The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Nearly everything Americans buy spends time on a truck, train, ship or plane, and new transportation regulations could make that journey more expensive. Will those costs ultimately land on consumers? Patrick McLaughlin, economist and Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins the show to discuss the BUILD America 250 Act, new freight regulations, and what they could mean for your wallet. Sen...

More than 50,000 migrants reportedly rushed toward Spain’s border after a court ruling restricted immediate deportations. Could a similar policy change trigger another surge at America’s border? Jeremy Beck, Co-President of NumbersUSA, joins the show to discuss what happened in Spain, weaknesses in U.S. asylum law, and whether America is prepared for the next migration crisis.  Send us Fan Mail

 The Trail Blazers are pushing for major renovations to the Moda Center as questions grow about the team’s future in Portland. Could they actually break their ties with the city and move to another state? Civil rights attorney Tony Aiello Jr. joins the show to discuss the legal hurdles, the team’s agreements with Portland, and what could happen if the Blazers decide to leave Oregon.  Send us Fan M...

 Hundreds of homes have burned in Spokane, one suspected arsonist is in custody, and reports from the community suggest he may not be the only person intentionally starting fires. How widespread is the problem? Independent journalist Kevin Dahlgren joins the show from Spokane to discuss what he’s seeing on the ground, what residents are telling him, and the investigation into the fires.  Send us F...

 The FDA has approved the first mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 and older, bringing technology used during COVID into the annual flu shot. Is this the future of medicine or will Americans remain skeptical? Jeremy Nighohossian, Senior Fellow and economist at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, joins the show to discuss the new vaccine, the potential of mRNA technology, and why patient choice still...

A house may be gone, but valuables inside a fire-damaged safe could still be saved. The problem is heat, moisture and corrosive smoke can keep damaging the contents long after the flames are out. Daniel Mitchell, owner of Sporting Systems and Minuteman Ammunition, joins the show to discuss Northwest Safe’s free offer to help wildfire victims recover and open their safes and what families should do...

A Spokane man is accused of deliberately timing wildfires for days with dangerous winds, including a blaze that helped destroy hundreds of structures. How should someone accused of intentionally causing that level of destruction be punished? Andrew Paxton, Regional Editor for The Center Square, joins the show to discuss the charges, what investigators say the suspect confessed to, and the devastat...

An AI model reportedly escaped a cybersecurity test, reached the live internet and hacked a real third-party service. Other AI agents have created fake identities and tried to manipulate humans into approving malicious code. Are we losing control of the technology? Adam Ely, General Manager of AI Security at Check Point Software Technologies, joins the show to discuss what happened, the growing se...

 Fifteen years ago, 31 American service members were killed aboard Extortion 17 in the deadliest single incident for U.S. forces in the Afghanistan War and the greatest loss of life in Naval Special Warfare history. Are we doing enough to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten? Don Brown, former U.S. Navy JAG officer and author of Call Sign Extortion 17 , joins the show to remember the fallen a...

Portland’s iconic U.S. Bancorp Tower once sold for $372 million. Now Jeff Swickard has purchased “Big Pink” for just $45 million. Is that a warning sign for downtown Portland or an opportunity to help revive it? Swickard Group founder and CEO Jeff Swickard joins the show to discuss why he bought the landmark tower and why he’s betting on Portland’s comeback . Send us Fan Mail

 Nearly two dozen Democratic attorneys general reportedly began coordinating potential legal challenges against Donald Trump months before he was reelected. Was this normal preparation or a lawfare strategy waiting for a target? Award-winning reporter TJ Martinell joins the show to discuss the confidential agreement, the nearly 100 lawsuits filed since Trump returned to office, and what the docume...

A socialist just won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, raising new questions about where the party is headed. Can that message win over working-class and independent voters in a key battleground state? John Tillman, President of the American Culture Project, Michigan native and author of The Political Vise, joins the show to discuss what the primary results reveal and what they could mean for...

Even Democrats who have championed ranked-choice voting are now considering banning it from their own presidential primaries. Why are they backing away from the system? Trent England, founder and executive director of Save Our States and co-author of The Case Against Ranked-Choice Voting, joins the show to discuss ballot exhaustion, fringe candidates, and whether ranked-choice voting actually give...

 The Justice Department is suing a Maryland county over a law that restricts carrying firearms near churches and other locations. Does your Second Amendment right stop at the church door? Former Congressman and CIA analyst Bob Barr joins the show to discuss the lawsuit, religious freedom, and the constitutional fight over the right to self-defense.  Send us Fan Mail

Portland could put public money toward renovating the Moda Center, but questions remain about where that money would come from and what taxpayers would get in return. Should the city commit funding before those details are clear? Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo joins the show to discuss her push for greater transparency, accountability, and measurable public benefit before the city moves...

A Portland city councilor who has publicly warned about the danger of human-caused fires was caught burning a large pile of brush during an active burn ban. Should elected officials know the rules they expect everyone else to follow? Aaron Mesh, Managing Editor of Willamette Week, joins the show to discuss what happened, the fire department's response, and the questions now facing Councilor M...

A federal judge has ruled that the government’s registration requirements for suppressors and short-barreled rifles are unconstitutional after Congress eliminated the tax that supported them. Could the ruling unravel major parts of a nearly century-old gun law? Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, joins the show to discuss the ruling, the National Firearms Act, and what it co...

As wildfires burn across Washington, climate change is once again being blamed for the destruction. But does the science actually support that claim? Cliff Mass, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington, joins the show to discuss what’s really driving the fires, the role of weather and forest management, and why he says the public isn’t getting the full story. Send us Fan...

Courtney Bangs won the Republican primary for Oregon State Senate District 16 with more than 62% of the vote. Can she carry that momentum into November? Courtney Bangs joins the show to discuss her primary victory, the issues driving her campaign, and why she believes voters along Oregon’s North Coast are ready for a change in Salem. Send us Fan Mail

RFK Jr. says the government got nearly everything wrong during COVID and argues that protecting constitutional rights must come first in the next public health crisis. But where should the line be drawn between individual freedom and public safety? Dr. Henry Miller, a physician, molecular biologist, and former founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology, joins the show to discuss what A...

New York City has renewed a nearly $2 billion contract to use hotels as emergency homeless shelters while residents and tourists face some of the highest hotel prices in the country. Is this helping the homeless or rewarding a broken system? Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, founder and president of the American Center for Democracy and author of Funding Evil, joins the show to discuss the massive contract, i...

 AI and massive data centers are demanding more electricity, putting new pressure on America’s power grid. Can the country produce enough reliable energy without sending utility bills even higher? Jay Young joins the show to discuss the growing demand for electricity, the challenges facing the grid, and what America needs to do to keep the lights on while competing in the AI race.  Send us Fan Mai...

 The Trump administration has scrapped a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund after Republican senators raised concerns that payouts could extend to participants in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Did the GOP make the right call? Jeremy Dalrymple, Associate Director and Fellow for the Governance Program at the R Street Institute, joins the show to discuss why the fund was rescinded, who c...

Virginia saw violent crime, murders, car thefts and drug crime all decline in 2025. Is tougher policing finally paying off? Joe Thomas, host of Joe Thomas In-The-Morning on WTON in Charlottesville, joins the show to discuss the latest crime numbers, what may be driving the decline, and whether Virginians are actually safer today.  Send us Fan Mail

 Qatar has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into American businesses, universities, real estate and lobbying, with even more investment promised. But how much political influence comes with that money? Joel Griffith, Senior Fellow at Advancing American Freedom, joins the show to discuss Qatar’s growing financial footprint in the United States, its efforts to shape American policy, and whethe...