O'Connor & Company

In Part Two of our ongoing America 250 conversation, Dr. Matthew Spalding — Vice President for Washington Operations and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College’s Washington, D.C., Campus — returns to explore the events and ideas that led directly to 1776.
Spalding also discusses Hillsdale’s involvement with Freedom 250 and the launch of its nationwide Mobile Museum Trucks, a fleet of traveling, interactive museums bringing America’s founding story to communities across the country as part of the Semiquincentennial celebration. Plus, we examine current debates over how American history is presented, including the National Park Service’s removal of a slavery-focused exhibit in Philadelphia and the broader push to restore what the administration calls “truth and sanity” to historical interpretation.
This episode is part of America 250: A Conversation with Hillsdale College’s Washington, D.C., Campus & Graduate School of Government, in partnership with WMAL.
Learn more at DC.Hillsdale.edu.
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Episode: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 / 8 AM Hour
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In the 6 AM hour, Larry O'Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed:
NORTHERN VA ROADS: VDOT's Ellen Kamilakis joins the show to discuss road conditions and winter response efforts.

SHOOTING REVIEW: President Trump says the administration is reviewing everything regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, who brought a gun and extra ammo to the Minneapolis scene.

SIGNAL SURVEILLANCE: Infiltration of anti-ICE Signal groups reveals an organized operation to doxx and harass federal agents in Minneapolis.

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Episode: Monday, January 26, 2026 / 6 AM Hour
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In the 5 AM hour, Larry O'Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed:
STORM TRACKER: A deep freeze follows a winter blast that brought up to 9 inches of snow and sleet to the DMV region.

DEEP FREEZE CLOSURES: A massive list of school closings across DC, Maryland, and Virginia as temperatures plummet to near zero.

HOCHUL'S HUBRIS: New York Governor Kathy Hochul refuses DHS assistance during the storm, demanding that ICE "back off" instead.

INCITEMENT WATCH: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is under fire for evoking Anne Frank and the Nazis while attacking federal agents enforcing immigration law.

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
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Episode: Monday, January 26, 2026 / 5 AM Hour
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In the 7 AM hour, Larry O'Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed:
MINNESOTA CHAOS: Kevin Roberts and Joe diGenova weigh in on the war against ICE and the highly organized anti-enforcement "operations" in Minneapolis.

FREEWAY FRIGIDITY: Charlie Gischlar provides a status report on Maryland road conditions after a weekend storm dumped up to 9 inches across the region.

SNOWY POLITICS: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani attempts to look like a man of the people by shoveling snow in Brooklyn, sparking a "Sauvignon Girly" comparison.

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
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Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company

Episode: Monday, January 26, 2026 / 7 AM Hour
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In the 8 AM hour, Larry O'Connor and Cassie Smedile discussed:
SCHOOL FREEDOM: Erika Donalds breaks down the Trump administration's Education Savings Account wins and the launch of National School Choice Week.

RICHMOND RECKONING: Virginia Delegate Tom Garrett exposes the Democrats' mid-decade redistricting shenanigans and their vote for a massive legislative pay raise.

MEDIA MELTDOWN: Rumors swirl that Jeff Bezos is considering slashing the foreign desk and shuttering the sports section at the Washington Post.

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
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Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC

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Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company

Episode: Monday, January 26, 2026 / 8 AM Hour
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.