Latest news with #HowardUniversitySchoolofLaw
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
American Airlines Crash: Tina Knowles Mourns Death of Law Professor
Originally appeared on E! Online Tina Knowles is mourning the loss of a young visionary. The mother of Beyoncé expressed her condolences to the family of a soon-to-be Howard University School of Law professor Kiah Duggins after she was named as one of the passengers on the American Airlines flight from Witchita, Kan., that collided with a U.S. Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., Jan. 29. 'So very saddened by the loss of this beautiful accomplished young woman,' Knowles wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of Duggins Jan. 31. 'Rest in peace to her family sending condolences and love to you. God Bless your Soul Kiah.' The 71-year-old's message was shared alongside a photo of the civil rights attorney—who was set to join the school's faculty this fall—that emphasized, 'May her memory be an inspiration to all.' The university also confirmed Duggins was among those onboard American Eagle Flight 5342 as the airplane carrying 64 people and Black Hawk helicopter carrying three crashed into the Potomac River. (District of Columbia fire chief John Donnelly confirmed Jan. 31 that all 67 are presumed dead as they continue to recover the bodies.) More from E! Online Adult Star Emily Willis Allegedly Left "Permanently Disabled" After Rehab Stint for Ketamine Addiction NBC News' Chuck Todd Announces Sudden Exit After Nearly 20-Year Run Reese Witherspoon Reveals Actress Ended Their Friendship Over This "Pretty Bad" Faux Pas 'As a civil rights lawyer,' the university shared on LinkedIn Jan. 30, 'she dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.' After earning her J.D. from Harvard Law School, Duggins worked as a litigator for the Civil Rights Corps., as well as the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, per her CRC bio. In addition to being an alumnus of Witchita State University and Wichita East High School, Duggins had another personal connection to Kansas. Her former pageant director Larry Strong shared that Duggins—who was a season pageant queen—was a top 10 finalist in 2014 and 2015 at the Miss Kansas Pageant. Despite not earning a crown at the coveted event, she was previously named Miss Butler Country in 2014 and 2015. Along with Duggins, the regional jet also carried 14 American figure skaters, coaches and family members who were at a camp in Wichita, Kan., according to U.S. Figure Skating. Of those, six were local skaters from the Skating Club of Boston, where two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan formerly trained. She mourned the tragic loss in an emotional speech to reporters alongside other club representatives. "When you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it's an even bigger blow,' the retired skater said. "I feel for the athletes, the skaters, their families [and] anyone who was on that plane. "We've been through tragedies before as Americans, as people, and we are strong, and I guess it's how we respond to it. Even when it's hard, you get back up.' Keep reading for more information on the devastating crash. What Happened to the Passengers on American Airlines Flight 5342?Who Was Onboard American Airlines Flight 5342?Who Was Onboard the U.S. Army Helicopter Involved in the Collision?What Happens Next After Recover Efforts for American Airlines Flight 5342?Who Has Spoken Out After American Airlines Flight 5342 Crashed Into the Potomac River? For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Howard University mourns law professor killed in DC plane crash
WASHINGTON - Howard University law professor Kiah Duggins has been identified as one of the victims of the devastating plane collision near Reagan National Airport, university officials confirmed Thursday night. What they're saying "It is with profound sadness that the Howard University community and the Howard University School of Law have learned of the passing of Professor Kiah Duggins, who was among those lost in the midair plane collision at Reagan National Airport," Howard University President Ben Vinson III said in a statement. "We ask for privacy and respect for Professor Duggins' family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time." Duggins, a former Miss Butler County pageant winner in 2014 and 2015, had deep ties to Kansas. Larry Strong, her former pageant director, reflected on her accomplishments and impact. "It is with a heavy heart that the Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County organization just learned that Kiah Duggins, Miss Butler County 2014 and 2015, was a passenger in the plane that crashed last evening in Washington, D.C.," Strong said. "Kiah was a top 10 finalist in 2014 and 2015 at the Miss Kansas Pageant. She was preparing to be a law professor at Howard University in the fall. Keep her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time." What we know Duggins previously worked as an attorney for the Civil Rights Corps. The nonprofit states that Duggins earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School where she served as the president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. She earned her bachelors' degrees from Wichita State University, completed a Fulbright grant in Taiwan, and is a proud alumna of Wichita Public Schools. While working at the Civil Right Corps, Duggins litigated on behalf of movements challenging unconstitutional policing and money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C. She also worked with the ACLU of Northern California and Neufeld, Scheck and Brustin LLP to challenge police misconduct and other harms of the criminal legal system before coming to CRC. She studied prison industrial complex abolition and movement lawyering as a Law 4 Black Lives Fellow. The backstory Officials say an American Airlines flight carrying 64 people collided