The Lars Larson Show Interviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump is backing challengers against members of his own party. Could this signal a deeper divide heading into the midterms?Henry Olsen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and a columnist at The Washington Post. He joins the show to discuss new polling on Donald Trump, the significance of his endorsements in key primary races, and what these internal party battles could mean for Republican prospects in the 2026 midterm elections.Send us Fan Mail

Washington has declared another drought emergency. But some data suggests water levels are above normal. Is the situation being overstated?Anthony Watts is a senior fellow for environment and climate at The Heartland Institute. He joins the show to discuss Washington State’s latest drought declaration, current reservoir and precipitation levels, and how these decisions are made. He shares his perspective on how the state evaluates water conditions and the broader implications for public trust and policy.Send us Fan Mail

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

For the first time since World War II, America owes more than it produces and the numbers are getting worse fast. Washington is spending far beyond its means, interest payments are exploding, and the consequences are starting to hit closer to home.  So how bad is it really, and is there any realistic way out?Kurt Couchman joins the program to break down what this debt milestone means, why the federal government keeps spending more than it brings in, and what it would actually take to stabilize the situation. Couchman is a senior fellow in fiscal policy at Americans for Prosperity, where he focuses on federal spending, deficits, and economic growth. Send us Fan Mail

Fifteen industrial crop-spraying drones vanish and the FBI still doesn’t know where they are. These aren’t toys. They’re powerful machines capable of covering large areas quickly, and in the wrong hands, experts warn it could turn into a nightmare scenario. Could these drones already be loaded and aimed at unsuspecting communities?Steve Lazarus joins the program to break down the national security risks, what this theft reveals about America’s agricultural supply chain, and whether the country is prepared for this kind of threat. Lazarus is a retired FBI Special Agent, U.S. Air Force veteran, and author of Call Me SonnySend us Fan Mail

Twenty years later, Miranda Priestly is back and Hollywood is already calling it a bold feminist statement. Dr. Gilda Carle joins the program to weigh in on whether The Devil Wears Prada 2 represents a meaningful cultural shift or just another example of Hollywood trying to control the narrative. Dr. Carle is a relationship expert and author of Real Men Don’t Go Woke, where she challenges modern cultural trends around gender and identity. Send us Fan Mail

A homeless man builds his own tiny home from scratch. But there’s one problem: it’s sitting on a public sidewalk, and now the city wants it gone. Kevin Dahlgren joins the program to break down what he’s seeing on the ground, from self-built shelters to some of the most dangerous homeless zones in the country. Dahlgren is an independent journalist who reports on homelessness, addiction, and what he calls the “homeless industrial complex.”Send us Fan Mail

Homeless shelters are filling up fast, but access to a bed may not be as simple as who needs it most. At a time when thousands are struggling to find a roof over their heads, are cities quietly creating a two-tiered system for housing?Aaron Sibarium joins the program to expose how these policies are playing out on the ground, what they mean for struggling families, and whether they can even pass constitutional scrutiny. Sibarium is a staff writer at the Washington Free Beacon who has reported extensively on government policy, higher education, and civil rights issues.Send us Fan Mail

At a time when trust in federal institutions is already shaky, should the government really be taking more control over life-and-death decisions?Josh Marquis joins the program to break down what this new federal push actually means, whether expanding the death penalty is justified, and what risks come with giving Washington more authority over capital punishment. Marquis serves as an assistant to the District Attorney in Linn County and is a former Vice President of the National District Attorneys Association and former President of the Oregon District Attorneys Association. Send us Fan Mail

Oregon’s District 18 race is shaping up to be a referendum on what voters are really tired of, career politicians who talk big and deliver little. One candidate says the state doesn’t need more polished insiders.Ben Fisher joins the program to make his case for why he’s the right person to represent District 18 right now, what sets him apart from typical politicians, and why he believes Oregon is heading in the wrong direction. Fisher is a candidate for Oregon State House District 18, a seventh-generation Oregonian, small business owner, and grassroots conservative activist. Send us Fan Mail

