Kansas
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.
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Kansas City man sentenced for cocaine trafficking, possession of illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of an illegal firearm.
According to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 22-year-old Antoine R. Gillum was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
His sentencing stems from a June 2024 incident in a metro gas station. KCPD investigators contacted Gillum inside and found that he had discarded a 9 mm pistol in an aisle between the merchandise. He also discarded a pill bottle containing multiple illegal substances: cocaine base, oxycodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Officers searched the vehicle Gillum had arrived in and found approximately 32 grams of cocaine base.
On May 6, 2025, Gillum pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It’s a part of ‘Operation Take Back America,’ a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Deadly 4-car crash kills 2 people, injures others in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A crash near a busy highway killed two people and injured two others.
Emergency crews responded to the crash at U.S. 71 Highway and Meyer Boulevard around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
When crews arrived they determined four cars were involved in the crash.
Police are investigating how the crash happened.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Homegrown Jayhawk stars ready to shine at Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – As Kansas women’s basketball prepares to enter the postseason at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, they’ll be led by two Overland Park natives who have been two of the most electrifying players to watch in the country this year.
Junior guard S’Mya Nichols and freshman forward Jaliya Davis have played integral roles in the recent growth of the program. Both cite the desire to help grow the Jayhawks into something special as reasons for committing there.
“Where we wanted to take Kansas women’s basketball, I wanted to be a part of that growing evolution,” Nichols told KCTV5.
“We [my family] were also really big Jayhawk fans. We came to a lot of games,” Davis said about her childhood.
The two were both 5-star recruits in high school, and their commitments marked historic recruiting victories for the KU women’s basketball program.
First came Nichols in the Class of 2023, picking KU over Tennessee and Oklahoma.
“I genuinely wanted to go to Kansas,” she said.
Then Davis became the highest-rated player to ever commit to KU as part of the Class of 2025.
“When you go back to S’Mya Nichols being a local, Kansas City, Overland Park product, a nationally respected player, Jaliya was really the next one that was very important for the Jayhawks to keep home,” said head coach Brandon Schneider.
Now as a junior, Nichols has established herself as one of the most consistent scorers and physical guards in the nation.
But it’s the Shawnee Mission West’s alum’s leadership that defines her legacy in Lawrence.
“The team leader, the quarterback,” Coach Schneider described Nichols. “I think oftentimes the player that everybody looks up to off the court.”
“I mean it means everything. Knowing that I’m important to the team, and that they see me as that as well,” said Nichols with a smile.
Both Nichols and Davis were recruited by the Jayhawks for years, going all the way back to seventh grade.
“Well, we offered her in middle school,’ Coach Schneider said with a laugh about Davis.
“Oh he put in a lot of work,” laughed Davis. “I mean, obviously, seventh grade, that’s a long time.”
It was that dedication from Coach Schneider that led her to choose the Jayhawks over Texas, South Carolina, Baylor, and Oklahoma – where he dad played ball.
“I think it really was the relationship we had and grew. He was always there, every single one of my games,” Davis said about Schneider.
After just one practice as teammates, Nichols voiced a big belief about Davis into existence – and it’s probably going to come true.
“I saw her first practice, and I sent her a text, and I’m like ‘I think you can win Freshman of the Year’, and I still stand by that,”
Davis is averaging 21.0 points per game, and has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for eight weeks in a row. That sets a power conference all-time record.
“I think it’s really cool. I mean obviously it’s a team effort, they’re always looking for me,” Davis said about her historic accomplishment.
“Just a phenomenal stretch of basketball for her, and so well deserving,” said Coach Schneider.
Now these two homegrown stars are at the forefront of a late-season push to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Right now, CBS Sports bracketology has them as a ‘First Four Out’ team.
But a few wins in the Big 12 Tournament could certainly help seal their invite to the big dance.
“Obviously we’re not in the position that we were hoping to be in, but I think we can make the most out of it, and get to where we want to be,” Davis said about the opportunity at hand in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
The Overland Park kids are especially fired up about starting the postseason in their own backyard.
“I have a big support system. So I bet my family will take a big chunk of that area during that tournament,” Davis laughed.
“I remember being younger, and the College Basketball Experience is right next door. So I felt like at one moment that was the big stage, when I got to play my little AAU tournaments in there. And then all of a sudden I’m literally in T-Mobile Center on the actual big stage, so it’s pretty cool,” said Nichols.
The Jayhawks are the 11-seed in the Big 12 Tournament, and will face 14-seed UCF in the first round on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
-
World6 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts6 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO6 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Oregon4 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling
-
Florida2 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Technology1 week agoArturia’s FX Collection 6 adds two new effects and a $99 intro version
-
News1 week agoVideo: How Lunar New Year Traditions Take Root Across America