Valley 101

Pretty much everyone can tell you their favorite spot around town to dine. Sometimes it's the newer classics like First & Last or Valentine. Sometimes it's standard Valley must-haves like Chuck Box for a burger or Long Wong's for wings. While you can take a suggestion from just about anyone why not ask the experts. When Arizona's best chefs step away from the oven, stove or grill, where do they like to dine? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we sit down with the Republic's dining and nightlife reporter Bahar Anooshahr about her new series Chef's Night Out. ⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Bahar Anooshahr⁠ Producers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It gets hot in the Valley. Perhaps you've noticed. But no matter how hot it gets, even on a 118-degree day in the middle of August, someone is going to be out jogging. You can count on it. But if they end up on the mountain, and they end up not being able to bare the heat, what should be done about it? In this week's episode of Valley 101, we talked with Caitlin McGlade, a reporter for The Arizona Republic who wrote about trail closures, and Rob McDade, the public information officer for the Phoenix Fire Department, about the pros and cons of closing down the mountain trails in the summer. Submit your question⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠X,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠. Guest: ⁠Caitlin McGlade, Rob McDade Host: ⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠ Producers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Windows-open season is about done. Now it's all on the mighty air conditioner, the reason we can all make it through another desert summer. But something about air conditioning units in Phoenix is a little different than the rest of the country. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and ⁠⁠azcentral.com⁠⁠, we answer the question: Why do homes in Phoenix have air conditioning units on the roof? ⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠X,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠. Guests: Joe Granado Producers: ⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto, ⁠Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flagstaff makes it easier to see the stars and explore the galaxies. It has also set the standard for how we should care and protect our night skies. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and ⁠azcentral.com⁠, we answer the question: How did Flagstaff become the world's first international dark sky city? ⁠Submit your question⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠X,⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Tik Tok⁠. Guests: Christian Luginbuhl, Josh Coddington Producer, Host: ⁠ Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Among the known laws like following the speed limit or no drinking in public places, Arizona also has a bunch of wacky laws. Some are particular to Arizona like laws against saguaros and some are just...odd. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Bill Goodykoontz is joined by Stephanie Innes to go over the 8 weirdest laws on Arizona's books. Submit your question⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠The Watchlist⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠X,⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Tik Tok⁠. Guest: Stephanie Innes Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠ Producers: ⁠Abby Bessinger⁠, ⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 2, 2025 marked Bill's 35th year at The Arizona Republic. That's a long time to do anything, much less work at the same media company. So much has changed in those 35 years, in media, in Arizona and in his own life, it seemed like a good time to sit back and take stock for a moment. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, he sits down with producer Amanda Luberto to share what's changed in 35 years at the Republic. Submit your question⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠The Watchlist⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠X,⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Tik Tok⁠. Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠ Producer: ⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Continuously, Arizona drivers are ranked among the worst in the nation. Just last year, a Forbes study using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau ranked Phoenix and Tucson in the top 10 cities with the worst drivers. So why are the roads in Arizona particularly dangerous, and what is being done about it? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we are joined by Sgt. Eric Andrews, an officer at the Department of Public Safety, to discuss driver safety in Phoenix, explain what AZ DPS is doing to help people on the road and tips for ensuring the safest ride. Also, Arizona Republic staff share some of their craziest driving stories. Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guests: Sgt. Eric Andrews Host, Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few people know the power of local TV more than Mary Jo West. She was a Phoenix news anchor for years, which of course cemented a place for her in the Valley's consciousness. She was the Valley's first woman news anchor, co-anchoring with Phoenix legend Bill Close — who was not thrilled about having her around. She battled sexual harassment, depression and more. But West is far more than all of that. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: What was it really like for the first female news anchor in Phoenix? Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guests: Mary Jo West Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producers: Amanda Luberto, Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walter Cronkite, the longtime anchor of the "CBS Evening News," was often called "the most trusted man in America" and he probably was, certainly in terms of media figures. Arizonans might be familiar with the ASU journalism school: The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. But Cronkite, a graduate of the University of Texas, has no ties to Arizona. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: Why is the ASU journalism school named after Walter Cronkite? Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guests: Doug Anderson and Leonard Downie Jr. Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producers: Abby Bessinger, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wallace and Ladmo was a television show unique to Arizona. Yes, it was technically a kids show. But not like any other kids show you have seen. It was funny. Not cute funny. But really funny. And it is an important part of Arizona history. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, using never before heard interviews, we answer the question: Why is Wallace and Ladmo so important to Arizona? Submit your question about Phoenix! Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guests: Pat McMahon, Bill Thompson, Ladimir Kwiatkowski Guest host: Richard Ruelas Producers: Amanda Luberto, Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of things make a city cool: great bookstores, a thriving food scene, good local music, that kind of thing. But a film festival really puts it over the top. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: How has the Phoenix Film Festival stuck around for 25 years? And how has it changed? Submit your question about Phoenix! Subscribe to The Watchlist, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Jason Carney, the CEO and executive director of the Phoenix Film Festival Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producers: Abby Bessinger, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is not a secret that Arizona averages more than 300 sunny days per year. It is part of the reason why people move here in the first place. Yes it's hot -- like really hot -- but there are no tornados, hurricanes and most importantly, snow. (for the most part) But that's not the only reason why Arizona has become a hot spot of future pilots. And it's long history with aviation goes beyond the current rise. The state had the first international airport of the Americas dating all the way back to 1928. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we tried to answer the question: Why is flight school so popular in Arizona? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Climate has always been a big deal in Arizona. In a good way, once upon a time, not in a record-heat kind of way. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: Can people still move to Arizona for the climate and clean air? More importantly, should they? We spoke with a couple of people who know a lot about climate, and climate change: Joan Meiners, a reporter for The Arizona Republic who wrote an excellent story about climate and its role among the five C's; and Amber Sullins, chief meteorologist at ABC 15 in Phoenix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The days of cheap seats with a beer and a hot dog in the grass beyond the outfield at a spring training game are long gone. The cheap seats at least, the beer and a hot dog are still there. But now they've been supplemented by a manner of gourmet options. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talk about the most iconic spring training foods. We spoke with the Arizona Diamondbacks radio announcers Chris Garagiola and the recently retired Greg Schulte, and Teresa Strasser, who wrote “Making It Home: Life Lessons from a Season of Little League." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's an easy one-liner to say there are places in the desert that make you feel like you're on Mars, but the bright red rocks and unique formations in Sedona do feel like you're on another planet. In the last few decades, Sedona has gotten attention from visitors as one of the premiere places to go for spiritual healing. The new age movement brought flocks of people to its buttes, canyons and trails. This is because of its four famed vortexes. But what even are they and does Sedona really have them? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we explore the world of vortexes, if Sedona's claim to fame is real and how it's all impacted longtime Arizona travel writer Roger Naylor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pronunciation of "Casa Grande," an Arizona city, has sparked popular debate. Some pronounce it with a distinct "e" sound at the end ("Casa Grande"), while other drop the "e" and say "Casa grand." This week on Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we talk with former 12 News anchor Vanessa Ruiz and artist and co-owner of True West magazine Bob Boze Bell discuss the correct pronunciation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like the rest of the county, the 1950s in Arizona were a deeply divided time. Education, housing and public places like hotels and restaurants everywhere were segregated by race. It might not be the first place people think of when it comes to the civil rights movement, but Arizona had key leaders that drew that attention of national voices like Martin Luther King Jr. Most work was all being done in the Valley. Up north, a recent graduate of the teaching college at Northern Arizona University would change life for Black residents of Flagstaff forever. Annie Watkins discovered that ballots from Black voters were being thrown away so she turned her education skills into a different sort of teaching. And this was just the beginning of her legacy. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, we share the life and legacy of Annie Watkins, from her time in Louisiana to an exhibit honoring her strides in integrating Flagstaff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not as dumb of a question as you might think it is. Once you may have looked out your window and saw the strangest thing. White flakes, falling from the sky! What on earth could this be? If you've lived in metro Phoenix all your life this may take a little explanation. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we spoke with Tom Frieders, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, who answers the question, can it snow in Phoenix? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not only does the water of the SRP canals help people live in the desert, but it also employs a very important contributor to the community: the white amur fish. Now, you might not immediately think of fish as being important to living in the desert, but this specific kind of grass carp plays a key role in ensuring the water flows smoothly throughout the canals. Since the canals are surrounded by a major metropolitan area, they tend to end up with some blown-in debris and garbage from city life. This led one of our listeners to ask if it's safe for the fish to be in the canals, and who takes care of the trash that finds its way into them. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we hear from a senior environmental scientist from SRP who explains the important job the white amur fish does for metro Phoenix. Click here for the map of the canal dry-up schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've ever stopped at an airport convenience shop or gassed up at a truck stop or shopped at a gag-gift store, you've seen them: scorpion lollipops. While they definitely fall into the category of curious novelty, they're also a big business, especially in Arizona. A lot of them are sold in the state, almost certainly more than you would think. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we spoke with Larry Peterman, the founder of the fantastically named Hotlix, a California candy company that makes them, and Reia Li, who wrote a story about the suckers in The Arizona Republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metro Phoenix is a vastly underrated dining oasis, with plenty of good food, from fine dining to fine burger joints. Each year, the Arizona Republic releases a list of 100 essential restaurants in the Valley. And by "essential" we don't mean just the places that taste the best, though of course with food taste is pretty essential. These are places that taste good and are also important to the community. But what does "essential" mean to one of the biggest advocates for Phoenix's dining scene? And how does a restaurant get on the list in the first place? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talked with iconic Phoenix restauranteur Chris Bianco, who has two restaurants on the list, and with Felicia Campbell, the Republic's food, dining and nightlife editor, who helped answer the question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new year is upon us, which means all kinds of resolutions and predictions. But maybe most importantly people look ahead. Some people make predictions. Some people make New Year's Resolutions. And us? We're talking to some folks who are in the know about what we can expect in 2025. This week on Vallyey 101, we talk about what big developments are coming to metro Phoenix in travel, dining, sports and Broadway Curve construction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are out this week but we hope you're having a safe and festive holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A titan in Arizona arts turned 60 this year. Locals might know it as the "pink birthday cake," but everyone knows it as ASU Gammage. Opened in 1964, Gammage is the only public building Frank Lloyd Wright made in Arizona. In partnership with his good friend and president of Arizona State University at the time, Grady Gammage, the renowned architect took plans originally for an opera house in Baghdad to create the university's performing arts space. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we sit down with the executive director of ASU Gammage Colleen Jennings-Roggensack to talk about the history of the theater and the magic it has kept for 60 years. She tells Valley 101 inside stories about working with NASA engineers to innovate the theater, her admiration for Wright's dedication to the desert and how she brought Gammage into the modern day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In New York, you've got the big tree at the Rockefeller Center looming over the ice rink. In the small town where I grew up in the mountains of Virginia, there is a parade the whole town comes out for. And in Arizona, you've got tamales. The Mexican dish is a staple of Christmas time in our border state. But how did they become so connected to the holidays and why do they matter so much? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, I talked to a couple of people who know their tamales. One is Brenda Mercado Valdez, the owner of Fire and Braids and the winner of the La Voz Top Tamale contest. The other is Paula Soria, the La Voz reporter who wrote about the contest — and who, like Brenda, has a family history with tamales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tempe Town Lake is a project whose development no one would call perfect, but one that most people seem pretty happy about how it turned out. The lake celebrated its 25th anniversary recently. It's one of those things that seems like it can't have been that long ago, and yet it seems like it's always been there. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talked to a couple of people who were instrumental in getting the lake project done. Neil Giuliano was mayor of Tempe when it finally happened, and Diana Kaminski played all kinds of roles in the project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chances are I watch more movies in theaters than you do. And like people who live in the Valley, or anywhere else they have theaters, I love Harkins Theatres popcorn the most. I found a couple of people who know a lot about the subject to answer this week's question — or questions, really: What makes Harkins popcorn so good? And why are people obsessed with it? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, I spoke with Dan Harkins, who owns Harkins Theatres and whose mother created the recipe, and Stephen Jackson, a huge movie fan and a popcorn expert. It was a fun talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holidays are all about traditions. Sort of. They're also about whatever person or event you're celebrating. Beyond watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and then eating too much turkey and falling asleep during football games, what else is there? