DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State regulators say an Iowa insurance brokerage accused of a deceptive practice has agreed to repay more than $1.3 million to local governments. The Des Moines Register reports Two Rivers Insurance Co., which is based in Burlington, was accused in 2014 of inflating the amount it spent on premiums for health coverage purchased from Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Documents release Monday say Wellmark complained to state regulators that the brokerage had improperly included up to 7 percent in its own fees in “premium” costs that it billed to local governments for insurance for 10,500 public employees.

Two Rivers President Todd Ackerman says the brokerage still denies any wrongdoing but is settling the dispute to avoid “an extremely costly and burdensome legal process.”

Police in Creston said Monday night, that four vehicles were heavily damaged during an accident that took place early Sunday morning. The incident happened at around 12:25-a.m., as a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 15-year old Dillon Wyatt Weis, of Afton, was traveling east on W. Adams Street in downtown Creston. The pickup drifted toward a row of legally parked vehicles and struck a 1990 Chevy pickup.

Weis’ vehicle also collided with a 2006 Toyota Tundra, and a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutless Supreme. Damage to all the vehicles amounted to $16,000 ($4,000 each). According to the report, excessive speed was a contributing factor to the accident. No citations were issued.

A man from Missouri was arrested Monday evening in Red Oak, on drug and weapon charges. Red Oak Police report 25-year old Dillon Ray McCracken, of Hale, MO., was taken into custody at around 7:40-p.m. in the 500 block of W. Coolbaugh Street, for Carrying Weapons, felony Possession of Meth with the Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. McCracken was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $25,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted to confirm Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to serve as U.S. ambassador to China. The 70-year-old Republican says he intends to use his decades-long relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping (shee jihn-peeng) to advance U.S. and international interests. The two met in 1985 when Xi, then a provincial official, led an agricultural trade delegation to Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad’s upcoming departure marks the end of a career in state politics that spans several decades. The 70-year-old Branstad was confirmed Monday as the U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad says he’s leaving Iowa with a low unemployment rate and renewable energy investments in wind farms and ethanol. Critics point to legislation he approved this year that weakened public unions, restricted minimum hourly wage increases and added a voter identification requirement.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have announced a nearly $50,000 fund to pay for tips that help solve open homicide cases. The Des Moines Register reports police announced the fund Monday, saying the money came from unnamed private donors. Police will decide on a case-by-case basis how much a tip is worth. The fund was created at a time when Des Moines police are working on 12 unsolved homicides from the past two years. There have been 15 homicides so far this year, compared to 13 in all of 2016.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge who has already authorized a contempt of court action against one reporter is setting strict rules for journalists covering the trial of “The Bachelor” star Chris Soules. Judge Kellyann Lekar warned Monday that violations may result in contempt proceedings or a ban from the courtroom. She says reporters must give 24 hours’ notice to attend proceedings and cannot enter or leave court except during breaks, among many rules aimed at protecting Soules’ right to a fair trial.