The Neal Larson Show

Send us Fan MailIt was a headline-making morning on *The Neal Larson Show* as the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act in a 6–3 decision. Neal brought in the bill’s sponsor, Representative Barb Ehardt, for an emotional, victory-lap conversation about the six-year fight—from early backlash and ACLU attacks to Idaho becoming the first state to pass a law like it, inspiring 27 other states to follow. Barb and Neal walked through the court’s reasoning (including that Title IX refers to biological sex), the importance of fairness and safety for girls’ sports, and what this ruling does—and doesn’t—settle going forward. Listener texts poured in with congratulations and thanks, underscoring how personal this issue has been for many families.From there, the show widened out to other major developments: the Court’s birthright citizenship ruling (with Neal noting Trump lost on that one), a quick hit on another campaign finance-related decision, and a lively detour into an Idaho marijuana initiative effort that reportedly missed a filing deadline—prompting Neal and **Julie Mason** (calling in while on “Grandma duty”) to joke that it practically wrote its own punchline. Neal also previewed big Idaho policy fights ahead—especially the looming abortion ballot initiative—arguing conservatives should focus resources on defeating it, and he closed by clarifying what Idaho law currently allows (and doesn’t) regarding abortion exceptions, while warning about how the initiative could reshape the state’s legal landscape.## 2. Highlights- Rep. Barb Ehardt joins Neal minutes after the ruling—gets emotional recalling Idaho being “the tip of the spear” amid peak cancel culture.- The court’s core reasoning: **Title IX = biological sex**, plus states have legitimate interests in **fairness, safety, and opportunity** for girls’ sports.- Listener interaction: a flood of texts congratulating Barb, thanking her “for fighting for women and girls,” and calling the ruling “a win for common sense.”- Neal pivots to breaking news that the Court **upheld birthright citizenship**, calling it a Trump loss but tying it back to border enforcement.- Neal and Julie riff on the irony of a marijuana campaign **arriving late with signatures**—and why it may fail the new district-threshold requirement.- Neal’s extended warning about the **Idaho abortion initiative**, including a detailed clarification of current Idaho law and what could change.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailIn a recent interview on Newstalk 107.9, Ellie Gilbreath, the Democratic nominee for Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District, shared her policy priorities and vision for the state. Speaking with hosts Neal Larson and Julie Mason, Gilbreath positioned herself as a moderate focused on collaborative problem-solving as she prepares to challenge longtime incumbent Mike Simpson in the upcoming November election.A significant portion of the discussion centered on the protection of Idaho’s natural resources. Gilbreath highlighted the potential threat posed by large-scale data centers to the state’s water and energy supplies. She proposed federal legislation modeled after Idaho’s current moratorium on open-loop data centers, which can consume millions of gallons of water daily. Gilbreath emphasized that protecting water is a top priority for Idahoans, particularly those in the agricultural sector.The interview also addressed Gilbreath’s position within the Democratic Party in a deeply conservative state. She described herself as a centrist, stating that her background in mediation and conflict resolution informs her approach to governance. When questioned about party loyalty, Gilbreath asserted that her primary duty would be to represent her district rather than party leadership. “My job as a representative is to represent Idaho, district two, every day, every vote,” she told Larson and Mason, adding that she believes the role of a member of Congress is to be a servant to their constituents.On the topic of healthcare, Gilbreath framed reproductive rights as a critical component of medical access and family stability. She expressed concern over the departure of OBGYN practitioners from Idaho and the closure of labor and delivery services in rural hospitals. While she faced pointed questions regarding specific restrictions on abortion, Gilbreath maintained that medical decisions should remain between families, doctors, and their faith. She also voiced support for Medicaid expansion, noting its popularity among Idaho voters.Regarding the Second Amendment, Gilbreath stated that the right to bear arms is a fundamental part of the state’s culture and must be protected. However, she declined to make blanket promises on future gun control legislation, reiterating that any vote she casts would be based on the specific needs and consensus of her district.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailSupreme Court decision day had Neal Larson and Julie Mason glued to SCOTUSBlog, tracking rulings in real time and waiting (again) for the Idaho “Fairness in Women’s Sports” decision—only to learn from Rep. Barbara Ehardt that the opinion wouldn’t drop today, and that tomorrow is likely the final day. Along the way, they reacted to the Court’s split decision allowing states to count some late-arriving ballots (and Justice Alito’s warning about public confidence), plus additional rulings tied to executive power and agency leadership. The live, “breaking-news” pacing brought plenty of whiplash—mixed reports, quick clarifications, and that familiar end-of-term SCOTUS suspense.The other big throughline was a candid post-mortem of their earlier interview with Democratic congressional candidate Ellie Gilbreath, especially her evasions on abortion specifics and the way Idaho Democrats frame an OB-GYN shortage around abortion access. Neal and Julie pushed back hard on calling abortion a mere “cultural issue,” argued that Idaho’s abortion initiative is far broader than many voters realize, and urged listeners to press lawmakers directly rather than letting them hide behind talking points. The hour also detoured into lighter (and local) moments—Meridian’s flash-flood videos, Fourth of July fireworks speculation, the “migraine meal” TikTok trend, and a sharp discussion of the WNBA’s failure to protect Caitlin Clark—before ending with the expectation that tomorrow could finally bring the rulings everyone’s waiting for.Highlights- Real-time Supreme Court watch: late-arriving ballots upheld in a 5–4 split, with Alito warning the ruling could erode election confidence.  - Rep. Barbara Ehardt update: no Idaho “Fairness in Women’s Sports” decision today; tomorrow may be the last SCOTUS decision day.  - Neal and Julie’s blunt takeaway from the Ellie Gilbreath interview: “cultural issue” framing is used to dodge abortion specifics and elective abortion reality.  - Listener call challenges the “OB-GYNs are leaving Idaho because of abortion law” narrative and questions the evidence behind it.  - WNBA/Caitlin Clark segment: they argue the league is “botching” a major moment by allowing unchecked physical play and ugly optics.  - Lighter local beats: Meridian’s sudden flooding, Fourth of July forecast talk, and the viral “McDonald’s migraine meal” debate (salt, caffeine, electrolytes—or placebo?).Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason opened the show with a fast-moving Washington update from U.S. Senator Jim Risch, who walked through the stakes of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and why he believes the Trump administration’s posture has fundamentally changed how Tehran calculates risk. Risch also weighed in on the housing package that cleared Congress with overwhelming Senate support, saying he still expects it to be signed despite mixed messaging, and he talked through the uphill-but-not-dead effort to pass the SAVE Act—potentially by attaching it to reconciliation.From there, the focus moved back to Idaho with Representative Barb Ehardt in-studio, as the team kept one eye on the Supreme Court opinion releases—still waiting on Idaho’s women’s sports case. Hart reflected on the experience of seeing a law she authored argued at the Court, then pivoted into one of the day’s biggest conversations: a serious push to eliminate property taxes on a primary residence and replace that revenue with a higher sales tax (including her estimate of what that rate change could look like). The hour also hit the state GOP convention results, skepticism about whether the marijuana initiative will even make the ballot, and sharp warnings about the abortion initiative language. Later, Neal and Julie broke down the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ lawsuit involving the “Mormon Stories” podcast and why branding/trademark confusion—not just a single word—is at the center of the dispute, with a listener calling in to share their experience with the show’s tone and content.## 2. Highlights- Senator Jim Risch on Iran: why he argues the deterrence landscape is “very different” under President Trump, and what that means going forward.- Risch predicts the bipartisan housing bill still gets signed—calling it a needed step toward restoring the “American dream” of homeownership.- Rep. Barb Ehardt reacts in real time as SCOTUS opinions drop (but not Idaho’s women’s sports ruling yet), and describes watching her own legislation argued at the Supreme Court.- A deep dive into eliminating property tax on a primary residence—Hart cites an estimate of roughly $932M to replace and a possible sales tax move from 6% to 7.75%.- The show’s blunt breakdown of Idaho’s abortion initiative language, and why they believe it’s being marketed with “nice wrapping” while hiding major consequences.- Neal and Julie unpack the “Mormon Stories” lawsuit: trademark/branding confusion, disclaimers, and a caller’s take that the content is “pretty negative and kind of dark.”Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason dug into the ongoing tension inside Idaho Falls School District 91—starting with this year’s teacher contract talks and widening into a broader conversation about trust, transparency, and leadership. Former IFEA leader Julie Nawrocki joined the show to explain how negotiations moved from “everything’s going well” to a sudden push toward mediation, and why that shift—especially when money talks go behind closed doors—creates suspicion among teachers and patrons. D91 Vice Chair Paul Haacke countered with the board’s math: state funding was essentially frozen, the district faced a major health insurance cost jump it chose to absorb (about $1.4 million), and the union’s initial 5% proposal felt disconnected from what was actually available.From there, the discussion turned to a growing Change.org petition calling for a no-confidence vote in Superintendent Karla LaOrange. Nawrocki described what she sees as concrete transparency and communication breakdowns (including schedule changes tied to “minutes” calculations that staff say were never clearly documented, and district documents temporarily disappearing during a software transition). Haacke agreed transparency matters, explained why some processes limit board involvement (especially investigations and appeals), and emphasized that D91 also has real wins—improving graduation rates and test scores, a strong CTE pipeline, and disciplined budgeting. The show wrapped with Neal and Julie reflecting on how organizations get “stuck” in cycles of distrust, plus a spirited side conversation on Trump, election rhetoric double standards, New York’s lurch toward socialism, and whether Idaho can realistically replace property taxes with a sales tax increase.## 2. Highlights- Julie Nawrocki says negotiations felt positive—until the district abruptly pushed toward mediation once financial proposals hit the table.  - Paul Haacke defends a “0% increase” position by pointing to frozen state funding and the district absorbing a $1.4M insurance increase.  - Debate over whether D91’s use of attorneys in bargaining is responsible stewardship—or a costly distraction from students.  - No-confidence petition specifics: alleged transparency gaps, unanswered emails, schedule changes, and concerns about retaliation/fear culture.  - Neal and Julie torch what they see as a double standard: 2020 “stolen election” claims were taboo, but 2028 “Trump will cancel elections” talk is mainstream.  - Property tax repeal talk: trading primary-residence property taxes for roughly a 1.5% sales tax increase—plus listener math on potential savings.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason opened with a sobering update in the Nancy Guthrie case, after reports that a second ransom note suggests something “unexpected” happened and that she may have died—raising new questions about what’s real, what’s a scam, and why key details were held back for weeks. From there, the show moved into District 91’s latest turbulence, with Neal and Julie arguing the union-heavy dynamic has helped create a recurring cycle of conflict and public messaging—setting up tomorrow’s planned conversation with Julie Niroki from the teachers union for their side of the story.The rest of the morning mixed sharp political commentary with lighter, high-energy cultural talk. They reacted to viral National Mall vandalism (the reflecting pool liner damage and “86 47” carved into the grass), debated accountability and double standards, and contrasted that media obsession with what they described as underplayed bombshell claims around COVID origins and Fauci. They also dug into Idaho GOP platform momentum to curb or eliminate property taxes on primary residences, discussing tradeoffs like a possible sales tax increase. Finally, an interview replay with Pocatello IT leader Ollie Khan (Moat IT) walked through data centers, closed-loop cooling, power and water concerns, and why community-negotiated requirements could turn tech growth into local jobs—before the show wrapped with a surprisingly fun run of food news (barbecue philosophy, Mountain Dew donuts, and the possible disappearance of blue and brown M&amp;Ms) and a practical consumer recall alert from Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador.## 2. Highlights- A grim twist in the Nancy Guthrie case: a note claims she died and is “buried with nature,” prompting skepticism about ransom-note authenticity and law enforcement strategy.- District 91 negotiations blow up again—Neal and Julie argue the union dynamic fuels a pattern, and preview tomorrow’s interview with union leader Julie Niroki.- National Mall chaos: the reflecting pool liner gets a reported 250–300 foot gash, an Olympic canoeist is arrested, and Neal draws a straight line to “two can play at this game” sentencing standards.- Ollie Khan (Moat IT) breaks down data center realities: closed-loop water cooling, power infrastructure, and what “100 jobs” really means when you count downstream economic impact.- Idaho GOP platform push: Scott Herndon’s anti–property tax plank sparks a serious discussion about ending taxes on primary residences and the political pain of cutting spending.- Snack-and-culture detour: Kansas City vs. Texas BBQ, Mountain Dew donuts, and why blue/brown M&amp;Ms may be headed for extinction.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason kick off the Monday show with a Father’s Day reflection, then pivot to a big weekend in Idaho politics: Dorothy Moon winning a third term as Idaho GOP chair (and congratulations to Julie Young for winning second vice chair unopposed). Neal and Julie spend meaningful time on what they see as a discouraging fracture among conservatives—less about core ideology and more about personality clashes, misread motives, and performative conflict amplified online. Their message is straightforward: cool it, stop threatening lawsuits and public infighting, and save the political energy for what they believe are the two biggest fights ahead—ballot initiatives related to abortion and marijuana.From there, the conversation widens to national media narratives and Democratic messaging. Neal critiques a CBS exchange involving Margaret Brennan and Mike Waltz, arguing the hostages discussion was used as a “micro-wound” against President Trump regardless of what’s happening behind the scenes. They also react to a Don Lemon/Kamala Harris clip about revisiting the Electoral College, calling it incoherent and hypocritical. The hour’s strongest throughline returns to Idaho: skepticism about “privacy” framing in the abortion initiative, concern that “medical marijuana” language often becomes a pathway to broad recreational use, and a warning that empathy-based politics can be used to sell policies with major cultural and downstream consequences. Listener calls add contrast—one libertarian argues legal drugs don’t mix with a welfare state, while another caller pushes back that many users are responsible adults—setting up a bigger debate Neal and Julie clearly expect to continue.## 2. Highlights- Dorothy Moon wins a third term as Idaho GOP chair; Julie Young wins second vice chair unopposed—Neal and Julie urge unity ahead of November.- Neal and Julie call out the “adjacent conservative” civil war: personality-driven fighting that drains energy from abortion and marijuana ballot battles.- A sharp breakdown of the abortion initiative’s likely messaging: “privacy” and “22 weeks” framing versus fears it functionally opens the door to abortion through pregnancy.- The marijuana discussion gets specific: Neal questions why “medical marijuana” must be smoked if it’s truly medical—and warns about the “medical-to-recreational” pattern in other states.- Listener call: a libertarian argues legal marijuana + a welfare state equals taxpayer-funded dysfunction—“fix welfare first, then talk legalization.”- Neal and Julie blast Sunday-show media framing and react to a Don Lemon/Kamala Harris Electoral College exchange as word-salad and political theater.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailFriday’s show had a little bit of everything: a big local announcement, some spicy Idaho GOP politics, and a much-needed patriotic reset. Neal and Julie talked through the news that this will be the final year for the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration fireworks at Snake River Landing, as development in the area makes the massive crowd increasingly hard to accommodate. They reflected on what a remarkable 34-year run it’s been, thanked Frank VanderSloot for the long-term investment in the community, and encouraged everyone to really savor this year’s show—especially with America 250 as the backdrop.From there, the conversation moved into Idaho Republican Party convention dynamics, including the contested chair race (Dorothy Moon challenged by Mark Fuller and Steve Thayn) and the increasingly serious push to replace the primary with a caucus system to curb “infiltration” and better align nominees with the party platform. Along the way: a lively (and often humorous) detour into the “hideous” Obama Presidential Center design, some listener back-and-forth on why so many people can’t get into soccer (even while still rooting for Team USA), and a standout Studio 4 performance with Jill Rowberry delivering a stirring “God Bless America.”Highlights:- The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration fireworks are happening this year—but Frank VanderSloot says it’s likely the final one at Snake River Landing as development tightens the space.- Studio 4 Covers: Jill Roberry returns with a powerful “God Bless America” for the America 250 season.- Neal and Julie dig into the Idaho GOP convention: chair race (Dorothy Moon vs. Mark Fuller vs. Steve Thayn) and the brewing caucus-versus-primary fight.- Flash poll results overwhelmingly favored trying a caucus system to curb crossover voting and better define Republican nominees.- The Obama Presidential Center gets roasted—Julie calls it a “dumpster,” and even left-leaning critics aren’t impressed with the architecture.- Listener calls/texts turn the World Cup into a comedy segment—low soccer enthusiasm overall, but a shared hope Team USA wins big.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailDecision day at the U.S. Supreme Court had Neal Larson and Julie Mason glued to SCOTUSblog—only to get a couple of smaller rulings (including a narrow Second Amendment decision involving a marijuana user) while the big Idaho-adjacent cases everyone’s watching remain pending. That wait became a jumping-off point for a bigger frustration: how national media frames Idaho’s “protect girls and women in sports” case as “LGBTQ+ rights,” and how often adults’ interests get elevated above protecting kids—whether that’s in sports, bathrooms, or other cultural fights.From there, the show moved through a complicated Shelley story involving a child with sepsis and a parent refusing treatment (and the limits of “parental rights”), then into a classic Neal-and-Julie sidebar on drought, lawn watering, and virtue signaling—complete with a few laughs about miserable social media takes, vegans, and wildfires. The second hour turned sharply political with a deep dive into the Idaho GOP’s brewing internal fight over a potential caucus system, crossover voting, and whether party labels still mean what voters think they mean—plus a live listen-in to Vice President J.D. Vance on the Iran deal, which led to a surprisingly upbeat review of his tone and communication (even as Neal and Julie remained cautious about whether the agreement holds).## 2. Highlights- Supreme Court decision day delivers a narrow Second Amendment ruling (marijuana use and gun rights), while the high-profile Idaho sports case stays unresolved.  - Neal and Julie unload on media framing: “protect girls and women in sports” getting labeled as “LGBTQ+ rights.”  - Shelley story sparks a careful but firm debate: parental rights matter—but not when a child’s life is at risk (sepsis case).  - “Stop watering your lawn” virtue signaling gets fact-checked, with a pointed argument that lawns are a tiny slice of total water use compared to agriculture.  - Idaho GOP tensions rise: caucus vs. primary, crossover voting, and the claim that some candidates won’t even sign on to the party platform.  - Live J.D. Vance remarks on the Iran deal—plus a moment of unexpected praise for his steadiness and humor under pressure.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason spent the morning digging into two fast-moving topics that hit close to home: the push for new data centers in Idaho and the realities (and risks) of everyday AI. The show’s big “learn something” interview was with Ali Khan, CEO of Moat I.T. in Pocatello, who walked through how modern data centers can be designed—especially around the hot-button concerns of water use, power draw, and local impact. He argued that newer closed-loop cooling systems can drastically reduce ongoing water needs compared to older evaporative setups, and he made the case that Idaho needs to ask better project-by-project questions rather than defaulting to fear or blanket opposition.The conversation widened into politics and culture—J.D. Vance’s media blitz (including a tense stop on *The View*), a quick look ahead to 2028 Republican jockeying (Rubio vs. Vance), and why Neal thinks America can’t afford to fall behind in the computing/AI race. In the back half, the tone turned more playful and surprisingly revealing: Neal and Julie shared examples of AI “seeing” more than people realize, debated job displacement vs. productivity gains, and even demoed voice cloning/parody work (including Neal’s “third yard sale” bit). Listener texts and calls drove the pace, from surveillance concerns to real-world AI use in trucking logistics.  ## 2. Highlights- Ollie Khan (Moat I.T.) explains closed-loop cooling and why many newer data centers may use far less water than older evaporative designs.  - Neal and Julie argue the U.S. can’t opt out of the data/AI race without serious geopolitical consequences—“keep up or fall behind.”  - A candid moment on AI privacy: Julie describes AI referencing a name (“Jay”) she’d only typed in her Word script, not in the prompt.  - Neal demos AI audio/voice tools, including the parody “Pocatello’s underbelly… the third yard sale,” and compares AI’s “radio host” output to real personality.  - Listener call from a trucker: using AI to build an app and handle routing/logistics—“it won’t drive my truck, but it impacts me every day.”  - Window talk with Advanced Window Products: major one-day offer plus a technical breakdown of argon gas, spacers, efficiency, and the lifetime warranty.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason kicked off the week with a clear-eyed look at the newly announced U.S.–Iran framework deal—what it *does* cover (a halt in hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a commitment to stop pursuing nuclear weapons) and what’s still unresolved (enrichment details, inspections, proxy groups, missiles, long-term sanctions relief, and Israel’s role). They also pushed back on rumors flying around online—like claims the U.S. would spend $300 billion rebuilding Iran—walking through what’s actually being reported and why a regional reconstruction plan (if it materializes) would likely come with major strings attached.Closer to home, the show leaned into local frustration (and comedy) over Pocatello’s yard sale restrictions, including Neal’s fully produced “Third Yard Sale” parody that had listeners howling—and texting in to share it. The conversation broadened into Idaho’s school funding optics and trust issues, after news of a major superintendent pay hike landed alongside reports of district cuts and a statewide slump in passing school bonds. Hour two mixed patriotism and politics—listener calls weighed in on a UFC event at the White House and Neal and Julie contrasted that with past White House events—before wrapping with a Chicago concert ticket giveaway that turned into its own mini-drama when they realized one of the contest songs may have been Peter Cetera solo, not technically Chicago.## 2. Highlights- Neal breaks down the Iran framework deal point-by-point—and flags what’s *not* included (missiles, proxies, uranium stockpiles, long-term verification details).- The “Third Yard Sale” parody hits the air, and listeners immediately start requesting the link to share (and joking about playing it at their own yard sales).- A sharp discussion on Idaho school bonds drying up statewide—paired with the awkward optics of a $20,000-per-year superintendent raise while teachers don’t get an across-the-board increase.- Listener calls defend a UFC event at the White House (including a Teddy Roosevelt boxing match throwback) and argue it’s a cultural/strength signal.- Neal and Julie spotlight Dan + Shay’s national anthem performance and contrast it with ongoing “Trump is a fascist” messaging from entertainers.- Chicago ticket contest fun… followed by a last-minute realization: “Glory of Love” may have been a Peter Cetera solo track—prompting talk of adding more tickets.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailBonus comedy parody, in honor of Pocatello&apos;s recent yard sale crackdown!

