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. This show is hosted by Bill Goodykootz and produced by Amanda Luberto.

News
History
326
Lovebirds in Arizona: How did they get here? Ar...
A feral population of lovebirds have created a new home in metro Phoenix. Listen to Valley 101 podcast to learn how.
9 min
327
Why can't planes fly when it's too hot in Phoen...
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport first grounded flights in 1990 because of extreme heat. But why exactly?
12 min
328
Who are some celebrities from Arizona?
21 min
329
What’s it like to be an adult with autism in me...
21 min
330
Happy New Year from Valley 101 (but we're off t...
A look back at the year with Valley 101. We'll be back in 2020 with new episodes.
2 min
331
Copper, cattle and climate: Why are these inclu...
21 min
332
In 'Wallace and Ladmo,' Phoenix had one of the ...
Why was the TV show such a hit?
21 min
333
How did Phoenix get controversial giant pots as...
The public art project Wall Cycle to Ocotillo created controversy in Phoenix in the 1990s. Listen to Valley 101 podcast to learn why.
16 min
334
Where do real Christmas trees in Arizona come f...
Are there Christmas tree farms here? Should we feel guilty about cutting down trees?
19 min
335
What's the cake-shaped castle by Loop 202 freeway?
20 min
336
Why is cotton one of Arizona's 5 Cs?
The significance of the cash crop can be traced back to World War I.
15 min
337
Why is citrus one of the 5 Cs of Arizona? What ...
The 5 C’s were a way to highlight the industries that created Arizona’s economy. Listen to Valley 101 to learn how this impacted the state.
13 min
338
Six common light rail questions answered
Why'd we get a light rail? Was it financially smart? Does it bring crime?
25 min
339
What are the most haunted places in Phoenix?
Ghost hunting with a paranormal investigator
16 min
340
Why are there antique dolls in the basement of ...
The dolls weren't there when the building opened up in 1947. So how did they get there?
17 min
341
Who is Winnie Ruth Judd, Phoenix's infamous mur...
Explore the murder that put Phoenix on the map in the 1930's and learn how Winnie Ruth Judd escaped so many times from the state hospital.
20 min
342
Does Phoenix have a startup scene like Silicon ...
Some call Phoenix the "Silicon Desert."
18 min
343
What's that dome-shaped church always under con...
Plus, why is the church leader, Naasón Joaquín García, facing felony sex-abuse charges in California?
29 min
344
What was life like for Japanese Americans in Ar...
In part two of our exploration of this chapter in history, we'll look at post-war life for Japanese Americans.
31 min
345
What was life like in the Japanese-American inc...
To find out what life was like in Arizona's incarceration camps, we talked to someone who grew up in one.
33 min
346
How have Latinos shaped Phoenix? Exploring Ariz...
Three short stories that illustrate Latinos' impact in the Valley
21 min
347
Exploring Phoenix sports fandom: Which team do ...
Cardinals, Coyotes, Diamondbacks – oh my!
20 min
348
Is Phoenix's air quality bad? How does it affec...
How pollution in Phoenix is evaluated, plus how it's changed over time.
20 min
349
Are palm trees native to Arizona? Why does Phoe...
12 min
350
Javelina in Arizona: Are they pigs? Are they da...
Did you know some people hunt and eat javelinas?
14 min