The Lars Larson Show Interviews

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...

As concerns grow over foreign supply chains and the decline of domestic manufacturing, some business leaders are urging consumers to spend their money closer to home. Can buying American-made products really strengthen the economy and support local workers? Joshua Denke is co-founder of TheReal1776, an online marketplace focused exclusively on American-made products. He joins the show to discuss t...

The Supreme Court is weighing whether to allow new restrictions on the abortion pill while a major legal battle moves forward. Could one ruling dramatically change access to medication abortions across the country? Kristan Hawkins is CEO of Pro-Life Generation and president of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action. She joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court case involving...

Rapid growth in data centers is creating new pressure on power supplies across the country and some communities fear residents could be pushed aside to meet rising energy demand. Should everyday consumers take a back seat to the technology industry’s expansion? Sam Romain is Chair of Americans for Energy Dominance. He joins the show to discuss growing concerns over data center energy consumption,...

The Justice Department is suing Colorado and Denver over firearm and magazine bans that officials say violate the Second Amendment. Should states be allowed to prohibit firearms and accessories that millions of Americans legally own? Bob Barr is a former CIA analyst and former member of Congress. He joins the show to discuss the Trump administration’s lawsuits against Colorado and Denver, the cons...

New testimony from a CIA whistleblower is reigniting questions about how the government handled investigations into the origins of COVID-19. Did public health officials improperly influence intelligence findings surrounding the lab leak theory? John Solomon is a political commentator and founder of Just the News. He joins the show to discuss testimony involving former White House medical adviser A...

Oregon students rank at the bottom nationally in fourth grade reading and one unconventional governor candidate is using a six foot pencil costume to make sure voters notice. Is the campaign a stunt or a warning sign about the state’s education system? J. Schuberth is a former college professor and literacy advocate running for Oregon governor under the name “Pencil.” He joins the show to discuss...

President Trump says he supports suspending the federal gas tax as fuel prices climb during tensions in the Middle East. Would Americans really feel relief at the pump or would the savings disappear before they reach consumers? Steve Cotton is President of Cotton Wealth Management Associates. He joins the show to discuss the economic impact of a possible gas tax holiday, what history shows about f...

Health officials are closely monitoring a growing hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship after new cases raised concerns about possible person to person spread. Are experts underestimating how easily this virus can move between people? Rayne Guest is founder and CEO of ArrowClean, formerly known as R-Water. She joins the show to discuss the latest developments surrounding the Andes strain of...

A new report argues that stricter childcare regulations may be making care more expensive without improving safety outcomes. Are state policies creating new barriers for families and working parents? Edward Timmons is Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute. He joins the show to discuss a new ranking of state childcare regulations, the connection between regulation and affordability,...

A Portland sauna business followed county rules and secured permits, but complaints over wood smoke have sparked a growing neighborhood battle. When a business is operating legally, how much power should neighbors have to stop it? Aaron Mesh is the Managing Editor for Willamette Week. He joins the show to discuss the dispute surrounding a wood burning sauna business in Portland, gaps in Multnomah...

Republicans promised to shrink government involvement in the economy, but a new housing bill is drawing criticism from conservatives who say it expands subsidies and distorts the market. Will the plan make housing more affordable or push prices even higher? Joel Griffith is a senior fellow at Advancing American Freedom. He joins the show to discuss the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, co...

The Colorado River supplies water to millions across the American West, but another historically dry winter is forcing states to make emergency cuts. How long can the region sustain growing demand with shrinking water supplies? Tom Buschatzke is Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. He joins the show to discuss the latest agreement between Arizona, California, and Nevada to conser...

The U.S. has massive reserves of critical minerals needed for energy, technology, and national defense, yet new mining projects can take decades to approve. Is America regulating itself out of economic and strategic independence? Megan Jenkins leads Pacific Legal Foundation’s strategic research team. She joins the show to discuss why mine permitting in the United States takes so long, the legal an...

Reports that federal officials halted publication of vaccine safety studies are raising new questions about transparency inside America’s health agencies. Are scientific findings being filtered through politics before the public sees them? Henry Miller is a physician, molecular biologist, and the Glenn Swogger Distinguished Scholar at the Science Literacy Project. He also served as the founding di...

Drone warfare is changing the battlefield and military medics are increasingly becoming targets themselves. Is the U.S. prepared to protect wounded troops in the next major conflict? Jeremy Cannon is Chair of the Strategic Advisory Committee for RESPOND-US. He joins the show to discuss how modern warfare is reshaping battlefield medicine, the growing dangers facing military medical teams, and conc...

Streaming platforms used by millions for music and podcasts are facing new scrutiny over extremist content tied to terrorist organizations. Are tech companies doing enough to stop radical propaganda from spreading through audio platforms? Sophie McDowall is a research associate at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. She joins the show to discuss fi...