The Lars Larson Show Interviews

A new poll shows Oregon’s Republican governor race tightening fast as frustration over taxes, fuel costs, and the economy grows statewide. Could this be the year Republicans finally break through?

Ed Diehl is a Republican candidate for governor and current Oregon state representative. He joins the show to discuss his campaign momentum, plans to cut taxes and suspend Oregon gas taxes during the Iran conflict, and his push to expand timber harvesting, reduce regulations, and reverse Governor Tina Kotek’s climate policies.

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China’s government is facing criticism over efforts to align religious teachings with Communist Party ideology. Should the international community respond when governments alter religious doctrine and restrict worship practices?

Samuel Ben-Ur is a research analyst focusing on the Middle East at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He joins the show to discuss China’s “Sinicization of Christianity” campaign, reports of religious censorship and rewritten biblical teachings, and the broader debate over religious freedom under the Chinese Communist Party.

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An Oregon court ruling could require employers to pay workers for meal break time even if employees voluntarily return to work early. Is the decision protecting workers or creating new legal risks for businesses?

Anthony Smith is Oregon State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business. He joins the show to discuss the ongoing legal dispute over meal break policies, concerns from business groups about the impact of the ruling, and what the case could mean for employers and employees across Oregon.

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Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions were overturned after a court found serious misconduct tied to the original trial. Does the ruling protect the integrity of the justice system or reopen wounds in one of America’s most infamous crime cases?

Leland Vittert is host of “On Balance with Leland Vittert” and Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation. He joins the show to discuss the South Carolina Supreme Court decision overturning Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions, allegations involving jury influence by a court official, and whether prosecutors should pursue another trial despite Murdaugh’s lengthy prison sentence for financial crimes.

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A major activist organization facing federal fraud charges is still tied to classroom materials used in school districts across the country. Should schools continue using curriculum connected to politically controversial groups?

Adam Guillette is president of Accuracy in Media. He joins the show to discuss reports involving the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Learning for Justice” program, concerns about political ideology in K-12 education, and the broader debate over outside organizations influencing classroom instruction.

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A California mayor has pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, raising new concerns about foreign influence at the local level. How vulnerable are American institutions to outside political operations?

Richard Lyons is the author of “The DNA of Democracy” and “Shadows of the Acropolis.” He joins the show to discuss the case involving former California mayor Eileen Wang, concerns over Chinese influence operations in the United States, and what the case could reveal about foreign efforts to shape American politics and public opinion.

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Streaming platforms used by millions for music and podcasts are facing new scrutiny over extremist content tied to terrorist organizations. Are tech companies doing enough to stop radical propaganda from spreading through audio platforms?

Sophie McDowall is a research associate at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. She joins the show to discuss findings involving extremist content on major streaming services, how users bypass moderation systems, and whether platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud should face greater accountability for hosting terrorist propaganda.

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Drone warfare is changing the battlefield and military medics are increasingly becoming targets themselves. Is the U.S. prepared to protect wounded troops in the next major conflict?

Jeremy Cannon is Chair of the Strategic Advisory Committee for RESPOND-US. He joins the show to discuss how modern warfare is reshaping battlefield medicine, the growing dangers facing military medical teams, and concerns that the U.S. may not be adequately prepared for future combat casualty scenarios.

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Reports that federal officials halted publication of vaccine safety studies are raising new questions about transparency inside America’s health agencies. Are scientific findings being filtered through politics before the public sees them?

Henry Miller is a physician, molecular biologist, and the Glenn Swogger Distinguished Scholar at the Science Literacy Project. He also served as the founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology. He joins the show to discuss allegations that FDA officials blocked publication of vaccine related research, the debate over scientific transparency, and what the controversy could mean for public trust in federal health agencies.

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The U.S. has massive reserves of critical minerals needed for energy, technology, and national defense, yet new mining projects can take decades to approve. Is America regulating itself out of economic and strategic independence?

Megan Jenkins leads Pacific Legal Foundation’s strategic research team. She joins the show to discuss why mine permitting in the United States takes so long, the legal and environmental hurdles facing new projects, and what the delays could mean for America’s competition with China over critical minerals and manufacturing.

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