Le Journal

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A sprawling betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games ensnared 26 people, including more than a dozen college basketball players who tried to fix games as recently as last season, federal prosecutors said Thursday. The scheme generally revolved around fixers recruiting players with the promise of a big payment in exchange for those players purposefully underperforming during a game, prosecutors said. Then the fixers placed big bets against those players’ teams in those games, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors, according to the indictment unsealed Thursday. Fixers started with two games in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2023 and, successful there, moved on to fixing NCAA games as recently as January 2025, authorities say. The “bribe payments” to players ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game, authorities said. Four of the players charged — Simeon Cottle, Carlos Hart, Oumar Koureissi and Camian Shell — played for their current teams in the last few days, although the allegations against them do not involve this season. Calling it an “international criminal conspiracy,” U.S. Attorney David Metcalf told reporters in Philadelphia that this case represents a “significant corruption of the integrity of sports.” Concerns about gambling and college sports have grown since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on the practice, leading some states to legalize it to varying degrees. The NCAA does not allow athletes or staff to bet on college games, but it briefly allowed student-athletes to bet on professional sports last year before rescinding that decision in November. Of the defendants, 15 played basketball for Division 1 NCAA schools during 2024-25 season, prosecutors say. Several of them are playing this season. Five others last played in the NCAA in the 2023-24 season while another, former NBA player Antonio Blakeney, played in the Chinese Basketball Association in the 2022-23 season. The other five defendants were described by authorities as fixers. They include two men who prosecutors say worked in the training and development of basketball players. Another was a trainer and former coach, one was a former NCAA player and two were described as gamblers, influencers and sports handicappers. In many instances, the defendants’ wagers on the fixed games were successful. The sportsbooks paid out the winnings, and took losses, authorities say. “The sportsbooks would not have paid out those wagers had they known that the defendants fixed those games,” the indictment said. Meanwhile, other bettors unaware of the scheme lost money on their bets and would not have placed those bets had they known about it, authorities say. The charges, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, include bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy. One betting scandal after another has rocked the sports world, where gambling revenue topped $11 billion for the first three-quarters of last year, according to the American Gaming Association. That’s up more than 13% from the prior year, the group said. The indictment follows a series of NCAA investigations that led to at least 10 players receiving lifetime bans this year for bets that sometimes involved their own teams and their own performances. And the NCAA has said that at least 30 players have been investigated over gambling allegations. More than 30 people were also charged in last year’s sprawling federal takedown of illegal gambling operations linked to professional basketball. Categories: Associated Press, News, Sports, Top Stories, US Tags: Basketball, bribe, Chinese Basketball Association, Crime, NCAA, Sports

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees said 2025 was a great year for them. They raised $53,000 to power their mission in 2025. The Alliance also planted 145 trees across Wilmington and New Hanover County. 2,229 trees were distributed including 18 native species. 27 new Tree Stewards were trained, expanding their volunteer team. The organization added that 284 trees were maintained in 2025. Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is starting the new year off on the right foot. They said this past weekend, they planted 100 trees 24 of which were at Portia Hines Park with the help of 65 volunteers. Categories: Local, New Hanover, News, Top Stories Tags: Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, native trees, Plants, Trees, Volunteers

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is reminding customers to protect their pipes as temperatures drop below freezing. Temperatures are expected to drop into the lower 20s overnight Thursday into Friday then again overnight Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. To help prevent pipes from bursting, drain water from outdoor plumbing and wrap pipes, or allow a trickle of water to run through the system. Also, it is recommended to temporarily turn off and drain irrigation system. People who are concerned about indoor plumbing can drip faucets and open cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach the pipes. If you have a backflow preventor, protect it with fiberglass cover. Also close the valves and drain water from the assembly but don’t forget to turn it back on in the spring. Categories: Local, New Hanover, News, Top Stories Tags: Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, CFPUA, Cold Weather, Freeze, Frozen Pipes, Winter

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The community is invited to the Cameron Art Museum to attend “Art After Helene: From Mountains to Sea Artist Panel Discussion” in the museum’s Reception Hall. The event is on Thursday, January 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and features Western North Carolina artists Julyan Davis, Erika Diamond, and Bill Green in conversation with Associate Curator Ben Billingsley. Panelists will reflect on the impact of Hurricane Helene and how trauma turned into hope and renewal. Hearing directly from artists reveals how creative practice becomes a form of resilience, helping individuals and communities process their experiences, share perspectives, and imagine what comes next together. Advanced registration is encouraged. The fee for CAM members is $10, non-members $15, and students and educators are free. Categories: Local, New Hanover, News, Top Stories Tags: Art, Art After Helene: From Mountains to Sea Artist Panel Discussion, Ben Billingsley, Bill Green, CAM, Erika Diamond, Hurricane Helene, Julyan Davis, The Cameron Art Museum, Western North Carolina