Valley 101

Whether you're a longtime Arizona resident or a newcomer, chances are there's something you've always wondered about the Valley. From The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com comes Valley 101, a weekly podcast where our journalists find answers to your questions about metro Phoenix and beyond. From silly to serious, you tell us what to investigate. You can submit questions at valley101.azcentral.com or reach us on social media @azcentral. Amanda Luberto is the producer of this show.

Episodes

How can wine grow in Arizona's changing climate?

June 9, 2025 • 20 mins

Sonoita is one of three American Viticultural Areas in the state, and due to their higher elevation, they make excellent locations in the desert to grow wine. Unlike the greater Phoenix metro area, these parts of Arizona don't see triple-digit temperatures nearly every day in the summer and they also get a lot of rain. Arizona is home to more than 150 wineries now and small towns are dependent on them for tourism and economic boos...

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Where do Arizona's chefs like to eat?

June 2, 2025 • 15 mins

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 1...

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How hot is too hot to hike?

May 26, 2025 • 20 mins

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 c...

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Why do homes in Phoenix have air conditioning units on the roof?

May 19, 2025 • 12 mins

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...

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How did Flagstaff become the world's first international dark sky city?

May 12, 2025 • 17 mins

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...

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What are the weirdest laws in Arizona?

May 5, 2025 • 15 mins

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 questio...

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What's changed in my 35 years at The Arizona Republic?

April 28, 2025 • 18 mins

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...

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Are Phoenix drivers really the worst?

April 21, 2025 • 24 mins

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.co...

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What was it really like for the first female news anchor in Phoenix?

April 14, 2025 • 17 mins

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 p...

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Why is the ASU journalism school named after Walter Cronkite?

April 7, 2025 • 14 mins

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...

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Why is Wallace and Ladmo so important to Arizona?

March 31, 2025 • 56 mins

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? Sub...

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How has the Phoenix Film Festival stuck around for 25 years?

March 24, 2025 • 14 mins

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 ne...

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Why is flight school so popular in Arizona?

March 17, 2025 • 16 mins

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 firs...

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Do people still move to Arizona for the climate?

March 10, 2025 • 17 mins

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 ...

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What is the most iconic spring training food?

March 3, 2025 • 13 mins

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 ann...

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Does Sedona actually have vortexes?

February 24, 2025 • 12 mins

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 fam...

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How do you say Casa Grande?

February 17, 2025 • 16 mins

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 on the correct pro...

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Who was Arizona civil rights leader, Annie Watkins?

February 10, 2025 • 16 mins

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 g...

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Can it snow in Phoenix?

February 3, 2025 • 11 mins

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 W...

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Why are there fish in the canals?

January 27, 2025 • 13 mins

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 ten...

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Valley 101

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}How can wine grow in Arizona's changing climate?

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Where do Arizona's chefs like to eat?

How hot is too hot to hike?

Why do homes in Phoenix have air conditioning units on the roof?

How did Flagstaff become the world's first international dark sky city?

What are the weirdest laws in Arizona?

What's changed in my 35 years at The Arizona Republic?

Are Phoenix drivers really the worst?

What was it really like for the first female news anchor in Phoenix?

Why is the ASU journalism school named after Walter Cronkite?

Why is Wallace and Ladmo so important to Arizona?

How has the Phoenix Film Festival stuck around for 25 years?

Why is flight school so popular in Arizona?

Do people still move to Arizona for the climate?

What is the most iconic spring training food?

Does Sedona actually have vortexes?

How do you say Casa Grande?

Who was Arizona civil rights leader, Annie Watkins?

Can it snow in Phoenix?

Why are there fish in the canals?

Popular Podcasts

How can wine grow in Arizona's changing climate?

Where do Arizona's chefs like to eat?