Grangeville — Attorney General Raúl Labrador met with elected officials from Idaho and Clearwater Counties in Grangeville this week to discuss state-level support for rural communities and update local leaders on recent legal victories protecting Idaho families.
The meeting included Idaho County Commissioners Skip Brandt, Ted Lindsley, and Brad Higgins; Clearwater County Commissioners Ken Harvey and Mitch Reggear; and State Representative Charlie Shepard. The discussion focused on unique challenges facing rural Idaho and opportunities for enhanced collaboration.
“These conversations with county leaders are essential because they’re on the front lines serving Idaho families in their local areas every day,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Their insights help ensure our office is hearing from leaders in every part of our state and that the work we do translates into real benefits for rural communities.”
Attorney General Labrador briefed the officials on his office’s recent accomplishments, including major victories protecting women’s sports, defending parental rights, and securing millions in settlements for the state since taking office. He also highlighted the complete transformation of the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, which eliminated a 1,300-case backlog and now responds to tips within 24 hours.
Local leaders shared priorities about preserving local control over land use decisions, improving wildfire response coordination, and addressing outdoor recreation and conservation concerns affecting their communities. They emphasized the importance of maintaining local authority while securing adequate state and federal resources for emergency response.
The Attorney General’s office continues building strong partnerships with all 44 Idaho counties, recognizing that effective state government requires understanding local community needs. These regional meetings ensure rural voices remain central to state-level decision making and policy implementation.