Kansas

Over 100 international officers visit Kansas capital building to learn

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2024

Over 100 international officers visit Kansas capital building to learn

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Military officers representing 94 nations met Governor Laura Kelly, learned about the government, and toured the state capital building.

On Thursday, July 18, 122 international military officers visited the Kansas state capital to learn about the Kansas National Guard and its duties, learn about the state legislative process, and the state judiciary system, part of a U.S. Congressionally mandated security cooperation Field Studies Program.

The group took part in a presentation from the Kansas National Guard’s legislative liaison, Lt. Col. Keith Marshall, on its history and current structure.

They then went to the second-floor rotunda to meet Governor Laura Kelly for a picture and hear the governor’s proclamation declaring Thursday as International Officers Day followed by an overview presentation about the Kansas government and a tour of the capitol dome.

The officers also learned about the judicial process by watching a mock trial in the Old Supreme Court Room.

“Our country is 237 times smaller than the U.S.,” said Major Daan Moes of the Royal Netherlands Army. “That means the size of our Army and our defense forces are a lot smaller as well. So, the amount and the skill that things are on are way different. It is a big difference, and it influences a lot of the processes as well. A lot of countries are multi-cultural these days, and we see that presented in our Army as well. So, I think on your diplomatic skills and your cultural skills it brings you a lot.”

The international officers are students of the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth.

The Kansas Public Affairs office said most officers who attended the college became General Officers in their nation’s militaries, top military service members, and joint Chiefs of Staff. Some have moved on to become Ambassadors, Prime Ministers, Presidents, and even Kings, according to the Kansas Public Affairs office.

“I was really excited to come here because I have a commander, a superior from Armenia who had graduated here and he was always telling me about the great opportunity about the great experience that he had here,” said Major Sarhad Abrahamyan of the Armed Forces of Armenia. “After graduating [the college], I would like to be a more educated officer, [and] have more experience. The one thing I would like to take from here is knowledge.”

David Marshall Bornn, Jr., director of the Field Studies Program within Fort Leavenworth’s International Military Student division, says the program’s purpose is to be transparent with the servicemembers of other nations.

“It is always good for the American people to know that when we give money to these countries, we have decided that we need to have strategic partners around the world,” said Bornn Jr. “That when they come here for their schooling, we are taking the time to provide them with a better understanding of what America really is. Not the Hollywood version or maybe the media version that they are seeing over in their countries. So, it is our job to ensure that when they leave here, they will be able to integrate better American forces, [and] American diplomacy, because they have had a good foundation of what America is and what it may not be, the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

International officers have been attending Fort Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff Officer course since 1894, making 2024 the 130th year international officers have taken part in the college. This year also marks the 70th year the officers have traveled to the state capitol to participate in the program.

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Kansas

Kansas City, Kansas, baseball field renamed to honor fallen deputy Elijah Ming

Published

7 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Kansas City, Kansas, baseball field renamed to honor fallen deputy Elijah Ming

KSHB 41 reporter Fernanda Silva covers stories in the Northland. She also focuses on issues surrounding immigration. Share your story idea with Fernanda.

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Elijah Ming’s son is only two — too young to hold many memories of his dad.

Kansas City, Kansas, baseball field renamed to honor fallen deputy Elijah Ming

But he will remember him. Elijah lives on in Deuce — the little one who also carries his father’s name.

KSHB

“He definitely carries a lot of traits that Elijah had,” said Elijah’s wife, Tiara Ming.

One of those traits now stands tall on a KCK baseball field. On Thursday, fallen Wyandotte County Deputy Elijah Ming was honored once again as Heathwood Park was renamed Elijah Ming Memorial Field.

“It’ll be here for generations and decades to come,” said KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner.

“That’s a sign to our young people in this community that these are the folks we should be looking up to,” said Wyandotte County Sheriff Daniel Soptic.

Wyandotte County Sheriff Daniel Soptic.png

Family, friends, Wyandotte County deputies, and local officials attended the event.

