Latest news with #MissKansasPageant
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
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.
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.
Cedar News
31-01-2025
- Cedar News
Kiah Duggins : 16th victim in D.C. mid-air collision identified as a former Miss Kansas
Join our Telegram 16th victim in D.C. mid-air collision identified as Kiah Duggins, a former Miss Kansas contestant and attorney. She was a top 10 finalist in 2014 and 2015 at the Miss Kansas Pageant. She was flying into DC as she was 'preparing to be a law professor at Howard University in the fall,' her former pageant director, Larry Strong, said in an Facebook post.
