The Neal Larson Show

Neal Larson
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Daily

Neal Larson is an Associated Press Award-winning newspaper columnist and radio talk show host. He has a BA from Idaho State University in Media Studies and Political Science. Neal is happily married to his wife Esther with their five children in Idaho Falls. Julie Mason is a long-time resident of east Idaho with a degree in journalism from Ricks College. Julie enjoys reading, baking, and is an avid dog lover.  When not on the air she enjoys spending time with her three children and husband of 26 years. Together these two are a powerhouse of knowledge with great banter that comes together in an entertaining and informative show.

  1. 2h ago

    7.30.2026 - BEER CHEESE CRACKERS! | More Flock Talk | Fauci Fallout

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie kicked things off with one of the most “only our audience” moments ever: a mystery box delivered to the station with instructions not to open it until Facebook Live—turning into an unexpectedly perfect payoff when it turned out to be Neal’s long-hyped Coors Light Beer Cheese crackers (plus a gag gift of Horehound candy with a Sharpie-added “W”). The unboxing set the tone for a high-energy show that bounced between humor, listener engagement, and some genuinely heated conversations. The main heavy topics centered on two big threads: the backlash story out of Seattle involving Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronting teenage girls at a WNBA game over a pro–girls sports message, and the ongoing national reckoning around Anthony Fauci and COVID-era policies. Neal and Julie ripped into what they viewed as a “non-apology” from the Storm, argued the girls should’ve been directly apologized to, and widened the conversation into fairness in women’s sports and how public pressure and ideological enforcement has changed. Then they pivoted into Fauci’s testimony and pardon-related legal implications—calling out what they believe was “theater” from Fauci’s attorney, and sharing listener reactions that reflected lingering anger, grief, and economic fallout from pandemic restrictions. The final hour was dominated by a spirited local debate over Idaho Falls’ Flock license plate reader cameras—what they do, what Idaho law allows, where mistrust of government begins, and why vandalizing private security cameras (like the one destroyed at Lowe’s) isn’t a principled answer, even for people with real concerns. --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal and Julie react to a creepy “do not open” mystery box—only to discover it’s Neal’s holy grail: Coors Light Beer Cheese crackers (and a hilariously edited Horehound candy bag). - Outrage over Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronting teenage girls at a WNBA game—plus a takedown of the team’s carefully worded “we apologize that this happened” statement. - A blunt conversation about fairness in girls’ and women’s sports, and how “inclusive” messaging can turn into intimidation when dissent shows up in public. - Fauci fallout: CNN even acknowledges issues with pleading the Fifth after a pardon, and Neal/Julie argue the attorney outburst was meant as distraction—and didn’t land. - Listener emotions boil over as COVID stories resurface: lost businesses, blocked family visits, and kids taking long-term developmental hits from school closures and masking. - The Flock camera debate goes nuclear locally: Neal and Julie defend Idaho’s legal limits on use, condemn cheering vandalism, and field calls from people worried about “what comes next.” 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

    7.30.2026 - BEER CHEESE CRACKERS! | More Flock Talk | Fauci Fallout

  2. 2d ago

    7.28.2026 - Fauci Diary Fallout | Media and COVID Narratives | Flock Cameras Fight