The Justice Department just released findings that could ignite a political firestorm across the country. According to a new federal report, anti-Christian bias may have spread through multiple agencies during the Biden administration, raising serious questions about whether Americans were quietly punished for their religious beliefs. From churches and Catholic groups to foster parents and Christian universities, was the federal government using its power to pressure people of faith into silence?John Solomon joins the program to break down the DOJ task force findings and the growing allegations of anti-Christian bias inside the federal government. Solomon is founder of Just the News, an investigative journalist, and political commentator known for covering government oversight and federal accountability issues. Send us Fan Mail

The ATF’s new leadership wasted no time taking aim at Biden-era gun regulations, rolling back dozens of rules that critics said turned millions of lawful gun owners into potential criminals overnight. From pistol braces to bump stock definitions, the Trump administration says it’s restoring constitutional protections and ending years of federal overreach. But after years of aggressive rulemaking, how much damage has already been done to the Second Amendment?Bob Barr joins the program to discuss the ATF’s sweeping rollback of Biden-era firearm regulations and what it means for gun owners across America. Barr is a former member of Congress, former CIA analyst, and longtime constitutional attorney known for his work on civil liberties and Second Amendment issues. Send us Fan Mail

Iran can choke off one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes using low-cost mines and cheap drones while America pours trillions into bloated military systems that may not stop the real threat. At the same time, artificial intelligence could wipe out millions of jobs faster than Washington can even define the problem. Are America’s leaders spending massive amounts of money on yesterday’s battles while ordinary citizens get crushed by the next economic and geopolitical shock?Seton Motley joins the program to discuss growing concerns over America’s military vulnerabilities in the Strait of Hormuz and the economic disruption looming from artificial intelligence. Motley is president of Less Government and a longtime commentator on government spending, technology policy, and free-market issues. Send us Fan Mail

Americans keep hearing that only citizens can vote in federal elections — but critics say there’s a constitutional loophole hiding in plain sight. While Congress debates the SAVE Act and stricter voter verification laws, some legal experts warn that states still hold enormous power over voter eligibility rules. With non-citizens already voting in some local elections and in Washington, D.C., could the next battle over election integrity head straight to the Constitution itself?Jack Tomczak joins the program to discuss the growing push for a constitutional amendment clarifying that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Tomczak serves as Vice President of Outreach for Americans for Citizen Voting and has been involved in national efforts focused on election law and voter eligibility issues. Send us Fan Mail

America once built nuclear reactors faster than today’s government can process the paperwork. Decades of regulation, lawsuits, and political fear turned one of the nation’s most powerful energy industries into a bureaucratic nightmare while China and other countries raced ahead. Now Washington may finally be preparing to rip up the rulebook and unleash a new generation of American nuclear power. Could this become the biggest energy comeback in decades?Emmet Penney joins the program to discuss the Trump administration’s push to overhaul nuclear regulations and revive reactor construction across the United States. Penney is a senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation, a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow, and author of the “Nuclear Barbarians” newsletter on Substack. Send us Fan Mail

The official tasked with exposing abuse, neglect, and corruption inside Washington’s prison system just got sidelined by the same government he was supposed to investigate. State leaders insist it’s an ethics probe, but critics are asking whether the real goal is silencing a watchdog who pushed too hard against the system. When the people overseeing accountability suddenly become the targets, what does that say about transparency in Olympia?Tiffany Attrill joins the program to discuss the growing controversy surrounding Washington’s Office of the Corrections Ombuds and allegations of retaliation coming from inside state government. Attrill is an administrator with the Victim Justice Coalition and has worked on issues involving victims’ rights, criminal justice oversight, and prison accountability. Send us Fan Mail

For years, Americans have watched politicians carve up voting districts while openly factoring race into the process — all in the name of “fairness.” Now the Supreme Court says enough. In a major ruling, the Court declared that the Voting Rights Act cannot be used to force states into drawing maps primarily around race, setting up what could become a nationwide political and legal earthquake before the next election cycle. Has the era of race-driven redistricting finally hit a constitutional wall?Zack Smith joins the program to break down the Supreme Court’s decision and what it could mean for congressional maps, state legislatures, and future elections across the country. Smith is a legal fellow at the The Heritage Foundation and co-author of the book Rogue Prosecutors alongside Cully Stimson. He discusses the Court’s 6-3 ruling, Justice Samuel Alito’s constitutional arguments, the future of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and why states across America may soon have to redraw legislative districts from scratch.Send us Fan Mail

