Valley 101

Most of us have seen parts of Arizona. Some of us have even seen most of Arizona. But Joan? Joan has seen all of Arizona top to bottom. In 2025, the Arizona Republic's climate reporter rode her bike along the Arizona Trail, spanning the whole state North to South, observing and documenting how climate is impacting the state. This week on Valley 101, Joan shares the story of her trip, what she lear...

Phoenix is constantly expanding. It seems like there's a new construction project popping up every day, and it looks like that's not about to change in 2026. To kick off the new year, Valley 101 explores what's to come with the help of the development reporter for the Arizona Republic, Corina Vanek. Find out what projects she's keeping an eye on and if the classic company town will be resurrected...

It's that time of year when every state kicks off the new year with its own "ball" drop. North Carolina has the pickle drop. Florida has the shrimp drop. Arizona is no different. The pinecone drop has been an annual tradition in Flagstaff since 1999, but why a pinecone? Valley 101 investigates this unique tradition with the help of its founder, Sam Green. Find out why the pinecone is the staple of...

For most of the country, Christmas time means snow. And it took host Bill Goodykoontz a while to adjust to a warm holiday season. But then Corona came along. And not how you're thinking. This week, we wish you a happy holidays and share a special memory that helped Bill grow accustomed to his new winter weather. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

The struggle to park in any busy city can bring stress to commuters and visitors alike. Downtown Phoenix is no different. We've heard the same thing from Phoenicians all the time: There are no parking spots in downtown. This week, Valley 101 explores whether that is true with the help of city representatives and an urban planning expert. Find out why there seem to be fewer and fewer spots and how...

Arizona Highways has chosen its Best Picture of 2025, and surprise, it isn't of the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley - although one of those panoramas did place. This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz is taking on a podcasting challenge: use audio to describe a photo. Bill talks to Arizona Highway's photo editor and the big winner about the uniqueness of the photo and the patience it took t...

It might surprise you to know that a good amount of movies have been filmed in Arizona over the decades. And more than just westerns! But what is the "best" movie? That is subjective: a movie you love, someone else might hate and vice versa. So we called in for backup. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, we're joined by a former critic and current communications mana...

It's Thanksgiving week, and Arizonans have food on their mind. Stores are starting to sell out of food. It's the last rush before the big meal. Something that people like to talk about during this season is food rankings. One of the biggest food debates is: What is the best Thanksgiving side? This week on Valley 101, we dive into the rankings with the help of Arizona Republic's dining and food rep...

Love it or hate it, Christmas music has started playing on radio stations and in grocery stores. Beth McDonald hosts "Beth and Friends" on KEZ 99.9 FM. She's been playing Christmas music for 41 years. In the past, she would start after Thanksgiving. This year, she started music on November 5. This week on Valley 101, we explore why Arizonans are asking Beth McDonald to kick off Christmas music ear...

November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month. According to the Department of the Interior, it's a time to recognize the contributions that indigenous communities have made to the United States. One Valley 101 listener had the question: What's the best Native American restaurant in the Valley? A quarter of Arizona is designated tribal land, and there are many different Native A...

Recently, two Arizona bars made it on USA Today's 29 best bar list: Carry On and Gracie's Tax Bar. These bars couldn't be more different. One is a highly themed, cocktail experience. The other is a friendly dive bar in a former tax office. However, both these bars shine bright, nonetheless. This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to Arizona Republic dining reporters about what makes t...

You might know what it's like to walk through a haunted house. It's exhilarating, scary and just a little bit annoying. But what is it like on the other side? This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to two people who know what it's like to be behind the scenes scaring people at the 13th Floor Haunted House. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠...

You might've heard screeching outside after the rain this year. Don't fear, it's just the Sonoran Desert Toad. This toad appears during the monsoon season to reproduce. More importantly, this amphibian has a special ability. They're psychedelic! In this week's episode of Valley 101, experts join producer Madison Knutson to explore the danger and importance of this Arizona amphibian. Submit your qu...

This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to one of the few people who can say Dwayne Johnson has played them in a biopic, extreme fighter Mark Kerr. We explore what it's like to have a superstar depict your life, the hardships of having your worst qualities displayed on the silver screen and what Kerr's time as a roadie for bands like The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi was like. Submit yo...

If you find yourself thinking, "This summer wasn't that bad," you're not alone. The Valley 101 crew feels the same way But are our senses tricking us into thinking triple digits aren't that bad? ' This week, Producer Amanda Luberto sets the record straight with the help of a state climate expert and some definitive data. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠,⁠...

State fairs across the country are often known for being places full of large, fried, and trendy foods. Arizona is no different. This week, host Bill Goodykoontz and The Arizona Republic dining team explore the trendiest foods of the Arizona State Fair, including lots of hot honey and Dubai chocolate. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I...

A story from U.S. News & World Report crossed the desk of our host Bill Goodykoontz this week that crowned the chihuahua as the most popular dog in Arizona, but why is that doggie the favorite of the Grand Canyon State? And why does Bill Goodykoontz seem to dislike cats so much? Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and...

It’s coming up on fall! A time where America seems to be jumping up in joy, donning their cardigans and proclaiming their love for leaves, apple cider and, of course, pumpkin everything. Arizona is no different … at least in spirit. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Ro...

The weather is triple digits, it's dry as a bone and the city landscape is overrun with strip malls. Yet, Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the nation and the population is growing fast. So why are people moving here and more importantly, why do they stay? This week on Valley 101, we ask an advocate and someone who returned why the Valley of the Sun has people falling in love with it every day....

Football season is finally back and the ASU Sun Devils are expected to deliver on their high expectations. At least according to Tim Healey, the longtime announcer of the Sun Devils football, basketball and baseball teams. He's called ASU football for 38 years, 10 on TV, 28 on the radio. So he'd know. This week on Valley 101 we answer the question: What's it like to call Arizona State football gam...

Everyone has their own definition of the well-worn phrase "comfort food." Pizza, burgers, whatever it is that takes your mind off stress and helps you chill out qualifies. How about fried chicken? This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we spoke with the winner of our fried chicken poll, the co-owner of CC's on Central about what makes good fried chicken and h...

Something Arizonans hear a lot is that we're running out of water. While the state has enough water to not induce complete panic yet, conservation methods are being put into place and Arizona's long-term water supply is being considered more often by policymakers. But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana? It's becoming a major indus...

The rumors might be true... the desert heat is hot– maybe even hot enough to cook your breakfast. Just ask the town of Oatman, Arizona, where the annual egg fry competition has become a long-standing tradition. If anyone can confirm the myth, it's the participants. But as it turns out– there is always more to the story. In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and az...

Arizona has a different kind of beauty. Those craggy rocks and scrubby little bushes start to look better, if you look in the right places. If you don’t like the terrain or the view in the part of Arizona you’re in, you can just hop in your car and drive for an hour or two and find something extremely different. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, host Bill Goodykoon...

The fires burning at the Grand Canyon are now the the fifth-largest blaze at a national park in recent history. It's destroyed the historic lodge and has spanned nearly 17,000 acres of forest. The destruction has Shelby reminiscing and reflecting on what being from Arizona means to her. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, Republic editor Shelby Slade shares a persona...