The debate over abortion remained at center stage this year in Kansas and new proposed restrictions on the practice were the state’s top story of 2011.

That’s according to a ranking of news events by members of The Associated Press.

The state Department of Health and Environment wanted to have rules in effect July 1, spelling out the drugs, equipment and staffing abortion providers must have on hand when performing the procedure. Clinics quickly challenged the rules in court, and by late December judges in both federal and state courts had blocked the rules from being enforced.

Other stories gaining attention in the survey included the debate over benefits for government workers, the severe drought and the state’s move to end funding of the arts commission.