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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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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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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Be sure to check out the webpage for this episode to see pictures of all the cats mentioned in this episode. Find us on azcentral.com.

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During its heyday, hundreds of residents would ride the streetcar for just a nickel. It would take them from as far as Glendale to the state Capitol building, around East Lake, and up and down what would become Seventh Street and Avenue.

Despite the trolleys' popularity, it faced financial troubles and a conspiracy by motor and oil companies to drive trolley companies out of business. Valley 101 producer Kaely Monahan explores the rise and fall of Phoenix's trolleys.

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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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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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The story goes that he uttered three things while in the parking lot injured that day: “John Adamson” “Emprise” and “Mafia.”

But stories are never that simple. Almost 50 years later, there is still a debate on why Don Bolles was murdered and who was to blame.

Welcome to Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond. I’m producer Amanda Luberto, and today I’m joined by our in-house Don Bolles expert Richard Ruelas to discuss why the case is still interesting to people and to discuss new hypotheses that have arisen.

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It's also culture-defining. What would Mexican, Thai or Indian food be without chili kicking up the heat?

But before that spicy seasoning can be sprinkled onto your favorite foods, it starts in the ground as a chili pepper seed. One of the people producing those seeds is Ed Curry, who operates the Curry Seed and Chile Co. in Pearce, Arizona.

Curry has been working on the genetics of peppers for almost his whole life. In the farming industry, most of the peppers grown commercially in the United States can be traced back to his farm.

But how did chili peppers get to Arizona in the first place? And why are Arizona's chilis making such a huge impact nationwide?

In this episode of Valley 101, in conjunction with The Lab, we find out these answers and more.

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The Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix and other researchers are trying to fix that. The first step is to count as many of the saguaros growing in the Valley as possible.

"Naively, we call this the Saguaro Census because we thought we were going to be capable of counting every single saguaro in the city. We clearly overestimated our capabilities because the Phoenix Valley is huge," Tania Hernandez says. She works as a research scientist at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

For help with this task, the Gardens are turning to the public for help.

In this episode of Valley 101, in conjunction with The Lab, we're exploring two questions: why does the saguaro cactus only grow in the Sonoran Desert? And how many are there?

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Morrison F. Warren was the first Black man to ever sit on the Phoenix City Council. But he wasn't a politician. Rather Warren spent his life building bridges through education and advocating for equality. He grew up at a time when Phoenix was segregated. It was something that struck him deeply. He graduated valedictorian of his high school and attended Phoenix College before serving in the Army during World War II.

He survived and came back to Phoenix to earn his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University, then called Arizona State College. He was a star player on the football team there and even had a short stint in the NFL. Later, Warren moved on to get his master's and PhD, all in education from ASU.

In this episode, we hear from his son, Kevin Warren, and from Morrison Warren himself from an archived interview.

The audio of Morrison Warren is provided by the Arizona Historical Society. You can watch the interview with him here. The video was directed and written by Chris Wooley. The director of photography was Wayne Dickmann. The video was produced by the Historical League, and narrated by Pat McMahon. It was made possible by a financial grant from Dr. Edward B. Diethrich.

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What you probably don’t think of is the rich history of African Americans who also settled this state.

At present, the Black population makes up 5.4% of Arizona’s census. That might not seem like much, but African Americas are the third largest demographic in our state.

When looking at Phoenix alone, the percentage jumps up to 7.4% of the population identifying as Black or African American. The number is growing. The Arizona Republic has found that 800,000 African Americans have moved to the Valley since 2010. And that expansion hasn’t stopped, even with the pandemic.

In this two-part series, we are taking a closer look at African American representation on the Phoenix City Council. We’re starting with two winners that have made history. Then, next week in episode two, we’ll go back in time to explore the first Black man to sit on the City’s council.

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Last week, producer Kaely Monahan explored the birds of Arizona. It's a great look at the feathered beauties you can see right in your area. If you enjoy birdwatching or are just interested in native Arizona birds, and you haven't listened to that episode, you absolutely should give it a listen.

This week, we take a look at the species in Arizona classified under the Endangered Species Act. All of the animals in this episode are native to the state and in need of some kind of assistance if they're going to continue being part of what makes Arizona such a wonderful place to live.

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In this episode, we learn and hear just a small sample of Arizona's avian species and where to find them. 