Every election cycle, politicians and activists warn that mail-in voting opens the door to fraud, stolen elections, and ballot harvesting schemes. But after decades of vote-by-mail in Oregon, are the accusations backed by evidence or has fear replaced facts? Between growing distrust in elections and nonstop political warfare over voting laws, Americans want to know whether their ballots are actually secure or whether confidence in the system has become the real casualty.Barbara Klein joins the program to discuss Oregon’s long-running vote-by-mail system, the safeguards used to protect ballots, and why election misinformation continues spreading despite extremely low documented fraud rates. Klein serves as first vice president of the League of Women Voters Oregon and is the action chair for the league in Rogue Valley. Send us Fan Mail

Maryland just pulled the plug on the contractor rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge after officials balked at a staggering $5.2 billion price tag and an “unacceptable” timeline. Now taxpayers in Oregon and Washington are watching their own massive bridge project creep higher in cost while politicians promise everything remains under control. Are leaders in the Pacific Northwest ignoring the warning signs before another megaproject spirals into a financial black hole?Rep. John Ley joins the program to discuss whether the Columbia River bridge replacement could follow the same path as Maryland’s troubled Key Bridge rebuild. Ley represents Washington’s 18th Legislative District, Position 2, and has been outspoken on transportation spending, taxpayer accountability, and infrastructure oversight. Send us Fan Mail

Americans are skipping prescriptions, rationing medication, and struggling to afford basic treatments while drug companies continue posting massive profits. New polling suggests even Republican voters increasingly support aggressive pharmaceutical reform, including policies aimed at lowering prescription costs through President Trump’s “Most Favored Nation” pricing model.Former Congressman J.D. Hayworth, spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance, joins us to discuss Big Pharma pricing, growing voter frustration over healthcare costs, and whether Washington is finally being forced to confront the prescription drug affordability crisis.Send us Fan Mail

For decades, OPEC helped control global oil prices and, in turn, what Americans pay at the pump. But after the United Arab Emirates announced plans to leave the cartel, some analysts say the organization’s influence may finally be cracking just as global energy markets face major instability.Daniel Turner, founder and executive director of Power The Future, joins us to discuss what the UAE’s exit could mean for oil prices, America’s energy future, and whether the world’s most powerful oil cartel is starting to fall apart.Send us Fan Mail

A congressional budget hearing erupted into chaos after EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin accused Rep. Rosa DeLauro of being “uninformed” and crossing the line with inflammatory rhetoric during a heated exchange over climate policy and federal authority. The clash is fueling new concerns about whether political debates in Washington are turning into pure outrage theater instead of serious governance.Ryan Mulvey, Policy Counsel at the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, joins us to discuss the explosive hearing, growing hostility in Congress, and whether lawmakers are becoming too ignorant and too unhinged to effectively lead the country.Send us Fan Mail

A Los Angeles couple says the city turned their private property into a government-controlled monument after officials blocked plans to redevelop a home once briefly owned by Marilyn Monroe. Critics argue the owners are now stuck paying for security, maintenance, and restrictions they never agreed to — all to preserve a celebrity connection from more than 60 years ago.Robert Thomas, director of the Property Rights practice group at Pacific Legal Foundation, joins us to discuss property rights, historic preservation laws, and whether the government can effectively take control of your home without compensating you.Send us Fan Mail

Teachers unions have reportedly directed hundreds of millions of dollars toward political campaigns and progressive activist groups over the past decade, raising questions about whether educators truly have a choice in where their dues money goes. Critics argue public school teachers are being forced to bankroll political agendas they may not personally support.Paul Runko, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for Defending Education, joins us to discuss union political spending, teacher representation, and whether educators should have more control over how their money is used.Send us Fan Mail

Oregon was once a magnet for businesses, families, and opportunity; now critics say it’s becoming a warning sign for the rest of America. Rising homelessness, crime, addiction, struggling schools, and businesses leaving the state have many asking whether decades of progressive leadership pushed Oregon into decline.Dennis Kneale, former CNBC and Fox Business host and author of Oregoners: How One State Chased Away Businesses and People, joins us to discuss what went wrong in Oregon, whether the state can turn things around, and why so many residents feel like they’re paying more while getting less.Send us Fan Mail