mid-air with a military helicopter Wednesday evening, resulting in a catastrophic explosion over the Potomac River. Search crews have recovered 28 bodies from the wreckage as recovery efforts continue. The collision involved an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission and American Airlines Flight 5342, a Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ-701 twin-engine aircraft. According to investigators, the passenger jet was traveling at approximately 140 miles per hour and had descended to an altitude of about 400 feet when it suddenly lost altitude and collided with the helicopter at around 300 feet. Air traffic controllers, unaware of the impending disaster, were heard reacting in shock. "Did you see that?" one controller asked in recordings of air traffic communications. American Airlines confirmed that Flight 5342 was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members at the time of the crash. The military helicopter had three soldiers on board. Authorities have confirmed that no survivors are expected from the crash. Federal authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), continue their investigation into the cause of the collision, while search and recovery efforts remain active. The crash has left the Howard University community and countless others mourning the loss of Duggins and the many lives lost in the tragedy. The Source The information in this story comes from Howard University, Larry Strong and FOX 5 reporting.
Sky News
31-01-2025
- General
- Sky News
Washington DC plane crash latest: Black boxes recovered from jet; professor and young skater confirmed among dead
Tributes to figure skater, 12, and university professor We've been receiving some tributes overnight as we learn more details about those who were on board the plane. Tributes have been paid to 12-year-old Olivia Ter, with her described as a "beloved member" of the Tucker Road ice rink and an "exceptional" youth figure skater. "The impact of Olivia's life will continue to resonate in our youth sports community, and she will be sorely missed," Bill Tyler, director of Prince George's County recreation department said. Howard University has also released a statement after Kiah Duggins, a professor at the university, was on board the plane. "It is with profound sadness that the Howard University community and the Howard University School of Law have learned of the passing of Professor Kiah Duggins, who was among those lost in the mid-air plane collision at Reagan National Airport," the university said. "We ask for privacy and respect for Professor Duggins' family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time." Black boxes recovered from plane Investigators have confirmed they recovered black boxes from the plane overnight and are carrying out tests in a laboratory. In an update on X, the National Transportation Safety Board said: "NTSB investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the Bombardier CRJ700 airplane involved in yesterday's mid-air collision in DCA. "The recorders are at the NTSB labs for evaluation." Black boxes can help offer clues to investigators about what could have happened in the moments leading to the crash. Good morning - here's what you need to know Welcome back to our coverage of the plane crash in Washington DC. On Wednesday, an American Airlines flight carrying 64 people was coming into land at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when it collided mid-air with a military helicopter carrying three soldiers. All 64 people on board the jet are feared dead and at least 28 bodies were pulled from the waters of the Potomac River. Recovery work continues at the scene, where the black box has been recovered from the plane, while more people have been identified among the passengers. But before we bring you the latest, here is a recap of what we know so far: The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew and three soldiers were aboard the helicopter; Donald Trump opened a White House news conference after the crash with a moment of silence honouring the victims, calling it an "hour of anguish" for the country; But he spent most of his time casting political blame, criticising the Biden administration and diversity efforts at the Federal Aviation Administration; Without evidence, Trump blamed air traffic controllers, the helicopter pilots and Democratic policies at federal agencies; He claimed the FAA was "actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative"; Flights resumed at the airport shortly after 11am yesterday. But many flights had been cancelled, and airport information boards were covered in red cancellation messages; Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita; Two of those coaches were identified by the Kremlin as Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won the pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed twice in the Olympics. We're pausing our coverage for the night We'll be back tomorrow with more updates on the plane crash in Washington DC. Here is what we know tonight: An American Airlines flight carrying 64 people was coming into land at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport late last night when it collided mid-air with a military helicopter carrying three soldiers; The crash involved a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ701 twin-engine jet regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter; American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, was travelling from Wichita, Kansas; The US Army helicopter - a UH-60 Black Hawk based at Fort Belvoir in Virginia - was on a training flight when the collision happened; Donald Trump has blamed air traffic controllers, the helicopter pilots and Democratic policies at federal agencies without evidence; Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita; Two of those coaches were identified by the Kremlin as Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who