Send us Fan MailNeal kicked things off with a rare opening-day movie run — and a surprisingly thoughtful review of the new Spielberg “Disclosure Day” film. Beyond the symbolism and layered storytelling, the conversation turned to the most talked-about detail: the “disclosure” scenes near the end felt so vivid compared to earlier CGI moments that Neal floated an interesting *what-if* (clearly labeled as speculation): could Hollywood be used as a soft-launch channel to acclimate the public before any official release of more definitive UFO footage?From there, the show moved into a real-world local controversy: a parent challenge in District 91 targeting an *adapted* fifth-grade version of **A Midsummer Night’s Dream**. Neal and Julie dug into what the “harmful to minors” intent behind recent policy fights was *actually* meant to address (explicit sexual material), why censoring Shakespeare isn’t the same issue, and how overreach can hand opponents easy “I told you so” ammunition. Listener calls and texts broadened the discussion into today’s education reality — reading decline, discipline and behavior disruptions, special needs mainstreaming vs. targeted support, and whether funding models (“butts in seats”) and administrative bloat are working against classrooms. The hour was rounded out with a standout in-studio performance of **“America the Beautiful”** by Finley Webster (fresh off graduation and headed to Utah State), plus a lighter end-of-week mix of small-town politics, family news, and oddball headlines.## 2. Highlights- Neal’s “Disclosure Day” movie review — and his speculative theory that the most convincing UFO/alien scenes could be intentional “acclimation” before real disclosure.- District 91 book challenge: why an adapted **A Midsummer Night’s Dream** didn’t meet Idaho’s “harmful to minors” standard, and why that distinction matters.- A sharp listener point: the Shakespeare complaint could’ve been filed to make the law look absurd — and Neal’s warning about feeding opponents easy talking points.- Finley Webster performs **“America the Beautiful”** live in studio as part of the America 250 patriotic focus.- A deeper education dive: classroom behavior dynamics, discipline, special needs support, administrative growth, and why school choice debates keep resurfacing.- Neal’s Aunt Shirley calls in — and gets a live on-air congratulations for being named Grand Marshal of Salmon’s Salmon River Days Parade. Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailSenator Jim Risch joined Neal Larson and Julie Mason from Washington, D.C. for a wide-ranging conversation that started with rising tension around Iran. Risch argued the regime can’t be trusted to honor agreements, emphasized the difference between the Iranian people and the ruling hardliners, and said the Strait of Hormuz must remain open—both for global stability and because no nation can be allowed to “close” international waters. He also pushed back on the idea that U.S. actions there are designed to strategically choke China’s energy supply, while noting the ripple effects any conflict in the region can create.Back in studio, Neal and Julie dug into how little the public often knows compared to what intelligence briefings may contain, and why politics-driven “certainty” can make honest conversation impossible. From there, the show bounced through several hot-button (and sometimes funny) debates: campaign polling as a tool to shape narratives rather than measure reality, alleged political games around last names and rank-choice voting, and a spirited takedown of what they see as overreaching local regulation—this time sparked by yard sale limits. The hour wrapped with a blunt discussion about public reaction to the Carmelo Anthony/Austin Metcalf case and comments from Jasmine Crockett, with Neal and Julie arguing that excusing violence for political points breaks trust, blocks real lessons, and disrespects victims.## 2. Highlights- Senator Jim Risch on Iran: the regime “drags its feet” and can’t be relied on—even with a signed deal.  - A sober look at the Strait of Hormuz: why it *has* to remain open and what that means for global energy.  - Neal and Julie push back on “keyboard-warrior certainty,” arguing the public simply doesn’t have the same intel leaders do.  - The “polling vs. propaganda” moment: why campaigns sometimes use polling to *shape* a race instead of measure it.  - The yard sale crackdown debate: “Why are we turning the city into an HOA?” plus a flash poll on how many sales is “too many.”  - A heated response to Jasmine Crockett’s remarks on the Metcalf family—calling it political minimization of real grief.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday we bounced between three conversations that all hit the same nerve: what we expect from institutions—and what happens when reality doesn’t match the expectation. First up was Congress stepping into the mess of modern sports broadcasting, where following the NFL can mean juggling a pile of platforms and potentially spending hundreds (even up to $600+ depending on what you count) just to watch the games you want. We’re still not convinced it’s Congress’s job to referee entertainment pricing, but we can at least understand the frustration—especially when hearings highlight how hard the streaming shift is hitting sports bars and small businesses that need reliability, not spinning wheels and frozen feeds.Then we turned to the Carmelo Anthony trial and conviction in Texas stemming from a fatal stabbing at a high school track meet. The self-defense claim hinged on a shove/hand contact, but the discussion came back to a basic point: the ability to walk away matters, and using lethal force in that situation didn’t meet the bar for justification. We also talked about how quickly the public “race-ifies” cases like this—even when the trial itself didn’t center race—and why the bigger lesson is teaching kids how to de-escalate, not escalate. We wrapped with a grab bag of national weirdness: Trump speaking from the Oval Office (and drifting into very Trump construction-detail mode), the ongoing UFO disclosure pressure campaign and why AI-era distrust makes “bombshells” harder to believe, and a surprisingly heated new round in the “are Latter-day Saints Christians?” argument—where we basically landed on: I’d rather live surrounded by God-fearing people than spend my time drawing purity-line boundaries that nobody can ultimately prove.### Highlights- Why the NFL’s platform fragmentation feels like a paywall maze—and why Congress is suddenly sniffing around it  - The Carmelo Anthony guilty verdict: self-defense claims, walking away, and how the public turned it into a racial flashpoint  - UFO “disclosure” politics in the age of AI: even if they tell us, will anyone trust it?  - The “Mormons aren’t Christian” argument flaring up again—and why that whole fight misses the point  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason are back in the studio after Neal’s roadtrip loop through the Northwest, including a strong recommendation to put the Route of the Hiawatha Trail on the bucket list—an easy-to-plan, beautiful ride with a memorable tunnel stretch. From there, the conversation shifts into heavier territory: the Pentagon’s chaplain-faith categorization list that initially placed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints outside a “Christian” umbrella. Neal walks through why that distinction lit a fuse politically (and personally), how he defines “Christian” in a straightforward way centered on belief in Jesus Christ, and why neither the government nor outside critics are the authority on someone’s faith—while also acknowledging the Pentagon likely approached it as a logistics document and later corrected course.The show then checks in on a Capitol Hill hearing focused on the Southern Poverty Law Center, reacting to testimony and allegations that SPLC money and influence have been used in ways that fuel division, including claims about funding flows tied to extremists and the labeling of mainstream conservative groups. After the break, Neal and Julie bring on Mark Fuller—current first vice chair of the Idaho Republican Party—who announces his run for IDGOP chair. Fuller frames his candidacy around behind-the-scenes “servant” leadership, stricter rule-following, rebuilding stable staffing and fundraising (including recurring small-dollar giving), and managing internal party factionalism through a more collaborative, council-style process rather than winner-take-all “team” politics.## Highlights- Neal’s takeaways from the Route of the Hiawatha Trail and why it’s worth planning.- The Pentagon chaplain listing controversy and the renewed debate over LDS Christians.- Capitol Hill hearing reactions: SPLC allegations, “manufactured outrage,” and corporate gatekeeping concerns.- Mark Fuller enters the IDGOP chair race, focusing on rules, fundraising, and internal unity-through-process.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday’s show had a little bit of everything: Julie Mason and Adam Hall held down the fort while Neal Larson was out, and we started with an incredible conversation with veteran Brandon Seine. Brandon walked us through his path from small-town Montana to the Marines—boot camp at Camp Pendleton, infantry life, and the intense sniper indoc process that really tested his limits. He shared what it felt like to go from “peacetime military” to the reality of post‑9/11 deployment, including the early days in Kuwait when they were literally dropped into the desert with almost no infrastructure and waited for the moment things turned real.From there, Brandon explained his transition into private contracting—protecting U.S. interests overseas and later moving into executive protection and then cybersecurity at Microsoft. That career arc helped shape what he’s building now: **HYV Social**, a veteran-founded app designed to solve a real problem—disconnection and isolation—by making it easier for people to find nearby friends and discover events in real time, without ads, without algorithms, and with strong privacy controls (including user-controlled data retention). In hour two, Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson joined Julie and Adam to answer listener questions and explain what **Flock** cameras are (license plate readers), how Idaho law limits their use and retention, and why the department believes they’re a major tool for catching violent offenders and solving serious crimes—while also addressing concerns about surveillance, misuse, and accountability.---### Highlights- Brandon Seine’s Marines timeline: Montana → boot camp → infantry → sniper indoc → post‑9/11 deployment realities  - How Brandon went from overseas dignitary/security contracting to Microsoft security—and why that led to building **HYV Social**  - HYV Social’s core idea: real-time nearby connections + discoverable events, built to get people off the phone and into real life  - Chief Bryce Johnson breaks down Flock/license plate readers: constitutionality, 30‑day retention, and how they’re used to solve crimes  - Quick hits: Idaho Falls kratom sales ban (city-level), alcohol ordinance cleanup, right-on-red vs red-arrow clarification, and local crime trendsLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailOn the 50th anniversary of the Teton Dam disaster, we spent the hour walking back through the *whole* story with Dr. Nathaniel Gee—dam safety engineer and author of *Failure and Fortitude*—starting with why the dam got built in the first place. We talked about the very human mix of ambition and pressure that pushed Teton forward: a political era where every district wanted a dam, elections that turned on local LDS culture as much as policy, and the hard truth that even after authorization, funding could be used as leverage. Nathaniel connects dots most of us only hear in pieces—local oral histories, Washington power plays, and the technical decisions inside the Bureau of Reclamation that set the stage for a project built on notoriously bad geology.From there we got into what went wrong technically (and why): fractured rock, massive grouting surprises, cost and environmental pressures, and a “new” key trench approach that left the core unprotected by proper filtering—basically letting water move material, not just seep. We also talked about what happened when the dam failed on June 5, 1976: the heartbreaking first fatality story, the near-impossible evacuation success that kept the death toll to 11, and what community looked like when 25,000 people needed help immediately—neighbors, churches, and radio becoming the backbone of recovery. We also heard directly from Jay Calderwood, who was on a bulldozer on top of the dam as it gave way—an eyewitness account that still stops you in your tracks. We closed with the question a lot of East Idaho keeps circling back to: could Teton be rebuilt? Engineering-wise, yes—but it wouldn’t be cheap, and the real debate is whether the benefits justify the cost.