Ming was shot and killed in July as he responded to help a woman who felt threatened while moving out of a home in Kansas City, Kansas.

“He was the guy,” said America Patton, Elijah’s mentor. “He had the whole package.”

Elijah’s brothers say there’s no better place for the dedication — they have countless memories there.

“To see bro’s name right here… it makes sense,” said Isaiah Ming. “It all started here.”

“That was the best years of my life,” said Herman Ming.

But this year was a hard one.

They lost their mom to cancer and their brother to gun violence just days apart.

Moving on is not easy.

“That’s when my whole life changed,” said Isaiah. “Just trying to learn how to get through these rainy days.”

As they cope, they hold on to the dreams that are now becoming reality — even if not in the way they imagined.

“We really dreamed about us having something named after us. We never thought it’d come to this,” said Herman. “He’s definitely gonna live on.”

They hope Elijah’s memory continues to guide future generations — especially his little man.

“It’s a special moment for him because I don’t think he realizes how much weight his name is going to carry in the community,” Tiara said.

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Kansas

Kansas City Chiefs Announce Jeff Shafer as 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker

Published

19 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Kansas City Chiefs Announce Jeff Shafer as 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Today, the Kansas City Chiefs announced Jeff Shafer as their 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker – an annual recognition celebrating leaders who are driving significant, measurable change in their communities across the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative’s four pillars: education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform.

Shafer is the executive director of City Year Kansas City and leads a dedicated team in providing public school students with the academic and social-emotional tools needed to thrive. Beginning in 2010, Shafer began his over-a-decade long work in giving back to local students as an AmeriCorps member in Chicago’s South Side. After five years with AmeriCorps, Shafer transitioned back to Kansas City to assist with the launch of City Year KC. Since 2015, Shafer and City Year KC have remained important pieces in revitalizing the Kansas City Public Schools district, most notably revitalizing accreditation in 2022. The Kansas City native routinely participates in service events throughout the year, including City Year KC’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service where he leads volunteers in beautifying public school spaces with murals and messages of hope.

In addition, Shafer has served on the boards of Brothers Liberating Our Communities, which is responsible for recruiting and retaining Black male educators, and Charlotte Street, a nonprofit providing resources to local artists and curators.

Shafer will be recognized at the Chiefs Inspire Change game during their Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers for his exceptional work in pursuit of education. He will also receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to a non-profit organization of his choice.

“We are incredibly proud to honor Jeff Shafer as the recipient of the club’s 2025 Changemaker Award,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “His commitment to providing necessary resources to our local public school system through City Year KC embodies what it means to be a pioneer for educational advancement. The Kansas City Chiefs are grateful for the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative, which spotlights important endeavors in our local community, and we are grateful to have Jeff represent the Chiefs this season.”

“The Changemakers selected this year have demonstrated what’s possible when leaders commit to creating real change in their communities,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility. “Their work is a powerful example for others and proof that sustained dedication can drive meaningful progress. The NFL family is proud to recognize their impact.” For more information, visit the link here.

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New trial set for Kansas man in son’s death

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

New trial set for Kansas man in son’s death

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A new trial has been scheduled for a Kansas man convicted of killing his infant son.

Kaleb Hogan will be tried again in January on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse.

Hogan was found guilty in 2023 of those same charges in the death of 3-month-old Malykai Hogan.

He was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. But he appealed.

Malykai Braxtyn Hogan (Courtesy: Hogan family)

Earlier this year, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned his conviction, saying the trial judge incorrectly admitted evidence of prior acts of alleged abuse.

The court ruled that the evidence did not fall within an exception allowing alleged prior acts to be admitted into evidence because the state couldn’t link the prior abuse to Hogan. In fact, prosecutors admitted during oral arguments at the high court that they did not charge Hogan with other counts of abuse because they couldn’t prove he was responsible for the child’s earlier injuries.

The court ruled that the state couldn’t prove that the error was harmless, so the case was returned to Butler County District Court for a new trial.

Court records show that a jury trial has been scheduled for Hogan on Jan. 6 at 9 a.m.

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