The Lars Larson Show Interviews

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...

A suspected Chinese cyberattack on a U.S. surveillance system is being called a major national security threat, with reports that sensitive law enforcement data may have been compromised. It’s the latest in a string of high-level breaches targeting American systems. Wayne Barnes, former FBI counterintelligence agent with 29 years of experience, joins the program to break down what this means, how...

Iran is threatening global oil supply, but the U.S. isn’t feeling the same pressure it would have decades ago. Thanks to the shale revolution, America now leads the world in energy production—raising a big question about how that changes our position on the global stage. Kevin Dayaratna, Vice President at Advancing American Freedom, joins the program to break down whether energy independence gave...

Trump says regime change in Iran has already happened—but critics say that’s premature with the war still unfolding. At the same time, signs of internal collapse, weakening leadership, and growing unrest inside Iran are hard to ignore. Zineb Riboua, research fellow at the Hudson Institute, joins the program to break down whether the regime is already unraveling—and whether it even matters if the f...

A new study shows AI health chatbots can be fooled by fake medical information nearly half the time—especially when it sounds like it’s coming from a doctor. As more Americans turn to AI for quick answers, that raises serious questions about how reliable it really is. Dr. Henry Miller, physician and former founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology, joins the program to break down the...

A new filing in the Charlie Kirk murder case shows a key bullet analysis came back “inconclusive”—and some are already claiming it clears the suspect. But experts say that’s not how forensic evidence works, especially with other evidence still in play. Nils Grevillius, crime expert and Army veteran, joins the program to break down what “inconclusive” actually means and whether this changes the cas...

A reported Medicaid fraud scheme allegedly used fake addresses and out-of-state billing while vulnerable people were caught in the middle and questions are now being raised about what state officials knew and when. So how did this go on, and who’s responsible for stopping it? Jeff Eager, former Bend mayor and attorney, joins the program to break down what’s been uncovered and whether state leaders...

Oregon lawmakers face growing concerns over taxes, public safety, and government accountability but what should be tackled first? With frustration building across the state, voters are looking for answers and real priorities. Bill Vivian, candidate for Oregon House District 8 and Navy veteran, joins the program to lay out what he sees as the biggest problem in Salem and how he would fix it. Send u...

Lawmakers are pushing to end tax breaks for data centers just as AI infrastructure becomes a global race. Supporters say it’s about fairness and costs but critics warn it could slow U.S. innovation and hand an advantage to China. Donald Kimball, Communications Manager at the Washington Policy Center and Tech Exchange Editor, joins the program to break down what’s at stake and whether policies like...

A new report says birth tourism has turned U.S. citizenship into a global commodity, with foreign nationals flying in to give birth and secure citizenship for their children. Critics argue it’s a loophole being exploited on a massive scale, raising concerns about cost, security, and the original intent of the Constitution. Mateo Forero, Director of Investigations at FAIR, joins the program to brea...

A proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget is sparking debate in Washington, especially as it could come alongside cuts to domestic programs like Medicaid. Some lawmakers say it’s necessary for national security, while others warn about the tradeoffs. Veronique de Rugy, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center, joins the program to break down the budget, the pushback from within the GOP, and wha...

The economy added 178,000 jobs in March but major revisions to previous months paint a much shakier picture. With volatility in the labor market and global uncertainty still looming, the headline number may not tell the full story. Sean Higgins, Research Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, joins the program to break down what the jobs report really shows and whether there’s more troubl...

After a deadly school shooting in Georgia, lawmakers are moving to require weapon detection systems in every public school, something no state has done before. Supporters say it could save lives, while critics question the cost and effectiveness. Burt Jones, Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor and former State Senator, joins the program to explain why he supports the push and whether this should become...

Detroit just made it a crime to hand out pamphlets or talk to someone near an abortion clinic, raising major questions about where free speech rights begin and end. Supporters call it protecting patients, but critics say it targets one viewpoint and shuts down conversation. Nate Kellum, Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute, joins the program to break down the lawsuit and whether this crosses...

Gas is climbing past $4 a gallon, and only a few states are hitting pause on gas taxes. Some say it’s real relief for drivers, others call it a short-term political move that barely makes a difference. Paul Miller, founder of Miller & Company, joins the program to break down whether suspending gas taxes actually helps or just sounds good. Send us Fan Mail

Washington State is considering a proposal that would cap bail at just $200 for most misdemeanors and make it easier for repeat offenders to walk out of court; sometimes with little accountability to return. Supporters call it reform, but critics say it strips away one of the last tools to ensure people show up and communities stay safe. Nancy Churchill, author of Dangerous Rhetoric on Substack, j...

A new audit found massive overpayments in Washington’s childcare system, with millions of taxpayer dollars going out improperly and little oversight to catch it. At the same time, the agency’s staff has grown significantly, yet barely anyone is assigned to audit where the money is actually going. Washington Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins the program to break down what the audit uncovere...