---### Highlights- How political strategy, appropriations power, and LDS cultural dynamics helped push the dam from idea to reality  - The engineering turning point: fractured foundation, unexpected grout needs, and a key trench design without proper filter protection  - Why only 11 lives were lost despite catastrophic flooding—and what that says about warnings, timing, and community response  - Jay Calderwood’s firsthand story escaping the collapsing dam while backing a dozer away from the break  - The rebuild question: a safe dam is possible, but the geology makes “cheap” impossible—so it becomes a benefit/cost fightLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson is out traveling with his family, so Julie Mason runs the show with Adam Hall (a.k.a. “HOA Adam / Car Show Adam”) and special guest  Tehren Likes —better known online as the **Rocky Mountain Farmer**. Tehren shares how a simple drone purchase turned into a massive YouTube presence (130,000+ subscribers) by leaning into a niche most farming channels ignored: **potatoes**. The conversation gets real about what farming actually looks like—only a couple months in the tractor, and the rest of the year fixing broken equipment, managing pivots, cleaning ditches, pulling pumps, and trying to keep a high-cost operation moving. They dig into the eye-watering economics: $500k+ tractors, million-dollar machines, and fuel burns that make everyday gas complaints look silly.They also get into the water picture—how rainfall helps, why too much water can rot potatoes, and why drought and water uncertainty still hang over everything, even when you’re under contract and *have* to plant. Tehren explains crop rotation (potatoes into wheat, hay for weed pressure), why Idaho grows world-class potatoes (soil + climate), and where the industry is heading after a brutal pricing year—selling potatoes for pennies compared to break-even. The hour wraps with talk of an Idaho potato grower association forming to help stabilize the future. In the second hour, Julie and Adam preview special upcoming programming for the **50th anniversary of the Teton Dam flood**, then bring in Adam’s daughter **Paisley** to talk about being a paid page at the Idaho Legislature—what she did day-to-day, what she learned seeing government up close, and how school phone policies look from a student’s perspective.---### Highlights- How Tehren Likes  built “Rocky Mountain Farmer” by filling a potato-content gap on YouTube  - The true rhythm of farm life: tractors for a season, repairs and maintenance the rest of the year  - Big ag costs: half-million-dollar tractors, million-dollar combines, and $1,700 fuel fill-ups  - Water realities: rainfall benefits, rot risk for potatoes, and ongoing curtailment concerns  - Paisley’s Idaho page experience: committees, floor sessions, and behind-the-scenes Capitol work  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason kick off the morning with some light banter—vacation plans to Seattle, food quirks, and a reminder that National Donut Day is coming (with a throwback to Neal’s infamous donut-choking moment). Then we dig into the bigger issue: Senator Scott Herndon filing a complaint against Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane over election-season mailers and how those costs were allocated. We talk through why this matters—less about “gotchas” and more about the unique optics of the state’s top elections official getting deeply involved in endorsements, donations, and political network-building. Since the Secretary of State can’t investigate himself, the complaint heads to Attorney General Raul Labrador, and we kick around what the “why” might be behind McGrane’s unusually active primary season (including the possibility he’s plowing the field for a future statewide run).From there, the show bounces between serious and spirited: we unpack the “retroactive standards” people apply to policies like House Bill 93 (parental choice tax credit), push back on a clip claiming “Christianity is a feminist religion” with a candid discussion about scripture, doctrine, and political co-opting of faith, and then hit national politics with Marco Rubio’s sharp exchanges in a Senate hearing—especially his no-nonsense framing that the U.S. government isn’t a “charity” and his detailed rebuttal to senators trying to score points for social media. The hour also includes a moving preview of Friday’s pre-taped special with Dr. Nathaniel Gee on the 50th anniversary of the Teton Dam collapse, plus powerful listener call-ins sharing firsthand memories of the flood’s devastation, miracles, and aftermath.### Highlights- Senator Scott Herndon’s complaint against Secretary of State Phil McGrane and why it automatically routes to AG Raul Labrador  - The “propriety vs. legality” question: endorsements, campaign spending, and the elections-referee optics problem  - A gripping preview of the Teton Dam 50th anniversary coverage—and emotional listener stories of survival and loss  - Marco Rubio’s Senate hearing moments: “We are not here to play social worker…we are here to win”  - Calling out political re-framing: when critics grade policies against standards they were never designed to meet  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailOn today’s show we bounced between Idaho politics, media narratives, and a few big “who’s actually responsible here?” questions. We started with the marijuana initiative and the odd math around signatures—how do you gather 150,000 when you only need about 71,000, and what happens if a huge chunk turns out invalid? That led into a bigger conversation about whether Idaho’s citizen initiative process is being abused, and whether the state should tighten the rules (or even reconsider the process altogether), especially with the potential “train wreck” of voters approving both a marijuana measure *and* a constitutional amendment meant to lock marijuana policy back into the legislature’s hands. We also flagged other ballot talk, including an English-as-official-language amendment, and the general principle that changing the constitution should never be treated like a quick fix.From there we dug into the ongoing feud between Attorney General Raul Labrador and the *Idaho Statesman* over Medicaid fraud enforcement—specifically the paper’s framing of cost vs. recovery and the way they injected race and immigration into a discussion that (to us) is first about crime and deterrence. We talked through why “ROI” isn’t the whole story in fraud prosecution, how the media can selectively amplify “historic first” narratives only when it fits their politics, and why elevating “diversity over merit” often produces leaders who are easier to control. In hour two we widened the lens: major Medi-Cal fraud in California, skepticism that fraud is “rare,” ballot drop box vulnerabilities after an alleged ballot box fire in Los Angeles, and a segment on language expectations—whether it’s reasonable to treat government services and education as something taxpayers must provide in every language, or whether assimilation and English proficiency are part of the deal when someone chooses to come here. Along the way we hit America 250 performers bailing (and Vanilla Ice not bailing), show scheduling notes for Neal Larson and Julie Mason while Neal is out, and an update that the Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing will be televised—more transparency, less room for online conspiracy fog.### Highlights- Big questions around the marijuana initiative signatures and whether Idaho should tighten (or rethink) the initiative process  - Medicaid fraud: deterrence matters, media framing matters, and “race-first” analysis can distort basic law enforcement issues  - Ballot drop boxes and chain-of-custody: what happens when ballots are destroyed, and how do voters even know?  - Language access vs. assimilation: where responsibility should sit when people enter U.S. systems  - Tyler Robinson case: judge allows televised preliminary hearing, increasing transparency  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson opens the show in “real life” mode—he’s heading out later this week for a short Seattle trip with his wife and teenage daughter, and he’s openly taking listener suggestions for hidden gems beyond the obvious stops. He also shares a weekend movie detour: seeing *Michael* (the Michael Jackson biopic) with his daughter, recommending it primarily as an entertaining, nostalgic ride for Gen X—strong performances, music, and choreography—while noting it feels “sanitized” and likely influenced by the Jackson family (including Michael being played by his nephew, Jafar). He then pivots to what he sees as the bigger cultural/political theme of the day: Democrats and major media figures continuing to act like Joe Biden’s cognitive issues were a one-off “debate moment,” with Jill Biden’s book tour re-lighting the fuse. Neal argues the public was knowingly gaslit, and that Democrats are now stuck trying to thread the needle—admitting mistakes without admitting the full deception—while also pretending Kamala Harris’ loss was shocking.Julie Mason joins and the conversation sharpens into a broader theory: is the left lying because they believe their own narrative, or because destabilizing people with obvious untruths is a power play? They speculate about 2028—why Democrats keep floating names like Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and Pete Buttigieg, and why Newsom’s “California-brand” politics (and even his on-camera mannerisms) may not translate in swing states. From there, the show moves into Idaho-centric policy and accountability: the parental choice tax credit (House Bill 93), transparency demands around the program, and the frustration that critics often demand intense scrutiny for school choice while ignoring larger pots of government money that escaped the same oversight (including past COVID-era spending questions). They argue the fight keeps getting dragged back to money and institutions—especially unions—when it should be about outcomes for kids, including room for micro-schools and flexible models that don’t have to mirror traditional public schools. The hour wraps with listener texts/calls, a quick lawn update (the “four-step lawn program”), appreciation for the audience, and a call for 20–30 second “Greeting to America” audio submissions ahead of the 250th anniversary celebrations.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailWe kicked off a Friday show in full “America 250” mode—loosening things up while also getting serious about what it means that the country is nearing its 250th anniversary. Neal shared why he sees America’s founding as more than historical luck—something rooted in providence, liberty, and the idea that our rights come from God, not government. He also invited listeners to be part of the celebration by submitting short audio/video “birthday greetings” to America that we’ll use on air and online (with a quick heads-up: iPhone users might see an error even if the message still goes through).Then we leaned into the patriotic theme with a Studio for Cover performance: Marine veteran Jason Franklin sang the *fourth verse* of the National Anthem—something most people never hear, but hits hard once you do. We also talked with Army veteran Ryan Lloyd about his “Why We Stand” project, aimed at bringing that fourth verse back into the public conversation during America 250 commemorations. From there, the show drifted into a familiar cultural reality: how some people let Trump-related anger crowd out everything else (even national celebration), and how politics—locally and nationally—can leave communities fractured, cynical, and exhausted. Still, we circled back to the bigger point: don’t miss the moment. America is worth celebrating, and the best way forward is to stay grounded in gratitude, perspective, and purpose.---### Highlights- Neal’s America 250 listener project: submit a short greeting (audio/video) about what America means to you  - Jason Franklin performs the **fourth verse** of the National Anthem live in studio  - Ryan Lloyd explains the **Why We Stand** project and why the 4th verse captures the “why” behind American resilience  - Discussion on Trump fatigue: not letting political rage override love of country  - Honest talk about how elections and “dark money” can fracture local communities and leave voters jadedLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNine days after the election, we’re still processing how much noise we all got dragged into—dark money, viral single-issue drama, and the constant firehose of information that can make us worse at decisions instead of better. We talked about how distrust has become the default setting: people reflexively argue, pick teams, and assume bad intent, even when the facts (like how legislators actually vote in Boise) are sitting right in front of us. That same skepticism spilled into our UAP/UFO chatter too—between AI, government credibility issues, and the possibility we’re being “slow-walked” into disclosure, we’re basically at “call us when the mothership parks downtown” levels of belief.From there, the show shifted into a bigger political frustration: alleged NGO/grant money laundering and how hard some systems seem to work to avoid scrutiny—highlighted by Trump’s claims about massive last-minute grant dumps and a viral clip about California’s proposed “Stop Nick Shirley” bill. Then we pivoted local and practical with a flash poll that lit up the text line: should we rebuild the Teton Dam (safely, and likely not in the exact same way or place) for water storage, power, and recreation? The response was overwhelmingly “yes,” but with real pushback too—geology, ecology, trauma from the 1976 disaster, and concerns about long-term feasibility. Bottom line: everyone wants a stable water future in East Idaho; nobody agrees on a single magic fix, and we’re going to have to stack solutions.