The Lars Larson Show Interviews

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...

A major attack targeting a high-profile event in the nation's capital was reportedly stopped just days before it could be carried out. Are large public gatherings becoming increasingly attractive targets for extremists? Michael Letts is founder, president, and CEO of InVest USA, a nonprofit that supports law enforcement agencies across the country. He joins the show to discuss the alleged plo...

A major hospital system has agreed to settle federal allegations tied to transgender procedures for minors and has pledged to stop offering those services. Should taxpayer-supported healthcare programs be involved in funding them in the first place? Ken Blackwell is President of the Council for National Policy, Chairman of the Conservative Action Project, and a former Ohio Secretary of State. He j...

The Supreme Court is entering the final weeks of its term with more than 20 major decisions still pending, including cases involving executive authority, immigration, gun rights, election law, and administrative agencies. Could this be one of the most consequential Supreme Court terms in years? Don Brown is a constitutional attorney, former Navy JAG officer, former federal prosecutor, and bestsell...

A man is accused of taking a petition filled with voter signatures supporting a ballot initiative. Does this cross the line from political disagreement into election interference? Keith Swank is the Sheriff of Pierce County, Washington. He joins the show to discuss the investigation, the legal consequences of interfering with initiative petitions, and the importance of protecting the ballot proces...

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, communities are being encouraged to have conversations about democracy, freedom, and civic life. Who should lead those discussions? Adam Davis is Executive Director of Oregon Humanities. He joins the show to discuss the Beyond 250 initiative, the role of civil discourse in public life, and how Oregonians are being invited to reflect on American values a...

Supporters say gentle parenting helps children develop independence and emotional intelligence. Critics argue it leaves kids without the structure they need to succeed. Which side is right? Cindy Gericke is a Planning and Development Specialist at Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County. She joins the show to discuss child development, behavioral expectations, and why she believes g...

One of Oregon's largest public-sector unions wants to dramatically expand its political influence while facing ongoing budget deficits. Is that the right priority? Sarah Parshall Perry is Vice President and Legal Fellow at Defending Education. She joins the show to discuss the Oregon Education Association's political ambitions, education spending, and concerns about the growing role of u...

Federal investigators say China created fake companies, fake recruiters, and fake job postings to target Americans with access to sensitive information. How widespread is the threat? Wayne Barnes is a former FBI counterintelligence agent and author of A Traitor in the FBI . He joins the show to discuss China's alleged espionage tactics, the use of artificial intelligence in intelligence opera...

More than 500 hospitals have been warned that they are failing to disclose basic pricing information. Why is it still so difficult for patients to know what healthcare will cost before treatment? Andrew Bremberg served as Director of the Domestic Policy Council under President Donald Trump. He joins the show to discuss healthcare price transparency, the administration's efforts to increase di...