won the pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed twice in the Olympics. If we needed further evidence Trump is no ordinary president - this was it The plane crash has been the "first unexpected and major test for Donald Trump", our US correspondent Martha Kelner says. She says: "It's at times like this a president would normally issue a rallying cry to unite the nation and offer words of comfort and condolence. "As if we needed any further evidence that Trump is no ordinary president - this has provided it." She says in his news conference Trump did appear "seemingly striking and appropriate" to begin with but it "wasn't long before he was on more comfortable terrain playing party politics". "First of all blaming Democratic presidents for what unfolded - he said Barack Obama and Joe Biden had presided in the declining standards in air traffic control," Kelner says. "Perhaps forgetting his own administration was sandwiched in between the two and had similar policies around air traffic control." He then took aim at diversity policies, Kelner notes. "These are baseless claims," she adds. Obama: Our hearts break for the families who have lost loved ones Barack Obama has offered his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the plane and helicopter crash. He has written the following on X... What do we know about the crash? There is no immediate information on the cause of the collision, but officials have said flight conditions were clear as the passenger jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington DC with US and Russian figure skaters and others aboard. Without evidence, Donald Trump blamed air traffic controllers, the helicopter pilots and Democratic policies at federal agencies. But the investigation ultimately will determine what caused this collision. Here, our data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire analyses what we know... Trump: You want me to go swimming? The president has also been asked by a reporter if he plans to visit the crash site. He replied: "What's the site? The water? You want me to go swimming?" The plane crash was the first major disaster of Trump's new term, and his response evoked his frequent - and controversial - briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic. President says race or gender 'may have' played role in crash Donald Trump has been taking further questions in the Oval Office following his news conference. Earlier, Trump claimed the Democrats were responsible for declining standards in air traffic control. He also suggested the crash "could have been" caused by diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration. Asked if race and gender could have played a role in the plane crash at the White House he said: "It may have, I don't know. "Incompetence might have played a role. "We'll let you know that but we want the most competent people. "We don't care what race they are. We want the most competent people, especially in those positions. "You're talking about extremely complex things and if they don't have a great brain, a great power of the brain they are not going to be very good at what they do and bad things will happen." Satellite images show recovery operations Satellite images from Washington DC's Reagan National Airport today show recovery operations in progress in the Potomac River. As we have been reporting today, at least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the river after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the jet late on Wednesday as it was landing at the airport. The plane was found upside-down in three sections in waist deep water. The helicopter wreckage was also found.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Civil rights attorney from Wichita victim of plane crash in D.C.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A woman who made a name for herself in Wichita and was in the process of doing the same thing in Washington was on the plane that crashed in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Kiah Duggins was a civil rights attorney who worked with a legal group in D.C. called Civil Rights Corps. She was also a well-known and active member of the Wichita community. She graduated from Wichita East High School, Wichita State University as a Clay Barton Scholar, and Harvard Law School. Not only was she an attorney, but she was also set to be a professor at Howard University School of Law in the fall. It is with profound sadness that the Howard University of Law and the broader Howard University community have learned of the passing of Professor Kiah Duggins, who was among those lost in the the mid-air plane collision at Reagan National Airport. Professor Duggins was set to begin a new chapter as a professor at Howard University School of Law this fall. As a civil rights lawyer, she dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C. We ask for privacy and respect for Professor Duggins' family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time. Plans to honor her legacy will be shared in coming days. We encourage our community to seek any support they may need. Those resources can be found on the graphic…' Howard University Duggins has many impressive accomplishments. She was Miss Butler County 2015, Delta Mu's Miss Black and Gold 2013, and a top 10 finalist for Miss Kansas. At WSU, she was a member of the Student Government Association, co-founder of the WSU Shocker Food Locker, and co-founder of the Wichita State Inspire outreach initiative. She served as a White House intern for the First Lady's Let Girls Learn initiative, founded the college readiness program The Princess Project, was president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, and so much more. Civil Rights Corps said Duggins enjoyed traveling internationally, dancing, and asking about people's daily magical moments. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
