"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing aloud for all to hear." Journalists in the Arizona Republic newsroom have taken Buddy the Elf's motto and made it their own in our special holiday episode of Valley 101.

Whether you're a grinch, scrooge or the more elf-tastic type, we have some holiday spirit to sprinkle on your ears as we ask the question, "What's your favorite holiday song?" 

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In the modern age, you don't have to turn to a Spanish language channel on the radio to hear Latin music. Pop, hip hop, and dance music has all gone international as Latin music is booming in popularity.

In the last year, the genre has seen a 15% boost in listens, making Spanish the second most listened to language in the United States.

Artists like Bad Bunny and Karol G have infused Latin music into the mainstream for this generation. But what does that mean for the music scene in Arizona?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the history and influences of Latin music, and talk with local bands to see if the state's music scene reflects its demographics.

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Much has already been said about Sandra Day O’Connor since her passing on December 1, 2023. The humble ranch girl grew up to serve in one of the highest offices in the land – as a supreme court justice.

You might have read about her early days working on the Lazy B Ranch in eastern Arizona. The wide expanse is picturesque, if not iconic. It is a place you’d imagine a cowboy film would be set. And indeed O’Connor’s life is one worthy of the big screen. 

For today’s special episode, former Valley 101 producer and now Phoenix reporter Taylor Seely, producer Téa Francesca Price, and longtime Republic reporter Richard Ruelas, traveled to Lazy B to get a sense of O’Connor, her roots, and who she was as a woman of the West. 

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Whether you just moved here or are a Valley native, new bars and restaurants are yours to discover. Metro Phoenix is home to 21 James Beard Award winners, finalists or nominees. According to the Spirited Awards this year, downtown Phoenix has the best cocktail bar in the United States.

While recognition in the past few years has certainly increased, Arizona always has had excellent eateries and chefs serving up unforgettable dishes.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, we sit down with two of The Arizona Republic's dining and nightlife experts, Felicia Campbell and Bahar Anooshahr. They dish on the cities' historic bars and restaurants, which places they think are pouring noteworthy cocktails and what they believe it takes to stand the test of time.

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Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Valley 101. We're serving up a fowl episode stuffed with turkey facts that you probably don't know.

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In 1971, a new art form officially premiered in Arizona. The first performance from the Tucson Opera Company was Gioachino Rossini's classic "The Barber of Seville."

By 1976, the opera company had become the Arizona Opera and was performing full seasons of shows in both Tucson and Phoenix. Now housed in downtown Phoenix, the Arizona Opera is going strong almost 50 years later.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share Arizona's history with opera and why it's flourishing today.

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You've heard of horse racing and dog racing, but what about burro racing? Each year in the town of Superior, Arizona, an adorable race filled with fuzzy donkeys takes place. Now don't expect to see jockeys riding the donkeys. Instead, the little equines are lead by their owners by a lead through Main Street and into Tonoto National Forest and back.

In this episode, we find out how the race got started and why donkeys are so lovable, according to their owners.

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While the rest of the nation is clocking an extra hour of sleep and making sure their oven clock matches their phone, Arizonans will continue their day like normal.

Most people in Arizona, at least.

In a bonus episode of our podcast, Valley 101, we explore how Daylight Saving came to be, why most of Arizona doesn't participate, and who in the state does. 

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Tucked into Tucson's Barrio Viejo is an unassuming broken-down adobe wall adorned with flowers, candles and little pieces of paper containing people's deepest wishes.

The shrine to El Tiradito serves not only as a landmark to a vicious and titillating murder that happened in the late 1800s but as a symbol in this predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share the true-crime story behind what could be the only shrine to a sinner and its role in Mexican-American folklore.

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One of Halloween's most notorious ghosts is the Headless Horseman. The iconic figure on a black horse with a jack-o-lantern in place of a face can be found in books, movies, decor and more.

But there is another headless ghost that haunts the western regions of our nation. And her tragic tale has been passed down by the tribe that lives near where she died.

Then we'll hear a different tale. One of stuffed heads collected inside a professor's home and a question posed. How far would you go for success?

It's week three of spooky season on Valley 101. Pluck up your courage and dive into these next harrowing tales of horror.                                                                                               

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