### Highlights- Post-election clarity: we obsessed over distractions and forgot to focus on how lawmakers actually behave in Boise  - Trust is collapsing: “reflexive disagreement” is replacing thoughtful debate  - NGO/grant fraud concerns: claims of taxpayer money being funneled through nonprofits and efforts to shield them from scrutiny  - Flash poll: strong support for rebuilding the Teton Dam—tempered by geology, wildlife, and flood-trauma concerns  - Water solutions aren’t one-and-done: raising Jackson Lake, adjusting American Falls, recharge credit, and structural reforms all came up  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason come in a little “off” today—post-primary letdown, a little fatigue, and the sense that even when things are moving in the right direction, the process is messy. They talk through what they see as Donald Trump’s continued dominance in politics (including big primary wins they point to as proof), while also acknowledging the internal Republican infighting that can undercut opportunity. From there the conversation bounces from national politics to regional culture clashes—like the idea of Oregon putting a hunting-and-fishing ban on the ballot—and why the left never seems to reach a “destination,” always pushing for the next radical step.The biggest through-line, though, is change: how media either adapts or dies. They dig into the Idaho Statesman journalist walkout over AI in editing workflows, and the broader reality that AI is not a fad—it’s the next Craigslist-level disruption. The discussion gets nuanced: when AI “tightens” copy versus when it alters tone or intent, what consent looks like for writers, and how audiences mostly just want accuracy. They also zoom out to portability and platforms—why radio has stayed nimble (podcasts, streams, Facebook Live), while newspapers have struggled with paywalls, elitism, and even ideological choices like briefly leaving X. The hour wraps with a few tech surprises and concerns, including a weird smart-speaker glitch and reports of future AirPods with outward-facing cameras—raising the bigger question of where convenience ends and surveillance begins.### Highlights- Primary fallout and “funk” talk: success can still feel messy while you’re in it  - Oregon ballot push to ban hunting/fishing, and what it says about progressive escalation  - Idaho Statesman walkout: AI in the newsroom, consent, tone, and workflow ethics  - Why newspapers collapsed (Craigslist, then smartphones) and why radio/podcasting stayed nimble  - Emerging surveillance concerns: camera-equipped AirPods, always-on earbuds, and being “unplugged”Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason spend the morning unpacking two things that have been sitting heavy: how easily we can get locked into a narrative, and how much hotter and more on-edge people feel lately—even after a holiday weekend. They circle back to a heated Memorial Day call/text exchange about Trump’s “obliterated” comment on Iran’s Fordow site, and Neal walks through the nuance: the facilities were devastated, but “nuclear capability” also includes the scattered pieces you can’t bomb out of existence—scientists, know-how, stockpiles, hidden sites, and the regime’s will (plus outside help from countries like China and Russia). The point isn’t to relitigate personalities; it’s to be careful about absolutist claims in a messy world, and to resist letting hatred (of Trump, Israel, whoever) replace analysis.From there, the conversation widens into media literacy and civic responsibility. They talk about how YouTube/podcasts can be useful but also financially incentivized to amplify outrage, and how algorithms can embed false premises that radicalize people over time. Locally, they touch on post-election burnout, low turnout, and the frustration of voters feeling powerless against “dark money,” plus concerns about ballot confusion and whether expanded early voting windows actually increase participation. They also revisit ranked-choice voting and why they believe Idaho dodged a bullet—especially in races where a “jungle primary” could create strange outcomes. The throughline is simple: take a breath, stay skeptical (including of them), do the homework, and don’t outsource your worldview to the loudest feed.**Highlights**- What Trump meant (and didn’t mean) by “obliterated” Iran’s Fordo site—and what “nuclear capability” really includes  - Why algorithm-driven media can lock people into false premises (and why outrage is profitable)  - Voter turnout, early voting, ballot issues, and why ranked-choice voting could have made local outcomes messier  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailOn Memorial Day, Neal Larson and Julie Mason open the show by grounding the day in gratitude—then pivot into a wide-ranging, very “live radio” conversation that hits politics, culture, and the moment we’re in. They discuss Thomas Massie losing his primary despite Trump’s endorsement power, and what that says about how vulnerable incumbents can be when local dissatisfaction is already there. From there, they pull the camera back to Idaho politics—how moderates adapt in a deep-red state, why Democrats struggle statewide, and how ideological “blue/purple” influence can still show up through legislative races, party infiltration, and out-of-state money.The tone shifts when they play Ronald Reagan’s “Soldier’s Pledge,” then the day’s biggest theme emerges: how Americans process politics now—especially around Donald Trump. They talk about the 2028-ish Democratic field speculation (Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, AOC, Buttigieg, Shapiro, etc.), the absurdity of vilifying an NFL player (Jackson Dart) simply for introducing a president, and the broader “hero/villain” thinking that’s breaking people’s brains. Two heated calls—one centered on Israel money, Massie, and the Epstein files, another from a three-time Trump voter frustrated with Trump’s language and follow-through—turn into a real-time case study of how quickly political disagreement becomes moral accusation. Neal and Julie keep coming back to the same point: it’s complicated, nobody’s pure, and if you can’t live in the messy middle—praising what’s good while criticizing what’s bad—you’re going to be manipulated by narratives all day long.### Highlights- Reagan’s “Soldier’s Pledge” sets the Memorial Day tone and sparks a call to reflect with family.- Thomas Massie’s loss becomes a debate over Trump’s influence, money in politics, and local voter dynamics.- A sharp look at the Democratic bench: likability, coalition math, and why Shapiro’s ceiling may be real.- Culture snapshot: outrage at Jackson Dart for introducing Trump vs. what actually gets ignored in pro sports.- The Epstein files argument exposes a deeper divide: transparency demands vs. “everything becomes a weapon.”Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason close out a whirlwind post-election week in classic Friday form: a little Capitol Hill intrigue, a little local weirdness, and a lot of “where are we headed from here?” They kick things off riffing on Trump’s continued dominance inside the GOP—how one endorsement can flip a Senate race overnight—and what that kind of bully-pulpit pressure does to senators who don’t love being told who stays and who goes. From there, it turns into a very “us” kind of hour: poking fun at cultural tribes (yes, even the Subaru people), reacting to a local bathroom-bill lawsuit getting dropped, and taking a caller’s frustration seriously about how many voters showed up to the election knowing basically nothing—while PAC mailers and tiny penalties keep rewarding bad campaign behavior.Then the show shifts into the fun part: Studio Four Covers brings in Rev&apos;D Audio (Jade, Brad, Kyle, Kenny) for a live Three Doors Down cover of “Here Without You,” followed by a quick band interview and a reminder why Fridays are different around here. In hour two, they hit media and politics again—Colbert’s cancellation and the performative grief from Democrats—then dig into what Idaho’s primary results *actually* mean versus the spin. The biggest meat of the episode becomes a flash poll on data centers in East Idaho: callers are split between “we have to stay in the tech race” and “not if it spikes water and power or disrupts communities.” Neil and Julie land in a cautious, conditional “yes”: build them smart (think desert/INL adjacency), protect ratepayers and water, and don’t let insiders game the system—because like it or not, the future’s coming and we need to be part of shaping it.### Highlights- Trump’s endorsements and the Senate power dynamic: why senators bristle when the president picks winners and losers  - Voter ignorance + PAC mailers: low-information voting, misleading advertising, and weak enforcement penalties  - Rev. Audio live in-studio: Three Doors Down’s “Here Without You” + band background and how to find them  - Flash poll: East Idaho data centers—economic upside vs. water/power impacts, surveillance fears, and community disruption  - Media wrap: Colbert’s exit, partisan framing of Idaho primary results, and what “wins” really mean statewideLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason debrief a bruising stretch of East Idaho politics and the hangover from Tuesday’s results. Neal talks through his “mental palate cleanse” road trip to Dillon, Montana—part therapy session, part prayer, part 1980s playlist—and the bigger realization it led to: we’re sliding into a toxic “team sport” way of voting where people pick a slate or a brand instead of weighing candidates on their own merits and outcomes. That dynamic, he argues, is warping representation, feeding scorched-earth tactics, and making it harder to stop looming ballot initiatives like marijuana and abortion. He also reflects on how misinformation spreads (including in races where people get unfairly tied to the Idaho Freedom Foundation), and lands on a steadying conclusion: we still fight for good policy, but God’s in charge—and we also need to live our lives, love our families, and refuse to let politics consume everything.The conversation opens up into calls and listener feedback: one caller admits she sat out voting entirely out of frustration over national issues and the “Save America Act,” which sparks a firm pushback that disengagement is basically forfeiting—especially when local races can come down to a single vote. Another caller raises the fog of misinformation (including around Israel/Netanyahu narratives), reinforcing how hard it is to find clean truth in a dirty information environment. Neal and Julie also take aim at low turnout, dark money, and the way “moderate” branding can mask values that don’t match the Republican platform. They end with a practical path forward: better tools and better habits—like unfollowing political rage-bait online, and building a customizable online “toolkit” that scores legislators based on the *issues you actually care about*, using real votes (not mailers, not rumors, not teams).### Highlights- Neal’s road-trip reset leads to a hard critique of “team politics” and slate voting in Idaho.- The scorched-earth brand problem: IFF-style endorsements becoming campaign poison, similar to what happened with Reclaim Idaho after Prop 1.- Low turnout + dark money + misinformation = distorted representation, even in deep-red areas.- A listener calls for re-centering on foundational principles (Thomas Paine, Declaration of Independence).- Neal teases a future online voter “toolkit” that weights lawmaker scores by *your* priorities, based on actual legislative votes.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailPost-election day hit like a gut-check. We walk through the East Idaho results—overall a big night for incumbents, with the major standout being Tonya Burgoyne narrowly losing to Jennifer Miles, and a handful of races (especially Barbie Hart vs. Connor Cook) landing uncomfortably close. We also touch the federal/statewide top-lines (Risch, Fulcher, Simpson, Little, etc.), local levies passing easily, and what turnout looked like in some places—especially the head-scratcher of low participation in certain legislative districts where a couple hundred votes could have changed the whole story.But the bigger conversation is the mood underneath the numbers: the confusion a lot of conservatives are feeling watching candidates campaign as conservatives and then govern like moderates (or worse), while voters say they want limited government, lower taxes, immigration enforcement, and protection for women’s and girls’ spaces—yet keep electing lawmakers who stall or oppose those priorities. We talk about dark money and PAC influence, the way endorsements from high-profile “referee” roles (mayors, sheriffs, Secretary of State) deepen community divides, and why trying to solve spiritual/cultural rot strictly through legislation is a mismatch. Then we open the lines for profanity-free venting: frustration, disappointment, a little hope, and a renewed call for regular people to actually show up, do the homework, and vote like it matters—because it does.### Highlights- East Idaho incumbents mostly held; Jennifer Miles’ narrow win over Tanya Burgoyne was the key upset.- Barb Ehardt won, but by a razor-thin margin—plus discussion of the Harriman State Park messaging hit and PAC tactics.- “Confusion” as the defining theme: voters want conservative outcomes but keep rewarding candidates who don’t deliver.- Concern about dark money/PAC pipelines shaping Idaho politics through “center-left Republicans.”- Critique of endorsements by figures expected to be community referees (mayors, sheriffs, Secretary of State) and how that erodes trust.- Caller questions about voting procedures (spoiled/spent ballots, party call-outs) and how to build confidence in election systems.