Oregon
4-star Oregon commit Xavier Lherisse makes big recruiting decision official
The Oregon Ducks are in the middle of a busy time in the world of recruiting, with top-ranked players taking official visits and making their commitment announcements almost every day now.
Earlier this week, one of Oregon’s commits in the 2026 class, 4-star safety Xavier Lherisse, made a significant announcement on his social media, declaring that he was cancelling all of his future official visits that had been planned, and locking in with the Ducks.
Lherisse stands at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, and is rated by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 362 player and No. 32 safety in the 2026 class. He was in Eugene earlier this month for an official visit, and obviously saw enough to shut down his recruitment and tell all other schools who were pursuing him not to waste their time.
This is the second big announcement that Oregon got from a blue-chip safety this week, with the other coming on Thursday night when 5-star Jett Washington, the No. 18 player and No. 2 safety in the class, announced his commitment to the Ducks.
Washington is the top-ranked safety to sign with the Ducks in Oregon history, and the 16th-ranked overall player to ever join the Ducks.
Later on Friday, 5-star safety Joey O’Brien is expected to announce his commitment between Oregon and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as well.
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Oregon
Oregon police arrest man in online child sex crime case involving 13-year-old
OREGON, Wis. (WMTV) – Police in Oregon arrested a 57-year-old man Friday after investigators said he communicated online with someone he believed was a 13-year-old child.
The Oregon Police Department said the investigation began March 12 after officers received a report about a concerning video posted online.
Detectives later identified a Village of Oregon resident who had been communicating with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old. Police did not release the suspect’s name.
Detectives took the suspect into custody Friday and booked him into the Dane County Jail on one count of use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, police said.
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Oregon
Federal judge upholds Oregon gas tax argument submission deadline
Rep Ed Diehl talks lawsuit against Oregon over moving gas tax vote
Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, a leader of the Oregon gas tax referendum, talks about a lawsuit against the state over moving the date of the referendum vote.
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read will not have to accept arguments on the gas tax referendum that were not submitted by the state’s March 12 deadline, a federal judge decided.
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon’s March 20 ruling is a second blow to the referendum’s chief petitioners: Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, gubernatorial candidate Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, and Jason Williams, founder of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon, whose attempt to keep the vote in November was shot down in Marion County District Court.
The litigation by supporters of the gas tax referendum began after Democratic lawmakers passed, and Gov. Tina Kotek signed, Senate Bill 1599 to move the vote on the gas tax and other transportation costs from the November election to May.
Submitting arguments for the voters’ pamphlet required paying $1,200 or the collection of 500 signatures.
The gas tax referendum leaders’ federal suit, joined by four individuals and unidentified people whose signature submissions were not accepted for the ballot, argued Read violated the First and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution and the Americans with Disabilities Act by enforcing the deadline for voters’ pamphlet submissions.
The lawsuit mirrors another suit Simon heard March 11. In those arguments, ahead of the deadline, Simon found there was a potential ADA problem because someone without disabilities would have two pathways to submit signatures, where someone who could not physically collect signatures would only have one.
Simon allowed Mary Martin, a disabled and low-income woman, to submit her argument without the signatures or paying the fee, but noted she must still meet the deadline.
The ruling has no effect on the 35 arguments that are already included in the voters’ pamphlet.
Simon declined to allow the submissions that missed the deadline to be added to the pamphlet in part because only one plaintiff stated they were disabled and none, he said, clearly outlined the extent of their financial situations.
“The Legislature interfered with the referendum process, changed the rules midstream, and 52 Oregonians lost their voice. And today, the court sided with the political class over the people,” Diehl told the Statesman Journal.
In a statement, Read expressed appreciation for the speed of the decision and urged Oregon voters to be on the lookout for voters’ pamphlets and ballots in the mail.
Voters will weigh in on whether to increase the gas tax and other transportation costs in the May 19 election.
A written decision from Simon was expected later on March 20.
Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.
Oregon
Where to watch Oregon vs. Virginia Tech in March Madness First Round: Time, TV Channel
March Madness is underway and college basketball’s big dance continues with No. 8 seed Oregon taking on No. 9 seed Virginia Tech in a First Round matchup on Friday, March 20. Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the clash between the Hokies and Ducks.
USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering women’s March Madness to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.
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What time is Virginia Tech vs Oregon First Round game?
No. 8 Oregon vs No. 9 Virginia Tech tips off at 1:30 PM (EST) on Friday, March 20 from Moody Center (Austin, Texas).
What channel is Virginia Tech vs Oregon First Round game?
No. 8 Oregon vs No. 9 Virginia Tech is airing live on ESPN2.
How to stream Virginia Tech vs Oregon First Round game
No. 8 Oregon vs No. 9 Virginia Tech is available to stream on Fubo.
Watch the NCAA Tournament all March long with Fubo
Women’s March Madness schedule today
See the schedule, live scores and resultsfor all of Friday’s NCAA Tournament action here.
2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule
- March 18-19: First Four
- March 20-21: First Round
- March 22-23: Second Round
- March 27-28: Sweet 16
- March 29-30: Elite 8
- April 3: Final Four
- April 5: National Championship
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