The Lars Larson Show Interviews

The cost of raising a child just crossed $300,000—and that’s before college. At the same time, birth rates are hitting record lows, raising a bigger question about whether the American dream of raising a family is slipping out of reach. Bill Dendy, CPA and financial advisor, joins the program to break down what’s driving these costs and whether families can still afford to have kids in today’s eco...

A startup wants to launch tens of thousands of mirrors into space to reflect sunlight onto Earth at night—potentially lighting up entire regions after dark. Supporters call it innovation, but critics warn it could disrupt ecosystems, human health, and even the natural night sky itself. Gregory Wrightstone, geologist and Executive Director of the CO2 Coalition, joins the program to break down who g...

Denver’s homelessness crisis continues to grow, with concerns about safety, public spaces, and the direction of city leadership. Critics argue years of progressive policies have only made things worse, while supporters say the problem is more complex. Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, Republican candidate for Colorado governor, joins the program to break down what’s happening in Denver and whe...

Portland has a major river running through the heart of the city—but for decades it’s been underused, cut off, and even contaminated. Meanwhile, nearby Vancouver turned its waterfront into a thriving destination, raising an obvious question: what’s holding Portland back? Aaron Mesh, Managing Editor at Willamette Week, joins the program to break down the competing plans, the environmental hurdles,...

Washington is considering a major shift in how bail works—letting defendants pay a percentage directly to the court instead of using private bail bonds. Supporters say it’s more fair, but critics warn it could weaken accountability and change how the system ensures people actually show up. Courtney Wimer of All City Bail Bonds joins the program to break down how the current system works and what c...

America just launched a high-risk mission to rescue a single downed airman behind enemy lines—while Australia is prosecuting one of its most decorated war heroes for actions taken in combat years ago. The contrast raises a bigger question about how nations treat those who fight for them. Mary Rooke, Commentary and Analysis Writer for The Daily Caller, joins the program to break down what this says...

A new analysis shows Social Security’s trust fund could run dry as early as 2032, while the federal government continues to spend far more on retirees than on younger Americans. With the system under growing strain, younger workers are left wondering what they’re actually paying into. Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, joins the program to break down the numbers, wha...

A new technology developed by former NASA engineers claims it can put out fires using sound waves—no water, no chemicals, and no damage. If it works at scale, it could completely change how fires are fought, especially in wildfire-prone states like California. Remington Hotchkis, Chief Commercialization Officer at Sonic Fire Tech, joins the program to explain how it works and whether this could be...

A Minneapolis protest turned deadly when federal agents shot and killed a man during an immigration operation—sparking a national debate over gun rights, self-defense, and how the Second Amendment applies in high-tension situations. Now the question is front and center: does legally carrying a firearm protect your rights in a protest setting—or does it change how law enforcement responds? Bob Barr...

Duke Energy made nearly $5 billion last year—and now wants to raise rates on families by 18%. Meanwhile, large corporate customers get smaller increases, and major hedge funds sit at the top collecting returns. So who is the system really built for? Seton Motley, President of Less Government, joins the program to break down how utility monopolies work, why profits are guaranteed, and whether custo...

A ceasefire is supposed to be in place—but bombs are still falling, Iran is reportedly mining the Strait of Hormuz, and both sides are operating under completely different versions of the deal. Add in strikes in Lebanon, and it’s hard to tell what was actually agreed to—or if anyone plans to follow it. John Solomon, founder of Just the News and political commentator, joins the program to break dow...

A naysayer caller pushes back on term limits, arguing they could actually weaken voter control by forcing out leaders people want to keep. If voters already have the power to remove bad politicians, why take that decision away and replace it with a hard deadline? The debate gets heated as Lars counters with the reality of incumbents winning nearly every election and staying in office for decades....

Washington utility customers are facing massive rate hikes—some nearing 30%—while more of that money could be flowing straight to private equity investors. Supporters say it’s needed for infrastructure and green energy mandates, but critics are asking a tougher question: who is this really benefiting? Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at the Washington Policy Center, joins the program to bre...

In a district dominated by Republicans for decades, one candidate is stepping outside the two-party system and taking a different approach. With no party backing, no established machine, and a crowded field, the question is simple: will voters take a chance on something different? Devin Poore, independent candidate for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, joins the program to explain why he’s...

Trump announced a last-minute ceasefire with Iran, but within hours missiles were still flying and key terms of the deal were already in dispute. With conflicting versions of the agreement and ongoing strikes across the region, it’s far from clear what was actually agreed to—or if anyone plans to stick to it. Leland Vittert, host of On Balance and Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation, joins the...

Oregon farmers are getting just a fraction of the water they need as the state faces record-low snowpack and tens of thousands of acres could go unplanted. At the same time, federal regulations tied to endangered species are limiting how much water can actually be used. Gene Souza, Executive Director of the Klamath Irrigation District, joins the program to explain how policy is colliding with drou...

For years, America’s most highly trained fighters couldn’t carry a firearm on their own bases until now. A new policy change allows service members to request permission to carry for self-defense, raising a bigger question about whether military installations should have ever been treated like gun-free zones. Dr. John Lott, economist and gun policy expert, joins the program to break down the risks...

College sports are spiraling with transfer rules, NIL money, and constant legal battles—and now the federal government is stepping in. Trump’s executive order threatens funding for schools that don’t comply, raising a bigger question about who should actually be in charge. Maddie Salamone, federal policy counsel at Pacific Legal Foundation, joins the program to break down whether Washington fixing...

A ceasefire is in place but both sides are claiming victory, the terms don’t match, and missiles were still flying hours after it was announced. So what exactly was agreed to, and does this deal actually mean the fighting is over? Mark Vargas, former member of the Iraqi Task Force at the Office of the Secretary of War, joins the program to break down what this ceasefire really looks like and what...

Planned Parenthood just reported its highest number of abortions ever—while also receiving record taxpayer funding. With services like cancer screenings declining and abortion numbers rising, the debate over where that money is going is heating up again. Kimberly Bird, spokesperson for Live Action, joins the program to break down the latest report and whether federal funding for Planned Parenthood...

A new lawsuit claims Virginia may be allowing people who have never even lived in the state to cast ballots, raising serious questions about election integrity and who should actually have a say. Supporters call it legal, but critics say it undermines the votes of real residents. John Reid, former Virginia Lieutenant Governor candidate and host of The Reid Revolution , joins the program to break d...

Portland State University is assigning a book that paints White professors in sweeping negative terms, raising a simple question: would this ever be allowed if it targeted any other racial group? Supporters call it academic exploration, but critics see a clear double standard creeping into higher education. Bruce Gilley, Political Science Professor at PSU, joins the program to break down what’s in...

States like Ohio and Kentucky are building massive, modern bridges for a fraction of the cost—without tolls—while Oregon and Washington are asking taxpayers to foot a bill that could reach $19 billion. So where is all that money actually going? Washington State Representative John Ley joins the program to break down what’s driving the price tag, what’s really included in the project, and whether t...

A lawsuit claims American ex-Special Forces veterans were hired by a foreign government to carry out targeted killings in Yemen with little clarity on who was on the list or why. Now one of the surviving targets is fighting back in court, raising serious legal and ethical questions. Jeremy Louwerse, Senior Reporter for the California Post, joins the program to break down what’s been uncovered and...

Portland’s fire department says it won’t respond to some homeless encampment fires unless they spread—after reports that nearly half of their calls are tied to homelessness. That raises a serious question: who decides when a fire is “contained enough” to ignore? Kevin Dahlgren, independent journalist covering homelessness and addiction, joins the program to break down what this policy means on the...