Nebraska
Nebraska teacher, 45, caught naked in car with teen is married to a Harvard-educated government official
The Nebraska substitute teacher caught naked in a car with a teenage student is a mom married to a Harvard-educated, high-ranking federal government employee, according to records and social media accounts.
Erin Ward, 45, allegedly confessed to having sex with the 17-year-old boy — a student at Burke High School where she worked — in the back of the car and was charged with felony sexual abuse by a school employee.
By sleeping with the teen, Ward is also accused of cheating on her husband, a director at the US Department of Defense — with whom she shares three kids, according to social media posts shared by the Gretna couple.
Doug Ward has spent nearly two decades with the US Strategic Command, one of the unified combatant commands within the Defense Department, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, according to his LinkedIn page.
The command detects and deters attacks against the US and its allies.
Doug Ward began his career as deputy branch chief in 2005 and was promoted to deputy director of the commander’s action group in February, his profile states.
Doug Ward also has a long educational history with degrees from the University of Illinois, Bellevue University, and Harvard Extension School.
He is currently completing his doctorate in defense and strategic studies at Missouri State University, according to LinkedIn.
Their relationship was first reported by the Daily Mail.
Erin Ward was arrested early Saturday when Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies found her allegedly fooling around with the teenage boy in the car she shared with her husband.
Officers had responded to a call for a suspicious car parked on a dead-end street at around 3 a.m.
When they peeked into the vehicle, they saw the naked substitute teacher with the partially clothed teen in the backseat, the sheriff’s office said.
The panicked teen hurried to the driver’s seat and sped off in the vehicle but crashed two blocks later — at which point he got out and fled on foot.
Erin Ward remained in the car, where she got dressed and then allegedly confessed to sleeping with the boy.
Police found her ID from Omaha Public Schools on her and she said she substituted at various schools in the area — including the teen’s.
The high schooler was later found hiding in a yard in only his T-shirt and underwear, according to the sheriff’s office.
Because the teen was above the age of consent — 16 — in Nebraska, the teacher dodged statutory rape charges but was still hit with the felony count of sexual abuse by a school employee.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) -Scattered severe storms moved across the region Wednesday night, bringing large hail, heavy rain and some flooding concerns.
Some areas reported hail ranging from quarter size to ping pong ball size. Rainfall totals reached 1 to 2 inches in the last five hours, according to reports referenced in the broadcast script.
The heavy rain also led to water covering some streets around North Platte. Drivers are urged to use caution and not drive through flooded roadways.
More storms are possible tonight as conditions are monitored across greater Nebraska.
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Copyright 2026 KNOP. All rights reserved.
HARTINGTON, Neb. (KTIV) – The 38th annual Tour de Nebraska bicycle ride started Wednesday morning, June 24, sending more than 200 cyclists from across 21 states on a five-day trip that begins and ends in Hartington.
Day 1 consisted of a 50-mile ride from Hartington to Vermillion, South Dakota. Tour Director Charlie Schilling said the weather was “absolutely gorgeous” as riders took in parts of Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa from their bikes.
Ray Hanley, visiting from Little Rock, Arkansas, said he rides “three, four days a week” and has ridden in 30 countries. Randy and Therese Kiser said they have biked in several foreign countries — including Italy, Portugal, Croatia and Ireland — and decided to ride in Nebraska this year.
Schilling said the tour relies on community partners and rest-stop towns along the route to support riders and help create a good experience. Riders also pointed to support along the way, including food, access to bike mechanics and hospitality.
What’s next on the route
On Day 2, riders are scheduled for a 54-mile loop through Elk Point, South Dakota, and Akron, Iowa, before returning to Vermillion. Schilling said some cyclists plan to ride a “century,” or 100 miles, on Day 2.
From Vermillion, the route continues to Crofton, Nebraska, before the ride returns to Hartington for the finish.
Schilling asked drivers to be courteous around cyclists and help keep everyone safe.
Local rider finishes Day 1 in four hours
KTIV also spoke with Gabe Broz, a Nebraska rider who finished Day 1 in four hours. Broz said gummy worms and gummy bears are his “secret trick” along the trail.
Broz said the hills were not too bad, but the wind was “kind of a killer” for him.
Day 2 for riders is scheduled to include Elk Point, South Dakota; Akron, Iowa; and Spink, South Dakota, before returning to Vermillion.
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Copyright 2026 KTIV. All rights reserved.
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