Latest news with #MissButlerCounty
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
'A scholar and activist': Civil rights attorney Kiah Duggins named victim in DC crash
'A scholar and activist': Civil rights attorney Kiah Duggins named victim in DC crash An aspiring law professor and former Miss Kansas contestant is among the dead after a commercial jet collided with a military helicopter Wednesday outside Washington D.C., family and school officials said. Kiah Duggins was among the 64 people on board the airplane when it collided with a Blackhawk trying to land at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, relatives and close friends confirmed. All on board both aircrafts are feared dead, officials said Thursday. She was 30. "Kiah believed in radical love, unwavering truth, and the fight for a better world. Let's carry her torch forward," Family member Aisha Duggins wrote in a fundraiser she created slated to go toward causes and initiatives "dear to her heart, ensuring that her work and passion live on." Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Lacey Cruse also confirmed Duggins' death in a Facebook post and called her a "brave and beautiful soul." Prior to her death, Duggins was "set to begin a new chapter as a professor at Howard University in the fall," the university posted on social media. She dedicated her career to fighting against "unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.," the post reads. USA TODAY has reached out to Duggins' family. Kiah Duggins was also Miss Kansas contestant According to Larry Strong, Duggins' former pageant director, Duggins was a two-time former Miss Kansas contestant. 'It is with heavy heart that the Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County organization just learned that Kiah Duggins... was a passenger in the plane that crashed last evening in Washington DC,' Strong posted on Facebook Thursday. 'Keep the rest of the family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.' Duggins was Miss Butler County 2014 and 2015, Strong wrote. "The Miss Kansas Organization community, to include our brand ambassadors, board of directors and volunteers, call on our entire state to join in us collectively sending our love and deepest condolences to the families and loved ones impacted by the tragic loss of life aboard American Airlines Flight 5342." "Our hearts are with you all as we lift each other up during this incredibly difficult time," the organization posted on its Facebook page. Where was Attorney Kiah Duggins' from? A Wichita native, Duggins attended Wichita Public Schools, the district confirmed to USA TODAY Friday, and graduated from Wichita High School East. A graduate of the Class of 2013, Duggins was an International Baccalaureate Diploma graduate, a member of the Dance Team, Model UN Club, Spanish and National Honor Societies, and Student Government, Wichita High School East Principal Sara Richardson told USA TODAY Friday. "She was also a Homecoming Queen candidate, a testament to the admiration and respect she earned from her peers," Richardson said. "Her determination to make a difference, especially in the lives of young people of color, was evident in everything she did. She led with kindness, purpose, and a commitment to lifting others up, inspiring those around her to strive for excellence and equity. "While we grieve this tremendous loss, we also honor the incredible legacy Kiah leaves behind. Her impact on our school, community, and beyond will not be forgotten." Deadliest plane crashes: A history of some of the deadliest crashes in US in wake of DC aircraft collision Duggin's graduated from Wichita State University Duggin's went on attending Wichita State University as a Clay Barton Scholar, according to her profile on the university's website. "Kiah was more than a scholar and activist," Aisha Duggins wrote. "She was a beloved sister-friend, a source of inspiration, and a beacon of grace and integrity. She made you want to be smarter, kinder, and bolder. Her presence challenged everyone around her to step into their most fearless, compassionate selves." "Dear God, please give Kiah the highest seat in heaven," her childhood friend, Dylan Severson posted in a tribute on Facebook. "Her memory is abundant with blessings and love overflowing. Her name brings profound joy and hope & her passing leaves painful tears and sorrow. You're irreplaceable in my heart, and I love you forever." Students, Olympic skaters, and more: A tribute to lives lost in the DC plane crash Kiah Duggins worked as civil rights attorney for non-profit Duggins graduated from Harvard University and was a civil rights attorney with the non-profit Civil Rights Corps. According to its website, the organization 'litigate[s] on behalf of movements challenging unconstitutional policing" and is dedicated to challenging systemic injustice in the United States' legal system. USA TODAY has reached out to Civil Rights Corps. What happened to American Airlines Flight 5324? The crash took place just before 9 p.m. when AA Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, attempted to land at Reagan National Airport and crashed in midair with a Black Hawk helicopter, carrying three people. The passenger plane with 64 people aboard then fell into icy waters of the Potomac River. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, which confirmed Thursday divers had recovered black boxes from the passenger plane. During a news conference, NTSB member Todd Inman said the military helicopter was also equipped "with some form of recording." Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Howard University Law professor among victims of D.C. plane crash
