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. 3.13.2026 - S4C: 22nd Street Jazz -- Also: Budget Showdown, Rainy Day Fund, “Voucher” Wars

    1D AGO

    3.13.2026 - S4C: 22nd Street Jazz -- Also: Budget Showdown, Rainy Day Fund, “Voucher” Wars

    Send a text Idaho’s budget fight is getting real, and it feels like we’ve backed ourselves into a corner: big tax cuts, an economic forecast that isn’t exactly inspiring confidence, and now lawmakers are acting surprised that the math is tight. We walked through what happened after Senator Guthrie’s floor speech—genuine, humble, and persuasive in tone—even if the behind-the-scenes vote count may have already been headed for a no. Either way, it changed the temperature in the building and kicked JFAC back into problem-solving mode, where every tweak to win a few senators risks losing a few reps. We also kicked around the political reality that “what I want government to be” and “what can actually pass with 104 other lawmakers” are two different things—especially when rainy day funds are sitting there tempting people who want to soften cuts without committing to long-term spending. Then we shifted into the other pressure points driving listeners nuts right now: Democrats calling House Bill 93 a “voucher” while praising the Launch program (which, by their own definition, sure starts to sound like a college voucher scheme), plus frustration with media narratives that pin individual tragedies directly on budget decisions without proving the dots connect. We also had some fun and community in the middle of it all—hosting the 22nd Street Jazz band live in-studio for “Fly Me to the Moon”—before circling back to practical fixes: whether to use rainy day money (and how to guarantee it’s truly one-time), where to cut bloat (commissions and “nice-to-haves”), and why small cuts still matter if you’re serious about treating taxpayer dollars like your own budget. **Highlights** - Senator Guthrie’s budget speech shook up the Senate vote and forced JFAC back to the drawing board   - The core fight: ongoing programs vs one-time money, and whether to tap Idaho’s rainy day fund   - “Voucher” language battle: House Bill 93 tax credit vs the Launch program comparison   - Media accountability debate over headlines tying deaths directly to Medicaid funding changes   - Live in-studio performance: 22nd Street Jazz plays “Fly Me to the Moon” 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

    1h 25m
  2. 3.12.2026 - INTERVIEWS: US Sen. Jim Risch, Idaho Dem. Chair Lauren Necochea, SAVE Act, Iran

    2D AGO

    3.12.2026 - INTERVIEWS: US Sen. Jim Risch, Idaho Dem. Chair Lauren Necochea, SAVE Act, Iran

    Send a text Julie was out today, so Neal Larson took the mic solo and covered two big threads: election integrity at home and Iran abroad. First up was a conversation with Senator Jim Risch about the SAVE Act—requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Risch called it obvious, broadly popular, and worth fighting for, but he also laid out the political reality: Democrats are unified against it, and a few Republicans won’t get there either, largely on states-rights grounds. They also dug into the filibuster confusion—Risch argued people talk about it like it “passes” bills when in reality it’s more of a tool to slow or try to stop them, and even then it rarely works the way folks imagine. After the interview, Neal expanded on why the Strait of Hormuz is such a choke point—narrow lanes, Iranian islands with strategic value, and the insurance/shipping risk dynamic that can “close” the strait in practice even without an official blockade. The hour also included a listener call with references to *2000 Mules* and a book about election manipulation narratives, which Neal used as a springboard into why he believes Democrats fight so hard against tighter voter verification and border enforcement—arguing it’s tied to power, apportionment, and long-term political viability. Later, Neal interviewed Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea about the strained Idaho budget, her criticism of tax cuts skewing toward higher earners, and her view that Idaho should tap rainy day reserves and revisit policies like the private-school tax credit (which she repeatedly framed as a “voucher”). She also defended bringing Tim Walz to Idaho, pitched him as a working-family governor, and pushed back on fraud criticisms by pointing to enforcement and accountability. Neal wrapped with commentary on political media dynamics—especially the growing rift between Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson—and ended with a quick, pointed clip reacting to Jill Biden’s upcoming book and the revisionist framing of Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 race. ## Highlights - Senator Jim Risch on why the SAVE Act is “common sense,” but still short on votes in the Senate   - Neal’s explainer on the Strait of Hormuz: geography, Iranian leverage, and why insurance can halt shipping   - Idaho Dem Chair Lauren Necochea on budget cuts, rainy day funds, tax policy, and the “voucher vs. tax credit” fight   - Tim Walz in Idaho: Necochea says the crowd enthusiasm was real; Neal presses on fraud and political fit   - Neal’s take on Tucker Carlson vs. Ted Cruz—and how media incentives can push figures into “weird swerves”   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