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie spent much of the show teeing up what they expect will be a high-drama day in Washington: Anthony Fauci’s appearance before Sen. Rand Paul’s committee, with the added wrinkle that—after accepting a pardon—Fauci can’t lean on the Fifth Amendment in the same way. They dug into the newly surfaced Fauci “diary” material as discussed publicly by Paul, reacting to entries that (in their view) reveal ego, media coordination, and shifting public narratives around COVID’s origins. The conversation stayed pointed and skeptical, with Neal and Julie framing many pandemic-era mandates—masks, distancing, messaging—as politicized and often unsupported, while also acknowledging uncertainties where they can’t prove intent (like whether a lab leak was accidental or deliberate). A listener call pushed the “intentional release” question further, and Neal emphasized that repeated misinformation early on is part of why many Americans no longer trust official assurances. The second major focus was a long in-studio interview with Brian McKeller about Idaho Falls’ Flock license-plate reader cameras. McKeller laid out his opposition as a privacy and “mass surveillance” issue, previewed plans to file a tort claim, and argued the real danger is capability creep (AI updates, tracking patterns, and potential abuses by humans operating the system). Neal and Julie pushed back with constitutional and practical counterpoints—no expectation of privacy in public, existing surveillance via phones and airports, and the public-safety upside—while still agreeing on the need for guardrails, transparency, and audits. The hour wrapped with spirited listener calls and texts, with Neal and Julie repeatedly steering the discussion toward “measured” scrutiny: draw clear boundaries, demand accountability, and don’t assume every tool automatically equals a police state. --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal and Julie preview “massive fireworks” for Fauci under questioning—especially with the argument that a pardon changes the Fifth Amendment dynamics. - The Fauci diary reaction: the hosts zero in on entries they say show celebrity-chasing, media coordination, and narrative management. - A caller presses the most provocative question of all: was COVID’s release intentional—and Neal/JuIie discuss why trust collapsed after early “market” certainty. - In-studio showdown on Idaho Falls’ Flock cameras: Brian McKeller argues they’re a fast track to mass surveillance and announces a tort-claim filing timeline. - Neal and Julie push the “where’s the middle ground?” angle—hot-list-only use, deletion windows, audits—while McKeller says he wants the cameras covered while the community re-debates them. - Listener calls split sharply: some warn of creeping tyranny; others say privacy is already gone and want law enforcement to have modern tools—with strong debate over what “public privacy” really means. 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

    7.28.2026 - Fauci Diary Fallout | Media and COVID Narratives | Flock Cameras Fight

  3. 6d ago

    7.24.2026 -- S4C: Abstract Class, Born to Be Wild | Iran Threat | Anti-Semite caller

    Send us Fan Mail Friday’s show was a high-energy mix of local Idaho issues, national security, and some classic rock in the studio. Neal walked listeners through several ongoing storylines: a new twist in the Idaho Falls “Flock camera” controversy involving open-records requests (and whether a citizen’s public threat of a tort claim changes what the city is required to release), a quarter‑billion‑dollar Idaho budget surplus that’s politically trickier than it sounds, and a spike in per‑pupil spending that raised questions about what’s driving the increase and what “funding follows the student” could look like in practice. The show also touched on the INL/BEA vaccine settlement story that lit up the text line and brought back the raw, lingering cultural damage from the pandemic years. The national conversation centered on Iran, Israel, and how Americans process (or sanitize) brutality and war. Neal played a forceful Senate floor speech from Sen. Tim Sheehy and used it to challenge what he sees as lopsided media narratives and a growing strain of right‑wing and left‑wing criticism aimed almost exclusively at Benjamin Netanyahu while downplaying Iran’s role and proxy terror groups. That debate spilled into tense listener calls—one veered into overt antisemitic generalizations, prompting pushback from Neal and then a follow‑up call condemning the rhetoric. Later, Sen. Jim Risch joined from Washington, D.C., laying out his view of Iran’s regime, the nuclear threat, and what he says must be accomplished—while also pivoting to what he called a genuine nuclear renaissance tied to Idaho National Laboratory and small modular reactor progress. --- ## 2. Highlights - Abstract Class packed the studio with a full-band performance of “Born to Be Wild,” plus a quick look at the group’s “software engineers turned cover band” origin story.   - Neal dug into the “Flock cameras” saga from a new angle: can a city deny an open-records request by calling it “legal discovery” after a public tort-claim threat?   - Tim Sheehy’s Senate floor speech on Iran set the tone for a blunt discussion about terror groups, proxy war, and what Neal called the media’s tendency to sanitize evil.   - A heated caller argued October 7 may have involved an Israeli “stand-down order,” then escalated into sweeping claims about Jewish people—Neal challenged the sourcing and called out the rhetoric as antisemitic.   - A follow-up listener (Bob, a New Yorker) defended Jewish communities from personal experience and argued the earlier call showed how propaganda can radicalize people.   - Sen. Jim Risch described U.S. objectives regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and touted INL’s role in advancing smaller, cheaper nuclear reactors that could reshape energy production. 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

    7.24.2026 -- S4C: Abstract Class, Born to Be Wild | Iran Threat | Anti-Semite caller