WASHINGTON -- A Howard University Law professor and former Kansas beauty queen was among the 67 people presumed dead after a midair crash involving a passenger plane and Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., university officials said. The Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers when it collided with the plane and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport Wednesday, Jan. 29, CBS News reported. Several American and Russian figure skaters were confirmed to be onboard the passenger plane. As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, officials said at least 40 bodies have been recovered. Officials said there were no survivors. University President Ben Vison, PhD, confirmed Friday that Professor Kiah Duggins was one of the 64 passengers on 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," he said in a social media post. Duggins was also a civil rights attorney with the non-profit Civil Rights Corps, according to a profile on the organization's website. In her career as an attorney, Duggins challenged unconstitutional policing and bail practices in Tenessee, Texas and Washington, D.C., according to her profile. She also worked with the ACLU of Northern California to challenge police misconduct and other aspects of the criminal legal system. Duggins also had ties to the Kansas community as she earned her bachelor's from Wichita State University and won the Miss Agusta and the Miss Bulter County beauty pageants in 2014 and 2015, according to the executive director of the Miss Kansas Organization. "It is with heavy heart that the Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County organization just learned that Kiah Duggins Miss Butler County 2014, 2015 was a passengers in the plane that crashed last evening in Washington DC," Executive Director Larry Strong posted to social media Thursday. According to Strong's post, Duggins was preparing to start as a law professor at Howard University in the fall. She was also a top 10 finalist in the 2014 and 2015 Miss Kansas Pageants. Maryland plane crash victims Several Marylanders were also aboard the American Airlines flight when it crashed Wednesday. Olivia Ter, a 12-year-old figure skater from Prince George's County, was among the 64 passengers, according to the county's Parks and Recreation Department. She was one of 14 members of the U.S. Figure Skating community who was coming back home after a National Development Camp in Kansas. "Olivia not only excelled in figure skating programs but inspired others through her talent, determination and sportsmanship," Prince George's County Parks and Recreation said in a statement. "Her passion for the sport and positive influence on her peers and coaches will not be forgotten." Maryland-based labor union Steamfitters UA Local 602 confirmed that four of its members were onboard the plane from Wichita. "Our focus now is on providing support and care to the families of our Brothers as we continue to gather more information in the coming days," General President Mark McManus and Business Manager Chris Madello said in a statement. The union represents workers in the heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and process piping industries in the D.C. Metro area. Commercial plane crashes midair with military helicopter near Reagan National Airport Officials provide update on midair collision near Reagan National Airport outside D.C. What to know about the investigation into the midair collision near D.C.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Howard University professor among victims in midair collision
A Howard University professor and former Miss Kansas contestant known for her bright smile and zest for life was among the victims in Wednesday's midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane near Reagan National Airport. Kiah Duggins, 30, was named as a victim in the disaster by Howard University President Ben Vinson III, who called for privacy and respect for her family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time. In a statement, the university said Duggins was set to begin a new chapter as a professor at Howard University School of Law this fall. Victims Identified In DC Plane Crash Involving American Airlines Jet And Military Helicopter "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.," the statement reads. "Plans to honor her legacy will be shared in coming days." Duggins was also a civil rights attorney with the non-profit Civil Rights Corps, based in Washington D.C. Read On The Fox News App The group's website says she worked with the ACLU of Northern California and with Neufeld, Scheck and Brustin LLP to "challenge police misconduct and other harms of the criminal legal system" before coming to the Civil Rights Corps. She studied the prison industrial complex abolition and lawyering movement as a Law For Black Lives fellow, a Black liberation group. She earned her law degree from Harvard Law School, where she served as the president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. Before that, she earned a bachelor's degree from Wichita State University and completed a Fulbright grant in Taiwan, according to the Civil Rights Corps. Reagan National Airport Crash: Military Black Hawk Helicopter Collides Midair With American Airlines Jet Larry Strong, who was Duggins' local pageant director when she competed for Miss Kansas and Miss Butler County, told KBTX that Duggins had "such a bright future ahead." In a Facebook post, he described her as "Miss Butler County 2014, 2015." "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." Annie Montgomery, minister of Tabernacle Bible Church in Wichita, told KMUW that she will remember Duggins for her bright smile and her zest for life. "Kiah was the most beautiful young lady inside and out," Montgomery said. "She was adventurous. She made friends so easily. She had the kind of personality that you just could not resist." Lacey Cruse, a former Sedgwick County commissioner, described Duggins as "a brave and beautiful soul, a light in the fight for civil rights." "Her loss is heartbreaking, not only for her family and friends but for everyone who believes in justice and equality," she wrote on Facebook. "May her work, her message, and her spirit continue to inspire and create change. Gone too soon but never forgotten." Duggins was one of 67 people to lose their lives in the disaster. The cause of the collision is being article source: Howard University professor among victims in midair collision
