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Janice Journal: Standing with Nurses on the right side of history

County of Los Angeles, California sent this bulletin at 01/31/2026 09:00 AM PST

The murder of Alex Pretti by federal agents last weekend was horrifying. Alex was a true hero—an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, and his final act was to shelter a woman who had been pushed by federal agents. His last words were: “Are you OK?”

This week I joined a candlelight vigil in memory of Alex that was organized by the incredible nurses at Providence Little Company Mary Medical Center in San Pedro. It was a moving experience to be surrounded by people who, like Alex, made it their lives’ work to care for the sick and injured.

We are at a moment in history where future generations will look back and ask us where we stood, what we said, what we did.

We are not backing down. We will continue to stand up for our rights, to speak out, and to show the compassion that Alex showed—even in his final moments.

Over 31,000 Kaiser Permanente workers across the region went on strike this week as their attempts to negotiate a fair contract with Kaiser have stalled.

I joined them on the picket line at Kaiser’s South Bay Medical Center in Harbor City to call on Kaiser to stop putting profits over patients, get back to the table, and give these workers the contract they deserve.

Healthcare workers have always had our backs—it’s time that we have theirs.

Yesterday I joined local leaders, dozens of community members, and my friend former state senator Richard G. Polanco for the grand opening of the Richard G. Polanco Early Childhood Education Center by Plaza Community Services, which will offer affordable, trustworthy childcare that is still so out of reach for so many families. This beautiful new center in the heart of South Gate doesn't look like most schools, and that's by design. It looks and feels like a home, where children will have every tool and resource they need to thrive in those critical early months of development.

Naming this center after Senator Polanco was not just fitting—it was a tribute to his long legacy as a tireless advocate for working families and low-income communities.

For months, immigrant communities like South Gate and the rest of Southeast LA have been under attack by our own federal government. These are precisely the people Senator Polanco fought for, and now this center named in his honor will educate, empower, and uplift the next generation of leaders for this community.

This week I sent a letter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s new interim director Valerie Termini, urging her to reject a permit request from the Catalina Island Conservancy that would allow for the eradication of the island’s mule deer population.

Unfortunately I learned soon after that CDFW is, is in fact, planning to approve this permit. This comes even after our LA County Fire Chief raised the alarm that eliminating the deer would make wildfires more likely and more dangerous.

I came out in opposition to this plan after hearing from my constituents on the island who have come to cherish the deer. A compromise was possible, and I am deeply disappointed that our state officials did not take a more balanced, humane approach.

Left: Rep. Derek Tran and I speak with Ranil Zalameda, owner of Nilly’s Burgers; right: We take a tour of Pioneer Cash & Carry with Payal Keray, who runs the Indian grocery store with her brother, Dave Keray.

Small businesses are the heart of our communities— and they are the engine of our local economy. This week I joined Rep. Derek Tran in Artesia, along with Vice Mayor Melissa Ramoso and Councilmember Ali Taj, to visit some of our small businesses and offer support and resources so they can thrive.

We visited Nilly’s Burgers, Pioneer Cash & Carry, and Mekeni Pinoy's Pride—three businesses that cater to different communities in Artesia and are facing different challenges. But one thing these business owners all shared was their love of their community and the customers they serve.

We speak with Felina and Moises Simbulan, who own the Filipino restaurant Mekeni Pinoy's Pride.

I shared some of the resources that LA County has available, such as a workshop series that our Department of Economic Opportunity is hosting for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

The free workshop series starts Feb. 12 and is open to anyone operating a business in LA County.

Learn more & register

Celebrating the Artesia Pioneers volleyball team

The Artesia High School girls’ varsity volleyball team made history this year by earning the school’s first-ever CIF Southern Section Division 8 Championship—and I invited the team to our board meeting this week so we could formally honor them and celebrate their title.

I know how important it is for girls and young women to participate in sports—in fact, a long time ago, I was actually the co-MVP of my high school volleyball team. So it means a lot to me to be able to help celebrate this team's incredible accomplishment.

Congratulations to these champions!

If anyone in your life is interested in becoming a junior lifeguard this summer, please spread the word that we are hosting a three-week Junior Lifeguard Prep Program at the Greater Whittier Aquatic Center that starts Feb. 18.

Youth ages 9-17 will be able to get instruction from LA County lifeguards on improving swimming skills, technique, and speed before the official lifeguard tryouts.

Register

Black History Month starts tomorrow—and you can celebrate with LA County Parks all month long.

Here are the events happening in the Fourth District:

Thursday, Feb. 5, 4-6pm: Adventure Park, 10130 Gunn Ave., Whittier
Friday, Feb. 6, 5-7pm: Nogales Park, 2603 Grand Ave., Walnut Park
Thursday, Feb. 26, 4-6pm: Don Knabe Park, 19700 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos
Thursday, Feb. 26, 5-7pm: Amigo Park, 5700 Juarez Ave., Whittier
Friday, Feb. 27, 4:30-6:30pm: Walnut Nature Park, 7818 Pacific Blvd., Walnut Park
Friday, Feb. 27, 5-7pm: Sorensen Park, 11419 Rose Hedge Dr., Whittier
Friday, Feb. 27, 6-8pm: Amelia Mayberry Park, 13201 Meyer Rd., Whittier

Turner is a handsome 2-year-old lab mix at our Downey Animal Care Center who is all dressed up and ready to meet his furever family.

If you think Turner could be the one to complete your family, you can find out more about him here or visit him during the Downey Care Center's open hours.

Find your friend here

Whether you take home Turner or you find another furry friend, please do your part to help control the pet population and have your pets spayed or neutered.