Valley 101

When you think of scary places, a spooky oak tree or a cemetery might come to mind. But is Arizona a haunted state? The summer heat might be terrifying but there are actually plenty of ghosts haunting the desert. This week on Valley 101 we sit down with Debe Branning, a ghost hunter and the director of the MVD Ghostchasers, as well as Eddie Fontanez, a reporter at the Arizona Republic who loves an...

For people looking to go beyond the brews, Four Peaks Brewery's 8th Street Pub in Tempe offers another annual tradition: their Haunted Brewery Tours. The ale house is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the Valley. But is it the paranormal or just good publicity? This week on Valley 101, we sit down with the brewery's ghost expert and a supernatural professional to see if their stories...

Some of the best stories along Route 66 can be found inside its dive bars. From local legends to a bar with decades of history, these places have plenty of stories to tell. This week on Valley 101, our host, Bill Goodykoontz, takes a roadtrip to learn what Arizona's historic dive bars can teach us about their history, their people, and the stories they carry. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate Hispanic culture and identity, but it isn't always easy, especially in the current political and social climate. But what is it like to be famous and Hispanic in Arizona? On this episode of Valley 101, we discuss the challenges of navigating identity, culture, and building a successful life in Arizona. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ a...

What happens when you combine Scottsdale, youth baseball and reality TV? You get "Team Moms: Baseball", a new show from Kim Kardashian and the producers of 'Love Island USA', following families at an elite baseball academy in Scottsdale. On this episode of Valley 101, we look at why Arizona is just now becoming a reality TV destination and how the show might have an effect on youth sports. Submit...

Fall officially arrives at the end of September, but in Arizona, it doesn't feel that way. So when does fall actually start in the valley?  This week on Valley 101, we look at when Arizonans can finally expect cooler weather, and why it may be taking its time to get here. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

The Michelin guide has finally come to Arizona. And not a single Arizonan restaurant received a star. Though many still appeared in the guide, a few even received their own special awards, but no stars. Why? This week on Valley 101, we look into what it takes to get a Michelin star and why none of Arizona's restaurants received one. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Fo...

To survive an Arizona summer, most Arizonans escape the head by taking a vacation, staying inside or cooling off in a pool. These days, having a pool at home can feel like a necessity, but it wasn't always that way. This week on Valley 101, we learn about the increase of pools in Arizona homes and find out why it has went from a luxury to a must have. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠&nbs...

Dead bodies are among the many things being revealed as Lake Mead's water levels continue to drop.   So why are bodies being found in Lake Mead? And how many are connected to crimes?   This week on Valley 101, we explore the stories behind the bodies, what the dropping water levels mean for Arizona and what the lake could reveal next. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about...

If you have been to Arizona, chances are you’ve had a javelina encounter, maybe crossing the street or even hanging out in a backyard. They look a little like pigs, seem to be everywhere and have become an unmistakable part of Arizona life. But what exactly are javelinas, and why are there so many of them here?  This week on Valley 101, we get to know one of Arizona’s most recognizable — and...

Salad and Go was founded in Gilbert in 2013 and quickly became a go-to spot for quick, affordable salads. On Aug. 4, 2026, the chain announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing all of its Arizona and Nevada locations. But what happened? On this week's episode of Valley 101, we look at what led to the closures and what the future could hold for those stores. Submit your question⁠⁠...

There is one thing most Arizonans can agree on, we need a beach. While it’s a borderline impossible thought, we are fortunately able to head down to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico, nicknamed “Arizona’s beach." On this week’s episode of Valley 101, we take a walk down the shore and answer the question: How did Puerto Peñasco become Arizona’s beach? Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ...

Most people know Papago Park for the hole in the wall, or the famous Phoenix Zoo, but overlooking it all, on top of a hill, is one of the strangest landmarks in Arizona: a white pyramid. Many locals have no idea what it is — or what's in it. On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we look into the history behind the mysterious pyramid and learn wh...

Sometimes, you can instantly tell where a person is from by the way they speak. A southern drawl or a California vocal fry can give someone away. If you're around it all the time, you might not even hear that you yourself have a distinct speech pattern. So when the idea of an "Arizona accent" was floating around social media, we had to find out. This week on Valley 101, we answer the question...

Election season is about to heat up in Arizona, and everywhere else in the country. If your mailbox isn't clogged with campaign mailers already, count yourself among the lucky ones. Arizona is now a battleground state. That means more media scrutiny and more nasty campaign commercials, which is a real disappointment to those of us who enjoy turning off our brains on Sunday afternoons in the fall t...

Just off the corner of Camelback Road and Central Avenue is an old-school deli that's been there for almost 100 years. Cheese 'n Stuff first opened its doors in 1949 — less than 40 years after Arizona gained statehood — and has been feeding the Uptown Phoenix neighborhood ever since. This week we answer the question: is Cheese 'n Stuff really Uptown Phoenix's favorite sandwich? Co-owner Julie Palm...

Arizona summers are known for their crazy high temperatures.  The heat can make you want to stay inside, but where’s the summer fun when you’re trapped indoors?  On this week’s episode of Valley 101, we talk with The Arizona Republic’s newsroom crew to find out how they like to continue to have fun even through the drastically hot summers. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix!...

LGBTQ+ rights have changed significantly over time, but progress has not always been a straight line. Something that helps the community is living in a place that is LGBTQ+ friendly. But what does it mean to be LGBTQ+ friendly? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore whether Phoenix is LGBTQ+ friendly, the progress the city has made, an...

In Arizona, 78 degrees can feel perfect in the winter and surprisingly cool in the summer. So why does the same temperature feel so different depending on the season? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the science behind the air that thermostats blow into our homes and how our bodies adapt to the raging and changing temperatures th...

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.  It’s history is often associated with the South, but what was Arizona like when Juneteenth happened? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the significance of Juneteenth in Arizona, how it has been celebrated over the years, and why the holiday remains important today. ...

To a lot of people, most refer to this time as summer. Arizonans though, think of it as another season: wildfire season. The past year in Arizona has been very dry, and with little rainfall, we could have some extremely serious wildfires this season. On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talk with The Republic’s climate reporter, Joan Meiners...

Usually an Arizona summer means a season of monsoons, but the last few summers have been very hot and dry with less and less rainfall. Are monsoons still a thing in Arizona?    On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we learn about why there has been a lack of monsoons in Arizona, and what our summer could look like this year. Submit your question...

It's no surprise that in Arizona, it's getting hot, and what better way to cool off then to take a trip to the lake? But what lakes are safe to swim in? On this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out why algae and water clarity is important when deciding what lakes to dip into this summer. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoe...

There’s a lot of things to be cautious about in Arizona; the sun, the monsoons, the snakes, oh and did we mention Valley Fever? But what exactly is Valley Fever, how do you catch it and what happens if you do? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dive into the strange fungal infection that you might have already had and didn’t even know it....

In Papago Park, the rocks look almost out of this world, adding charm to one of Phoenix’s most iconic landscapes. On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore how those rock formations developed their unique look. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Fo...