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailWe’re in the final stretch of Election Day with polls open and we’re basically counting down the hours until this thing is done—while still pushing hard for everyone eligible to vote to get out and do it. Neal Larson and Julie Mason remind unaffiliated voters they *can* participate by selecting a party ballot at the polls, and we spend the morning taking rapid-fire “stump speeches” from candidates who call in, email in, or stop by the studio. It’s a mix of serious, heartfelt pitches and a little levity (including an HOA “campaign” speech that honestly deserved its own award), but the common theme is giving candidates one last clean shot to speak directly to voters without getting dragged into constant crossfire.Along the way, we hear closing messages from Rep. Rod Furniss on budgeting, taxes, energy, and committee work; judicial candidate Randy Neal making the case for contested elections and accountability; and legislative candidates including James Lamborn, Julie Ann Young, Aaron Bingham, Julie VanOrden, and Stephanie Mickelsen—each framing service, local priorities, and trust in their own way. We also dig into what’s hanging over a lot of these races: outside spending and “dark money,” how some PACs are transparent and others are essentially pass-throughs from out of state, and the resentment that can follow when voters feel like seats are being bought. We end with a strong reminder: turnout matters (sometimes down to a handful of votes), use the election toolkit/results links, and no matter who wins—Bingham County and the region will need to heal and move forward after a bruising season.### Highlights- Unaffiliated voters can choose a party ballot at the polls; registered party voters must vote their party ballot.  - Rapid stump speeches from multiple races, plus a few memorable in-studio visits (including Superman).  - Conversation on PAC layers: transparent advocacy vs. out-of-state dark money and pass-through groups.  - Reminder that tiny margins are real in East Idaho—turnout can flip races.  - Tools/results links promoted to help voters find ballots, polling places, and live election-night results.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailIt’s election eve, and we’re all feeling that mix of “let’s get this done” energy and pure exhaustion—mostly because we’re about 48 hours away from the political ads, mailers, and doom-scroll campaign videos finally disappearing. Neal and Julie kick things off reacting to a clip from a candidate who claimed the only “official debates” he was invited to were with “Neal Larson and Julie Mason” (wrong names and all), then used that to call the show biased. From there, we push listeners to actually make a voting plan for tomorrow, reach out to three like-minded people, and remember that first-time voters can register at the polls (with the usual party-affiliation caveats). We also point everyone to the station’s “toolkit” (text **TOOLS** to **208-542-1079**) with candidate interviews, sample ballots, donation info via the Sunshine Report, and Neal’s “party cohesion index”/data sheet so people can evaluate real voting patterns instead of vibes.Then the show turns into a rapid-fire open mic for candidates—especially precinct committee officer races—who call, text, email, and even stop by the studio to deliver stump speeches. We hear from challengers and locals across East Idaho: Neal and Julie hear from a Congressional candidate, along with several legislative contenders, a coroner candidate, and PCO candidates as well. Along the way there’s plenty of inside-baseball radio humor (including a mock “stump speech” for a four-step lawn program), a quick correction about a local road-meeting location change, and some blunt commentary about out-of-area PAC money influencing even small local races—plus a strong defense of the show’s debate format and fairness after being criticized by a candidate who refused to participate.**Highlights**- Election-eve push: make a voting plan, recruit three people, and help first-time voters register at the polls  - The “TOOLS” toolkit: interviews, Sunshine Report, sample ballots, and Neal’s party cohesion index/data sheet  - Stump-speech parade: congressional challenger, local commissioner/coroner races, legislators, and lots of PCO candidates  - Discussion of PAC/outside money targeting local races (even precinct positions)  - Defending the show’s debates/forums and calling out candidates who avoid tough questions Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailThis one felt like the moment in the election stretch where you look up and realize you’re running on fumes—and Facebook isn’t helping. Neal Larson and Julie Mason talk candidly about how toxic the local political feed has gotten, why they’re stepping back from social media, and why they’re not apologizing for asking hard questions of candidates who want to represent tens of thousands of people and steward taxpayer dollars. They draw a bright line between legitimate scrutiny of a public record and the behind-the-scenes personal gossip they refuse to traffic in, while also pushing back on the idea that it’s “unfair” to examine votes, funding sources, and campaign behavior. A big thread through the hour is money: the difference between transparent in-state spending (like Jordan Redman openly putting his name on dollars) versus murky PAC pipelines that show up at the last minute and try to steer Idaho races without voters even knowing who’s really behind it.The show also digs into a very specific local flare-up: a Ben Fuhriman campaign mailer implying endorsement from the grassroots group **End the Red Light District**, which worked to pass legislation dimming the red lights on wind turbines. Spokesperson Aaron Harker joins to clarify the group didn’t give permission for names/photos to be used and that the win belonged to a huge volunteer effort—not any one campaign. From there, Neal and Julie zoom back out to the bigger pattern: candidates dodging interviews, taking up too much “oxygen,” and turning straightforward governance into unnecessary drama. The week closes with a Friday “flash poll” vibe—listeners weigh in on which East Idaho races they’re watching closest and how they think they’ll actually break.---### Highlights- Neal and Julie lay out why they scrutinize candidates’ public records—and refuse to be shamed for it.- Transparent political spending vs. dark money PACs: why the source and accountability matter.- The “Save Idaho PAC” question: out-of-state money, unclear motivations, and why voters should demand answers.- Aaron Harker (End the Red Light District) responds to the Fuhrman mailer and the implied endorsement problem.- Listener pulse check: which local races feel tight and which ones money might be tilting.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailSenator Jim Risch joined us from Washington, D.C., and we worked through a mix of big-picture foreign policy and very Idaho-specific concerns. On China, Risch urged patience—he thinks President Trump has a plan and we’ll see announcements soon, likely on trade and possibly Iran. On Iran, he painted a picture of real internal instability (a leadership vacuum and factions competing), and he flat-out doesn’t believe durable nuclear agreements with Iran are possible. His view was more “deterrence and enforcement” than “deal-making,” with the two urgent issues being Iran’s nuclear ambitions and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open—because when that strait is threatened, regular Idaho families feel it fast through fuel prices. He supported the idea of suspending the federal gas tax as an easy, quick, limited relief step, but emphasized it’s not the real solution. We also talked public lands funding through the Great American Outdoors Act framework and a newer push (the America the Beautiful Act), with potential dollars for Idaho to tackle long-neglected maintenance like campgrounds, roads, bathrooms, and basic recreation infrastructure.Then we shifted hard into what’s happening in Idaho legislative races right now—and why it’s leaving us discouraged. We dug into the Sunshine Reports and followed the money: major out-of-state cash (especially routed through “the Way Back PAC”) has poured into multiple Idaho groups (like Defend and Protect Idaho, Hometown Heroes, Idaho First, and Take Back Idaho), and then into independent expenditures—mailers, ads, and digital hits—aimed at shaping local legislative outcomes. We also talked about issue-specific PACs popping up fast (like the newly created PAC for Public Lands), using hot-button local topics (Harriman State Park) to target certain conservative candidates while ignoring others who played bigger roles. The takeaway for us: this isn’t just “people donating,” it’s a coordinated influence operation that’s intentionally hard to track, and it’s distorting representation. We pushed listeners to use the election toolkit, look at independent expenditures, and—most importantly—vote and bring someone with you.**Highlights**- Risch: don’t expect reliable nuclear “deals” with Iran; deterrence and enforcement matter more.- Strait of Hormuz instability is a direct driver of painful fuel prices for Idaho families and farmers.- Public lands funding could mean real repairs: restrooms, roads, campgrounds, and recreation facilities.- Out-of-state money (Way Back PAC) is being funneled into Idaho PACs to influence dozens of races.- “Independent expenditures” are where you can really see PAC power in action—mailers and ads stacked on top of candidate spending.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailWith six days to go before the election, Neal Larson opens with a pretty accurate picture of what this moment feels like: multiple tornadoes on the horizon—chaos in a bunch of places at once. He does a needed “we’re going to be okay” wellness check for everyone, even while admitting he badly wants conservatives to win—people who actually mean what they say, who’ll govern like the party label they run under, and who won’t take the “benefits” of affiliation while refusing the responsibility. From there, the conversation turns into a broader critique of integrity in politics, the way some lawmakers dodge accountability (including on enforcement of laws like immigration), and how special interests—especially the cheap-labor lobby—quietly shape what does and doesn’t become law in Idaho.Neal and Julie Mason then dig into what’s making this election season feel especially gross: PAC mailers, misleading claims, “dark money,” and political branding designed to trick voters. They walk through a real example involving an anti–Julianne Young flyer and the confusion around “Idaho First,” tracing funding through layers of committees and out-of-state routes that make transparency harder on purpose. Callers pile on with what they’re seeing locally—sign shenanigans, candidates using “regular” ads for name recognition, frustration with candidates who won’t return messages, and concern that precinct races (PCOs) are quietly being targeted by people who aren’t actually Republicans. The repeated takeaway is simple: ignore the mailers, verify everything, and vote—especially in those down-ballot races that can be decided by a couple dozen votes.### Highlights- Neal’s reminder to keep perspective: after May 20, we’ll still have our homes, communities, and lives—don’t let the chaos hijack your mental health.- A blunt warning about PAC mailers: misleading by design—“be smarter than the mailers.”- “Idaho First” / PAC transparency rabbit hole: how layered funding obscures who’s actually behind attacks.- Callers flag PCO races as a major battleground—sometimes with “Democrats running as Republicans.”- The show’s repeated emphasis: do your own research, check the “why,” and focus on turnout.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailWith a week left before the primary, Neal and Julie are feeling that familiar end-of-cycle fatigue—when everything feels louder than it should and it’s tempting to snap back on social media. But the bigger point Neal keeps coming back to is this: we all still have to live together after Election Day, and the constant anger isn’t helping anyone think clearly. From there, Neal lays out what he sees as the real political problem underneath a lot of Idaho’s “make it make sense” moments—big money and big industry influence, certain lawmakers functioning as reliable bill-killers, and a power structure that leaves regular voters feeling ignored. His prescription is simple and blunt: the May primary is the election in Idaho, turnout is embarrassingly low, and if even a modest number of disengaged conservatives actually showed up (and brought a couple friends), the results would shock people.Then we get a full interview with gubernatorial challenger Mark Fitzpatrick, who argues he’s building grassroots momentum and says Governor Brad Little is avoiding interviews and tough questions—especially on immigration. Fitzpatrick responds to a hidden-camera clip where Little labels some of Fitzpatrick’s supporters “racist,” calling it a political smear to dodge the immigration conversation. Fitzpatrick also pitches aggressive budget cuts tied to rolling back post-COVID spending, cracking down on fraud (including claims about daycare/benefits abuse), and expanding natural resource development (mining/logging) to grow state revenue—paired with strong anti-illegal-immigration enforcement. The hour wraps with more Idaho political crossfire: Attorney General Raul Labrador publicly dismantling ex-AG Jim Jones’ credibility (especially after the school choice ruling), callers weighing in on hot-button social issues like parental rights and gender policy in schools, and a candid sidebar on how certain political alliances can be a deal-killer with everyday voters—whether candidates realize it or not.**Highlights**- Neal’s “make it make sense” thesis: parts of the Legislature are effectively owned by powerful industry money—and it’s showing up in bills getting “drawered.”- A hard push to boost primary turnout: even moving from ~25% to 30–35% could flip outcomes across Idaho.- Mark Fitzpatrick interview: immigration, budget cuts, fraud investigations, and a “more public, truth-forward” style of governor.