Former FBI Director James Comey is back in court after being indicted over a social media post critics say threatened President Donald Trump. The Justice Department argues the post crossed a dangerous line, while supporters say the case risks criminalizing political speech and raises major First Amendment concerns.Leland Vittert, host of On Balance with Leland Vittert and Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation, joins us to discuss the Comey indictment, political rhetoric, and whether the justice system is being used to settle political scores.Send us Fan Mail

Christine Drazan says she helped stop a massive tax increase by referring it to voters, but critics argue she’s taking credit for work done by others. As Oregon’s Republican governor primary heats up, new questions are also emerging about taxpayer funding tied to the Portland Trail Blazers and whether candidate Chris Dudley has been fully honest with voters about his abortion stance.Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl joins us to discuss the latest GOP primary poll, the battle over tax policy, and the growing debate over who Republican voters can actually trust heading into the race for governor.Send us Fan Mail

Willamette Week just released its endorsements for 30 races on Oregon’s May ballot, including key contests that could shape the state’s political future — and possibly the next challenge to Governor Tina Kotek. The paper says its picks focus less on ideology and more on competence, accountability, and who can actually get results.Aaron Mesh, Managing Editor of Willamette Week, joins us to break down the publication’s endorsements, what stood out during candidate interviews, and which Oregon races could have the biggest impact moving forward.Send us Fan Mail

At Harvard University, more than 60% of grades are now A’s and when school officials proposed limiting top grades to restore academic rigor, some students called the idea racist. Dr. Zachary Marschall, Editor-in-Chief of Campus Reform, joins us to discuss grade inflation, merit in higher education, and when academic standards became part of the culture war.Send us Fan Mail

A groundbreaking cancer treatment from Moderna and Merck & Co. reportedly cut the risk of recurrence or death nearly in half — yet the companies are avoiding one controversial word: “vaccine.” Dr. Henry Miller, physician, molecular biologist, and former founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology, joins us to discuss the future of mRNA cancer treatments, whether politics is interfering with medical innovation, and if patients are getting the full truth about the therapies they receive.Send us Fan Mail

Another assassination attempt against President Trump has reignited fears about political violence in America after a gunman opened fire during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Investigators say the suspect specifically targeted administration officials, raising new questions about extremism, security failures, and whether the country is facing a domestic terror crisis it refuses to confront. Theo Wold, former White House Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy under President Trump and former Assistant Attorney General, joins us to discuss the attack, the growing threat of politically motivated violence, and whether America’s institutions are prepared to deal with it.Send us Fan Mail

Hospital bills keep climbing faster than inflation, wages, and almost everything else in the economy — but critics say it’s not just the hospitals driving the cost. New research argues government policies have inflated prices, limited competition, and helped create a healthcare system where Americans fear bankruptcy while hospitals post strong profits.John Graham, Visiting Fellow with Paragon Health Institute, joins us to discuss who’s really benefiting from America’s healthcare system, why costs keep rising, and whether government regulations are making medical debt even worse for patients.Send us Fan Mail

One of Oregon's most beloved fishing rivers could soon be off-limits to your boat. Who actually gets to decide who belongs on Oregon's waterways...you, or the government?Oregon State Representative Court Boice joins us to discuss the proposed boating restrictions, tribal influence over river access, and who should ultimately decide how Oregon’s public waterways are used.Send us Fan Mail

One of Washington’s most heavily secured events turned into chaos after an armed suspect allegedly charged a security checkpoint during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner while President Trump and top administration officials were inside. The incident is now raising serious questions about Secret Service security failures, political violence, and what actually happened behind closed doors that night. Paul Teller, President of Teller Strategies, joins us to discuss the shocking security breach, the latest details surrounding suspect Cole Tomas Allen, and why critics say the incident exposed major vulnerabilities at one of the nation’s highest-profile events.Send us Fan Mail

An Oregon state representative is accusing his opponent of spreading “false and defamatory” claims in the state voters’ pamphlet, raising new questions about whether campaign materials are informing voters — or misleading them. With election officials now being asked to review the statements, the controversy is turning into a broader fight over truth, free speech, and political accountability.Christian Honl, Republican candidate for Oregon House District 32, joins us to respond to the allegations, defend his campaign statements, and discuss whether voters’ pamphlets are becoming political weapons instead of public resources.Send us Fan Mail

