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.

News
History
176
Valley 101 explores how the Pony Express came t...
13 min
177
Start your engines: the 50th anniversary of Bar...
In this week's episode, we head down to the Barrett-Jackson auction to celebrate 50 years.
16 min
178
Arizona's grandmother of women's sports
26 min
179
'For me, it's personal': Why Mesa hosts a Marti...
In this week's episode, we are joined by Keisha McKinnor to discuss the state's history with MLK Day and why this celebration feels personal to her.
17 min
180
What's Happening With Fiesta Mall?
18 min
181
How to protect your plants during Phoenix winters
8 min
182
Happy Holidays from the Valley 101 team!
A highlight of our past holiday themed episodes
6 min
183
Holidays in the desert: The tale of Christmas, ...
In this week's episode we tell you the history of the Christmas mine and the coveted post office in its town.
13 min
184
Untraditional Holiday Food Traditions
21 min
185
What gems, rocks and minerals can you find in A...
In this week's episode, we share where you can rockhound and what you can find
10 min
186
ZooLights: Transforming from wild land to wonde...
In this episode of Valley 101, our producer Kaely Monahan went on a search for some holiday cheer, Phoenix style.
11 min
187
Before the Pilgrims, there was Fray Marcos de Niza
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
18 min
188
Why do saguaros only grow in the Sonoran Desert?
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.
24 min
189
Where are all the water towers in Phoenix?
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.
13 min
190
How Arizona became a golf destination
Listen to this week's episode of Valley 101 to learn how Arizona became a golf destination.
13 min
191
West Nile virus in Arizona
The number of confirmed and probable West Nile virus cases are on the rise.
25 min
192
Where in the world will the Arizona Coyotes pla...
In this week's episode of Valley 101, we recall the Coyotes' rocky history with Glendale and where they'll play hockey next.
20 min
193
The history of Phoenix's canal system
In this week's episode of Valley 101, we share the history of Phoenix's canal system.
15 min
194
The rise, the fall and rebirth of the 'Diving L...
Listen to this week's episode of Valley 101 to learn the history of the iconic landmark, the Diving Lady.
20 min
195
How houses can be built along Arizona's mountains
In this week's episode of Valley 101, we find out the history of mountainside houses and how they're built.
10 min
196
The history of the Latino farmworkers who helpe...
In this week's episode of Valley 101, we dive into the impact Latino farmworkers had on the development of the southwest Valley.
20 min
197
What you need to know about marijuana in Arizona
From strains to statues: Valley 101 covers what you need to know about marijuana in Arizona
31 min
198
Four generations reflect on the 20th anniversar...
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.
24 min
199
Tuberculosis remains a killer after thousands o...
Why Phoenix was once a haven for tuberculosis patients
14 min
200
What are the pros and cons of monsoon season?
Summer storms bring cool weather and rain, but also floods and damage. Valley 101 searches to answer if monsoons are good or bad.
18 min