tsubaki in Echo Park; and tacos at Komal, which is right by USC.