- Fitzpatrick answers Brad Little hidden-camera remarks accusing some supporters of racism.- Labrador vs. Jim Jones: credibility, repeated legal/political claims, and why newspapers still platform him.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailWe’re in that familiar spot where the Idaho primary is the real election, and there’s simply more happening than any show can realistically hold. A big chunk of the conversation centers on the sudden, statewide panic over Jordan Redmond putting serious personal money into a PAC to support primary challengers—panic that feels a little rich considering how much anonymous, out-of-state “dark money” has been flowing into Idaho for years through friendlier-sounding front groups (like “Defend Public Lands”). The point we keep coming back to: either big money influencing elections is a problem across the board, or people need to stop melting down when the “wrong” side plays the same game—especially when Redmond is at least putting his name on it and daring everyone else to do the same.We also dig into campaign dynamics closer to home: frustration with candidates ducking debates and controlling “forum” formats, with particular heat around Ben Fermann’s refusal to engage in tougher settings and the sense that momentum may be shifting toward Julianne Young. We touch on the Heart vs. Connor Cook race, the curious alignment of endorsements, and how voters can cut through the noise using tools like the Sunshine Report. Then we pivot to a rare contested judicial race with District Judge Cody Brower, who lays out his background, his courtroom philosophy, and—importantly—why sentencing outcomes (especially in child sex offense cases) often hinge on plea deals and charging decisions made before a case ever reaches a judge.### Highlights- The uproar over Jordan Redmond’s PAC vs. the relative quiet about long-running dark money and industry PAC influence in Idaho.- Why “nice guy” politics doesn’t equal conservative voting—and why that’s driving primary challenges.- Forum/debate drama in East Idaho races and how “meet the candidate” events are replacing real debates.- Judge Cody Brower on judicial philosophy, constitutional rights, and how plea agreements can limit sentencing options.- Practical advice: use the Sunshine Report to track who is funding which messages and candidates.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailWe kicked off the morning talking straight about election season in East Idaho—specifically how to spot (and ignore) the deceptive “dark money” mailers that show up dressed in feel-good names like “water champions” or “veterans” groups. Neal’s message was basically: don’t even read the hit piece—flip it over, check the “paid for by,” and if it’s not an actual campaign you recognize, toss it. The bigger point is voter discipline: study candidates, don’t let outsiders or shell groups shape your opinions, and don’t let crossover primary voting decide close races when turnout is the real fix.Then we shifted into some lighter moments—Mother’s Day ideas, and a Skyline High School chamber a cappella group came in and nailed “Yesterday” ahead of their May 19 concert. After that, we dug into the Mark Hamill/Obama appearance and the backlash over a Trump-death meme, using it as a springboard into a broader conversation about political hatred, double standards, and why so many celebrities torch their own goodwill chasing that rage. The hour also featured Representative Barb Ehardt in-studio and Attorney General Raul Labrador on the phone, covering endorsements, election stakes in East Idaho, the fight for fairness in women’s sports (and how Idaho’s law helped set national precedent), ongoing “culture issue” battles like bathrooms and explicit library content, and the reality of defending these laws in court. We also addressed the messy political twisting around ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) funding votes—how budgets get weaponized in mailers—and closed with a strong push for conservatives to show up, bring friends, and stop assuming someone else will carry the turnout burden.---### Highlights- How to spot “Potemkin” political groups and why you should ignore negative dark-money mailers  - Skyline High School chamber choir performs “Yesterday” + details for their May 19 concert  - Barbie Hart and Raul Labrador on women’s sports legislation, cultural fights, and defending Idaho laws in court  - ICAC funding controversy explained: how budget votes get spun for campaign attacks  - Final takeaway: turnout wins close races—don’t sit this one outLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailThis morning felt like a full-on smorgasbord: we kicked around the national headlines (including cautious optimism about an Iran deal and Marco Rubio heading to Rome to meet with Pope Leo), but the center of gravity was Idaho politics with the primary just days away. We dug into what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes, faction-defining Republican primary season—especially in races like Julianne Young vs. Ben Ferman and Jim Guthrie vs. David Worley. Neal laid out why five constitutional officers jointly endorsing Senator Jim Guthrie is so unusual, and why it reads like institutional anxiety about that race—especially with longstanding frustration over bills getting “drawered” and lawmakers resorting to “radiator capping” to keep legislation alive.Secretary of State Phil McGrane joined us to talk election readiness, turnout trends, campaign finance transparency, and crossover voting. He defended endorsing incumbents (including Guthrie) while still emphasizing election integrity and “radical transparency,” and he noted that money this cycle seems more concentrated in a handful of hot races rather than spread statewide. We also opened up a listener flash poll—district by district—where texts and calls reinforced just how engaged (and opinionated) voters are right now. And because we all needed a breather from politics, Scott and Todd from Advanced Window Products stopped by with a one-day offer: $3,000 off when you buy 10 windows, plus talk on Idaho-specific window design, warranties, financing, and even built-in pet doors.### Highlights- Neal’s read on the five-constitutional-officer endorsement of Jim Guthrie: unusual, and a sign the race may be tighter than people think  - Phil McGrane on election operations, campaign finance transparency upgrades, and why big money is clustering in key districts  - Listener “flash poll” snapshot: who’s voting for whom across multiple eastern Idaho districts  - Advanced Window Products’ one-day $3,000-off promotion and why climate/altitude matters for window construction in Idaho  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailThis episode is a snapshot of what it feels like to live in the political pressure-cooker right now—locally and nationally—where the chaos is constant, social media makes it worse, and people are genuinely asking if something terrible is around the corner. We talk through a string of recent flare-ups (public meetings boiling over, community controversies, and the way online outrage keeps everybody stuck in reactive mode), then pivot into what we *can* actually do with the time we’ve got: put candidates in front of voters, ask real questions, and create a record people can judge later.A big chunk of the show is about the growing pattern of candidates avoiding debates—and why that matters. Neal Larson and Julie Mason explain the behind-the-scenes effort to host debates, including Senator Jim Guthrie canceling a scheduled debate with David Worley, and Ben Fuhrman repeatedly refusing to debate Julianne Young. Worley and Young join in-studio to lay out contrasts with their opponents—focused on committee “drawer” power, voting records, court-defense arguments, immigration enforcement, and accepting support connected to pro-abortion fundraising. The episode wraps with a broader warning: if Idaho Republicans campaign one way and govern another, it erodes trust and opens the door for Idaho to drift into a Colorado-style political shift—especially with looming ballot initiatives like abortion and marijuana legalization. (Also: a quick lawn-care detour, and a parody ad because we cope how we cope.)---### Highlights- Senator Jim Guthrie cancels a scheduled on-air debate; David Worley comes in anyway and discusses “drawer” politics and Senate procedure.- Julianne Young says she prepared early for a debate format again this cycle, but Ben Fuhrman still won’t debate.- Discussion on candidates taking money/appearing at a pro-abortion fundraiser and what that signals to primary voters.- Concern over “values vs wallet” framing and the argument that some issues are worth defending in court.- Reminder to voters: use tools like the Sunshine Report, saved debates/forums, and voting records—don’t let Facebook fights drive your ballot.- Notes on upcoming events with Attorney General Raúl Labrador and end-of-show parody content.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason set the table for a busy stretch of primary season, including a live, in-studio debate between Representative Stephanie Mickelsen and challenger Kelly Golden. Before the debate, we talked through how fried and combustible everything feels right now—local controversies, international tensions, and the reality that in Idaho, most races are effectively decided in the Republican primary. Neal made the case that conservatives can’t afford complacency and warned about candidates running with an “R” while signaling they don’t intend to govern like Republicans once elected. We also dug into a fiery Box Elder County, Utah blowup over a proposed Kevin O’Leary-backed AI data center—an example of how fast public trust can collapse when residents feel steamrolled, even when the project is framed as part of an America-vs-China tech race.In the debate itself, Mickelsen leaned on her experience—especially on water policy—arguing the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer agreements require constant management and that some negotiations are constrained by downstream stakeholders only willing to commit in short windows. Golden emphasized trust and durability, arguing we need better data and longer-term certainty so farmers aren’t stuck in a cycle of renegotiations and curtailments. They also clashed on immigration enforcement (e-verify, 287(g), and what Idaho should do versus the feds), and spent significant time on abortion policy—Mickelsen focusing on clarifying statutory language to protect physicians treating life-threatening pregnancy complications, and Golden backing Idaho’s current Defense of Life Act and warning against broad “health of the mother” language. They closed with quick hits on medical marijuana (both opposed) and school choice/tax credits (Mickelsen said she’ll support it as settled law after the Idaho Supreme Court ruling), then finished with a direct question to each other about civic engagement and whether “the machine” drowns out grassroots voters.### Highlights- A frank conversation about Idaho’s primaries being the “real election,” and why turnout and organizing matter right now  - Box Elder County, Utah erupts over an AI data center vote—local control vs national-tech-race urgency  - Water fight: long-term certainty, curtailment frustration, and what’s actually driving basin negotiations  - Immigration: E-verify reliability, 287(g) costs, and where state enforcement should begin/end  - Abortion: physician clarity and statutory language vs keeping current law tight with minimal exceptions  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday’s show was a mix of election-season levity and serious policy talk. We kicked things off with a parody ad imagining challenger Larry Golden trying to compete with the built-in name recognition of Brit Raybould by “upgrading” his last name into a full-on Southeast Idaho heritage sampler—funny because it’s a little too true about how politics can work around here. We also gave listeners the practical stuff: how to text in for the election “tools” packet (sample ballot, voting info, data sheets) and how to get the parody link again—plus some real talk about why it’s hard to pick keywords when autocorrect is out there sabotaging everyone.From there, we dug into actual races and issues. James Lamborn joined us in-studio to talk about his run against incumbent Rick Cheatum (with Mike Seville also in the mix), laying out a strongly conservative platform—budget cutting and oversight, opposition to medical marijuana and abortion initiatives, and a hard line on Second Amendment “incrementalism.” Later, Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield came on to talk campaign dynamics (including the IEA’s posture toward Republican leadership), why Idaho’s 1994-era school funding formula doesn’t match modern needs, and her interest in moving toward a weighted-student model. She also addressed how AI is already in schools and why the state is trying to build guardrails instead of pretending it isn’t happening.### Highlights- The Larry Golden / Brit Raybould parody: name recognition, LDS-culture references, and election-season sanity breaks  - Lamborn outlines his platform: budgets, union funding oversight, pro-life stance, anti-medical-marijuana concerns  - Critchfield on education funding: outdated 1994 formula, weighted-student funding concept, and AI “guide rails”  - Behind-the-scenes frustration: candidates declining debates/interviews and why voter-facing accountability matters  - Culture-war issues (bathroom/locker room debates) framed around child safety and how adults complicate solvable problems  Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailEnjoy the latest Neal Larson Show Parody!