CBS News
31-01-2025
- CBS News
Howard University Law professor among victims of D.C. plane crash
WASHINGTON -- A Howard University Law professor and former Kansas beauty queen was among the 67 people presumed dead after a midair crash involving a passenger plane and Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., university officials said. The Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers when it collided with the plane and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport Wednesday, Jan. 29, CBS News reported. Several American and Russian figure skaters were confirmed to be onboard the passenger plane. As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, officials said at least 40 bodies have been recovered. Officials said there were no survivors. University President Ben Vison, PhD, confirmed Friday that Professor Kiah Duggins was one of the 64 passengers on 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," h e said in a social media post. Duggins was also a civil rights attorney with the non-profit Civil Rights Corps, according to a profile on the organization's website. In her career as an attorney, Duggins challenged unconstitutional policing and bail practices in Tenessee, Texas and Washington, D.C., according to her profile. She also worked with the ACLU of Northern California to challenge police misconduct and other aspects of the criminal legal system. Duggins also had ties to the Kansas community as she earned her bachelor's from Wichita State University and won the Miss Agusta and the Miss Bulter County beauty pageants in 2014 and 2015, according to the executive director of the Miss Kansas Organization. "It is with heavy heart that the Miss Augusta and Miss Butler County organization just learned that Kiah Duggins Miss Butler County 2014, 2015 was a passengers in the plane that crashed last evening in Washington DC," Executive Director Larry Strong posted to social media Thursday. According to Strong's post, Duggins was preparing to start as a law professor at Howard University in the fall. She was also a top 10 finalist in the 2014 and 2015 Miss Kansas Pageants. Maryland plane crash victims Several Marylanders were also aboard the American Airlines flight when it crashed Wednesday. Olivia Ter, a 12-year-old figure skater from Prince George's County, was among the 64 passengers, according to the county's Parks and Recreation Department. She was one of 14 members of the U.S. Figure Skating community who was coming back home after a National Development Camp in Kansas. "Olivia not only excelled in figure skating programs but inspired others through her talent, determination and sportsmanship," Prince George's County Parks and Recreation said in a statement. "Her passion for the sport and positive influence on her peers and coaches will not be forgotten." Maryland-based labor union Steamfitters UA Local 602 confirmed that four of its members were onboard the plane from Wichita. "Our focus now is on providing support and care to the families of our Brothers as we continue to gather more information in the coming days," General President Mark McManus and Business Manager Chris Madello said in a statement.
Fox News
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Howard University professor among victims in midair collision
A Howard University professor and former Miss Kansas contestant known for her bright smile and zest for life was among the victims in Wednesday's midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines plane near Reagan National Airport. Kiah Duggins, 30, was named as a victim in the disaster by Howard University President Ben Vinson III, who called for privacy and respect for her family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time. In a statement, the university said 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.," the statement reads. "Plans to honor her legacy will be shared in coming days." Duggins was also a civil rights attorney with the non-profit Civil Rights Corps, based in Washington D.C. The group's website says she worked with the ACLU of Northern California and with Neufeld, Scheck and Brustin LLP to "challenge police misconduct and other harms of the criminal legal system" before coming to the Civil Rights Corps. She studied the prison industrial complex abolition and lawyering movement as a Law For Black Lives fellow, a Black liberation group. She earned her law degree from Harvard Law School, where she served as the president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. Before that, she earned a bachelor's degree from Wichita State University and completed a Fulbright grant in Taiwan, according to the Civil Rights Corps. Larry Strong, who was Duggins' local pageant director when she competed for Miss Kansas and Miss Butler County, told KBTX that Duggins had "such a bright future ahead." In a Facebook post, he described her as "Miss Butler County 2014, 2015." "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." Annie Montgomery, minister of Tabernacle Bible Church in Wichita, told KMUW that she will remember Duggins for her bright smile and her zest for life. "Kiah was the most beautiful young lady inside and out," Montgomery said. "She was adventurous. She made friends so easily. She had the kind of personality that you just could not resist." Lacey Cruse, a former Sedgwick County commissioner, described Duggins as "a brave and beautiful soul, a light in the fight for civil rights." "Her loss is heartbreaking, not only for her family and friends but for everyone who believes in justice and equality," she wrote on Facebook. "May her work, her message, and her spirit continue to inspire and create change. Gone too soon but never forgotten." Duggins was one of 67 people to lose their lives in the disaster. The cause of the collision is being investigated.