    1h 20m
  3. 3.11.2026 - Obergefell Revisited, Jetsons Tech, Party Cohesion Index

    3D AGO

    3.11.2026 - Obergefell Revisited, Jetsons Tech, Party Cohesion Index

    Send a text Neal Larson and Julie Mason start in their usual gear-shifting way—riffing on Utah potentially becoming a real-life Jetsons test lab for personal aerial vehicles (cargo first, people later) and the creeping reality of humanoid robots—before pivoting hard into an Idaho Legislature vote urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider *Obergefell* (the 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide). What makes the conversation stick is that it isn’t a simple “just undo it” take. They walk through the practical and political reality of trying to unwind a decade of contracts, taxes, insurance, property, and state laws built on that ruling—plus the electoral risk of re-litigating an issue that has become culturally embedded. They also debate the proper role of courts vs. legislatures, including a caller’s argument that courts shouldn’t be treated as ultimate lawgivers, and they push back on how quickly “ignore the courts” becomes a recipe for chaos. In the second half, they dig into Idaho’s intraparty dynamics with Neal’s “Party Cohesion Index” (the “handy dandy data sheet”)—a metric tracking how often lawmakers vote with their party on true split votes. The goal isn’t to whip up hostility; it’s to give constituents something measurable to start better conversations with their representatives, especially when public messaging doesn’t match voting patterns. They also touch on concerns about Democrats encouraging crossover registration to influence Republican primaries, and they land on a simple response: conservatives can’t be apathetic—register, show up, and vote. Along the way they wrestle with the bigger philosophical question underneath the marriage fight: once government took ownership of marriage for secular benefits, did it inevitably invite government to redefine it? ### Highlights - Utah as a testing ground for “Jetsons” transportation: high-speed electric aerial vehicles, cargo first, then people   - Idaho’s memorial urging SCOTUS to revisit *Obergefell*—and why undoing it isn’t as clean as it sounds   - Courts vs. legislatures: what happens if states decide Supreme Court rulings are “optional”?   - The “Party Cohesion Index” as a transparency tool for spotting trends and prompting constituent questions   - Closed primaries and crossover voting: the antidote is turnout and registration, not wishful thinking   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

    1h 26m
  4. 3.10.2026 - NEW: Party Cohesion Index, Oil Prices, Idaho RINOs, SAVE Act

    4D AGO

    3.10.2026 - NEW: Party Cohesion Index, Oil Prices, Idaho RINOs, SAVE Act

    Send a text Today’s show was a bit of a whirlwind, but it all circled around the same theme: people weaponizing narratives instead of dealing in reality. We dug into the spike (and quick drop) in oil prices tied to risk around the Strait of Hormuz—reminding everyone there’s not an “oil shortage” so much as speculation and shipping/insurance fear. From there we pivoted into politics, where we see the same knee-jerk energy: folks rooting for bad economic news just so they can score points against Trump, and Democrats getting giddy over flashy, radical candidates who feel exciting inside the bubble but don’t match what most voters will actually support. The core of the episode, though, was Idaho’s legislature and accountability. Neal walked through a new “Party Cohesion Index” he built using AI + Legislative Scan data—only measuring truly split, high-stakes votes—to show who actually votes with their stated party when it counts. Democrats are highly unified; Republicans are not, and a chunk of East Idaho lawmakers who campaign as Republicans routinely vote with Democrats in these defining moments. We talked integrity: if you’re going to wear the party label for advantage, you should at least mostly align with it—or be honest and pick a different “home.” Calls reinforced the frustration (term limits getting overturned, lawmakers missing votes, crossover voting), and we tied it to a bigger national fight: the SAVE Act and voter ID. The numbers show overwhelming support for photo ID across race and party, and we called out the insulting argument that women somehow can’t handle the documentation process—something they already navigate constantly in real life. **Highlights** - Oil prices jumped on Hormuz risk/insurance pressure—not a true supply shortage—and quickly eased back down. - Neal’s AI-built Party Cohesion Index tracks how often lawmakers vote with their party on split votes; Democrats are cohesive, Republicans are fractured. - Strong warning about “strategic party affiliation” and crossover voting shaping East Idaho representation. - SAVE Act talk: broad public support for voter ID and frustration with Senate theatrics/filibuster games. - Notable media moment: ABC’s Jonathan Karl describing how unusually accessible Trump is by phone to reporters. 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