Send us Fan MailWe’re officially in that “two-and-a-half weeks to Election Day” stretch, and it feels like the volume keeps turning up—forums everywhere, social media at peak car-wreck energy, and a lot of people showing sides of themselves that aren’t exactly their best. We talked through why we keep coming back to voting records and scorecards, even when people hate them: it’s the scoreboard. Context matters, sure, but pretending the score doesn’t exist just protects politicians from accountability. Neal also shared some numbers he ran that suggest East Idaho’s voting outcomes in Boise don’t match how conservative the region actually is, and that the only real fix is turnout—especially from conservatives who’ve been a little too apathetic while moderates/left-leaning voters show up consistently.We also hit the fatigue point Julie mentioned—how exhausting it is watching people fight without decorum, and how frustrating it is when candidates run as Republicans while not actually intending to govern anywhere near the party platform. From there we got into why the longer-form debates have mattered (dark money, misleading campaign claims about votes and budgets, and how soundbites can distort what really happened). We closed out with a strong Studio 4 Cover performance from Ruth Holland (Ruthie dot Holland), a quick local note on the Shilo Inn closure in Idaho Falls, and then a wider-ranging grab bag: AI’s growth pains and energy demands (and why INL/nuclear keeps coming up), skepticism about AI tools “steering” results, and a reminder that “unfunded promises” from politicians deserve the same scrutiny as unfunded mandates. We ended on a sharp example of why taxpayers are skeptical: a Valley View school land deal under criminal investigation after trustees approved paying $5M for land appraised at $2.87M—exactly the kind of thing that makes “we need more funding” a harder sell.### Highlights- Why voting records/scorecards are the “scoreboard,” and why context can’t replace accountability  - East Idaho’s conservative identity vs. what the voting data suggests happens in Boise  - Studio 4 Cover: Ruth Holland performs Adele’s “When We Were Young” (and nails it)  - Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls closes abruptly; questions for the Snake River Event Center  - AI: data centers, power/water concerns, and why the “energy problem” may be solved by AI (or nuclear)  - Valley View school land purchase raises fraud concerns and a criminal investigationLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday’s show was one of those “no time to breathe” mornings: Neal Larson and Julie Mason set the stage for a live, in-studio legislative debate—complete with Facebook Live, listener texts, and a back-and-forth candidate question segment—because they genuinely believe these races deserve real scrutiny beyond campaign mailers. Before the debate, Neal and Julie also talked candidly about frustrations with party politics in Bingham County and why they still feel an obligation to examine races even when certain candidates refuse to show up.The main event was the debate between Representative Barb Ehardt and challenger Connor Cook. Cook, an Idaho Falls firefighter/paramedic, framed his candidacy around service, listening, and what he sees firsthand—mental health strain, public safety gaps, and pressure on schools—while arguing the state budget is tighter than leadership admits and that “cut, cut, cut” thinking has consequences. Ehardt emphasized a record built around family-first priorities, constitutional principles, women’s sports and privacy protections, and tax relief—especially property tax reform—while rejecting claims she’s out of touch and pushing back on what she called misinformation and outside political spending. The conversation hit hot points: endorsements and labor ties, the Republican platform, bathroom/privacy policy, property and income tax approaches, Medicaid work requirements and mental health funding, and the role of out-of-state money and PACs in local races.### Highlights- Cook defended accepting AFL-CIO-linked support as solidarity from firefighters, while Ehardt distinguished her firefighter endorsement as tied to policy work and committee relationships.- A major clash on fiscal direction: Cook argued Idaho’s budget situation is being downplayed; Ehardt argued Idaho remains fiscally strong and adjustments reflect post-“inflated” revenue years.- Property taxes were a centerpiece: Ehardt reiterated interest in eliminating property taxes on a primary residence and floated the sales-tax tradeoff conversation as a starting point.- Medicaid and mental health: Cook said cuts create real-world fallout that ends up in ERs and jails; Ehardt said mental health reductions were executive-branch driven and that the legislature is working to restore support.- Both candidates voiced openness to limiting out-of-state political money—while also pointing out money flowing into the race on both sides.Let’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday’s show was one of those “hold on, a lot is happening” mornings. We kicked it off with the optics (and comedy) of King Charles showing up to Congress, the standing ovations, and the way President Trump and the White House lean into trolling narratives—because, like it or not, the left reliably takes the bait. From there, we dug into the bigger subtext: Americans can enjoy the ceremony without “welcoming a ruler,” but it also raised the question of why some on the left seem far more comfortable with centralized power than they admit—especially when they’re the ones holding the reins.Then we got into what became the major policy headline of the day: the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district, with Julie and I unpacking the media framing and why we see race-based district engineering as discriminatory no matter how it’s marketed. We also talked Idaho politics at street level: an interview with David Worley (spelling note: **David Worley**) challenging long-time Senator Jim Guthrie in District 28, focusing on “desk drawer” gatekeeping in the legislature and votes on immigration and culture issues. We closed with some pure inside-baseball campaign talk—war chests, out-of-district money, how candidates brand themselves as “conservative,” and why voting records still matter more than glossy mailers (plus a detour into lawns, debates, and our ongoing talent for awkward transitions).**Highlights:**  - King Charles’ Congress visit, the “two kings” Trump/Charles social post, and why trolls work when people can’t resist reacting  - Supreme Court voids Louisiana’s race-driven district map; we break down the AP vs. Fox framing and what “Section 2” arguments miss  - David Worley vs. Senator Jim Guthrie: the “drawering bills” power problem and what constituents should expect from representation  - Idaho campaign money snapshot: who’s sitting on the biggest war chests, and why name ID + cash still aren’t enough if the record stinks  - Midterm outlook and strategy talk: why we’re less pessimistic than the “panic narrative,” and how campaigns can win cheaper with smarter mediaLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday’s show centered on the disturbing reality that we’ve now seen multiple credible assassination attempts against President Trump in a short span—and what that says about where our culture is headed. We tried to “reverse engineer” why this keeps happening, and landed on a mix of factors: overheated political rhetoric (especially the casual, joking “we’ll be happy when he’s dead” vibe), protest culture that normalizes violent imagery, and a media ecosystem where people share things fast without checking them. We talked through Jimmy Kimmel’s attempt to explain away a joke about Melania as an “expectant widow,” and why—even if someone insists it’s “just humor”—the underlying message still feeds a climate where violence starts to feel permissible. We also pushed back hard on conspiracy spirals (like “staged event” claims), arguing skepticism is healthy, but turning suspicion into instant certainty is how people lose their grip.From there we pivoted into two other big threads: a developing story about the Southern Poverty Law Center allegedly routing money through shell structures to extremist groups (and why some prominent commentators seem oddly quiet about it), and a deep dive into Netflix’s polygamy doc *Trust Me* about Samuel Bateman—an ugly, manipulative pipeline of abuse that’s hard to watch but important to understand. In hour two we hit local politics: the difference between real debates and “forums,” concerns about PAC branding and dark-money routing, and then a live flash poll on Idaho’s governor race. The result was pretty clear—most of our listeners are still leaning Brad Little, with Mark Fitzpatrick a distant second—and we were honestly surprised by how many people rated “chemtrails” as at least somewhat important.### Highlights- Why assassination-attempt “humor” and celebratory rhetoric is corrosive—even when it’s framed as a joke  - Skepticism vs. conspiracism: asking questions is fine; declaring “staged” instantly is not  - Netflix *Trust Me* and the Samuel Bateman polygamy case: manipulation, control, and escape  - PACs, branding, and “follow the money” logic in Idaho politics  - Flash poll: Idaho governor race lean + unexpected chemtrails ratingsLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailNeal Larson and Julie Mason spend the morning processing a heavy weekend: a third public assassination attempt against President Donald Trump and the death of Idaho statesman Dirk Kempthorne. We talk through the whiplash of covering high-stakes national news while also being knee-deep in an unusually intense legislative election season. On the Trump attempt, we push back on the “false flag/actors” narrative and point to how constant demonization and normalized calls for unrest can flip a switch in unstable people—especially when political opponents are described as existential evil. At the same time, we try to be clear-eyed about what actually happened at the event: it’s a hotel, you can’t hermetically seal it, and the Secret Service stopped the attacker before he reached the main room—good execution in a hard-to-control environment, even as we all worry that “law of averages” thinking means more attempts are coming.We also take time to honor Dirk Kempthorne—governor, U.S. senator, Boise mayor, and Interior secretary—as one of Idaho’s truly defining leaders, the kind of public servant respected even by people who disagreed with him. Callers add personal context, including Kempthorne’s forest management focus and his major role in the USS Idaho commissioning (with Idaho touches throughout the submarine). From there, we pivot into the messiness of modern politics: how conspiracy thinking spreads, why “scorecards” can be misleading if you don’t examine what the controversial votes actually were, and why citizens should be smarter than viral memes. Underneath all of it is a plea to lower the temperature—argue policy, not personal hatred—because the trajectory we’re on is corrosive and dangerous.### Highlights- Breaking down the latest Trump assassination attempt and why “staged” conspiracies don’t hold up under the actual details  - Remembering Dirk Kempthorne’s legacy—and why he’d belong on an Idaho “Mount Rushmore”  - How political rhetoric and media echo chambers can normalize violence and radicalize unstable people  - Why voting “scorecards” can be noisy, cherry-picked, and misleading without context  - Inside look at the USS Idaho commissioning and Kempthorne’s role in making it happen  ### Tags (copy/paste)Neal Larson, Julie Mason, Donald Trump, assassination attempt, Secret Service, political violence, rhetoric, conspiracy theories, media polarization, Idaho politics, Idaho legislature, legislative races, Dirk Kempthorne, Boise mayor, Idaho governor, U.S. Senator, Interior Secretary, USS Idaho, Mountain States Policy Center, voting scorecards, party-line votes, civic discourseLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday on the show, Neal Larson and Julie Mason bounce between big headlines and very local stakes. They hit the latest on Iran and President Trump’s posture of “peace through strength,” then pivot hard into Idaho’s May 19 primary season—why they’re prioritizing legislative races, what’s coming up in candidate interviews and debates, and why Neal is skeptical of voter initiatives after past ballot measures felt intentionally packaged to sound simple while changing a lot more underneath the hood. They also dig into the ongoing intra-party fight over what “conservative” actually means in Idaho politics, including how voting data gets used (and misused) to label legislators as independents, moderates, or something worse.The middle of the episode gives everyone a breather with a Studio 4 Cover: 10-year-old Margot performs “How Far I’ll Go” from *Moana*, and she absolutely nails it. After that, Open Lines turns into a serious, experience-based conversation about medical marijuana and the almost-inevitable slide toward recreational legalization. Callers weigh in with firsthand stories from states like California and Oregon, concerns about loopholes, dispensary culture, secondhand smoke, workplace impacts, and the bigger question Idaho voters keep coming back to: even if you can find individual cases where people “function fine” using it, what happens when you scale it up statewide?### Highlights- A clear rundown of upcoming Idaho legislative interviews and debates leading into May 19  - Neal’s framework for evaluating “party-line” voting: focus on contrast votes, not consensus votes  - Callers with direct experience in legalized states warn that “medical” quickly becomes recreational in practice  - A standout Moana performance from Margot (age 10) that lightens the mood before politics returns  - Ongoing skepticism about the voter initiative process and out-of-state money driving messagingLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou

Send us Fan MailToday felt like one long group-therapy session about politics—how exhausting it is, how obvious some of the games are, and how hard it can be to stay sane when you’re watching people run as one thing and govern as another. We talked about the weird reality that you can genuinely like candidates as human beings (Marco Erickson and upcoming guest, Jalene Berger, got called out as prime examples of “nice people you still have to scrutinize”), while still being fed up with the system itself. From the Main Street Caucus seemingly going quiet/going underground, to chairmen “drawering” bills without explanation, to the quiet deals that lead to “radiator capping,” the theme was the same: too much strategy, not enough honesty—and voters can feel that.We also zeroed in on a few races and dynamics that could produce real surprises. Julie flagged the Julianne Young vs. Ben Fuhrman matchup as one of the most volatile, especially after that four-vote recount history and the growing perception gap between how candidates brand themselves and how they vote. We dug into the idea that some outside scoring/labels (like high “freedom” scores) can now be weaponized against candidates, and we spent time on the Guthrie vs. Worley race—where endorsements, a massive war chest, and old issues can suddenly matter again. Underneath all of it was the same plea: be authentic, own your record, and don’t let politics rot you from the inside out—whether you’re running for office or just trying to stay informed without becoming miserable.### Highlights- The “bills in drawers” problem: why it smells worse when money, chairmanship power, and silence collide  - Upset watch: Julianne Young vs. Ben Fuhrman (and why the dynamics look different than two years ago)  - Sunshine Report deep-dive: how campaign cash shapes races—and sometimes just scares challengers away  - A hard line on authenticity: stop “cosplaying” as something you’re not, and don’t campaign on a record you didn’t vote  - Coping with the toxicity: humor, stepping back from social media, and staying emotionally balancedLet’s talk advertising. When you want to advertise on the radio, you call the station, right? But what about Facebook, Instagram, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and other streaming platforms?You could try clicking around, reading books, or taking online courses to figure it out—or you can let us handle it. At Sandhill Media Group, we’re your local experts in both radio and digital marketing.Visit SandhillMediaGroup.com today.<a href="https://www.sandhillmediagrou