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So we asked ourselves, where’s the best place to go for that perfect sports companion? Between just ourselves on the team, we got different answers. Then, we asked you, our listeners. And we got even more answers.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we take a look at just a few of the best wing places in the Phoenix area worth sinking your teeth into.

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Maybe you've noticed a subtle change in the quality of light as the seasons changed. Perhaps you've found yourself squinting more in the winter. Even sunglasses don't seem to help. Turns out it's not in your mind. The sun is truly brighter in the winter.

So what is going on? Why is the sun so much brighter in the winter even though we have less hours of it? The Valley 101 team finds out.

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In this rebroadcast, we answer the question and offer tips and tricks to keep your garden green this winter.

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We’re off this week, but we didn’t want to leave you empty handed. So we’re re-wrapping a special holiday episode from our archives.

We'll be back in the new year with fresh stories from Phoenix and beyond.

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And all through the paper

The cubicles were empty

No hints of any labor.

But one lone producer stared off in despair

For her holiday spirit just wasn’t there. 

Festive music and ads danced on her screen

But Kaely Monahan just wasn’t keen. 

“Oh what to do!” She thought in her head,

“I’ve gone all depressed with Scrooge-like dread.”

And this is where our story begins, 

Gather close and hear how she changes within! 

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While people from all over the world would visit the post office to get the highly desired postmark at the holidays, the residents of Christmas lived there because of the copper mining.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by retired geologist David Briggs to tell you the history of the Christmas mine and the coveted post office in its town. 

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In this episode of Valley 101, we take a look at why Metrocenter is so special and what the future holds for this very special spot.

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Whether you're cheering for the Sun Devils or the Wildcats, everyone who participates in the rivalry agrees it's a very big deal. For two football programs suffering through losing seasons, it's the biggest game of the year.

But why do we like rivalries, and does the Duel in the Desert matter to anyone outside of Arizona? In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dissect the competition that is awarded the oldest trophy in college football and why our brains hold onto these feuds for so long.

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Where does all the water go that runs off the streets? Does the state capture it somewhere or does it just go into a river that empties into an ocean?

In this episode of Valley 101, we explore what happens to rainfall in Arizona. The answer turned out to be more complicated than a simple yes or no. And it involves snow.

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We’re finally out of the heat.

But something that is unique to Arizona is that sometimes the units are on the roof.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer this listener question going through the history and future of Arizona cooling systems.

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In a small shop in midtown Phoenix called Curious Nature, a sort of "Frankensteining" happens several times a month. While the front of the shop is filled with bones, stuffed and dried animals, and pinned insects, in the back, intrepid crafters meet to learn the old art of taxidermy.

Taught by one of Arizona's longest working experts in the field, Doug James of Frank James Artistry, curious students learn how to skin, preserve and then stuff dead animals. 

It is not for the faint of heart. 

Valley 101 attended one such class where rabbits were transformed into jackalopes. 

Listen if you dare!

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But did you know that it's haunted?

Very haunted in fact. Ghost chasers believe that there are dozens of ghosts, including women and children that came over with the bridge. One of the most famous Victorian-age murderers also appears to be haunting the crossing: Jack the Ripper. 

In this episode of Valley 101, we investigate the history and the hauntings surrounding London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

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In 1934, the Arizona State Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Tempe opened to the public and helped many live out their days with ease. The extravagant white building tucked in Papago Park was seen as a haven by patients and by the state.

But since its closing and as other buildings have occupied that land, people are said to have had eerie experiences there.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we tell the history of this restorative hospital and the potentially otherworldly spirits that remain.

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But the skyrocketing popularity of “smudging” is causing a problem. 

Demand for California White Sage is enticing poachers who want to cash in quick. Millions of dollars are being raked in while wild sage populations are being culled at an alarming rate. 

In this episode of Valley 101, we speak with The Republic's Indigenous affairs reporter, Debra Krol, about her investigation into sage poaching.

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While many of them no longer exist as actual towns, their influence can still be felt today. Just take the town of Vulture City. Founded by a man from Germany, this incredible place's influence reached all the way to Phoenix.

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The podcast team is working hard to bring you fresh stories to tickle your brain cells – so this week as we pour our spirits into tales, we offer you this spine-tingling episode from our archives.

In 2019, former Republic podcasters Kaila White and Katie O’Connell went on a ghost hunt through Phoenix. This is what they resurrected! 

