The Lars Larson Show Interviews

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

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

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Director and Fellow for the Governance Program at the R Street Institute, joins the show to discuss why the fund was rescinded, who could have benefited, and whether taxpayers should ever be responsible for these payouts. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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