The Lars Larson Show Interviews

A groundbreaking cancer treatment from Moderna and Merck & Co. reportedly cut the risk of recurrence or death nearly in half — yet the companies are avoiding one controversial word: “vaccine.”  Dr. Henry Miller, physician, molecular biologist, and former founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology, joins us to discuss the future of mRNA cancer treatments, whether politics is interfe...

At Harvard University, more than 60% of grades are now A’s and when school officials proposed limiting top grades to restore academic rigor, some students called the idea racist.  Dr. Zachary Marschall, Editor-in-Chief of Campus Reform, joins us to discuss grade inflation, merit in higher education, and when academic standards became part of the culture war. Send us Fan Mail

A Portland man convicted of one of the most disturbing murders this city has ever seen just walked into a parole hearing. Should a man who tortured and killed a disabled woman ever walk free?  Former Oregon District Attorneys Association President Josh Marquis joins the program to discuss the case and whether violent offenders like this should ever be allowed back into society. Send us Fan Mail

One of the country’s most well-known anti-hate organizations is now facing explosive federal allegations. Prosecutors claim the Southern Poverty Law Center funneled millions to extremist groups while building its reputation fighting them. Is the organization America trusted to expose hate actually running a scam of its own? Tyler O’Neil, senior editor at The Daily Signal and author of Making Hate...

A trucking company owner in Tillamook says his fuel costs jumped by $30,000 in a single month and unlike bigger companies, he says he can’t simply pass the cost on to customers. As energy prices rise again, small business owners are asking whether “energy independence” means anything if they still can’t stay afloat. Jason Rawe, an Oregon trucking carrier, joins the program to explain what the spik...

While America’s attention stays fixed on the Middle East, China is closely watching how the U.S. responds and some experts warn Taiwan could be next. With most of the world’s advanced computer chips tied to Taiwan, a conflict there could trigger economic chaos far beyond the battlefield. Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and author of Defending Taiwan, joins the program to discus...

The House just passed a bipartisan bill extending protections for Haitian immigrants, setting up a major fight over who controls immigration policy—Congress, the courts, or the White House. With the Senate, Supreme Court, and President Trump all looming over the issue, the battle over Temporary Protected Status is far from over. Congressman Brandon Gill, who represents Texas’ 26th Congressional Di...

What if the American economy isn’t really a free market at all? Critics argue giant corporations and government have become so intertwined that the system now rewards political connections over competition, leaving small businesses and ordinary Americans behind. Seton Motley, President of Less Government, joins the program to discuss whether modern “capitalism” has turned into corporate cronyism a...

A retired police officer can carry concealed across the country under federal law but a retired Navy SEAL cannot. Now a new proposal would extend nationwide concealed carry protections to elite military veterans, raising questions about fairness, public safety, and gun rights. Former Congressman and CIA analyst Bob Barr joins the program to discuss whether America should trust its special operatio...

President Trump just moved marijuana off the federal government’s most dangerous drug classification, marking one of the biggest shifts in U.S. cannabis policy in decades. Supporters say it opens the door to better research and medical treatment, while critics worry the country is continuing to normalize a drug with serious risks. John Solomon, founder of Just the News, joins the program to break...

Oregon's highest-ranking Trump administration official is gone, making her the third Cabinet member to exit Trump's second term. Is this a one-off scandal, or is something bigger happening? Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Nigel Jaquiss joins the program to break down what led to the resignation, the allegations surrounding it, and what comes next. Send us Fan Mail

Washington spent millions to clean up air in the state's most polluted communities. So why did $170k go to a business group just for holding meetings?  Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center joins the program to break down where the money went and whether taxpayers are getting real environmental results. Send us Fan Mail

President Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran and within hours, Iranian forces seized American-linked ships in the Strait of Hormuz. With tensions escalating again, questions are growing about whether Iran is genuinely negotiating or simply buying time while pushing the conflict further. Leland Vittert, host of On Balance and Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation, joins the program to break do...

Two Americans are dead after a covert anti-cartel operation in Mexico went wrong, and officials still aren’t saying exactly what happened. With conflicting stories emerging and questions about cartel involvement lingering, the incident is raising new concerns about how far U.S. operations inside Mexico have gone. Christine Balling, senior vice president at the Institute of World Politics, joins th...

Democrats just handed themselves a 10-1 congressional advantage in a state that was nearly split 50-50. Should one party ever have the power to draw the map that keeps them in power?  Joe Luppino-Esposito of Pacific Legal Foundation joins the program to discuss whether either party should have the power to redraw maps in ways that lock in political control. Send us Fan Mail

As Earth Day returns, investigative reporter Kevin Mooney joins the program to discuss his new book Climate Porn and why he believes the climate debate is increasingly about power, not science. Send us Fan Mail

Your tax dollars are still funding DEI, they just changed the name so you wouldn't notice. How many universities are hiding what they promised to eliminate?  Tim Minella, Director of Higher Education at the Goldwater Institute, joins the program to discuss what schools are actually doing behind the scenes and whether universities are misleading the public about ending DEI. Send us Fan Mail

Virginia could become the first state in the country with absolutely no limits on abortion written directly into its constitution. Do you know what's actually on your ballot this November?  Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia, joins the program to discuss what the amendment would do and why opponents say voters need to pay close attention to the wording. Send us Fan...

Two-thirds of Americans think a recession is coming and the numbers aren't arguing with them. Is your wallet already telling you what Washington won't admit?   Heather Andrews, Western Regional Director for Americans for Prosperity, joins the program to discuss the warning signs in the economy and what’s driving growing concern nationwide.  Send us Fan Mail

Hundreds of ballots from recent Washington elections were reportedly found sitting near a dumpster in a Renton strip mall parking lot, raising new questions about election security and chain of custody in the state’s mail-in voting system. Officials are now investigating as critics argue the incident could further damage public trust. Rep. Jim Walsh joins the program to discuss what’s been uncover...

Washington State has cut federal agents off from a key database used during traffic stops and investigations, prompting warnings from federal prosecutors that the move could put lives in danger. Supporters call it a policy decision, while critics say it’s politics interfering with public safety. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd joins the program to explain what changed, why agents...

Another major Supreme Court leak is fueling concerns about chaos and internal breakdowns at the nation’s highest court. With confidential memos surfacing and tensions between justices reportedly boiling over, critics are asking whether someone inside the Court is deliberately undermining it. Mollie Hemingway, Editor-in-Chief of The Federalist and author of Alito , joins the program to discuss the...

Washington’s new income tax is being sold as a tax on the wealthy but some small business owners say they’re the ones who could end up paying the price. One trucking company owner is now suing the state, arguing the policy could hurt hiring, growth, and family-run businesses already operating on thin margins. Carleen Johnson of The Center Square joins the program to break down the lawsuit, who cou...

The Supreme Court is taking up a major case that could redefine the balance between religious freedom and public funding. At the center of the fight: whether faith-based schools can participate in taxpayer-funded programs while maintaining religious admission policies. Jordan Varberg, attorney with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, joins the program to explain what’s at stake and how the ruli...

America has finally returned humans around the moon but after more than 50 years, many are asking why the country stopped pushing forward in the first place. Critics argue decades of political decisions stalled U.S. space leadership and handed momentum to competitors. Hans von Spakovsky joins the program to discuss the future of lunar exploration, the role of private companies like SpaceX, and whe...