TOPEKA (AP) — A Kansas nonprofit agency says it has spent 10 months and $5,000 trying to get the state attorney general’s office to provide information related to a settlement with tobacco companies that funnels millions of dollars into early-childhood programs.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Kansas Action for Children president and CEO Shannon Cotsoradis contends the information is of public interest and vital to helping the Legislature and Kansas Children’s Cabinet plan for future spending.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt says “most parts” of the accounting documents outlining how much the state is estimated to receive each year is “made confidential by a court order.”

Schmidt says claims that his office has withheld information are not true. He says he has provided more information on the issue than previous administrations.

LAWRENCE (AP) — The Kansas State Board of Education is expected to receive a draft regulation this week that eventually could lead to all teachers in the state being forced to submit fingerprint cards and undergo background checks when renewing their licenses.

The Lawrence Journal-World reported all new teachers have been required since 2002 to submit fingerprint cards and undergo background checks before receiving their initial license. But Education Department officials say up to 35,000 practicing teachers who started working before that never had to provide fingerprint cards.

Lawrence Superintendent Rick Doll told the state board last month that teachers see the proposed requirements as a personal affront.

The state board meets Tuesday and Wednesday this week in Topeka.

TOPEKA (AP) — Abortion is perpetually on the Kansas Legislature’s agenda, and a House committee plans to vote this week on legislation pushed by abortion opponents.

But supporters describe the measure before the House Federal and State Affairs Committee as technical legislation that makes small changes in existing laws rather than setting new policy. Planned Parenthood officially is neutral.

The bill tackles two issues raised by abortion providers in state and federal lawsuits challenging anti-abortion laws enacted last year.

One piece revises a requirement that the home pages of abortion providers’ websites link to a state health department site with information about pregnancy and fetal development.

The bill also revises language in various provisions of state law dealing with medical emergencies in which abortion restrictions are waived.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Miss Kansas traded evening gowns for camouflage when she went out on a deer bow hunt this winter in southeast Kansas.

Theresa Vail joined a December hunt in the Pratt area organized by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, JB Outfitters and Realtree Outdoors, which taped the hunt for a television show.

The Kansas City Star repored Vail has been hunting since her dad introduced her to the sport when she was 10. She took part in the hunt to get a chance to shoot a trophy buck and shatter a stereotype.

The National Guard sergeant shot an 8-point buck in the final hour on the third day.

She was scheduled to be a featured speaker at the Hunter’s Expo in Overland Park, which ended Sunday.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

HAYS ­– Snow might be covering your block, but spring is just around the corner, and that means turkey season is on its way. Spring turkey hunters can get a head start on the season by applying now for exclusive entry into areas with limited access through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) Special Hunts Program. While there is no guarantee of success, this special access usually means a higher quality hunt and potentially greater harvest rates. From Feb. 1-24, hunters can apply for a special hunt at ksoutdoors.com by clicking “Hunting/Special Hunts.” Following the application period, a random drawing will be held with notifications sent to successful and unsuccessful applicants vie e-mail.

This year, the Spring Turkey Special Hunts Program is offering 202 different individual turkey hunts on 23 properties.  Half the hunts are “Open,” 58 are “Youth” hunts and 43 are “Mentor” hunts. The spring turkey special hunts occur on lands not normally open to public hunting including, but not limited to, wildlife areas, state parks, Corps of Engineers properties, National Wildlife Refuges, city and county parks and on private lands enrolled in the special hunts program.

Open hunts are available to all hunters with no age or experience restrictions. Youth hunts are open to hunters 16 and younger accompanied by an adult. Mentor hunts are open to youth and novice hunters accompanied by an adult mentor. Both the youth/novice and the mentor may hunt during a mentor hunt. A novice is defined as a hunter who has not hunted turkeys in the last three years. Hunts can range from one day to several days, with some open the entire spring turkey season.