TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas officials have developed a new index of leading economic indicators to help better assess business activity in the state.

The index is called Indicators of the Kansas Economy, or IKE. It offers a review of economic trends and the overall health of the Kansas economy.

The matrix was developed through the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, created by Gov. Sam Brownback last year as he developed proposals for tax cuts, government efficiency and overall economic growth.

Brownback says the index will give policymakers a better picture of how Kansas compares to similar states, such as the Dakotas, and to the nation overall.

The data are collected from a variety of state and federal sources.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Kansas State University is expanding its recruiting efforts in Vietnam.

The university said in a statement Tuesday that its international programs office has reached a partnership agreement with Capstone Vietnam to represent Kansas State in recruiting students from Vietnam. The university says Capstone Vietnam is an academic development organization.

Jim Lewis, Kansas State’s director of international admissions and recruiting, said the Capstone partnership will give the university full-time representation in Vietnam.

Marcelo Sabates, interim associate provost for international programs, said establishing an office in Vietnam will help Kansas State improve its reach into that area of southeast Asia. Vietnam will be the third international office established by Kansas State. An office in China was opened in 2006 and an office in India opened in 2008.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas House committee is preparing to act on a bill aimed at preventing the state from indirectly subsidizing abortions through tax credits or deductions.

Wednesday’s agenda for the Federal and State Affairs Committee included a vote on the measure, which would make several changes in state tax laws, all designed to cut off indirect support for abortions.

For example, people who deduct medical expenses from their income taxes couldn’t include abortion expenses in the calculation. A nonprofit organization that provides abortion services would have to pay the state sales tax on what it buys, unlike other nonprofits.

Also, the measure would prohibit public schools from using materials in human sexuality classes from groups that provide abortion services.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – The former wife of the highest-ranking official caught in a ticket scalping scandal at the University of Kansas has asked a federal judge to rule in her favor in the civil lawsuit filed by the government over assets.

A court filing Tuesday by Mary Jean Kirtland seeks a summary judgment, arguing she did not participate in the scheme or receive property deriving from it. Her ex-husband, Ben Kirtland was the associate athletic director in charge of development.

Her filing argues the government wants to enforce a criminal restitution judgment against an innocent spouse and to set aside the property settlement in her divorce.

The government’s lawsuit against the Kirtlands comes as prosecutors pursue assets from key athletic department officials who stole more than $2 million worth of football and basketball season tickets.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) – Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback declared a state of emergency late Tuesday after an apparent tornado struck Harveyville, part of a powerful storm system that pounded the state’s midsection.

The declaration covers Wabaunsee County, southwest of Topeka. A news release from the governor’s office said one person was critically injured and “a number of homes” and a church were damaged, and trees and power lines were down.

Earlier, the National Weather Service reported brief tornado touchdowns southwest of Hutchinson.

Elsewhere in central Kansas, trained spotters and law enforcement reported hail the size of golf balls and winds estimated at 70 mph Tuesday night north of Hillsboro in Marion County.