  4. Jul 23

    7.23.2026 - New Jersey Illegals | Mamdani Mis-step | WNBA | Abortion Initiative

    Send us Fan Mail Thursday’s show bounced between national politics and the kind of cultural flashpoints that seem to reveal how much trust has eroded in public institutions. Neal and Julie dug into reports that thousands of non-citizens ended up on New Jersey voter rolls—described as a “glitch” tied to driver’s license processing—and used it as a springboard to argue that election integrity concerns are routinely dismissed until evidence forces a walk-back. From there, the conversation shifted to Washington: Speaker Mike Johnson’s upbeat victory lap on a reconciliation budget versus Neal’s skepticism that Senate leadership (and a handful of familiar GOP holdouts) will deliver, especially when the incentives might be to deny political momentum heading into the midterms. They also took on New York’s mayoral drama, mocking “Zora and mom Donnie’s” rhetoric about arresting Benjamin Netanyahu and calling it both legally unserious and politically dangerous—especially paired with what they see as a growing hard-left power grab. The back half of the hour ranged widely: WNBA resentment toward stars like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham (and the league’s puzzling handling of both), a skeptical look at early Democratic polling with AOC on top, and a broader warning about social media-driven “vigilante” targeting that spills from public controversy into attacks on private businesses and bystanders. The show ended with a pro-life push to publicly track where East Idaho lawmakers stand on Idaho’s abortion initiative, a listener call framing the “life of the mother” distinction, and—because it’s still Neal and Julie—some comic relief over the new Idaho Falls water tower and a potluck “Twinkie and Ho-Ho Tower.” --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal unloads on New Jersey’s “glitch” explanation after thousands of non-citizens reportedly appeared on voter rolls, tying it to the broader double standard around questioning elections.   - Mike Johnson claims a reconciliation win; Neal argues the Senate is the real bottleneck and predicts “Murkwoski/Collins” style excuses will stall election-security priorities.   - “Zora and mom Donnie” gets torched for floating an ICC-style arrest threat against Netanyahu—Neal calls it clownish, but also a warning sign about power without limits.   - A spirited WNBA segment: Caitlin Clark taking hits with “no consequences,” Sophie Cunningham doubling down on protecting women’s sports, and the league allegedly kneecapping its own momentum.   - AOC leading a Democratic poll sparks debate: magnetic candidate vs. “high floor, low ceiling,” plus a brutal example of what happens when she can’t control the setting.   - Pro-life scoreboard idea for East Idaho lawmakers on the abortion initiative (“team baby vs. team Grim Reaper”), plus a listener call emphasizing the “life of the mother” distinction. 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

    7.23.2026 - New Jersey Illegals | Mamdani Mis-step | WNBA | Abortion Initiative

  5. Jul 22

    7.22.2026 - National Anthem Smacker | Chris Cargill | Education Tax Credit Maxxed

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie dug into a viral moment from a Chicago Cubs game that’s split people down the middle: during the National Anthem, an older man confronts a younger fan who’s sitting—then smacks him on the back of the head. They talked through why the clip hits such a nerve, what “respect” actually looks like in a public setting, and why so many commenters act like there are only two choices—do nothing or get physical. The conversation turned into a broader look at patriotism, persuasion vs. force, and how easily a meaningful moment (like the Anthem) gets hijacked into a spectacle. Later, Chris Cargill from the Mountain States Policy Center joined to break down Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit hitting its $50 million cap early—serving 12,497 students, a number comparable to a major school district. Chris argued the demand shows the program is helping families (and could save the state money versus per-pupil spending), while warning that politics may still make expansion tough. Neal and Julie then riffed on what “real reform” could look like next—especially a potential overhaul of Idaho’s education funding formula and a spirited side discussion on whether eliminating (or at least easing) the property tax burden—particularly on a primary residence—could be done without gutting local control. --- ## 2. Highlights - A viral Cubs-game clip sparks a debate: is smacking someone for sitting during the National Anthem “patriotism,” or just plain battery? - Neal and Julie’s take: sometimes there’s no hero—just “varying degrees of villainry,” and a lot of missed options between silence and violence. - Veterans and listeners weigh in repeatedly with a consistent theme: standing matters, but so does the First Amendment—and you don’t get to police people with your hands. - Chris Cargill explains Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit hitting its cap early (12,497 students) and why that number changes the policy conversation. - A surprisingly big tangent turns serious: Idaho death-row inmates sue over firing squad protocol, and Neal/Julie debate “law is law,” humane methods, and endless appeals. - Property taxes become the next front: Neal and Julie float creative alternatives (PILT-style thinking, primary-residence relief) while pushing back on the “local control” counterargument. 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

    7.22.2026 - National Anthem Smacker | Chris Cargill | Education Tax Credit Maxxed

  6. Jul 21

    7.21.2026 - Republican Unity Tests | Abortion Messaging Fight | Media-Driven Leftward Shift

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie bounced between politics, public culture, and a surprisingly sticky public-health story, with Neal opening on what he sees as a familiar Democratic Party problem: letting the far-left “drive the bus,” even as Republicans struggle with unity and factional infighting. The conversation widened into how modern media environments can shift people’s values and voting behavior—especially around abortion and LGBTQ issues—along with Neal’s warning that pro-life messaging can’t let “privacy” framing obscure what’s actually at stake. The show wrapped with concern that some local GOP organizations may be slow-footing clear public organizing against Idaho’s abortion-related ballot push, which Neal argued should be an all-hands priority. Along the way, they detoured into local Idaho Falls traffic developments and a spirited listener back-and-forth about zipper merges and roundabouts, plus a handful of lighter moments (including Neal’s family prank “for rectal use only” stickers and a throwback to the Howard Dean scream). In hour two, they dug into the cyclospora/Taylor Farms/Taco Bell scare and the whiplash of a reported false positive—prompting listeners to call and share how it changed their behavior (and one memorable call describing a brutal two-week illness). The episode also hit national headlines: skepticism about DHS leadership missteps and business-lobby pressures on immigration enforcement, a reality-check on NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s rhetoric about arresting Benjamin Netanyahu, and renewed attention to far-left influencer Hasan Piker praising Mao—underscoring a recurring theme that extremes often skate by without real accountability. --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal’s blunt take on party unity: unity matters, but not if it means “unifying around mushiness” or abandoning core principles.   - A candid discussion of shifting religious/political identity—why Neal thinks social media’s nonstop messaging is reshaping views on abortion and culture issues.   - A long, surprisingly compelling cyclospora segment: reported false positive fallout, Taco Bell traffic drops, and a listener describing a two-week sickness and 10-pound weight loss.   - Idaho Falls traffic talk goes viral on the text line: zipper merges, roundabouts, and why “beating six cars” rarely saves real time.   - Neal and Julie question whether DHS leadership is ready for prime time, especially under pressure from business groups seeking illegal-labor workarounds.   - A pointed critique of political grandstanding: Mamdani’s “arrest Netanyahu” talk gets dismantled as legally unserious—and symptomatic of authoritarian instincts. 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

    7.21.2026 - Republican Unity Tests | Abortion Messaging Fight | Media-Driven Leftward Shift

  7. Jul 20

    7.20.2026 - Robots | Election Denialism | Pickens & Stegner Campaigns

    Send us Fan Mail Neal and Julie opened the week taking aim at the media’s reaction to President Trump’s primetime remarks on election integrity—arguing that much of the coverage led with cynical motive-framing instead of directly grappling with the underlying allegation: foreign influence (particularly China) and whether U.S. intelligence agencies suppressed or “massaged” information. They contrasted that posture with the years-long wave of Democratic “Russia stole it” claims after 2016, calling out the double standard and warning that dismissing election-security concerns as mere “denialism” leaves the country vulnerable. The conversation also turned to policy—specifically the SAVE Act—as a potential baseline fix, with Neal stressing that verification and accountability should be non-negotiable if elections are to remain credible. The show then shifted into a mix of lighter banter and heavy local politics. Neal and Julie joked about sports (soccer vs. bowling, and the grit factor), then plunged into a fast-moving, emotionally charged exchange with listeners about abortion—whether it’s “worth” national division, why people frame it as a tradeoff against taxes or roads, and why euphemisms like “bodily autonomy” and “women’s health” often replace direct language. They discussed Idaho’s evolving political landscape with abortion likely on the ballot, including how independent John Stegner and Democrat Terry Pickens could split votes and reshape the governor’s race. In a closing segment, they reacted to the idea of “companion” robots in classrooms—supporting practical automation in some settings while strongly rejecting replacing real human interaction in education. --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal torches the “Trump raises doubts” headlines—arguing the bigger story is whether the evidence itself raises doubts, and why outlets rushed to frame motives instead of facts.   - Catherine Herridge’s cited email about “deliberately massaging” a President’s Daily Brief becomes the fulcrum for a broader discussion about intelligence suppression and foreign influence.   - A pointed montage of 2016-era Democrats calling Trump “illegitimate” fuels Neal’s argument that the left normalized election denial long before 2020.   - Heated listener back-and-forth: “Would you lose the union over abortion?”—Neal and Julie push back hard on treating it as a secondary issue or a false tradeoff against roads/taxes.   - Idaho politics breakdown: Neal argues Stegner + Pickens could split the pro-abortion vote, effectively lowering the threshold Brad Little needs to win.   - Quick detour into AI and robots: useful for dirty/dangerous work, but a hard “no” from Julie on robots in classrooms after the damage of tablet-era learning. 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

    7.20.2026 - Robots | Election Denialism | Pickens & Stegner Campaigns

  8. Jul 17

    7.17.2026 - S4C: Cassius Coleman | AI Data Centers | Pocatello Pushback | “Space Race” Stakes

    Send us Fan Mail Friday’s show was a lively mix of national politics, local growth fights, and a surprisingly deep (and funny) debate about technology and trust. Neal and Julie reacted to President Trump’s remarks about newly declassified information and alleged Chinese efforts to influence the 2020 election, while also circling back to how much of today’s public mood—on everything from AI to policing tech—flows from a broader distrust of institutions. That theme carried through the hour as they unpacked Pocatello’s decision to deny (again) the appeal for an AI data center at the old Hoku site. Neal argued AI is “the space race” the U.S. can’t afford to lose, while acknowledging the opposition isn’t one-size-fits-all: some concerns are environmental, some are true “not here” location objections, and some are outright anti-AI cultural resistance. The episode also featured a standout in-studio performance from 19-year-old Cassius Coleman of *anyone awake*, who talked about launching the band, going on tour before they feel “ready,” and the personal family story behind his original song “How to Make You Mind.” Later, the conversation turned into a listener-driven back-and-forth on Flock license plate reader cameras—privacy fears, slippery-slope arguments, and real-world examples of crimes solved—while Neal and Julie pushed for a fact-based debate (what the cameras do and don’t do today) rather than worst-case hypotheticals. --- ## 2. Highlights - Neal calls AI “the space race” and warns that refusing to engage with it is a recipe for getting left behind—personally and nationally.   - Pocatello’s AI data center appeal gets denied again, sparking a sharp discussion about NIMBY politics, property rights, and what public comment should (and shouldn’t) decide.   - In-studio: Cassius Coleman (anyone awake) performs “New Friends” (Pinegrove) and shares the story behind his original track tied to his grandparents’ 66-year marriage.   - The “Chuck Schumer flatulence” moment turns into a full comedic detour featuring Rep. Tim Burchett, Taco Bell jokes, and Julie’s running commentary.   - Listeners light up the phones over Flock cameras: privacy concerns vs. public safety wins, plus Neal’s repeated insistence on starting with verifiable facts—not vibes.   - A caller ties public skepticism to broader government distrust and argues the U.S. has to build data centers smartly—or watch China win the next era. 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

    7.17.2026 - S4C: Cassius Coleman | AI Data Centers | Pocatello Pushback | “Space Race” Stakes
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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Neal Larson is an Associated Press Award-winning newspaper columnist and radio talk show host. He has a BA from Idaho State University in Media Studies and Political Science. Neal is happily married to his wife Esther with their five children in Idaho Falls. Julie Mason is a long-time resident of east Idaho with a degree in journalism from Ricks College. Julie enjoys reading, baking, and is an avid dog lover.  When not on the air she enjoys spending time with her three children and husband of 26 years. Together these two are a powerhouse of knowledge with great banter that comes together in an entertaining and informative show.

Information

  • Creator
    Neal Larson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    495
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Neal Larson Show
  • Show Website
    The Neal Larson Show