The Neal Larson Show
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.
The Neal Larson Show
9.2.2025--NLS--Local Mayoral Races, The Ebb of "Woke", Water Meters
In this episode, the Neal provides a detailed analysis of the upcoming mayoral races in Idaho Falls and Pocatello. For Idaho Falls, he suggests that City Councilwoman Lisa Burtenshaw has a clear advantage, citing her name recognition and her inheritance of outgoing Mayor Rebecca Casper's political "machinery." Other candidates mentioned include Jeff Alldridge, who has conservative support, as well as Christian Ashcraft and Brian Tomasko. In Pocatello, the race is more complex with incumbent Mayor Brian Blad facing several challengers. While personally likable, Blad's potential liabilities include the handling of the Victor Perez shooting and the Northgate development issues. His top challengers are identified as Greg Cates, who is running a robust campaign, and Steve Brown, a former county commissioner and city councilman. The host anticipates a potential runoff election in Pocatello due to the crowded field of candidates.
Beyond local elections, the podcast touches on several national political and cultural topics. The hosts discuss a judge's ruling that the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles was illegal, contrasting it with the situation in Washington D.C. They also delve into the cultural landscape, arguing that conservatives are gaining an upper hand against "wokism" and cancel culture, and they debate the best strategies to maintain this momentum without becoming complacent. The conversation includes critiques of various Democratic figures like Randi Weingarten and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, with the hosts asserting that many Democratic leaders were elevated for reasons other than merit. The episode also briefly covers local Idaho Falls issues, such as the implementation of water metering, which the host believes is more about revenue generation for the city than water conservation.
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