The Lars Larson Show Interviews

A federally designated accessible trail was built to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors, but years of neglect have left it unsafe and nearly unusable. With billions of dollars in deferred maintenance, are public agencies living up to their promises on accessibility and stewardship? Brent Oliver is the founder of the Brent Oliver541 Foundation and the Meaningful Access Coalition. Livi...

Several states are moving to ban or restrict common self-defense tools, arguing the measures will improve public safety. But do these laws leave law-abiding citizens more vulnerable while doing little to stop criminals? Kyler Schmit is the Director of State Affairs for the U.S. Concealed Carry Association. He joins the show to discuss the latest state efforts to restrict self-defense rights, what...

The economy may be adding jobs, but are they the kinds of careers that can support families and strengthen the country? As businesses struggle to find skilled workers and young Americans rethink higher education, what's the best path to long-term economic opportunity? Thomas Jones is a workforce and economic policy expert. He joins the show to discuss the state of America's labor market,...

Oregon's governor has signaled she wants to scrap the state's controversial Climate Protection Program, yet regulators are moving ahead with a plan that would put billions of dollars from carbon credits under the control of a California nonprofit. Who should decide where that money goes—and who should oversee it? Nigel Jaquiss is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter with the O...

A defense bill that includes a pay raise for America's troops, new investments in shipbuilding, and expanded drone technology has stalled after Senate Democrats united to block it. Is this legitimate oversight, or are politics getting in the way of national security? Mark Vargas is Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Review and a former member of the Iraq Task Force in the Office of the Secretary...

Candidates promise lower taxes, safer streets, and fiscal responsibility on the campaign trail—but do those promises disappear after Election Day? As Washington faces record tax increases and ongoing public safety concerns, many voters are asking whether elected leaders are delivering on what they promised. Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank joins the show to discuss whether Washington's elect...

The Senate's top election integrity proposal has already faced an uphill battle, and now the sudden death of one of its strongest supporters has raised new questions about its future. Will Congress still move forward with requiring proof of citizenship to vote, or has the legislation lost its momentum? Jack Tomczak is Vice President of Outreach for Americans for Citizen Voting. He joins the s...

From struggling schools and rising homelessness to public safety concerns and a sluggish economy, Oregon faces no shortage of challenges. So why do so many of the state's political battles revolve around President Trump instead of problems closer to home? Josh Marquis is a former Clatsop County District Attorney and longtime legal analyst. He joins the show to discuss whether Oregon's el...

Washington has added new taxes, expanded regulations, and increased the cost of doing business. Are those policies strengthening the state's economy—or pushing employers, investment, and jobs somewhere else? Dr. Erika Creydt is a physician, lifelong Whatcom County resident, and candidate for Washington State Senate. She joins the show to discuss the economic impact of Washington's tax an...

California's environmental regulations don't stop at the state line. Because so much of America's cargo flows through California ports, critics say one state's climate policies are driving up shipping costs—and ultimately the prices consumers pay nationwide. Should one state's regulations affect families across the country? Iulia Lupse is editor-in-chief of Clear News Dail...

Portland's average response time for the highest-priority 911 calls has climbed to nearly 20 minutes, while thousands of child abuse reports are going without an assigned investigator. Are these growing pains, or signs of a public safety system that's failing the people it's supposed to protect? Senator Christine Drazan is the Republican leader in the Oregon House and a candidate fo...

A nationwide outbreak of the parasite cyclospora has sickened thousands of people, with investigators looking at lettuce and salad greens as a possible source. With no specific grower or supplier identified, what can families do to protect themselves while shopping and preparing fresh produce? Food safety expert and ArrowClean founder Rayne Guest joins the show to discuss the growing cyclospora ou...

Inflation has eased compared to its peak, but Americans are still paying far more for groceries, housing, and everyday essentials than they were before the pandemic. With energy prices, global conflicts, and housing costs continuing to put pressure on family budgets, is meaningful relief finally on the way? Steve Swedberg, policy analyst at the Center for Economic Freedom, joins the show to break...

A stomach parasite is spreading across more than half the country, with health officials investigating contaminated produce as the likely source. At the same time, the federal government has scaled back surveillance for several foodborne illnesses, raising questions about whether outbreaks are being detected quickly enough. Is America's food supply being properly monitored? Dr. Henry Miller,...

A private company's climate score could influence what buyers think your home is worth. Should these ratings carry that much weight? Molly Vogt is a Senior Fellow at the American Energy Institute. She joins the show to discuss new climate risk scores used by major real estate websites and how they could affect home values across the country. Send us Fan Mail

A homeowner invited neighbors over to pray. The city responded with legal warnings and a zoning dispute. Where should government draw the line? Marc Wheat is General Counsel at Advancing American Freedom. He joins the show to discuss a case now headed to the Supreme Court involving religious freedom, zoning laws, and prayer gatherings inside private homes. Send us Fan Mail

He once served time in federal prison. Today, he helps oversee one of the largest prison systems in the world. How did that happen? Josh Smith is the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He joins the show to discuss his journey from incarceration to public service, prison reform, and the lessons he learned along the way. Send us Fan Mail

One state shifted education funding directly to families and reported strong academic results with little fraud. Could that model work nationwide? Tommy Schultz is the CEO of the American Federation for Children. He joins the show to discuss education savings accounts, school choice, and what recent results could mean for students and parents. Send us Fan Mail

States want AI jobs and investment, but not everyone wants the infrastructure that comes with it. Could those decisions reshape where innovation happens? Professor Kevin Frazier is a Senior Fellow at the Abundance Institute. He joins the show to discuss New York's approach to AI infrastructure, data centers, and what it could mean for economic growth and technological development. Send us Fan...

A developer wanted to transform one of Portland's biggest eyesores into a thriving waterfront destination. Instead, he says the city's permitting process made the project nearly impossible. Is Portland's bureaucracy chasing away the very investment it needs? James Kasper is a Vancouver-based developer and business owner. He joins the show to discuss his proposal to redevelop Portlan...

Children need more than financial support—they need an engaged father. But what does it really take to raise respectful, confident, and independent kids in today's world? Dr. Binyamin Rothstein is an osteopathic physician with more than 45 years of experience in family medicine and the author of A Real Man's Guide to Becoming a Terrific Dad . A father of eight and grandfather of many, he...

A federal appeals court says states can't give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants while charging higher rates to American citizens from other states. Should Oregon's similar policy be next? Hannah Davis is Investigations Manager at the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). She joins the show to discuss the Fifth Circuit's ruling striking down Texas' in-state tu...

A South Korean energy company wants to cover hundreds of acres of productive Willamette Valley farmland with solar panels. Is green energy worth sacrificing some of Oregon's best agricultural land? Troy Jones is a Harrisburg resident and member of Friends of Gap Road. He joins the show to discuss the proposed Muddy Creek Energy Park, concerns about converting farmland into a large-scale solar...

California has made it illegal for employers to require workers to attend meetings about politics or religion. Is the law protecting employees from coercion, or violating employers' First Amendment rights? Will Swaim is President of the California Policy Center. He joins the show to discuss the legal challenge to California's workplace speech law, the recent arguments before the Ninth Ci...

A new study claims Apple News and Google News ignored more than 100 stories about a Democratic Senate candidate's controversies until he became a political liability. Are news apps shaping public opinion by deciding which stories get seen? David Bozell is President of the Media Research Center. He joins the show to discuss the organization's analysis of Apple News and Google News, allega...