    1h 29m
  5. 3.9.2026 - Iran Operation, Idaho Democrats, Participation Trophies

    5D AGO

    3.9.2026 - Iran Operation, Idaho Democrats, Participation Trophies

    Send a text This episode was a classic “big picture to local politics to cultural weirdness” Monday. We dug into the fast-moving U.S. operation against Iran and the debate over what powers the president has versus Congress—acknowledging why some people are wary, but also arguing the case that after decades of Iran using proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, etc.) to kill and threaten Americans, patience isn’t the same thing as “justification.” We walked through what lawmakers like Lindsey Graham and John Kennedy are publicly signaling (heavy strikes, no ground invasion), talked about how media coverage seems to fixate on collateral narratives (like an oil refinery or a desalination plant) while ignoring the evil of the regime itself, and why we think this is designed to be decisive—not another years-long half-commitment. Then we shifted to Idaho and the political theater closer to home: Tim Walz showing up for Idaho Democrats (and the question of what the ROI possibly was), plus the ongoing frustration with bills dying “in a drawer” at the legislature—especially E-Verify—while certain lawmakers or PACs run glossy, careful-worded ads claiming they’re tough on illegal immigration. We also hit a couple culture moments that feel like parody but aren’t: the State Department “queering the map” explanation, and the LA Marathon controversy where people stopping at mile 18 could still be labeled “finishers.” Our take: celebrate effort, sure—but don’t rewrite reality. Words mean things, and “finisher” is one of them. **Highlights** - Why the Iran operation is being framed as fast, surgical, and regime-focused—not a ground war   - The “maps are too heterosexual” / “queering the map” moment and why it struck us as forced compliance, not inclusion   - Idaho politics: Tim Walz visit, legislative bills dying in drawers, and PAC messaging games around E-Verify/immigration   - LA Marathon “finishers” at mile 18—participation trophies for grown-ups, and runners calling it out   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

    1h 26m
  6. 3.6.2027 - S4C: Musai, covering The Weather, Noem Fallout, Union Money, Open Lines

    MAR 6

    3.6.2027 - S4C: Musai, covering The Weather, Noem Fallout, Union Money, Open Lines

    Send a text Today we dug into the Kristi Noem shake-up and the way everyone’s trying to spin it. Call it whatever you want—“reassigned,” “moved,” “Western Shield” whatever—this wasn’t a lateral move, and pretending otherwise doesn’t help. We talked about what likely set the stage for it, including the frustration that Homeland Security started looking like a personal branding vehicle (that self-deportation ad campaign being the clearest example). At the same time, we pushed back on the idea that this signals a collapsing Trump administration—polling shows Trump is still running extremely strong, especially with Republicans, and the broader media narrative doesn’t match what the numbers say. Then we went hard at Idaho’s House Bill 745: no taxpayer-funded time, systems, or payroll support for union activity. The more we talked through it, the more it felt like a “how was this ever allowed?” moment—teachers doing union work while on the clock, districts not reimbursed, automatic dues deductions processed through payroll, unions using taxpayer-funded email systems, and paid leave for union business. We also called out the lawmakers who voted no and questioned how some of the loudest “not a dollar more” voices on education spending can shrug when education dollars effectively subsidize union operations. We wrapped with Open Phones Friday: listeners broadened the conversation into Iran history and foreign policy, union culture, and why the “protect your own” mentality can keep bad actors in place—plus, yes, we got surprise-delivered several bags of Bugles, which became its own unexpected subplot. ## Highlights - Kristi Noem’s exit: why “reassigned” doesn’t pass the smell test, and what may have led to it   - HB 745: ending taxpayer-supported union activity (on-the-clock time, payroll deductions, email systems, paid leave)   - Trump approval: strong support within the GOP, and why the “everyone hates Trump” storyline doesn’t hold up   - Open lines: Iran history, leadership failures, and union accountability debates   - Studio for Covers: BYU–Idaho a cappella group **Musai** performed “The Weather” (Lawrence) 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

