The Lars Larson Show Interviews

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...

Supporters of the Greater Idaho movement say years of frustration with Salem have pushed rural communities to consider leaving Oregon altogether. After one county voted to end relocation talks, is the movement losing momentum or proving its point about political division in the state? Matt McCaw is executive director of the Citizens for Greater Idaho movement. He joins the show to discuss the late...

A new book argues the biggest divide in America is no longer Democrat versus Republican, but everyday citizens versus a small ruling class that holds growing influence over government, media, and culture. Have America’s elites become disconnected from the public they govern? Scott Rasmussen is an independent pollster, ESPN co-founder, and author of the new book “Out of Touch.” He joins the show to...

The federal government is now refunding billions of dollars in tariffs after a Supreme Court ruling declared them unlawful. Could the decision reshape trade policy and cost taxpayers far more than expected? Richard Stern is Vice President of the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise at Advancing American Freedom. He joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling, the growing wave of...

California officials are relying on federal help to respond to a dangerous chemical emergency after years of criticizing federal environmental oversight. Are states too quick to reject Washington until they need help managing a crisis? Mandy Gunasekara is former Chief of Staff at the Environmental Protection Agency. She joins the show to discuss the chemical emergency in Orange County, California,...

Florida’s citrus industry is struggling to survive after years of disease, falling production, and mounting costs. As growers turn to gene edited crops for answers, are outdated regulations slowing down the very technology that could save American agriculture? Henry Miller is a physician, molecular biologist, and the Glenn Swogger Distinguished Scholar at the Science Literacy Project. He also serv...

A tech CEO says firing his entire HR department improved productivity, customer service, and company culture. Are corporate HR departments solving workplace problems or creating new ones? Andrew Crapuchettes is CEO of RedBalloon. He joins the show to discuss the controversy surrounding Ryan Breslow and Bolt Financial, the role HR departments play in modern companies, and whether businesses are bec...

New data shows U.S. manufacturing activity growing at its fastest pace in four years as companies ramp up production and brace for rising global costs. Is American industry finally regaining momentum after years of decline? Conn Davis is CEO of Byrna Technologies . He joins the show to discuss the latest manufacturing numbers, the impact of global instability and rising costs on American factories...

A new poll shows Republican John Braun leading Democratic Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez as voter dissatisfaction grows in Washington’s 3rd District. Could Republicans be on track to flip one of the state’s most competitive seats? John Braun is Washington Senate Republican Leader and a candidate in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. He joins the show to discuss the latest polling, vot...

A federal court order is forcing Northwest dams to spill more water for salmon protection, reducing hydropower generation and raising concerns about electricity reliability and costs. As energy demand rises, can the region afford to lose one of its largest sources of clean power? Kurt Miller is chief executive officer of the Northwest Public Power Association. He joins the show to discuss the impa...

Another Washington tech entrepreneur says the state’s new millionaire tax is pushing business leaders to leave for places like Texas. Could higher taxes and growing regulation weaken Washington’s reputation as a hub for innovation and startups? Jesse Proudman is founder and CTO of the privacy focused AI platform Venice.ai . He joins the show to discuss why some entrepreneurs are reconsidering stay...

New whistleblower allegations involving virus samples, lab safety incidents, and animal testing at a National Institutes of Health facility are raising fresh questions about transparency inside America’s top public health agencies. Could dangerous research practices be putting the public at risk? Justin Goodman is Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at White Coat Waste Project. He...

Oregon’s catch and release policies are under renewed scrutiny as critics argue serious offenders are being released before ever appearing before a judge. Should the state overhaul its pretrial release system in the name of public safety? Kevin Mannix is an Oregon state representative from Salem and a chief supporter of the proposed Oregon Crimefighting Act. He joins the show to discuss Initiative...

A resurfaced controversy involving a prominent New York Times columnist is fueling debate over family history, wartime allegiances, and modern political commentary surrounding Israel. Should personal and family backgrounds shape how the public views influential media voices? Josh Marquis is assistant to the District Attorney in Linn County and former president of the Oregon District Attorneys Asso...

Oregon’s chief election official is facing criticism after appearing alongside active candidates at taxpayer funded town halls while ballots are already in voters’ hands. Does the timing undermine public confidence in election neutrality? Jason Williams is founder of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon. He joins the show to discuss concerns surrounding Tobias Read’s public events with current candi...

A new poll shows Oregon’s Republican governor race tightening fast as frustration over taxes, fuel costs, and the economy grows statewide. Could this be the year Republicans finally break through? Ed Diehl is a Republican candidate for governor and current Oregon state representative. He joins the show to discuss his campaign momentum, plans to cut taxes and suspend Oregon gas taxes during the Ira...

A new survey shows a growing number of Portland area residents are considering moving out of the city and many say they may leave Oregon altogether. What is driving people to consider starting over somewhere else? Nick Shivers is a real estate broker and leader of the Nick Shivers Team. He joins the show to discuss new polling on Portland area migration, what homebuyers and sellers are saying abou...