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.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Two Nebraska schools have been nationally recognized for academic achievement. One of the schools is here in Omaha.
Adams Elementary in Omaha and Bridgeport Elementary in Bridgeport are among the 63 schools nationwide named to the 2025 National ESEA Distinguished Schools.
Nebraska’s Department of Education says Adams Elementary was recognized for closing the achievement gap between student groups.
Bridgeport Elementary is recognized for exceptional student performance and academic growth.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Is Nebraska for real? That’s the million-dollar question at the midway point of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season.
The Cornhuskers sit at 16-0 heading into a home matchup against Oregon on Tuesday night. They’re one of just five remaining undefeated teams in Division 1, but is that enough for Fred Hoiberg’s team to be pegged as a No. 1 seed?
With a loaded week of college basketball on deck, FOX Sports bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy is here to share his latest NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament projections.
Here’s where DeCourcy’s projected bracket stands on Jan. 13.
EAST REGION
SOUTH REGION
MIDWEST REGION
WEST REGION
And it’s never too early to check in on the bubble.
According to DeCourcy’s projections, Texas A&M, Indiana, Missouri and Virginia Tech are the last four teams in the tournament, while UCLA, Ohio State, NC State and TCU are the first four out.
As for conference representation, the SEC leads the way with 10 teams in DeCourcy’s latest tournament projections, followed by the Big Ten and ACC with nine teams, the Big 12 with eight teams and the Big East with four teams. The West Coast Conference and Atlantic 10 also have two teams each.
Selection Sunday is two months away, and these projections will inevitably evolve. But for now, DeCourcy’s latest bracket forecast offers a clear snapshot of who’s rising, who’s falling, and which programs are already building the résumés they’ll need when March arrives.
Michael DeCourcy covers college basketball for FOX Sports with an emphasis on NCAA Tournament bracket projections. He has appeared on FOX Sports college basketball game broadcasts, while also serving as a college basketball studio analyst with Big Ten Network. He has been covering college basketball for nearly three decades at the Sporting News. You can follow him at @tsnmike.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Heading into the 2026 season, there are question marks about who will be the starting quarterback for the Oregon Ducks. Will it be Dante Moore returning, a transfer, or another quarterback that is already on the roster?
In the transfer portal, Oregon has landed former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola. Current Ducks quarterback Akili Smith Jr. will be in his second season with the Ducks come the fall and posted on social media after this news.
Akili Smith Jr. Reaction to Dylan Raiola Transfer
Akila Smith Jr. signed with Oregon as a member of their 2025 recruiting class. The four-star quarterback didn’t play in his freshman season in 2025, but there is a chance for him to play in 2026 if Dante Moore declares for the draft.
However, the news of Oregon getting Raiola could change things. Shortly after the news that Raiola would be coming to Oregon, Smith posted this message on social media.
“Trust the process,” Smith said with a 100 emoji and a duck emoji at the end.
Trust the process 💯🦆
— Akili Smith Jr (@Akilismithjr) January 12, 2026
It may just be one post, but this doesn’t exactly scream that Smith is thinking about entering the transfer portal. It more so says that it may take time, but his shot at Oregon will come eventually.
MORE: Fernando Mendoza’s Classy Move After Beating The Ducks Is Turning Heads
MORE: Two Massive Defensive Players Forgo the NFL Draft to Return to Oregon
MORE: Another Oregon Ducks Quarterback Enters Transfer Portal
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!
Dylan Raiola Commits to Oregon
Coming out of high school in the class of 2024 as a five-star recruit, Dylan Raiola signed with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In his two seasons there, Raiola threw for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns. Raiola’s 2025 season was cut short after he suffered a season ending fibula injury. His recovery timetable is still up in the air. He could end up having to miss time next season.
Following the 2025 season, Raiola entered the transfer portal. After going on a visit to Eugene, Raiola is now committed to Dan Lanning and the Ducks.
The Dante Moore Question
The biggest factor for who will start next season at quarterback will be based around what Dante Moore decides to do. Moore started all 15 games this year for the Ducks and played well. He threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Moore is currently slated as the No. 2 overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft per ESPN and CBS Sports mocks drafts. That is if he ends up declaring. The New York Jets have the No. 2 pick.
Moore has not yet made a decision. With Oregon’s season coming to a close against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff semifinal, a decision should be made in the coming days for Moore.
If he were to return to Eugene, there is no doubt that he would be the 2026 starter. If he declares, that would open the door for someone like Raiola or the highly recruited Akili Smith Jr.
News13 minutes ago
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
West19 minutes ago
Former Dem Rep. Mary Peltola announces U.S. Senate run: ‘Put Alaska first’
Midwest25 minutes ago
Obama Presidential Center slammed for promoting ‘far-left’ agenda on public land
Southwest31 minutes ago
ICE head says agents facing ‘constant impediments’ after migrant seen ramming cars while trying to flee
Southeast37 minutes ago
Virginia nanny testifies affair, alibi plan ended in bloodshed after love triangle tore apart affluent family
Florida1 year ago
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Connecticut2 years ago
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
Oregon2 years ago
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Virginia1 year ago
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Education2 years ago
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
News13 minutes ago
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
News10 hours ago
Video: Clashes With Federal Agents in Minneapolis Escalate
Politics11 hours ago
Venezuela releases multiple American citizens from prison following military operation
World12 hours ago
The Take: Iran, Trump, and the deadliest crackdown on protests yet
News12 hours ago
Lindsey Halligan argues she should still be U.S. attorney, accuses judge of abuse of power
-
Montana4 days agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Technology1 week agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Delaware5 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX6 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Virginia4 days agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB
-
Iowa1 week agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Education1 week agoVideo: This Organizer Reclaims Counter Space