WASHINGTON

Florida GOP representative admits possessing cocaine

Florida Republican Rep. Henry “Trey” Radel pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of cocaine possession and was sentenced to a year’s probation.

“I’ve hit a bottom where I realize I need help,” Radel told a judge in acknowledging that he purchased 3.5 grams of cocaine from an undercover officer.

As part of a plea agreement Radel acknowledged he agreed to buy the cocaine for $250 in a Washington, D.C., neighborhood on Oct. 29. After the undercover officer gave Radel the drugs federal agents confronted him, court documents show. Radel agreed to talk with the agents and invited them to his apartment, where he also retrieved a vial of cocaine he had in the home, the documents said.

The charges against Radel were made public Tuesday, and Radel said in a statement then that he struggles with alcoholism and will seek treatment and counseling.

SAN FRANCISCO

City aims to recoup $105,000 it spent on ‘Batkid’ exploits

The city of San Francisco spent $105,000 in public funds to honor a 5-year-old boy with leukemia who captivated the nation with his exploits as “Batkid,” and it hopes to recoup the money through private donations, the mayor’s spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Most of the money went toward renting a sound system, video screens and other equipment at the last minute to accommodate the surprisingly large crowds that gathered outside City Hall to watch caped crusader Miles Scott receive a chocolate key to the city, said Christine Falvey, communications director for Mayor Ed Lee.

“What started out as a few hundred people at most on the steps of City Hall … grew into what would obviously attract a 20,000-plus crowd,” Falvey said. “They weren’t going to see anything the way we originally had it set up.”

Miles, who lives in Tulelake in far Northern California, was able to fulfill his wish to be his favorite superhero last week when the Make-A-Wish Foundation arranged to have him driven about San Francisco in a Lamborghini Batmobile as he handled make-believe capers.

WASHINGTON

Congress failing to delay changes in flood insurance

Efforts to delay implementation of changes in the federal flood insurance program have run into roadblocks on both sides of Capitol Hill.

The leaders of the House Financial Services Committee said they are standing behind last year’s bipartisan legislation to put the flood insurance program on sounder financial footing even as the implementation of the law has sparked a chorus of complaints from constituents fearing spikes in premiums and plummeting home values.

In the Senate, attempts to call a quick floor vote on legislation to delay the changes in the program – designed to force higher premiums on properties especially at risk of flooding – appear to face opposition from Democrats and Republicans.

– The Associated Press