    1h 23m
  7. 3.5.2026 - INTERVIEW: Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Idaho Elections, Dark Money, Immigration

    MAR 5

    3.5.2026 - INTERVIEW: Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Idaho Elections, Dark Money, Immigration

    Send a text Today’s show was a classic “all of the above” kind of morning. We started with a mix of Idaho politics and everyday-life tangents—everything from why the governor’s race is crowded while other statewide incumbents are basically unopposed, to Pocatello’s new Target and the excitement around Raising Caine’s. From there we jumped into a clip from the Senate floor where Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke enforced the rule about referring to the governor as “the gentleman on the second floor,” which turned into a broader conversation about how stiff and ritual-heavy legislative procedure can feel when all we really want is plain talk and straight answers. The centerpiece was our conversation with Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, who walked us through two competing bills to bring back Idaho’s presidential primary (after the frustrations of caucuses and low turnout). One proposal puts the presidential contest in early March; the other folds it into May and shifts Idaho’s state primary earlier for consistency and higher participation. We also dug into “dark money” flooding legislative races (McGrane cited $17.6 million spent), what transparency tools his office has built, and why Idaho is refusing a DOJ request for sensitive voter data—while still working closely with Homeland Security to verify citizenship and keep voter rolls clean. We closed with a listener flash-poll on March vs. May, a candid discussion about voter cynicism and election confidence, and—because it’s us—an unexpected spiral into weird ham radio signals and a full-on Bugles snack debate. --- ### Highlights - Phil McGrane explains the **two bills** to restore Idaho’s presidential primary: **March contest vs. May consolidation** (plus moving the May primary earlier). - Discussion of **out-of-state dark money** in Idaho legislative races and the push for updated campaign finance transparency laws. - Idaho’s stance on **protecting voter personal data** from a DOJ request, while still partnering with DHS to verify voter roll citizenship status. 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

    1h 30m
  8. 3.4.2026 - Party Cohesion, Lawmaker Accountability, Idaho Politics

    MAR 4

    3.4.2026 - Party Cohesion, Lawmaker Accountability, Idaho Politics

    Send a text Neal Larson walks us through a new “party cohesion” metric he built (with help from AI and the legislative API) to measure how often Idaho lawmakers vote with the majority of their stated party on votes that break along clear partisan lines. The goal isn’t a purity test or a “gotcha,” but a sunlight tool: if you’re running with an “R” (or “D”), how often do you actually vote like one—especially on the big, ideological fights? Neal and Julie Mason dig into early House results (enough votes to be meaningful) while noting the Senate sample size is still tiny, and they talk about refining the model to filter out procedural votes and even weight issues (immigration vs. bureaucratic tweaks) based on what voters care about. From there, the conversation broadens into accountability and trust: if a lawmaker’s public branding doesn’t match their roll-call behavior, that’s an integrity problem—not a “we demand 100% loyalty” problem. They get into why some lawmakers avoid coming on-air to explain votes, the frustration with the Senate’s slow pace, and how local party politics and money shape outcomes (including a weird rabbit hole about Bingham County GOP activity/donations and what that says about organization and credibility). The show also touches on national headlines—Article V convention chatter cooling off, campaign finance “sunshine portal” sleuthing, and quick reactions to broader political and foreign-policy news—while circling back to the same theme: voters should stop buying the packaging and start demanding explanations backed by real data. - Neal’s new “party cohesion score” uses roll-call data to quantify how often lawmakers vote with their party’s majority (and why he wants to filter out procedural votes). - A practical threshold: Neal/Julie are comfortable in the mid-80%+ range—independence is fine, misrepresentation isn’t. - The Senate has had very few qualifying votes so far, raising questions about workload, process, and transparency. - Campaign finance transparency: how to use Idaho’s Sunshine Portal—and why PAC money can become a circular maze. - Local party organization issues (and funding) matter more than people want to admit when it comes to who ends up representing you. 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

    1h 23m
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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
    399
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Neal Larson Show
  • Show Website
    The Neal Larson Show

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