Today the nation recognizes the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrates his leadership in the civil rights movement in America. It's been a national holiday since the early 1980s, after Congress deemed his unwavering commitment to equality worthy of a united time of reflection.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day wasn't always a state holiday in Arizona, even after it was observed by the federal government. And the activists of Mesa had a specifically difficult time getting the civil rights leader's birthday honored.
In a story that involves a parade, hidden audiotapes, the National Football League and a fight for recognition, Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, brings you a look into Mesa's history with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Why Mesa has a special connection to Martin Luther King Day

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 @azcpodcasts. Producers of the show are Amanda Luberto and Kaely Monahan.

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It's not often you see a "bee delay" at a baseball game.
But that's exactly what happened at the Arizona Diamondbacks-LA Dodgers game on April 30. A swarm of honeybees decided to make camp on the netting behind home plate at Chase Field.
It became a hero moment for beekeeper Matt Hilton. He even has his own baseball card now.
But Arizona's native bees would never swarm like those honeybees. In fact, Arizona doesn't have any bee species that build a hive or make honey. And that's because the Western Honeybee, also called the European Honeybee, is an invasive species.
Worldwide, there are around 20,000 described bee species. Across the U.S. there are roughly 4,000 known species. And Arizona, more specifically the Sonoran desert, is home to at least 15% of bee species.
"Pretty much anytime you try to do a survey anywhere in Arizona, you find new species all the time compared to any other sampled region on the planet," said Tanner Bland, the Tucson Bee Collaborative program coordinator. "Currently the Sonoran desert seems to be the most biodiverse (bee) region on the planet."
The majority of Arizona's bees are solitary individuals that don't build hives. And they sometimes come in brilliant colors including reds, purples, greens and blues.
Hear all the bee facts in this episode of Valley 101.
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What kind of bees are in Arizona? More than 1,300 types. Here's why

With summer around the corner for Arizona residents, the opportunity presents itself to spend more time at amusement parks and on thrilling rides. However, the theme park scene in the metro Phoenix is scarce — and there are only 10 operating roller coasters across the entire state. 
With a growing population in the Valley and potential space, why doesn't Arizona boast its own version of a Disneyland? 
This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, pays a visit to both the past and the future to explain the different variables that factor into developing a theme park in the Valley, and how challenges inhibit Arizona's creation of a Disneyland-esque park all its own. 
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Why doesn't Phoenix have a Disneyland?

Happy Earth Day from Valley 101. Today we're resharing our episode on recycling in the Valley. You might have noticed that not every city recycles equally.
Different cities within the Valley have different rules. Why is that? Why is there not an across-the-board set of items you can and can't recycle?
In this episode of Valley 101, Amanda Luberto breaks down the reasons why where you live affects how and what you can recycle.
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What can I recycle in metro Phoenix? Depends on where you live.

When the Cine Capri theater opened in the mid-1960s, going to the movies was a glamorous event.
It was for families, but it was also for lavish decor and a deserved night out. Before the multiplex, one movie a night would be on display. 
It was a high time for films. And here in Phoenix, George M. Aurelius wanted to expand his theater business as that type of theater was going out of style.
They were ready to design a state-of-the-art facility that would blend in well in Uptown Phoenix and also adapt to the changing film distribution style happening at the time. 
This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we draw back the curtains on the history of the Cine Capri theater, how it adapted in the 2000s and its current status as home to the Phoenix Film Festival.
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Cine Capri was an iconic movie experience in Phoenix, so what happened?

While exciting, one should never look directly at the sun, even during a solar eclipse. Instead, make sure you pick up some approved solar eclipse glasses. In recent years, there has been a rise in counterfeit eclipse glasses being sold.
So how do you know if the ones you have are real?
In this episode of Valley 101, producer Kaely Monahan sits down with the Republic's Ultimate Arizona reporter, Tiffany Acosta to chat eclipse safety, viewing spots, and more.
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Why Mesa has a special connection to Martin Luther King Day

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