The Lars Larson Show Interviews

A proposed ballot measure would make hunting, fishing, and ranching criminal acts in Oregon by redefining them as animal cruelty. Could one initiative fundamentally change the state's economy and way of life? Naomi Inman is a Policy Analyst at Cascade Policy Institute. She joins the show to discuss Initiative Petition 28, its potential impact on Oregon agriculture, outdoor recreation, and rur...

Oregon's economic development agency has missed its job creation goals in nine of the last ten years, then lowered the target instead. Is the state creating jobs, or just lowering expectations? Nigel Jaquiss is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for Willamette Week. He joins the show to discuss Business Oregon's track record, its billion-dollar budget, and why critics say th...

The latest agreement with Iran is drawing comparisons to past nuclear negotiations. Is this a stronger deal, or a repeat of the same strategy under a different administration? Leland Vittert is Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation and host of On Balance with Leland Vittert . He joins the show to discuss the latest U.S.-Iran negotiations, how the current agreement compares with the Obama-era deal...

Two flight attendants say they were fired after posting faith-based comments on their employer's internal message board. Were they expressing protected religious beliefs, or did the company have the right to discipline them? Stephanie Taub is Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute. She joins the show to discuss the Ninth Circuit's ruling in favor of the former Alaska Airlines employee...

China can move quickly on major national priorities while the United States often spends years debating them. Is America's slower system becoming a strategic disadvantage? Alex Gray is the former Chief of Staff of the National Security Council. He joins the show to discuss how China capitalizes on strategic opportunities, the challenges posed by the U.S. political system, and what it means fo...

Nebraska is the only state where certified nurse midwives can face felony charges for assisting home births. Should the government decide where families are allowed to give birth? Joshua Polk is an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. He joins the show to discuss lawsuits challenging Nebraska's home birth restrictions, parental choice, and the constitutional questions surrounding childbirt...

The president of one of America's largest teachers unions says educators can't afford to get by, while earning more than $500,000 a year. Is union leadership still representing the interests of classroom teachers? Larry Sand is a retired public school teacher with 28 years of classroom experience and former president of the California Teachers Empowerment Network. He joins the show to di...

Large investment firms have been buying up thousands of single-family homes across the country. Will a new bipartisan bill help make homeownership more affordable, or create new problems for the housing market? John Gordon is an attorney, former journalist, and the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Georgia Attorney General in 2022. He joins the show to discuss the proposed housing legislatio...

Some YMCA summer camps assign cabins based on gender identity and may not notify parents if a child identifies as a different gender while at camp. Should parents have the final say over those decisions? Alleigh Marré is Executive Director of the American Parents Coalition. She joins the show to discuss YMCA summer camp policies, parental notification, and the ongoing debate over parents' rig...

Portland is facing budget cuts, service reductions, and growing financial pressure. So why are some city officials spending thousands of dollars on travel? Josh Marquis is Assistant to the District Attorney in Linn County and a former President of the Oregon District Attorneys Association. He joins the show to discuss recent spending by Portland City Council members, public accountability, and whe...

A proposed copper mine could bring jobs and critical minerals to Oregon, but critics warn it could threaten a major drinking water source. Is the risk worth the reward? David Watkinson is President and CEO of Ameriwest Critical Metals. He joins the show to discuss plans for the Bornite Project near Opal Creek, the demand for critical minerals, and concerns about environmental impacts and water qua...

Lists warning consumers about pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables have become increasingly popular. But are those warnings protecting public health, or discouraging people from eating healthy foods? Richard Williams is the former Director for Social Sciences at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and a board member at TERA. He joins the show to discuss pesticide safe...

A family lost a home over a disputed tax bill, and the government kept the proceeds after the property was sold. Does that violate basic property rights? Deborah La Fetra is a Senior Attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation's Property Rights Practice and co-counsel in Pung v. Isabella County. She joins the show to discuss a recent Supreme Court decision, home equity theft, and the constitutiona...

The Supreme Court is nearing the end of its term, but several major cases remain undecided. Which rulings could have the biggest impact on the country? Hans von Spakovsky is a Senior Legal Fellow at Advancing American Freedom and a former member of the Federal Election Commission. He joins the show to discuss the Court's remaining cases, key legal issues still awaiting decisions, and what to...

The federal government reported billions of dollars in improper payments last year, with a large share tied to welfare programs. How much waste, fraud, and abuse is slipping through the cracks? Rachel Sheffield is a Research Fellow for the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation. She joins the show to discuss improper federal payments, welfare program oversight,...

One-third of young Americans say they are not proud to be American, raising questions about where those attitudes come from. Are colleges encouraging critical thinking or fostering contempt for the country? Gregory Lyakhov is a Campus Reform Correspondent with the Leadership Institute. He joins the show to discuss declining national pride among young Americans, the influence of higher education, a...

A military recruit is dead and more than 100 others have fallen ill after a flu outbreak at a major training base. Was ending the flu vaccine mandate the right call, or did it create an unnecessary risk? Dr. Henry Miller is a physician, molecular biologist, and the founding director of the FDA's Office of Biotechnology. He joins the show to discuss the outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base, the...

Data centers are often accused of consuming enormous amounts of water and straining local resources. But how much of that criticism is based on facts rather than fear? Luke Hill is a guest analyst with Mountain States Policy Center and an intern at the American Institute for Economic Research. He joins the show to discuss data center water usage, public misconceptions about the industry, and the r...

A mayor's proclamation recognizing the nuclear family has sparked fierce debate and packed public meetings. Should local governments promote traditional family structures, or stay out of cultural debates altogether? Eric Overholser is Mayor of Battle Ground, Washington. He joins the show to discuss his proclamation celebrating the nuclear family, the reaction from the community, and the role...

America's national parks face a massive maintenance backlog, and someone has to pay for it. Should taxpayers continue subsidizing the system, or should park users shoulder more of the cost? Jacob Tomasulo is a Policy Analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He joins the show to discuss the National Park Service's growing maintenance challenges, user fees, taxpayer subsidies, and...

A wildfire that burned thousands of acres in Central Oregon has reportedly been traced back to a squatter camp. When homeless encampments cause major public safety disasters, who should be held accountable? Kevin Dahlgren is an independent journalist and author of the Truth to the Streets Substack, where he reports on homelessness, addiction, and public safety issues. He joins the show to discuss...

While most climate headlines focus on rising temperatures, parts of Antarctica are experiencing some of the coldest readings seen in years. Are important climate trends being overlooked? Chuck Wiese is a meteorologist, pilot, and longtime weather analyst. He joins the show to discuss recent extreme cold temperatures recorded in Antarctica, the way climate data is reported, and whether the public i...

Despite executive orders and growing legal challenges, dozens of law schools continue to operate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Should accreditation be tied to academic standards alone, or should ideology play a role? Rhyen Staley is Research Director at Defending Education. He joins the show to discuss a new report on DEI programs in law schools, the American Bar Association's ro...

Los Angeles is moving closer to allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections, reigniting a debate over who should have a voice in American government. Does voting belong exclusively to citizens, or should local communities decide for themselves? Jack Tomczak is with Americans for Citizen Voting, an organization that advocates for citizenship requirements in elections. He joins the show to discu...

A man says he was threatened with arrest for handing out religious literature on a public sidewalk. If government officials violate your First Amendment rights, should they be protected from lawsuits? Hiram Sasser is General Counsel for First Liberty Institute. He joins the show to discuss a case now headed to the Supreme Court, the doctrine of qualified immunity, and whether Americans have meanin...