The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Your phone tracks where you go, who you contact, and what you buy. Should that information be protected like your home and personal papers? Amy Peikoff is an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation. She joins the show to discuss government surveillance, the Supreme Court’s evolving view of digital privacy, and how geofence warrants and data collection practices could affect Americans’ constitutio...

Federal agents raided the office of one of Virginia’s most powerful lawmakers as part of a reported corruption investigation. What does the probe mean for state politics and public trust? Joe Thomas is Chief Operating Officer for 1240 WTON in Charlottesville, Virginia and host of “Joe Thomas In-The-Morning.” He joins the show to discuss the FBI raid involving Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas, w...

U.S. oil and gasoline reserves continue to decline as global tensions put pressure on energy markets. Could supply concerns begin affecting Americans at the pump and beyond? Jay Young is the Founder and CEO of King Operating Corporation. He joins the show to discuss falling crude and gasoline inventories, continued releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and how instability in the Middle Ea...

One of America’s most infamous child murder cases is back in the spotlight as Susan Smith prepares for another parole hearing. Should some crimes permanently end the possibility of freedom? Nils Grevillius is a crime expert, author of “The Last Lawman,” and a U.S. Army veteran. He joins the show to discuss the Susan Smith case, the factors parole boards consider in high profile crimes, and the ong...

A new complaint against a major Northwest university is escalating a growing legal fight over bathrooms and Title IX. Where should federal protections begin and end? Sarah Parshall Perry is Vice President and Senior Legal Fellow at Defending Education. She joins the show to discuss a civil rights complaint filed against the University of Washington, the debate over single sex spaces on college cam...

Washington lawmakers approved billions in new taxes and business groups say confidence is slipping fast. Could companies and workers begin heading for the exits? Morgan Irwin is Vice President of Government Affairs at the Association of Washington Business. She joins the show to discuss new tax policies in Washington State, growing concerns among employers, and what the latest business sentiment d...

Oregon has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in decades. Could this race become a serious challenge to the political status quo? State Sen. David Brock Smith joins the show to discuss his campaign against Jeff Merkley, the issues he believes matter most to Oregon voters, and whether Republicans have a real path to winning a statewide Senate race in 2026. Send us Fan Mail

The legal battle over the nation’s most common abortion drug is heating up again. Could the next ruling reshape access across the country? Victoria Cobb is President of The Family Foundation of Virginia. She joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court’s temporary move involving mifepristone, the growing debate over mail order abortion access, and what future legal challenges could mean for abortio...

A new lawsuit is challenging prison policies that allow transgender inmates to be housed with women. Are states doing enough to protect inmate safety and privacy? Beth Parlato is Senior Legal Counsel for the Independent Women’s Law Center. She joins the show to discuss the lawsuit against Washington State’s prison system, the legal arguments surrounding gender inclusive housing policies, and the b...

Some anti-abortion groups that strongly backed Trump are now voicing frustration with his recent approach. Could this become a major divide inside the conservative movement? Marc Wheat is General Counsel for Advancing American Freedom. He joins the show to discuss tensions between Donald Trump and leading pro-life organizations, concerns over abortion policy after the fall of Roe v. Wade, and what...

A legal fight over medical speech and government oversight is raising new First Amendment questions. Where is the line between public health regulation and free expression? Dr. Aaron Kheriaty is a physician specializing in psychiatry and the author of several books, including “Making the Cut.” He joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision involving challenges to medical board investiga...

Small businesses drive most new job creation in America, but many owners say expansion plans are on hold. Are regulations and borrowing costs putting growth at risk? Dan Varroney is the Founder and CEO of Potomac Core. He joins the show to discuss the current challenges facing small businesses, including high interest rates, access to capital, and regulatory pressure, and what policymakers could d...

A deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship has left passengers stranded and health officials searching for answers. How should governments and health agencies respond when an outbreak unfolds at sea? Dr. Amesh Adalja is a Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. He joins the show to discuss the reported hantavirus outbreak aboard the Hondius cruise ship, co...

Texas is moving forward with a law allowing state police to arrest illegal border crossers. Does this mark a shift in how immigration enforcement is handled? Lora Ries is the Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation. She joins the show to discuss Texas Senate Bill 4, the recent court decision allowing it to take effect, and what it could mean for the balanc...

A potential deal could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East. Would forcing disarmament lead to lasting peace or greater conflict? David Daoud is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He joins the show to discuss a proposed framework involving Lebanon, Israel, and Hezbollah, what such a deal could require, and the potential consequences for regional stability and...

Foreclosures are rising as pandemic era mortgage relief programs are scaled back. Should public support continue or is it time for stricter limits? Michael Burkentine is a nationally recognized homebuilder and partner with the America First Policy Institute’s housing initiative. He joins the show to discuss recent changes to mortgage assistance programs, the increase in foreclosure filings, and wh...

He spent months asking for action. What happened next raised new questions about who the city is holding accountable. Are the priorities misplaced? Chris Bolton is the founder of Diviner Agency in Portland. He joins the show to discuss his efforts to get the city to address nearby encampments and what unfolded when enforcement finally came. He shares his perspective on how current policies are imp...

Washington has declared another drought emergency. But some data suggests water levels are above normal. Is the situation being overstated? Anthony Watts is a senior fellow for environment and climate at The Heartland Institute. He joins the show to discuss Washington State’s latest drought declaration, current reservoir and precipitation levels, and how these decisions are made. He shares his per...

Trump is backing challengers against members of his own party. Could this signal a deeper divide heading into the midterms? Henry Olsen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a columnist at The Washington Post. He joins the show to discuss new polling on Donald Trump, the significance of his endorsements in key primary races, and what these internal party battles could mean...

Hundreds of millions spent before construction even begins. Is this project delivering value or raising new concerns about oversight? Joe Cortright is an economist with City Observatory. He joins the show to discuss the Interstate Bridge Replacement project, the scale of its projected costs, and the funding challenges facing state transportation agencies. He explains how the proposal is structured...

Tariffs drop for some imports while others face sharp increases. Is this strategy about leverage or selective treatment? Bryan Riley is Director of the National Taxpayers Union’s Free Trade Initiative. He joins the show to discuss recent tariff decisions involving the United Kingdom and the European Union, how these policies are structured, and what they could mean for trade relationships and dome...

A major low cost airline shuts down and thousands are out of work. Did policy decisions play a role in what happens next for travelers? Marc Scribner is a Senior Transportation Policy Analyst at the Reason Foundation. He joins the show to discuss the shutdown of Spirit Airlines, the failed merger with JetBlue, and what this could mean for competition, pricing, and the future of budget air travel....

Oregon’s District 18 race is shaping up to be a referendum on what voters are really tired of, career politicians who talk big and deliver little. One candidate says the state doesn’t need more polished insiders. Ben Fisher joins the program to make his case for why he’s the right person to represent District 18 right now, what sets him apart from typical politicians, and why he believes Oregon is...

At a time when trust in federal institutions is already shaky, should the government really be taking more control over life-and-death decisions? Josh Marquis joins the program to break down what this new federal push actually means, whether expanding the death penalty is justified, and what risks come with giving Washington more authority over capital punishment. Marquis serves as an assistant to...

Homeless shelters are filling up fast, but access to a bed may not be as simple as who needs it most. At a time when thousands are struggling to find a roof over their heads, are cities quietly creating a two-tiered system for housing? Aaron Sibarium joins the program to expose how these policies are playing out on the ground, what they mean for struggling families, and whether they can even pass...