DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 31-year-old Johnston mother who left her four children home alone to travel to Europe has been given two years’ probation. The Des Moines Register reports Erin Macke was sentenced Thursday in Polk County District Court. She could have faced up to eight years in prison.

Macke entered Alford pleas in February to four counts of child endangerment. In an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction.

Police were called to her home in September by the children’s father, who said the kids — two aged 12, one 7 and the other 6 — had been left alone the day before. Police say Macke failed to make child care arrangements before leaving Sept. 20 for a 10-day vacation in Germany.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa received nearly $51 million Thursday from tobacco companies — the state’s annual share of a 1998 landmark legal settlement in which tobacco companies pay states for smoking-related health care costs.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office says that in the last 20 years, Iowa has received more than $1.2 billion in payments under the settlement. The latest payment included a regular annual sum of $39.7 million as part of a master agreement and an additional payment of $11.2 million to the state.

The state will continue to receive annual master agreement payments in perpetuity, based on the number of cigarettes sold in the U.S. The tobacco settlement is the largest in U.S. history.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds traveled to a private political event in Rhode Island this week. The Tuesday evening event was organized by a Rhode Island GOP fundraiser who posted a picture on Facebook of himself and the governor at the event near Newport.

The Republican governor had originally planned to be in New York City starting Wednesday for Iowa economic development meetings, but her staff said Tuesday afternoon she would stay in Des Moines to work with lawmakers.

It’s unclear when and how Reynolds got to Rhode Island, or why she decided to attend the political event but cancel her work-related New York trip. Pat Garrett, Reynolds’ communications director, confirmed Reynolds’ travel and only added she returned to Iowa that same night. He didn’t have an immediate response to other questions.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors met in a regular session, Wednesday morning. During their meeting, the Board approved the appointment of Atlantic resident Dennis Vogl, as Cass County Weed Commissioner for 2018.

In other business, the Board heard from Cass County Treasurer Tracey Marshall, who received an offer to purchase a county held tax sale certificate. The Board approved an agreement with Kevin Sindt, and will abate the tax, penalties and interest on the parcels in the Griswold area. Sindt  will pay the assignment fee. The move means the properties will get the back on the County tax roll. The agreement permits the treasurer to strike the amounts due from the county system in accord with Iowa Code, subject to his taking possession of the parcels.

Treasurer Tracey Marshall received an offer from the city of Griswold to enter into agreement for a County held tax sale certificate and take possession of the property if the County will abate taxes, penalty and costs. The Board resolved to enter into agreement with the City of Griswold, to abate all taxes, penalties and interest collectible on a certain parcel, and to direct the treasurer to strike the amounts due from the county system in accord with Iowa Code, subject to Griswold taking possession of the parcel.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested Thursday on Page County warrants for Probation Violation. 18-year old Devinne Janice Moore, of Red Oak, and 29-year old Joseph Cody Foster, of Shambaugh, were both taken into custody.

Moore was unable to post $2000.00 bond and was being held pending further court proceedings. Foster was being held in the Page County Jail on $5,000 bond, on another charge.  His bond on the charge of Violation of Probation adds $2,000 to his total bond.  Foster is awaiting further court proceedings.

A central Iowa man was arrested late Monday night in Union County. Sheriff’s officials said Thursday, 40-year old John Michael Burgoyne, of Des Moines, was arrested 11:30-p.m. Monday at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. He was taken into custody on two Union County warrants for probation violation.  Burgoyne was being held in the Union County Jail on $4,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — As Iowa lawmakers look to wrap up the 2018 session, the two major hurdles left are passing a budget and tax cuts. Republican leaders in control of the House and Senate are spending Thursday trying to get on the same page, with no other activity in either chamber. In plans released last week, GOP tax writing committees disagreed on how deep to cut taxes, a move that has been a priority for Republicans. They also don’t agree on whether to stop allowing Iowans to deduct their federal income taxes or whether to tackle corporate tax cuts this session.

House Speaker Linda Upmeyer says a deal is expected soon. Senate President Charles Schneider says once there is an agreement on taxes, the budget should “fall into place in short order.”