The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Even Democrats who have championed ranked-choice voting are now considering banning it from their own presidential primaries. Why are they backing away from the system? Trent England, founder and executive director of Save Our States and co-author of The Case Against Ranked-Choice Voting, joins the show to discuss ballot exhaustion, fringe candidates, and whether ranked-choice voting actually give...

 The Justice Department is suing a Maryland county over a law that restricts carrying firearms near churches and other locations. Does your Second Amendment right stop at the church door? Former Congressman and CIA analyst Bob Barr joins the show to discuss the lawsuit, religious freedom, and the constitutional fight over the right to self-defense.  Send us Fan Mail

Portland could put public money toward renovating the Moda Center, but questions remain about where that money would come from and what taxpayers would get in return. Should the city commit funding before those details are clear? Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo joins the show to discuss her push for greater transparency, accountability, and measurable public benefit before the city moves...

A Portland city councilor who has publicly warned about the danger of human-caused fires was caught burning a large pile of brush during an active burn ban. Should elected officials know the rules they expect everyone else to follow? Aaron Mesh, Managing Editor of Willamette Week, joins the show to discuss what happened, the fire department's response, and the questions now facing Councilor M...

A federal judge has ruled that the government’s registration requirements for suppressors and short-barreled rifles are unconstitutional after Congress eliminated the tax that supported them. Could the ruling unravel major parts of a nearly century-old gun law? Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, joins the show to discuss the ruling, the National Firearms Act, and what it co...

As wildfires burn across Washington, climate change is once again being blamed for the destruction. But does the science actually support that claim? Cliff Mass, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington, joins the show to discuss what’s really driving the fires, the role of weather and forest management, and why he says the public isn’t getting the full story. Send us Fan...

Courtney Bangs won the Republican primary for Oregon State Senate District 16 with more than 62% of the vote. Can she carry that momentum into November? Courtney Bangs joins the show to discuss her primary victory, the issues driving her campaign, and why she believes voters along Oregon’s North Coast are ready for a change in Salem. Send us Fan Mail

RFK Jr. says the government got nearly everything wrong during COVID and argues that protecting constitutional rights must come first in the next public health crisis. But where should the line be drawn between individual freedom and public safety? Dr. Henry Miller, a physician, molecular biologist, and former founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology, joins the show to discuss what A...

New York City has renewed a nearly $2 billion contract to use hotels as emergency homeless shelters while residents and tourists face some of the highest hotel prices in the country. Is this helping the homeless or rewarding a broken system? Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, founder and president of the American Center for Democracy and author of Funding Evil, joins the show to discuss the massive contract, i...

 AI and massive data centers are demanding more electricity, putting new pressure on America’s power grid. Can the country produce enough reliable energy without sending utility bills even higher? Jay Young joins the show to discuss the growing demand for electricity, the challenges facing the grid, and what America needs to do to keep the lights on while competing in the AI race.  Send us Fan Mai...

 The Trump administration has scrapped a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund after Republican senators raised concerns that payouts could extend to participants in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Did the GOP make the right call? Jeremy Dalrymple, Associate Director and Fellow for the Governance Program at the R Street Institute, joins the show to discuss why the fund was rescinded, who c...

Virginia saw violent crime, murders, car thefts and drug crime all decline in 2025. Is tougher policing finally paying off? Joe Thomas, host of Joe Thomas In-The-Morning on WTON in Charlottesville, joins the show to discuss the latest crime numbers, what may be driving the decline, and whether Virginians are actually safer today.  Send us Fan Mail

 Qatar has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into American businesses, universities, real estate and lobbying, with even more investment promised. But how much political influence comes with that money? Joel Griffith, Senior Fellow at Advancing American Freedom, joins the show to discuss Qatar’s growing financial footprint in the United States, its efforts to shape American policy, and whethe...

 Washington’s 3rd Congressional District is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races in the country. Is Southwest Washington ready for a change in Congress? State Senator John Braun, a Republican candidate for Congress, joins the show to discuss his challenge to Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the issues driving the race, and why he believes voters are paying the price for her record i...

 Washington’s primary results are raising red flags for Republicans, with several GOP incumbents trailing heading into November. What are voters telling lawmakers? State Representative John Ley joins the show to discuss his own race in Southwest Washington, the challenges Republicans face in the general election, and what the results reveal about the political mood across the state.  Send us Fan M...

 A man previously convicted of killing his own father is now accused of starting the Old Trails Fire near Spokane, which destroyed hundreds of structures and forced thousands from their homes. How did investigators track him down, and how was he back on the streets? Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels joins the show to discuss the arson investigation, the suspect’s arrest, and the devastating wildf...

 One Oregon guardian says her special needs sister began receiving ballots after getting a REAL ID, even though she says no one ever agreed to register her to vote. How did it happen? Lars listener Teri joins the show to share her sister’s story, what she was told by the DMV, and why she believes Oregon’s automatic voter registration system deserves a closer look.  Send us Fan Mail

 The ballots have been counted, and primary results across the country are sending some surprising signals to both parties. What do they tell us about where voters are headed before November? Leland Vittert, host of On Balance with Leland Vittert and Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation, joins the show to discuss the biggest election takeaways, the warning signs for Republicans and Democrats, an...

 A new analysis estimates that roughly 9 million people enrolled through Medicaid expansion may not actually qualify, costing federal taxpayers about $33 billion a year. How did the program get this far off track? Liam Sigaud, Adjunct Scholar at the Paragon Health Institute, joins the show to discuss the incentives created by Obamacare, the impact on taxpayers and vulnerable patients, and whether...

 More than half of New York City’s reported hate crimes this year have targeted Jewish victims, even as other major crime categories decline. Is city leadership doing enough to confront antisemitism? Sydney Altfield, National Director of Teach Coalition, joins the show to discuss the rise in antisemitic hate crimes, growing concerns within New York’s Jewish community, and whether Mayor Zohran Mamd...

 Wildfires are devastating communities across Washington and Oregon, but people working on the ground say the problem has been building for decades. Did years of fire suppression and hands-off forest policy make today’s fires worse? Taylor Muskthel, owner of B & M Land Management, joins the show to discuss what she sees firsthand in Northwest forests, how fuel loads became so dangerous, and wh...

 Medicaid has spent more than $5 billion on a widely used autism therapy in just six years, while prosecutors are uncovering millions of dollars in allegedly fraudulent claims. Are families getting the care they need, or are scammers exploiting the system? Taylor Sanders with the Autism Family Alliance joins the show to discuss the soaring cost of autism therapy, recent fraud cases, and how taxpay...

 Nineteen people are accused of billing Medicare and Medicaid for millions of dollars in care that was never provided. How much taxpayer money is being lost to healthcare fraud? Tom Jones, President of the American Accountability Foundation, joins the show to discuss the latest alleged fraud schemes, how scammers exploit government healthcare programs, and what can be done to protect taxpayers.  S...

 A proposed Portland ballot measure would redirect a portion of the Portland Clean Energy Fund to hire more police officers, but supporters say city officials are already working to stop it before voters get a chance to decide. Aaron Schmautz, President of the Portland Police Association, joins the show to discuss the controversy surrounding the initiative, allegations of election interference, an...

 Iran's heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site is believed to house advanced uranium enrichment capabilities deep underground. Can the U.S. and its allies stop Iran's nuclear ambitions if key facilities are out of reach? Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Nonproliferation Program, joins the show to discuss what intelligence expert...