Crime
Alabama Mother Injured in New Orleans Terror Attack Claims Amazon Denied Leave Request
UPDATE: Amazon has reversed its decision and the woman will now be given time off with pay.
Alexis Scott-Windham, a 23-year-old mother from Mobile, Alabama, has expressed frustration after her request for a leave of absence from her job at an Amazon warehouse was reportedly denied.
This comes despite her serious injuries from the recent New Orleans terror attack, which claimed 14 lives and left several others wounded.
Scott-Windham sustained multiple fractures and still has a bullet lodged in her foot as a result of the attack.
The young mother, who is caring for her one-year-old daughter, shared with The Advocate that her injuries have left her unable to work, and she now fears she may need to find new employment to support her family.
The attack occurred on Bourbon Street in the early hours of the morning, where the main suspect, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, allegedly drove a truck into a crowd. Jabbar, an American citizen, was found with an ISIS flag in his possession.
While investigators have indicated that there is no evidence suggesting he acted in coordination with others, the incident has been classified as a terrorist act.
In addition to Scott-Windham’s ordeal, her friend Brandon Whitsett, 22, was also injured in the attack. Whitsett remains hospitalized, suffering from extensive injuries to his leg, shoulder, back, and head.
The denial of Scott-Windham’s leave request has sparked outrage among her friends and supporters.
Many are calling for companies to provide greater understanding and flexibility for employees recovering from traumatic incidents, especially those involving injuries and emotional distress.
This tragic event underscores the challenges faced by victims of terrorist acts, not only in their recovery but also in maintaining stability in their personal and professional lives.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.