In this episode of Valley 101, our producer Kaely Monahan went on a search for some holiday cheer, Phoenix style.

In this week's episode, we share the story of Fray Marcos de Niza and how Pilgrims were not the first Europeans to meet Indigenous peoples

When you think of Arizona, what comes to mind? Sprawling deserts or urban sprawl? The Grand Canyon or the mighty White Mountains? Hollywood has painted our state as a wild, uncivilized frontier filled with dangers and adventure. Rugged landscapes split by sharp mountains and dotted with scraggly brush, and the sentinel of the desert. The saguaro cactus. Found only in the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro cactus has a shallow but wide root network – snaking outwards in the hunt for water rather than burrowing deep into the earth. Its roots are often as wide as the cactus is tall creating a firm base to stabilize its towering height. The saguaro's thick, waxy, green skin helps retain water and they hold their breathe all day to make sure they don't lose moisture. They are an Arizona icon and provide essential resources for desert dwellers. In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we venture out into the desert to discover why saguaros only grow in the Sonoran Desert.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we answer why Phoenix doesn't have more water towers and search for a working one in the Valley.

Listen to this week's episode of Valley 101 to learn how Arizona became a golf destination.

The number of confirmed and probable West Nile virus cases are on the rise.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we recall the Coyotes' rocky history with Glendale and where they'll play hockey next.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we share the history of Phoenix's canal system.

Listen to this week's episode of Valley 101 to learn the history of the iconic landmark, the Diving Lady.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we find out the history of mountainside houses and how they're built.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we dive into the impact Latino farmworkers had on the development of the southwest Valley.

From strains to statues: Valley 101 covers what you need to know about marijuana in Arizona

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we're speaking with four people, all of whom represent a different generation, that were impacted directly and indirectly by the Sept. 11 attacks.

Why Phoenix was once a haven for tuberculosis patients

Summer storms bring cool weather and rain, but also floods and damage. Valley 101 searches to answer if monsoons are good or bad.

Daily cases of COVID-19 are on the rise again, in part because of the delta variant, which is more contagious than previous strains. Listen to Valley 101 for full details.

Why home builders in the Valley keep expanding outwards, instead of upwards

In this week's Valley 101, we share why Mesa utilizes its own electrical center and how that came to be.

Listen to hear from Jagger Eaton on his Olympic experience.

History shows Arizona had a thriving skateboarding community even before skateboarding really became an Olympic sport. Listen now to hear all about it.

Valley 101 looks into the existence of the Mogollon Monster, a mythical creature similar to Bigfoot that roams the woods of the Mogollon Rim in Arizona.

Listen to Valley 101's latest episode on the Aravaipa Avocado tree. There is an avocado tree that lives northeast of Tucson. How is it able to grow in Arizona?

The Phoenix Suns are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. Hear what covering the team was like back then and what the atmosphere was like.

A Mexican and Japanese food fusion is popping up thought the state. Listen to today's episode to learn how this happened.

Arizona has a rich history of LGBTQIA+ icons from the 1890s to today.