The Lars Larson Show Interviews

A controversial Senate candidate is drawing scrutiny over past statements, associations, and growing criticism from both allies and opponents. Could the fallout reshape the political landscape? Julian Epstein is the former Chief Counsel for House Judiciary Democrats and former Staff Director of the House Oversight Committee. He joins the show to discuss the controversy surrounding Maine Senate can...

A community festival turned into a scene of panic when gunfire erupted in a crowded public space. What went wrong, and could it happen again? Steven Sund is the former Chief of the United States Capitol Police and a nationally recognized security expert. He joins the show to discuss the mass shooting at Toledo's Old West End Festival, public event security challenges, and what communities can...

College tuition continues to climb, but confidence in higher education appears to be falling. Are students getting the value they expected from a degree? Will Biagini is Assistant Editor at Campus Reform. He joins the show to discuss new survey data showing declining confidence in higher education, rising tuition costs, and whether today's students believe a college degree is still worth the...

One school district spends less money and is seeing major academic gains. Another spends billions more yet continues to struggle. What explains the difference? Bethany Mandel is a columnist, commentator, and co-author of Stolen Youth . She joins the show to discuss Houston's recent education improvements, the role of state intervention in struggling school districts, and what the results coul...

Government reports suggest inflation has cooled, but many Americans still feel financially squeezed. Have official numbers captured the full impact on everyday households? Mark Minnella is host of the nationally syndicated program Financial Issues and a financial analyst focused on economic policy and market trends. He joins the show to discuss inflation, purchasing power, consumer spending, and w...

The Republican Party continues to evolve under Donald Trump's leadership. Has that transformation strengthened the conservative movement or changed it fundamentally? Mike Pence served as the 48th Vice President of the United States and as Governor of Indiana. He joins the show to discuss his new book, the future of conservatism, the direction of the Republican Party, and the principles he bel...

Nearly 2,000 measles cases have now been reported nationwide, and most involve people who were not vaccinated. Are health officials facing a growing public health challenge? 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 current measles outbreak, the risks associated with infection, vaccina...

A federal judge struck down a major increase in H-1B visa fees, arguing the administration exceeded its authority. Are the courts protecting the rule of law or standing in the way of immigration reform? Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch is an immigration attorney and the Owner and CEO of Lincoln-Goldfinch Law. She joins the show to discuss the court ruling, the future of the H-1B visa program, and the ongoin...

A homeowner says a mistake she never intended led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and a lien on her property. Is this legitimate code enforcement or government overreach? Loren Seehase is an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation's Property Rights Group. She joins the show to discuss a Honolulu homeowner's legal battle over short-term rental regulations, constitutional prope...

A Texas jury sentenced a teenager to 35 years in prison for a fatal stabbing at a high school track meet. Does the sentence fit the crime, or will it leave both sides dissatisfied? Nils Grevillius is a crime expert, author of The Last Lawman , and a U.S. Army veteran. He joins the show to discuss the Karmelo Anthony sentencing, how juries weigh violent crimes involving young offenders, and what th...

A major redistricting overhaul is already facing legal challenges and could reshape political representation across Louisiana. Will the new map stand up in court? Dr. John Fleming is a former U.S. Congressman who represented Louisiana's 4th Congressional District from 2009 to 2017. He joins the show to discuss Louisiana's newly approved congressional map, the legal battles surrounding re...

Social Security is now projected to become insolvent within a few years, potentially reducing benefits for millions of Americans. Will Congress act before retirees feel the impact? Charles Blahous is a former Social Security Trustee, Senior Research Strategist at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and an expert on entitlement policy. He joins the show to discuss the program's fin...

The Constitution has shaped American government for more than two centuries, but debates over its original meaning remain as intense as ever. Have we misunderstood the document from the very beginning? Ilan Wurman is a constitutional law scholar and author of the new book, The Constitution of 1789: A New Introduction . He joins the show to discuss the origins of the Constitution, what the framers...

Around the world, Christians face violence, imprisonment, and government repression from terrorist groups, authoritarian regimes, and hostile governments. Some foreign policy experts argue that where Christians are persecuted, broader threats to freedom and stability often follow. Should religious persecution play a larger role in shaping American foreign policy? Samuel Ben-Ur is a research analys...

Millions of consumers own older devices that still function perfectly, yet manufacturers increasingly end support and force users onto newer products. When does a software update become a forced upgrade? Nathan Proctor is Senior Director of the Campaign for the Right to Repair at PIRG. He joins the show to discuss Amazon's decision to cut off Kindle Store access for older Kindle devices, the...

A new study suggests political diversity among faculty donors at major universities is shrinking, while many conservative professors say they feel uncomfortable expressing their views on campus. Is higher education fostering open debate or becoming increasingly one-sided? Angela Erickson is Vice President of Research at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. She joins the show to dis...

Questions are being raised about outside funding in one of the most high-profile civil cases involving President Trump. If wealthy political donors help finance lawsuits against elected officials, does that create concerns about transparency, influence, and the legal system? Brianna Lyman is an elections correspondent for The Federalist. She joins the show to discuss reports of a Justice Departmen...

Washington Republicans are already looking ahead to 2028 as questions grow about who can build a statewide conservative coalition. Could Jim Walsh be the one preparing to lead that effort? Rep. Jim Walsh serves as the State Representative for Washington’s 19th Legislative District. He joins the show to discuss whether he is considering a future run for governor, why he believes conservatives need...

A new study from researchers at Carnegie Mellon, Oxford, MIT, and UCLA suggests even brief exposure to AI tools can reduce independent problem-solving ability and persistence when the technology is taken away. Are Americans becoming too dependent on artificial intelligence? Nicholas Kardaras is the Founder and CEO of Omega Recovery and author of Digital Madness and Glow Kids . He joins the show to...

A new survey finds that nearly 30% of likely voters now carry a concealed handgun at least occasionally, with participation rising across demographic groups and states. As concealed carry becomes more common, what impact is it having on crime, personal safety, and self-defense? John Lott is an economist, founder of the Crime Prevention Research Center, and a nationally recognized expert on guns an...

A group of Maryland sheriffs is challenging the state's new sanctuary law, arguing it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities and puts them in conflict with federal law. Does the Constitution allow states to restrict that cooperation? Mateo Forero serves as counsel for the Federation for American Immigration Reform and represents seventeen Maryland...

A Michigan developer wants to transform Detroit’s Belle Isle into a privately funded special economic zone with its own tax structure, governance model, and economic rules. Could a Freedom City attract investment and revive one of America’s most challenged urban areas? Rod Lockwood is a developer and former chairman of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce board. He joins the show to discuss his propos...

After the Uvalde school shooting, Texas required armed officers on every public school campus. Supporters say the policy improves safety, but critics argue it has led to thousands of incidents involving force, arrests, and aggressive policing over routine student misconduct. Has the pendulum swung too far? Jarred Weisfeld is CEO of Objective Entertainment, President of Start Publishing, and a scho...

Reports that some Oregon voters discovered unexpected changes to their party affiliation during the primary election are raising new questions about election administration and voter confidence. Are these isolated errors or signs of deeper problems with the system? Dr. Douglas Frank is a physicist, inventor, and elections analyst. He joins the show to discuss concerns about voter registration reco...

TriMet is cutting hundreds of positions as the agency struggles with a growing budget deficit, falling ridership, and declining fare revenue. Can Portland’s public transit system recover or is the financial situation becoming unsustainable? John Ley is a Washington state representative for District 18. He joins the show to discuss TriMet’s proposed layoffs, the broader challenges facing public tra...