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Betsy LaVoie from the Fountain Hills Thanksgiving parade, Alan Collier from the Mesa Turkey Trot and Kent Somers reporter of the Territorial Cup, the football rivalry game between Arizona State University and the University of Arizona discuss thanksgiving traditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've probably heard the jokes — being a meteorologist for a Phoenix TV news station must be the easiest job in the world. Today it's hot, tomorrow it's hotter, that kind of thing. And while there is some truth to the joke (Arizona doesn't exactly have a lot of wintery weather), the last few summers have changed things. The last two summers have been the hottest on record in Phoenix. That's changed the minds of many climate-change deniers and changed the jobs of meteorologists. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we spoke with Sean McLaughlin, meteorologist at Arizona's Family stations, and Amber Sullins, chief meteorologist for ABC 15. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Scorpio season. Yes, the zodiac sign. So what better way to honor this water sign than by learning about the historic creatures that share its name. With more than 50 known species in the Valley — including the giant desert hairy and the Arizona bark scorpion — these eight-legged creatures are far more noticeable than you might think, especially under a blacklight. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Ectotherms keepers Luke Starkweather and Kevin Vogt share everything you need to know about Arizona's native scorpions, from myth-busting to fascinating facts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For a long time, Arizona was not always in the political spotlight — or if it was, it was for controversies like former Gov. Evan Mecham, who was impeached and removed from office, or SB 1070, the legislation that made being in the country illegally a state crime, and made it illegal to fail to carry immigration papers, among other things. How things have changed. Now Arizona's a swing state; presidential candidates visit as often as kids visit the desert bar at an all-you-can-eat buffet. But some of those rough edges Stewart called out remain; the state is also ground zero for election denialism and conspiracy theories. Someone has to shine that spotlight, and it's the journalists from around the country who flock to the state, providing coverage like never before. TV, newspapers, magazines — everyone's getting in on it. So why is the national media obsessed with Arizona? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out. We spoke with George Packer, a reporter for The Atlantic magazine who wrote an epic story about Arizona; Vaughn Hillyard, a reporter for NBC News who grew up in Arizona; and Jack Healy, a New York Times reporter based in the state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dia de los Muertos is a popular holiday in Arizona, and really everywhere, but also one that many of the people who celebrate it may not know much about. And while there my be no technically wrong way to celebrate, there is definitely a right way. So how do you celebrate Dia de los Muertos respectfully? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out. I spoke with Mathew Sandoval, an Arizona State University professor and an expert on the holiday, as well as Tiffany Acosta, a Republic reporter who has written about it a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everybody loves a ghost story, but do they love ghosts? The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona's most haunted hotel, has been captivating visitors since 1902 with its ghoulish activities and eerie tales. In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Bill Goodykoontz dives into its ghostly history by answering the question is the Copper Queen Hotel really haunted? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Cardinals notoriously known for their ups and downs have faced their share of challenges over the years. However, with the right strategies, talent, and teamwork the Cardinals may see a new fate. In this week's episode of Valley 101 a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Host Bill Goodykoontz discusses the historic nature of this NFL team and the prospects for its future ahead with Bob McManaman, a columnist for The Arizona Republic and Theo Mackie, Cardinals reporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in nearly three decades, Arizona is not gearing up for hockey season. At the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Arizona Coyotes announced their relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah, ending professional hockey in the state.  This wasn't the first time the Coyotes had dealt with ownership instability or rumors of relocation. The team has been riddled with complications since they arrived in 1997. So why was this the time that it actually happened? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we sit down Craig Morgan, a senior writer for PHNX Sports and All City Network, who broke the story of the Coyotes' relocating to Utah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many debates arise over the topic of Mexican Food. Tacos or Burritos? Corn or flour tortillas? and when it comes to authenticity which city reigns supreme, Phoenix or Tucson? But with Mexican cuisine representing a large portion of Arizona's food scene, which city takes first place? In this week's episode of Valley 101 a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we discuss this culinary showdown and you can get the best mexican food near you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over 100 years ago, North Phoenix's main road, Bethany Home Road was just a small path that served a specific community. Bethany Home sanitarium was considered a safe haven helping those with tuberculosis. Although, the sanatarium did get renamed a few years later its legacy lives on today. In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we discuss the history of Bethany Home Road, and why history should always be documented. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before it was left empty, this state-of-the-art building was home for two seasons of horse racing. The Phoenix Trotting Park was expertly designed and opened in 1965. Attendees filled the beautiful grandstand to watch trotting style racing, but not for very long. Today, we bring you the history of Goodyear, Arizona's Trotting Horse Park. This vibrant hotspot was the talk of the town in 1965, and while its run was short lived, its legacy still gallops through time. Saddle up for this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, as we dive back into the history of Arizona's Trotting Horse Park with East Valley Reporter Martiza Dominguez and Producer Amanda Luberto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a record year in Phoenix when it comes to the heat. But it's always been hot here: Phoenix is considered to be the nation's hottest city — but even now the early mornings and late nights cannot always guarantee a break from high temperatures. Yet despite it all, Arizonans live their lives here. They go to work, they walk their dog, they see their friends. They survive in the heat day after day. For most, salvation comes from a jump in the pool or time spent in the air conditioning, but everyone here is influenced by the heat in their daily lives. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we sit down with three Arizona Republic reporters who worked on One Week in the Heat. Lane Sainty, Ray Stern and Daniel Gonzalez join the show to discuss what they learned talking with doctors, the elderly, the unhoused and more for a real look at what it takes to live in the Phoenix sun. Read the full One Week in the Heat project by the Arizona Republic here. Subscribe to The Arizona Republic's climate newsletter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kaely Monahan is onto a new job so we wanted to take the time to thank her and showcase her best work. The Arizona Republic podcast team hopes you have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend and we'll be back next week with a regular episode of Valley 101. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While September 22nd is the "official" end of summer, Labor Day is often marked as the unofficial end of the season. But summer is one of the most nostalgic times of the year. And there are certain activities or experiences that Arizonans try to get in every year. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, members of our newsroom wax poetic about their summer traditions and what must be done for an Arizona summer to feel complete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drive about 45 minutes southwest of the Phoenix Valley, and you will reach an expanse of the Sonoran desert with a long, rich history. The Gila River runs through this area, which was once lush with flora and fauna. Now, with the river dammed up, the water doesn't always flow. Nonetheless, the region is still home to an abundance of people, wildlife and historical treasures. These three aspects are what locals, archaeologists, and biologists hope to preserve as a national monument. The Great Bend of the Gila, as the monument would be named, is a network of braided rivulets. These streams join into the Gila River, which cuts through prehistoric lava fields and flows past nearby mountain ranges before joining the Colorado River near the Sea of Cortez. Respect Great Bend of the Gila is the campaign pushing President Joe Biden to sign this area into national monument status. The campaign includes local tribes, wildlife biologists and archeologists. The proposed monument boundaries are about 70 miles of the Gila River corridor and approximately 370,000 acres of public land. In this episode of Valley 101, we hear from representatives of each of these groups. They share the history, discoveries and importance of the Gila River region to Arizonans and the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Power grids in the United States are struggling. As temperatures increase and populations grow, so does the stress on systems that keep our electricity running. For the West, electricity is most important in the hot summer months. It keeps our cool air-conditioners pumping. Going without air conditioning for too long can be not only an annoyance, but also a major health risk, especially in states like Arizona with over 100-degree averages each summer. Arizona is drastically below the national average when it comes to grid failures. In the last 24 years, the state has only had six outages due to extreme weather. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we'll look into what makes Arizona's power grid efficient and if it is prepared to withstand rising temperatures in the future. Subscribe to The Arizona Republic's climate newsletter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President nominee JD Vance rubbed some Americans the wrong way when a clip from a 2021 interview surfaced recently. He derided some voters as "childless cat ladies" in a now infamous quote, Vance said the country is run "via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too." While the comment could be brushed off as political rhetoric, it intrigued The Republic's data reporter, Caitlin McGlade. She wondered just how many childless cat ladies reside in Arizona. Turns out, it's not a small number. In this episode of Valley 101, we go behind the data with Caitlin and discover just how big a demographic these cat ladies are and whether or not they could be a tipping point in November's election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and after digging into Arizona's prominent role in the plot to overturn the 2020 election, Republic reporters repeatedly heard questions we couldn't quite answer. What is going on in Arizona? Why does this state seem to have people willing to push the political envelope further than almost anyone else? Hosts of Rediscovering season 4, The Roots of Radicalism, join Valley 101 to discuss why extremism is the focus of their four part investigation and how radicalism became so common in the state. Listen to all episodes of Rediscovering season 4 now wherever you listen to podcasts or by going to the season's landing page on azcentral. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the world where business and film collide, many states have lucrative film tax incentives that attract big production companies to their sites. Arizona's previous tax program closed its curtains in 2010, but a new initiative, the Arizona Motion Picture Program, went into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, that reinstated film tax credits if a production meets certain criteria. Despite the absence of bigger production companies in the Valley, the community of independent filmmakers is going strong. There are many opportunities in the state to showcase one's work, including through various IFP programs and other events, like the Phoenix Film Festival. This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, explores the latest developments that have taken place behind the scenes in Arizona's film industry – and why residents won't see the immediate effects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Something Arizonans hear a lot is that we're running out of water. While the state has enough water to not induce complete panic yet, conservation methods are being put into place and Arizona's long-term water supply is being considered more often by policymakers. The state's water supply comes from three sources: surface water, reclaimed water and groundwater. These sources are then broken down into three sectors: municipal, industrial and agricultural. Municipal goes toward homes, business buildings and is mainly drinking water. Industrial helps supply things like dairy, mining and golf courses. And agriculture, using about 72% of the water allocation, is used for farming. But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talk with Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, to give us a sense of where our water is being used. Then, Jake Ritter of Aeriz, a cannabis brand, shares how their grow is using as little water as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While it may not be the state first thought of when considering Black history, Arizona has a diverse and rich history of African American stories dating back to the 1800s. Yet most of the archives, stories and icons are not being preserved or celebrated. Today, about 5% of Arizonans are Black and some community leaders and activists are working to ensure the buried history is uncovered. From academics to faith leaders, a new generation of voices are speaking up about the truth in Arizona's Black history. This week on Valley 101, Pastor Warren Stewart of the First Institutional Baptist Church, equality consultant Channel Powe, Assistant Archivist of Black Collections at ASU Jessica Salow and ethnic studies professor Anthony Pratcher II are joined together in a round table discussion on the under-acknowledgement of the state's Black history. Valley 101 is an Arizona Republic and azcentral.com podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond. Some past Valley 101 episodes about Black history and leaders in Arizona: Lincoln Ragsdale Sr revolutionized Phoenix Ayra Hackett: founder of the first Black woman-owned newspaper Phoenix's history with redlining Richard E Harris: Arizona's first Black reporter Arizona's fight for MLK Day recognition For more, please check out our archives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across the nation, Fourth of July is marked by friends and families gathering to watch firework displays – or in some cases, set off their own light shows. Under Arizona law, only some types of fireworks can be legally used and sold during certain times of the year. But some illegal fireworks still make their way into the sky, and it's sparked a debate between Valley residents on what the law should be. This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, explores firework regulations in Arizona and the differing perspectives residents hold on the devices, as well as safety tips and injury prevention. Curious about other happenings in the Valley? Check out our newsletters. Whether you're a political hound, food fanatic, or sports fan, we got the perfect letter to keep you in the loop on all things Arizona. Check it out! And remember to submit your questions about the Valley and Arizona to Valley101.azcentral.com. Your question just might be the subject of our next episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It might be hot out, but we have a cool and cute episode for all you dog-lovers. Today we revisit one of our favorite episodes from former podcast producer Taylor Seely, on how to hike safely with your dog. Now, it's probably too hot to hit the trails here in the Valley, but that just gives you the perfect excuse to hit the road and seek out cooler elevations with your pooches. Taylor Seely speaks with Bretta Nelson, a spokesperson for the Arizona Humane Society. Plus, an only-in-Arizona style story about running into a herd of cows while hiking from Valley resident Debi Palestina.  Curious about other things to do in the Valley? Check out our newsletters. Whether you're a political hound, food fanatic, or sports fan, we got the perfect letter to keep you in the loop on all things Arizona. Check it out! And remember to submit your questions about the Valley and Arizona to Valley101.azcentral.com. Your question just might be the subject of our next episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republic's podcast team is working feverishly on a brand new season of Rediscovering, our investigative podcast series. We're so close to launching as well! Since the team is deep in production, we're bringing you one of our favorite Valley 101 episodes from 2023. Producer Kaely Monahan explores some odd facts about the 48th state. We hope you enjoy it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices