The Lars Larson Show Interviews

The Oregonian is apologizing for the decades-old "Jail Blazers" nickname after saying communities of color found the term offensive. Is this responsible journalism, or an unnecessary rewrite of history?

Josh Marquis is a former Oregon District Attorney and former President of the Oregon District Attorneys Association. He joins the show to discuss The Oregonian's apology over the "Jail Blazers" nickname, changing media standards, and whether news organizations are becoming overly cautious about language.

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Oregon is expanding Medicaid spending on non-medical benefits while many patients still struggle to find a primary care doctor. Are state leaders focusing on the right priorities?

Ed Diehl represents Oregon House District 17. He joins the show to discuss Oregon's Medicaid spending, the state's investment in non-medical benefits, and whether improving access to doctors should come before expanding other programs.

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Democratic leaders withdrew their support for Senate candidate Graham Platner only after new allegations became public. Should party leaders have acted much sooner?

Leland Vittert is Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation and host of On Balance with Leland Vittert. He joins the show to discuss the fallout from Graham Platner's Senate campaign, the response from Democratic leaders, and what the controversy reveals about candidate vetting in modern politics.

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Cities continue to spend billions in public money on new sports stadiums, even as team values and ticket prices soar. Are taxpayers getting a fair return on those investments?

Catherina Gioino is a News Editor at Fortune. She joins the show to discuss the growing use of public funding for professional sports stadiums, the economic arguments for and against subsidies, and whether taxpayers should continue footing the bill.

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Some Portland homeowners have been hit with code enforcement fines exceeding $100,000 over short-term rental violations. Is the city enforcing the rules fairly, or punishing property owners beyond reason?

Aaron Mesh is Managing Editor of Willamette Week. He joins the show to discuss Portland's aggressive enforcement of short-term rental rules, why some homeowners are facing six-figure penalties, and whether the city's approach is helping solve housing problems or creating new ones.

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Many parents say America's classrooms spend more time criticizing the country's history than celebrating its founding principles. Should schools be doing more to teach patriotism?

Anne Schlafly Cori is Chairman of Eagle Forum. She joins the show to discuss civics education, the role of patriotism in schools, and why she believes America's founding values should play a larger role in the classroom.

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A single federal judge can often halt a president's policies across the entire country with one ruling. Has that power gone too far, or is it an essential constitutional check on the executive branch?

Zack Smith is a Senior Legal Fellow in the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation. He joins the show to discuss nationwide injunctions, recent Supreme Court decisions, and the growing debate over the proper role of the federal judiciary.

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Global threats continue to grow as conflicts intensify around the world. Is the U.S. military prepared for the challenges ahead, or are critical readiness gaps emerging?

Major General John King joins the show to discuss America's military readiness, evolving global threats, and what the United States must do to maintain its strategic advantage.

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As more states expand legal marijuana, critics say the country is seeing rising addiction, mental health concerns, and a growing illegal market. Has legalization delivered on its promises, or created new problems?

Kevin Sabet is President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a former White House drug policy advisor, and author of Smokescreen. He joins the show to discuss the long-term effects of marijuana legalization, public health concerns, and what policymakers should do next.

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For decades, fusion energy has been called the power source of the future. Now one American company says it has cleared a major regulatory hurdle and is moving closer to delivering commercial fusion power. Is the future finally here?

David Kirtley is Founder and CEO of Helion Energy. He joins the show to discuss Helion becoming the first company to receive regulatory approval for a commercial fusion power facility, its plans to supply electricity to Microsoft, and what practical fusion energy could mean for America's energy future.

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