The Lars Larson Show Interviews

A Portland sauna business followed county rules and secured permits, but complaints over wood smoke have sparked a growing neighborhood battle. When a business is operating legally, how much power should neighbors have to stop it? Aaron Mesh is the Managing Editor for Willamette Week. He joins the show to discuss the dispute surrounding a wood burning sauna business in Portland, gaps in Multnomah...

Republicans promised to shrink government involvement in the economy, but a new housing bill is drawing criticism from conservatives who say it expands subsidies and distorts the market. Will the plan make housing more affordable or push prices even higher? Joel Griffith is a senior fellow at Advancing American Freedom. He joins the show to discuss the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, co...

The Colorado River supplies water to millions across the American West, but another historically dry winter is forcing states to make emergency cuts. How long can the region sustain growing demand with shrinking water supplies? Tom Buschatzke is Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. He joins the show to discuss the latest agreement between Arizona, California, and Nevada to conser...

The U.S. has massive reserves of critical minerals needed for energy, technology, and national defense, yet new mining projects can take decades to approve. Is America regulating itself out of economic and strategic independence? Megan Jenkins leads Pacific Legal Foundation’s strategic research team. She joins the show to discuss why mine permitting in the United States takes so long, the legal an...

Reports that federal officials halted publication of vaccine safety studies are raising new questions about transparency inside America’s health agencies. Are scientific findings being filtered through politics before the public sees them? Henry Miller is a physician, molecular biologist, and the Glenn Swogger Distinguished Scholar at the Science Literacy Project. He also served as the founding di...

Drone warfare is changing the battlefield and military medics are increasingly becoming targets themselves. Is the U.S. prepared to protect wounded troops in the next major conflict? Jeremy Cannon is Chair of the Strategic Advisory Committee for RESPOND-US. He joins the show to discuss how modern warfare is reshaping battlefield medicine, the growing dangers facing military medical teams, and conc...

Streaming platforms used by millions for music and podcasts are facing new scrutiny over extremist content tied to terrorist organizations. Are tech companies doing enough to stop radical propaganda from spreading through audio platforms? Sophie McDowall is a research associate at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. She joins the show to discuss fi...

A California mayor has pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, raising new concerns about foreign influence at the local level. How vulnerable are American institutions to outside political operations? Richard Lyons is the author of “The DNA of Democracy” and “Shadows of the Acropolis.” He joins the show to discuss the case involving former California mayor Eileen...

A major activist organization facing federal fraud charges is still tied to classroom materials used in school districts across the country. Should schools continue using curriculum connected to politically controversial groups? Adam Guillette is president of Accuracy in Media. He joins the show to discuss reports involving the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Learning for Justice” program, concerns...

Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions were overturned after a court found serious misconduct tied to the original trial. Does the ruling protect the integrity of the justice system or reopen wounds in one of America’s most infamous crime cases? Leland Vittert is host of “On Balance with Leland Vittert” and Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation. He joins the show to discuss the South Carolina Supreme...

An Oregon court ruling could require employers to pay workers for meal break time even if employees voluntarily return to work early. Is the decision protecting workers or creating new legal risks for businesses? Anthony Smith is Oregon State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business. He joins the show to discuss the ongoing legal dispute over meal break policies, concerns from...

China’s government is facing criticism over efforts to align religious teachings with Communist Party ideology. Should the international community respond when governments alter religious doctrine and restrict worship practices? Samuel Ben-Ur is a research analyst focusing on the Middle East at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He joins the show to discuss China’s “Sinicization of Christi...

A Virginia prosecutor is facing a federal investigation after a murder case involving a suspect with dozens of prior arrests reignited debate over charging decisions and public safety. When repeat offenders keep getting released, who should be held responsible? Josh Marquis is Assistant to the District Attorney in Linn County, former Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association, a...

The cost of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project has surged into the billions while timelines continue slipping. Are taxpayers getting transparency and accountability for one of the Northwest’s largest infrastructure projects? Rep. John Ley joins the show to discuss compensation tied to former Interstate Bridge Replacement administrator Greg Johnson, rising project costs, delays surrounding t...

Americans say they trust Big Tech and the federal government far less than parents when it comes to children’s online activity. So who should actually decide what safeguards belong on social media? Sean Stevens is Chief Researcher at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). He joins the show to discuss new polling on trust in social media regulation, concerns over government inv...

Republicans are heading into another Oregon governor’s race with several candidates in the field and growing debate over who can break the party’s long statewide losing streak. Could one candidate finally reshape the political map? Jim Pasero is a principal at the public affairs company Third Century Solutions. He joins the show to discuss the Oregon Republican gubernatorial field, the campaign of...

A Maryland doctor who publicly criticized federal COVID policy later faced criminal fraud charges that were ultimately overturned by a judge. Was the prosecution justified or an example of government overreach? Ron Elfenbein is a Maryland physician whose conviction in a COVID related billing fraud case was overturned. He joins the show to discuss the federal case against him, the judge’s criticism...

Connecticut lawmakers have approved new homeschooling regulations that supporters call child protection and critics call government overreach. Where should the line be drawn between parental rights and state oversight? Ralph Rodriguez is an attorney with the Home School Legal Defense Association. He joins the show to discuss Connecticut’s new homeschooling law, concerns from families and legal adv...

A major redistricting effort in Virginia was struck down by the state Supreme Court after millions were spent backing the proposal. Are election maps becoming a political weapon instead of a representation tool? KC Crosbie is Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee. She joins the show to discuss the Virginia Supreme Court ruling on the proposed redistricting referendum, the role of outside p...

Prescription drug prices continue to rise despite promises to lower costs for American families. Are recent reforms creating real change or mostly political headlines? Dr. Jeremy Levin is a biotech industry veteran and author of the upcoming book “Biotech in the Balance.” He joins the show to discuss rising prescription drug costs, the impact of Trump administration pricing policies, and whether c...

An Oregon state worker says union dues were taken from his paycheck without his approval and that documents used to justify the deductions were forged. How much control should workers have over union membership and payroll deductions? Rebekah Schultheiss serves as Litigation Counsel in the Freedom Foundation’s Oregon office. She joins the show to discuss the lawsuit involving SEIU 503, allegations...

The SEC is considering changes that could reduce pressure on corporations to focus on short term earnings reports. Would ending mandatory quarterly reporting help businesses invest for the future or reduce accountability for investors? John Berlau is a senior fellow and Director of Finance Policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He joins the show to discuss the SEC’s proposal to scale back...

A new Oregon law forces tech and communications companies to respond faster in stalking and domestic violence investigations. Could delayed cooperation from Silicon Valley put lives at risk? Rep. Kevin Mannix joins the show to discuss Oregon’s new law tied to the killing of Kristil Krug, why lawmakers pushed for mandatory response deadlines on search warrants, and how the measure could change inve...

The U.S. relies heavily on China for rare earth minerals used in military technology and advanced manufacturing. Could that dependence become a major vulnerability during global conflict? Nick Myers is CEO of Phoenix Tailings, a Massachusetts based rare earth processing company. He joins the show to discuss America’s reliance on Chinese mineral supplies, the growing strategic importance of rare ea...

A legal battle over exhibits at Independence Park is reigniting debate over how America’s founders and history should be presented to the public. Should historical sites focus more on the nation’s ideals or its contradictions? Jeff Anderson is president of the American Main Street Initiative. He joins the show to discuss changes made to exhibits at Philadelphia’s Independence Park, the lawsuit cha...