Grimes back from weeklong trip to Middle East

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has returned from a weeklong mission to the Middle East where she was part of a contingent of U.S. officials reviewing military voting procedures.

Grimes, Kentucky's chief election official, said members of the military who are risking their lives abroad must be ensured the right to vote in elections back home. Last month, her staffers reached a court settlement that gave deployed troops from Kentucky more time to vote by absentee ballots ahead of the Nov. 6 general election.

In the Middle East, Grimes visited Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. She has scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. EDT on Wednesday to recommend ways to improve the voting process for soldiers.

Funeral arrangements set for Estill County teen