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
10.29.25--NLS--Dems Use Shutdown as Leverage, I.F. Mayoral Race
On this episode, Neal and Julie focus on the ongoing government shutdown, which they frame as a deliberate strategy by the Democratic party. They argue that Democrats, citing a quote from Senator Chris Coons, are openly admitting to using the shutdown as "leverage," despite the negative impact on federal workers and the American public. The hosts support this claim by noting that numerous major unions are now publicly urging Democrats to pass the Republican funding bill. Furthermore, they discuss recent polling data suggesting this strategy may be backfiring, with the Republican party’s approval ratings reportedly improving among both its base and independent voters since the shutdown began.
The conversation also shifts to an in-depth analysis of local politics, specifically the Idaho Falls mayoral race between candidates Lisa Burtenshaw and Jeff Alldridge. Using an AI-generated prompt to weigh each candidate's strengths, the hosts conclude that while Burtenshaw is the slight frontrunner, Alldridge has made the race highly competitive. In light of this, they announce their plan to host an on-air debate between the two candidates later in the week. The episode also touches on broader critiques of liberal policies, including the failures of Obamacare to control healthcare costs and what the hosts describe as past "alarmism" regarding climate change predictions.
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