In the 8 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Bethany Mandel discussed:
CARTEL VIOLENCE: Violent clashes erupt in western Mexico after cartel leader "El Mencho" is killed, trapping American tourists in Puerto Vallarta.
TOURISM SLUMP: The New York Times is mocked for a piece claiming U.S. tourism is declining due to "ICE violence" and border scrutiny.
RICHMOND INSANITY: Virginia State Delegate Tom Garrett joins to discuss Democratic priorities in the General Assembly, including marijuana legalization.
SOTU RESPONSE: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is selected to deliver the official Democratic response to the State of the Union address.

Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible and Spotify
Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC
Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor
Instagram: WMALDC
Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company

Episode: Monday, February 23, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O&rsquo;Connor and Bethany Mandel discussed:
<ul>
<li>CARTEL VIOLENCE: Violent clashes erupt in western Mexico after cartel leader "El Mencho" is killed, trapping American tourists in Puerto Vallarta.</li>
<li>TOURISM SLUMP: The New York Times is mocked for a piece claiming U.S. tourism is declining due to "ICE violence" and border scrutiny.</li>
<li>RICHMOND INSANITY: Virginia State Delegate Tom Garrett joins to discuss Democratic priorities in the General Assembly, including marijuana legalization.</li>
<li>SOTU RESPONSE: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is selected to deliver the official Democratic response to the State of the Union address.</li>
</ul>
Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:
<ul>
<li>Follow Podcasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oconnor-company/id1061727141">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/OConnor-Company-Podcast/B08JJM9GJQ">Audible</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0GdK5LslF4wJCd4VQoRFd0">Spotify</a></li>
<li>Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: <a href="https://x.com/WMALDC">@WMALDC</a>, <a href="https://x.com/LarryOConnor">@LarryOConnor</a>, <a href="https://x.com/JGunlock">@JGunlock</a>, <a href="https://x.com/PatricePinkfile">@PatricePinkfile</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/HeatherHunterDC">@HeatherHunterDC</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LarryOConnor/">Larry O'Connor</a></li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wmaldc/">WMALDC</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/">WMAL.com/OConnor-Company</a></li>
</ul>
Episode: Monday, February 23, 2026 / 8 AM Hour

Enjoy O'Connor & Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

Enjoy O'Connor &amp; Company from the nation's capital! Heard weekdays from 5am to 9am on WMAL in Washington, D.C.

O'Connor & Company

"O'Connor & Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at WMAL.com, on the WMAL App or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC

Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany

"O'Connor &amp; Company" is Washington, D.C.'s popular morning-drive news-talk radio show on WMAL hosted by LARRY O'CONNOR with co-hosts JULIE GUNLOCK, PATRICE ONWUKA and executive producer HEATHER HUNTER. O’Connor and his team cover all of the top national and local news of the day, including interviews with top newsmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country. The show airs weekdays in the Washington, D.C. area (DC, VA, MD, WV) from 5-9 AM EST on 105.9 FM, online at <a href="http://www.wmal.com">WMAL.com</a>, on the <a href="https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/">WMAL App</a> or on your Amazon Alexa. To join the conversation, check us out on Twitter check us out on Twitter @LarryOConnor @JGunlock @PatricePinkFile @HeatherHunterDC @WMALDC<a href="https://www.cornerstonefirst.com/"></a>
Follow Larry on Apple Podcasts: <a href="http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany">http://apple.co/oconnorandcompany</a>