Valley 101

You've probably heard the jokes — being a meteorologist for a Phoenix TV news station must be the easiest job in the world.

Today it's hot, tomorrow it's hotter, that kind of thing. And while there is some truth to the joke (Arizona doesn't exactly have a lot of wintery weather), the last few summers have changed things. The last two summers have been the hottest on record in Phoenix. That's changed the minds of many climate-change deniers and changed the jobs of meteorologists.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we spoke with Sean McLaughlin, meteorologist at Arizona's Family stations, and Amber Sullins, chief meteorologist for ABC 15.

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It's Scorpio season. Yes, the zodiac sign. So what better way to honor this water sign than by learning about the historic creatures that share its name.

With more than 50 known species in the Valley — including the giant desert hairy and the Arizona bark scorpion — these eight-legged creatures are far more noticeable than you might think, especially under a blacklight.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Ectotherms keepers Luke Starkweather and Kevin Vogt share everything you need to know about Arizona's native scorpions, from myth-busting to fascinating facts.

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For a long time, Arizona was not always in the political spotlight — or if it was, it was for controversies like former Gov. Evan Mecham, who was impeached and removed from office, or SB 1070, the legislation that made being in the country illegally a state crime, and made it illegal to fail to carry immigration papers, among other things.

How things have changed. Now Arizona's a swing state; presidential candidates visit as often as kids visit the desert bar at an all-you-can-eat buffet. But some of those rough edges Stewart called out remain; the state is also ground zero for election denialism and conspiracy theories.

Someone has to shine that spotlight, and it's the journalists from around the country who flock to the state, providing coverage like never before. TV, newspapers, magazines — everyone's getting in on it. So why is the national media obsessed with Arizona?

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out. We spoke with George Packer, a reporter for The Atlantic magazine who wrote an epic story about Arizona; Vaughn Hillyard, a reporter for NBC News who grew up in Arizona; and Jack Healy, a New York Times reporter based in the state.

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Dia de los Muertos is a popular holiday in Arizona, and really everywhere, but also one that many of the people who celebrate it may not know much about. And while there my be no technically wrong way to celebrate, there is definitely a right way.

So how do you celebrate Dia de los Muertos respectfully?

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out. I spoke with Mathew Sandoval, an Arizona State University professor and an expert on the holiday, as well as Tiffany Acosta, a Republic reporter who has written about it a lot.

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Everybody loves a ghost story, but do they love ghosts? The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona's most haunted hotel, has been captivating visitors since 1902 with its ghoulish activities and eerie tales.

In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Bill Goodykoontz dives into its ghostly history by answering the question is the Copper Queen Hotel really haunted?

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The Arizona Cardinals notoriously known for their ups and downs have faced their share of challenges over the years. However, with the right strategies, talent, and teamwork the Cardinals may see a new fate.

In this week's episode of Valley 101 a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Host Bill Goodykoontz discusses the historic nature of this NFL team and the prospects for its future ahead with Bob McManaman, a columnist for The Arizona Republic and Theo Mackie, Cardinals reporter.

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For the first time in nearly three decades, Arizona is not gearing up for hockey season. At the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Arizona Coyotes announced their relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah, ending professional hockey in the state. 

This wasn't the first time the Coyotes had dealt with ownership instability or rumors of relocation. The team has been riddled with complications since they arrived in 1997.

So why was this the time that it actually happened?

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we sit down Craig Morgan, a senior writer for PHNX Sports and All City Network, who broke the story of the Coyotes' relocating to Utah.

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Many debates arise over the topic of Mexican Food. Tacos or Burritos? Corn or flour tortillas? and when it comes to authenticity which city reigns supreme, Phoenix or Tucson?

But with Mexican cuisine representing a large portion of Arizona's food scene, which city takes first place?

In this week's episode of Valley 101 a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we discuss this culinary showdown and you can get the best mexican food near you.

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Over 100 years ago, North Phoenix's main road, Bethany Home Road was just a small path that served a specific community. Bethany Home sanitarium was considered a safe haven helping those with tuberculosis. Although, the sanatarium did get renamed a few years later its legacy lives on today.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we discuss the history of Bethany Home Road, and why history should always be documented.

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Before it was left empty, this state-of-the-art building was home for two seasons of horse racing. The Phoenix Trotting Park was expertly designed and opened in 1965. Attendees filled the beautiful grandstand to watch trotting style racing, but not for very long.

Today, we bring you the history of Goodyear, Arizona's Trotting Horse Park. This vibrant hotspot was the talk of the town in 1965, and while its run was short lived, its legacy still gallops through time.

Saddle up for this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, as we dive back into the history of Arizona's Trotting Horse Park with East Valley Reporter Martiza Dominguez and Producer Amanda Luberto.

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