FEDERAL AGENTS have arrested dozens in illegal sports gambling schemes (Shutterstock).

Nearly three dozen people – including the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a player from the Miami Heat – have been arrested by federal agents in connection with two separate gambling operations.

According to the Associated Press, involved were people betting on their own games and rigged poker games allegedly arranged by Mafia organizations.

The FBI uncovered “one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting schemes became widely legalized in the United States,” said Joseph Nocella, a federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York.

Chauncey Billups, coach of the Blazers, was charged with conspiracy to fix card games tied to organized crime. Heat guard Terry Rozier was charged in a separate investigation in a scheme to use private information on NBA players to have a better chance to place winning bets.

Oil sanctions on Russia by USA

In an effort to pressure Russia into working out a peace deal in its war with Ukraine, the United States is imposing sanctions on the two largest oil companies in Russia.

RUSSIA is hit with oil sanctions (Wikipedia/Richard Masoner.Cycleicious)

The New York Times is reporting that Lukoil and Rosnelt will be the targets of the measures.

Although the Biden Administration imposed thousands of economic sanctions on Russia, this is the first time it’s happened to Russia in this Trump Administration.

With the war still raging and cancellation of the planned summit between the leaders of the two superpowers, “I just felt it was the right time,” said Trump.

Sports: Indoor sports underway

The area professional basketball and ice hockey seasons are now underway. The Lakers are 0-1 and host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight. The Clippers are 0-1 and host the Phoenix Suns tonight.

The Anaheim Ducks are 3-2-1 (seven points; fourth place in the NHL Pacific) and the Los Angeles Kings are 2-3-2 (six points, sixth place).

On Thursday it’s the Ducks at Boston and the Kings at Dallas.

Weather: More of the Seventies

Familiar conditions into the weekend and beyond for our West Orange County cities. Friday is forecast for a daytime high of 75 with an overnight low of 59 under partly cloudy skies. Saturday will cool a bit to 72 (59) with morning clouds and afternoon sun and Sunday will be similar at 72 (57). Sunshine should return but slightly cooler at 76 (60).