Most people know Chernobyl from history books or the hit TV series, but few heard from people who were actually there as the Soviet Union scrambled to contain the world’s worst nuclear disaster. Nearly 40 years later, questions still surround what really happened, how much was covered up, and what life looked like on the ground during the chaos.Carol J. Williams, author of Dispatches from Moscow: Spies and Lies, joins us to discuss the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Soviet secrecy, and what it was like witnessing one of history’s most catastrophic nuclear accidents unfold in real time.Send us Fan Mail

More than three million Virginians already cast their votes, but now the state’s redistricting battle is heading to the courts after a judge blocked certification of a closely approved ballot measure that could dramatically reshape congressional power. Critics say Democrats are trying to redraw the map after the election to secure a political advantage, while supporters argue the process must follow constitutional standards.Jason Snead, Executive Director of the Honest Elections Project Action, joins us to discuss the legal fight headed to the Virginia Supreme Court, concerns over ballot language and procedure, and whether the redistricting battle is really about democracy — or political control.Send us Fan Mail

Americans have gotten used to fast, cheap, and even free shipping — but growing federal regulations could be driving those costs straight back onto consumers. New research warns government red tape is acting like a hidden tax on transportation, raising shipping prices and slowing productivity across trucking, rail, air, and freight industries.Patrick McLaughlin, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Visiting Research Fellow at the Pacific Legal Foundation, joins us to discuss whether Washington’s regulatory pile-up is making everyday goods more expensive and threatening the future of free shipping.Send us Fan Mail

Washington County controls a $2 billion budget but now faces budget shortfalls, scandal fallout, and a major leadership shakeup as Chair Kathryn Harrington steps down. With establishment insiders and an outsider candidate battling for control, voters must decide whether the county needs more of the same — or a political wild card to clean house.Jenny Kamprath, candidate for Washington County Chair, joins us to discuss the county’s financial challenges, leadership crisis, and why she believes an outsider approach may be exactly what Washington County needs.Send us Fan Mail

Your business partner could suddenly become your legal liability. The Department of Labor is proposing new “joint employer” rules that could hold multiple businesses responsible for employee wages, damages, and labor violations. Supporters say it protects workers, while critics warn it could crush franchises, contractors, and small businesses with lawsuits and government overreach.Sean Higgins, research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, joins us to discuss whether the federal government should decide who’s responsible for your employees — and what the new proposal could mean for businesses nationwide.Send us Fan Mail

One Oregon commissioner turned down her own government pension and reportedly saved taxpayers $200,000. So why are politicians still collecting taxpayer-funded retirement packages for “public service”? Should elected officials be expected to give up those benefits altogether?Patti Adair, Deschutes County Commissioner and candidate for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, joins us to discuss government spending, public pensions, and why she chose to opt out of Oregon’s retirement system.Send us Fan Mail

Your vote decides elections, but should politicians be allowed to profit from the outcome? After multiple congressional candidates were reportedly caught betting on their own races, critics warn election gambling could open the door to corruption and insider manipulation. Should prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket be banned from election betting altogether?Dr. Bo Kabala joins us to discuss the growing controversy, bipartisan calls for regulation, and whether political betting threatens public trust in elections.Send us Fan Mail

President Trump just moved marijuana off the federal government’s most dangerous drug classification, marking one of the biggest shifts in U.S. cannabis policy in decades. Supporters say it opens the door to better research and medical treatment, while critics worry the country is continuing to normalize a drug with serious risks.John Solomon, founder of Just the News, joins the program to break down what the rescheduling actually changes and what it doesn’t.Send us Fan Mail

A retired police officer can carry concealed across the country under federal law but a retired Navy SEAL cannot. Now a new proposal would extend nationwide concealed carry protections to elite military veterans, raising questions about fairness, public safety, and gun rights.Former Congressman and CIA analyst Bob Barr joins the program to discuss whether America should trust its special operations veterans with the same legal protections already granted to retired law enforcement.Send us Fan Mail