The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Breanna Jackson, program chair for the 2027 Portland Rose Festival Court, joins Lars to discuss the decision to replace school-based princess selections with six court members representing geographic districts. The change ends a tradition dating back to 1930. Send us Fan Mail

Eugene real estate broker Derrick Roser joins Lars to discuss the city’s new requirement for certain home sellers to obtain and disclose an energy-efficiency score. The assessment could cost $150 to $250, and critics worry a low score could pressure homeowners into expensive upgrades. Send us Fan Mail

Former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler joins Lars to discuss Initiative 645, which would repeal Washington’s new 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million and prohibit state and local income taxes. The debate centers on whether the tax will remain limited to millionaires—or could eventually reach more taxpayers. Send us Fan Mail

Clark County Republican Party Chairman Matthew Bumala joins Lars on Election Day to discuss the rules for returning ballots in Oregon and Washington, including the postmark deadline and how voters can make sure their ballots are counted. Send us Fan Mail

Competitive Enterprise Institute senior counsel Soriya Chhe joins Lars to discuss a Wisconsin law that could make voting while holding election wagers a felony. The case centers on whether prediction-market contracts count as prohibited bets under a law dating to 1849. Send us Fan Mail

National Federation of Republican Women President Martha Jenkins joins Lars to discuss whether voters are treating the midterms as a verdict on President Trump. With control of Congress at stake, Jenkins weighs what Election Day could mean for the president’s agenda and the Republican Party. Send us Fan Mail

Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior fellow Peter Doran joins Lars to discuss the escalating dispute over Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal. The confrontation has sparked accusations that Prime Minister Donald Tusk is either restoring judicial independence or overstepping constitutional limits. Send us Fan Mail

Institute for Justice attorney Robert Fellner joins Lars to discuss swim instructor Libby Souder’s fight to resume backyard lessons in South Carolina. After the city approved her license, a zoning official later interpreted a “fully enclosed” requirement to mean indoors, putting her business at risk. Send us Fan Mail

Advancing American Freedom President Tim Chapman joins Lars to discuss what a Democratic takeover of the House could mean for President Trump’s agenda. Chapman weighs the prospect of investigations, subpoenas and shutdown threats—and how a change in control could reshape Washington. Send us Fan Mail

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is outlining a plan to address homelessness and the drug crisis. Center Square reporter Carleen Johnson joins Lars to discuss whether cities should prioritize recovery and sobriety before providing housing. Send us Fan Mail

OpenTheBooks.com investigative journalist Jeremy Portnoy joins Lars to discuss a report on New York Medicaid home-care payments lacking electronic visit verification records. The report identifies $14.5 billion in payments that could not be verified, raising questions about oversight—not proof that the money was stolen. Send us Fan Mail

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Bauman joins Lars to discuss Oregon Ducks wide receiver Massiah Hampton’s arrest on traffic violations the day before a game. They consider the timing of the arrest and concerns raised about sports betting—without assuming any improper motive. Send us Fan Mail

Ballotpedia staff writer Nicole Fisher joins Lars to discuss the more than $1.2 billion raised by campaigns for and against statewide ballot measures. With major tax proposals on the ballot, the conversation examines the money and messaging behind the measures. Send us Fan Mail

Washington Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins Lars to discuss Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s response to the state’s new income tax and the effort to repeal it. The conversation looks at what the tax could mean for small businesses and pass-through entities. Send us Fan Mail

U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford joins Lars after federal authorities arrested 14 noncitizens with prior violent convictions who had been released from Oregon jails or prisons despite ICE detainers. The discussion focuses on county policies, court orders, and public safety. Send us Fan Mail

Foreign organizations tied to Qatar and China have funded programs in American public schools, including in Seattle. Brandy Shufutinsky, education and national security program director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Lars to discuss foreign influence in K-12 education and whether schools should be required to disclose overseas funding. Send us Fan Mail

A polling firm accused of using fabricated data has raised new questions about the influence of political polls. Wayne Allyn Root, host of America’s Top Ten Countdown and America Speaks, joins Lars to discuss whether misleading polls and prediction-market odds can shape voters’ decisions—or even change election results. Send us Fan Mail

The Supreme Court will consider whether serving as a cook for a terrorist organization counts as providing material support. Zack Smith, senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation, joins Lars to discuss the case and what it could mean for asylum seekers with ties to terrorist groups. Send us Fan Mail

Seattle and other Washington cities restrict certain comments on their social media pages, including insults and political statements. Aaron Terr, vice president of public advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, joins Lars to discuss whether local governments can decide which opinions residents are allowed to express. Send us Fan Mail

Actress and dialect coach Mary McDonald-Lewis joins Lars to remember the late Patrick Stewart and share stories from their time working together on Green Room in Portland. Send us Fan Mail

Oregon’s health authority says tattoo artists cannot use over-the-counter numbing creams or sprays under current law. Nikki Matias, founder of Rebel Skincare and a member of the Society of Permanent Cosmetics, joins Lars to discuss the impact on permanent makeup artists and whether lawmakers should step in. Send us Fan Mail

A Morning Consult survey found that 26% of Americans say social media influencers have affected their voting decisions. Romain Vakilitabar, founder of Pathos Labs, joins Lars to discuss how figures like Jake Paul and Hasan Piker are shaping political opinions—and what that means for traditional journalism. Send us Fan Mail

Washington’s new income tax applies to millionaires—but its inclusion of pension income has raised concerns that lawmakers could eventually expand it. Steve Gordon of Gordon Truck Centers and Matt McIlwain of Madrona join Lars to discuss the tax, Initiative 645, and whether Washington’s growing budget could push more employers and residents out of the state. Send us Fan Mail

Recent comments from television hosts have raised questions about whether political coverage is crossing the line into partisan attacks. Tim Graham, executive editor of NewsBusters and director of media analysis at the Media Research Center, joins Lars to discuss the media’s treatment of conservatives and whether the public can still trust its political coverage. Send us Fan Mail

Posts circulating online claim governments around the world are preparing citizens for a coming war by urging them to stockpile food and water. Alexander Muse, independent publisher of The Enterprise newsletter, joins Lars to explain where these warnings actually came from, how old many of the recommendations are, and whether routine emergency preparedness is being twisted into something more alar...