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In this episode of Valley 101, Maricopa County Watchdog Reporter Sasha Hupka joins the show to explain what county islands are, their history, and whether or not they are dying out.

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In this episode of Valley 101, we follow the sites that made Radiator Springs.

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Rediscovering: Killed Through the Border Fence features the story of a cross-border shooting that would upend lives and change the way the U.S. Border Patrol operates forever.

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t's the environment that makes this city remarkable, from the different varieties of cactuses and the surrounding desert mountains to relics of our history and reflections of the cultures that have thrived here.

One person in particular ensured that the Phoenix area was home to buildings significant and beautiful that reflected the terroir around them. 

That person was Frank Lloyd Wright.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we plot out a treasure map of architectural gems by the genius himself and share how his dedication to the desert landscape inspired the work he did here.

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But what about when the storms do roll in? How do pilots navigate monsoonal weather? And how do these storms affect operations at Sky Harbor Airport?

In this episode of Valley 101, producer Kaely Monahan is joined by Tim Holt, Dean of the College of Aviation, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, and her father, now retired airline pilot, Michael Monahan, to discuss aviation in Arizona.

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While the 5 C’s won’t quickly become the 5 C’s and an O, there is another overlooked product that has nonetheless taken root here.

Olives.

Olive trees are among some of the oldest agricultural trees in the state from the Valley all the way down to the University of Arizona in Tucson. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the ways olive trees and their fruits have thrived in the desert for over 100 years.

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Did you know that Phoenix had one of the most successful local children's shows of all time?

"The Wallace and Ladmo Show" ran from 1954 to 1989, collecting fans like Steven Spielberg and Alice Cooper along the way. What made the show a success was its dark humor. Yes, it was a kids' show, but it featured characters like Aunt Maud, who liked reading tragic stories to children. Or Marshall Good, an unemployed "cowboy" from New Jersey who had never ridden a horse. 

Kids may have tuned in for the cartoon, but high schoolers and their parents got the more offbeat jokes. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O'Connell explores the history of this Valley original.

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For some people, ice cream may not be an option. They may have learned of a recent allergy or have decided to become vegan. But plenty of shops around the Valley serve ice cream that anybody, regardless of their allergies or diets, can safely eat.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we visited ice cream shops in the Phoenix area that cater to customers with dietary restrictions.

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On top of that, there are more days per year when the temperature climbs above 110 degrees in the Valley of the Sun. And the night temperatures have jumped 5.5 degrees, which means it's not cooling off when the sun goes down.

How does this extreme heat affect us? In this episode of Valley 101, we hear from medical professionals, social service workers and city officials about how metro Phoenix is battling high temperatures. 

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Not only does it feel like it because Phoenix has seen triple-digit temperatures since early May, but according to the Farmer’s Almanac, the “dog days of summer” run from July 3 to Aug. 11.

It is hot, with no sign of slowing down soon.

While it feels slightly unbearable outside and you might be wondering why you live in Phoenix anyway, this is also the perfect time to pack the car, hit the road, get out of the city and reconnect with nature. Because not all of Arizona feels this hot all summer.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by Arizona Republic cultures and outdoors reporter Shanti Lerner for recommendations on where you can go to keep things cooler.

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The mysteries of outer space have drawn many people to search for evidence of alien life. But not all researchers focus on looking through a telescope. Plenty others spend their time watching the sky and documenting unidentified flying object sightings. As it turns out, Arizona is a hot spot for UFOs and those who believe in them.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explored the unfamiliar world of UFOs and spoke to different people looking to answer the question: "are we alone in the universe?" 

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This week on Valley 101, we share where in the metro Phoenix area you can and cannot see dazzling displays shoot across the sky. 

Please remember that if you’re planning on shooting off fireworks from your backyard, be careful! Not only can they be dangerous, but Arizona is in a long-term drought. Setting off fireworks too close to brush is an easy way to start a fire.

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On June 23, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the amendment into law. 

It says that no person can be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex under “any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Should any education institution be found in violation, it would lose federal money. 

While sports is not specifically mentioned, the amendment has permanently altered the course of women’s athletics. 

In this episode of Valley 101, we explore this landmark law through an Arizona lens where we hear from those who’ve seen its passage, implemented it and benefited from it. 

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It's summer, and the heat is predicable. But the summer heat also brings monsoon storms and rains, something that is much harder to predict. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by meteorologist Matt Pace to give a preview of what we can expect during the dog days of summer. 

