The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Portland is facing budget cuts, service reductions, and growing financial pressure. So why are some city officials spending thousands of dollars on travel? Josh Marquis is Assistant to the District Attorney in Linn County and a former President of the Oregon District Attorneys Association. He joins the show to discuss recent spending by Portland City Council members, public accountability, and whe...

A proposed copper mine could bring jobs and critical minerals to Oregon, but critics warn it could threaten a major drinking water source. Is the risk worth the reward? David Watkinson is President and CEO of Ameriwest Critical Metals. He joins the show to discuss plans for the Bornite Project near Opal Creek, the demand for critical minerals, and concerns about environmental impacts and water qua...

Lists warning consumers about pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables have become increasingly popular. But are those warnings protecting public health, or discouraging people from eating healthy foods? Richard Williams is the former Director for Social Sciences at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and a board member at TERA. He joins the show to discuss pesticide safe...

A family lost a home over a disputed tax bill, and the government kept the proceeds after the property was sold. Does that violate basic property rights? Deborah La Fetra is a Senior Attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation's Property Rights Practice and co-counsel in Pung v. Isabella County. She joins the show to discuss a recent Supreme Court decision, home equity theft, and the constitutiona...

The Supreme Court is nearing the end of its term, but several major cases remain undecided. Which rulings could have the biggest impact on the country? Hans von Spakovsky is a Senior Legal Fellow at Advancing American Freedom and a former member of the Federal Election Commission. He joins the show to discuss the Court's remaining cases, key legal issues still awaiting decisions, and what to...

The federal government reported billions of dollars in improper payments last year, with a large share tied to welfare programs. How much waste, fraud, and abuse is slipping through the cracks? Rachel Sheffield is a Research Fellow for the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation. She joins the show to discuss improper federal payments, welfare program oversight,...

One-third of young Americans say they are not proud to be American, raising questions about where those attitudes come from. Are colleges encouraging critical thinking or fostering contempt for the country? Gregory Lyakhov is a Campus Reform Correspondent with the Leadership Institute. He joins the show to discuss declining national pride among young Americans, the influence of higher education, a...

A military recruit is dead and more than 100 others have fallen ill after a flu outbreak at a major training base. Was ending the flu vaccine mandate the right call, or did it create an unnecessary risk? Dr. Henry Miller is a physician, molecular biologist, and the founding director of the FDA's Office of Biotechnology. He joins the show to discuss the outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base, the...

Data centers are often accused of consuming enormous amounts of water and straining local resources. But how much of that criticism is based on facts rather than fear? Luke Hill is a guest analyst with Mountain States Policy Center and an intern at the American Institute for Economic Research. He joins the show to discuss data center water usage, public misconceptions about the industry, and the r...

A mayor's proclamation recognizing the nuclear family has sparked fierce debate and packed public meetings. Should local governments promote traditional family structures, or stay out of cultural debates altogether? Eric Overholser is Mayor of Battle Ground, Washington. He joins the show to discuss his proclamation celebrating the nuclear family, the reaction from the community, and the role...

America's national parks face a massive maintenance backlog, and someone has to pay for it. Should taxpayers continue subsidizing the system, or should park users shoulder more of the cost? Jacob Tomasulo is a Policy Analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He joins the show to discuss the National Park Service's growing maintenance challenges, user fees, taxpayer subsidies, and...

A wildfire that burned thousands of acres in Central Oregon has reportedly been traced back to a squatter camp. When homeless encampments cause major public safety disasters, who should be held accountable? Kevin Dahlgren is an independent journalist and author of the Truth to the Streets Substack, where he reports on homelessness, addiction, and public safety issues. He joins the show to discuss...

While most climate headlines focus on rising temperatures, parts of Antarctica are experiencing some of the coldest readings seen in years. Are important climate trends being overlooked? Chuck Wiese is a meteorologist, pilot, and longtime weather analyst. He joins the show to discuss recent extreme cold temperatures recorded in Antarctica, the way climate data is reported, and whether the public i...

Despite executive orders and growing legal challenges, dozens of law schools continue to operate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Should accreditation be tied to academic standards alone, or should ideology play a role? Rhyen Staley is Research Director at Defending Education. He joins the show to discuss a new report on DEI programs in law schools, the American Bar Association's ro...

Los Angeles is moving closer to allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections, reigniting a debate over who should have a voice in American government. Does voting belong exclusively to citizens, or should local communities decide for themselves? Jack Tomczak is with Americans for Citizen Voting, an organization that advocates for citizenship requirements in elections. He joins the show to discu...

A man says he was threatened with arrest for handing out religious literature on a public sidewalk. If government officials violate your First Amendment rights, should they be protected from lawsuits? Hiram Sasser is General Counsel for First Liberty Institute. He joins the show to discuss a case now headed to the Supreme Court, the doctrine of qualified immunity, and whether Americans have meanin...

A new investigation found that passengers can be charged dramatically different prices for the exact same trip while drivers take home a shrinking share of the fare. Is the ride-share business becoming less transparent? Adam Kovacevich is Founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, a technology industry policy group. He joins the show to discuss allegations involving Uber and Lyft pricing practice...

Environmental groups are trying to use the Endangered Species Act to challenge a decades-old dam that a federal judge already cleared. Could this case change the rules for water districts across the country? Sydney Madigan is a Legal Fellow at Pacific Legal Foundation. She joins the show to discuss the legal challenge against Winchester Dam, the limits of the Endangered Species Act, and what the c...

Portland Public Schools has spent more than a decade operating under an equity policy that critics say has never been evaluated for academic results. Is the district improving outcomes or simply expanding bureaucracy? John Charles is President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute. He joins the show to discuss Portland Public Schools' Equity Funding Policy, questions about accountability and st...

Oregon now requires permits for many non-motorized watercraft, including kayaks and paddleboards. Is this a reasonable user fee or government overreach? Kari Goodheart is Chief Petitioner for Let Us Paddle. She joins the show to discuss the effort to repeal Oregon's expanded waterway permit requirements and why supporters believe paddlers should not need government permission to access public...

Many of the same people have held power in Washington for decades. Would term limits restore accountability, or would they simply shift power elsewhere? Mark Meckler is President of Convention of States Action and co-founder of Tea Party Patriots. He joins the show to discuss long-term incumbency in Washington, public trust in government, and why he argues that meaningful reform must include limit...

A new report claims groups invited to work with the Vatican promote Marxist ideology, pagan rituals, and beliefs that directly conflict with Catholic teaching. Is the Church building bridges or blurring important lines? Michael Hichborn is founder and president of the Lepanto Institute, a Catholic watchdog organization that investigates religious and charitable institutions. He joins the show to d...

After years of funding terrorist groups and launching attacks across the Middle East, Iran could soon gain access to hundreds of billions of dollars in new investment. Is that a path to peace or a reward for bad behavior? Tim Chapman is President of Advancing American Freedom, a public policy organization founded by former Vice President Mike Pence. He joins the show to discuss reports of a potent...

Many union members have shifted politically in recent years, yet their unions continue directing the overwhelming majority of political spending to Democrats. Do union leaders still represent the views of their members? Tom Jones leads the American Accountability Foundation, a government watchdog organization focused on transparency and public policy. He joins the show to discuss political spendin...

The United States has long led the world in scientific research and innovation. With major cuts proposed for federal research funding, is America risking its competitive edge at the exact moment China is accelerating its investment? Dr. Henry Miller is a physician, molecular biologist, and the founding director of the FDA's Office of Biotechnology. He joins the show to discuss proposed cuts t...