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Listeners have asked what the original Bethany Home was or who it was named after. A street name must have some significance behind it. Otherwise there wouldn't be so many streets named after the presidents.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we tried to dig a little deeper and learn more about Bethany Home's origins. Along the way, we learned why it's so important to keep track of history.

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In this episode of Valley 101, we dig up the answers to what kinds of dinosaurs lived here and why there's so few fossil records in our state. 

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It is also a right of passage.

Not only does it represent growing up and going on to bigger things, but it’s a celebration of everything you’ve done up until that point. A celebration of your years of education and everyone who helped you achieve that.

It’s something almost all of us go through. 

But the graduates of 2022 had an educational experience that few can relate to. With the pandemic and virtual learning and everything else that affected them, they are a class that is unique.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by The Republic's k-12 education reporter Yana Kunichoff. Together, we visited three graduations at three different stages of life to try and capture this moment in time. 

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The Census Bureau reported that the county added 58,246 new residents from July 2020 to July 2021. 

It is now the fastest growing county in the nation. 

And even outside Maricopa County, Arizona has seen immense growth over the last year. The census showed that more than 98,000 people moved to Arizona in that year. Only 832 of them came from what is called “natural change," which refers to deaths and births.

The rest have moved from other states.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we want to welcome newcomers to the metro Phoenix area by answering four questions about its history. 

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But Arizona’s film history goes beyond the Wild West stereotype. 

In this episode of Valley 101, we explore what movies were made in Phoenix and Arizona at large. And we find out why more movies aren't made here now. 

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Cove Mesa Vineyards is new on the scene, but its owners Emil and Cindy Molin have spent years as wine aficionados. After getting a degree from the Southwest Wine Center, Emil set out to buy a winery himself in 2020.

To some, this is the perfect story of how Arizona's wine industry is evolving from hidden gem to national recognition. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share what Arizona vineyards have to offer, where you can find them, and how the new kids on the block took the grand prize this year.

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For a few brief weeks, the taupe-shaded landscape transforms into a riot of color. The palo verdes don crowns of gold, and cactuses burst with large pink, yellow, purple and white flowers. Daisies nod their heads, beckoning visitors to adore them. Ocotillo open their coral-red buds while wearing coats of green leaves between their thorns. 

It's a flurry of activity before the scorching temperatures force every living thing to just endure. 

Buzzing, fluttering and twittering among the plants are Arizona’s pollinators. And as they brush up against each flower, a bit of pollen is distributed from one plant to the next, allowing the plants to propagate the next generation. 

This week, we find out what you should plant in your garden to attract local pollinators. 

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This week on Valley 101, we find out why Formula 1 came to Phoenix and why it quickly left.

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For some it felt like much needed light after a long, dark tunnel. The vaccine roll out expanded first by phases of necessity then by age in Arizona. By April 2021, all adults in the state were eligible to get a dose. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we map out the journey from the first shot to today. We spoke with reporters, doctors, and state health officials and track how 61.1% of Arizona residents became fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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In this episode, Valley 101 plays referee between two Mexican food heavy-weights: Phoenix and Tucson.

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Western motifs and appreciation for horse culture saturate the city, whose official nickname is "The West's Most Western Town". It's even home to the world's largest Arabian horse show, at Westworld. Which begs the question: Is Scottsdale the horse capital of the Valley? Is it the most cowboy town in the metro area?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the relationship between the city's increasingly cosmopolitan image and its old West history.

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For Arizonans that means two things: getting to hear the lemonade man shout about your grandma and spring training.

In the Valley, the past time is getting a slow start. The average attendance for six of the 15 teams is down to less than 5,000 fans per game in the first week. Even teams that are seeing more fans than that are seeing less fans compared to years past.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share how the Cactus League came to Arizona and what impact the spring time tradition has on the state.

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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.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by city reporter Martiza Dominguez to share how it was built, why it went under, and what the future holds for this plot of land. 

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But why do the freeways have art on them anyway? For that, Valley 101 turned to an urban historian and experts at the Arizona Department of Transportation. Turns out, there's a lot more to it than just making our highways pretty.

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He continued to create change. Alongside his wife, Eleanor, he and his family desegregated the Encanto neighborhood in Phoenix by being the first Black family to move in. 

In part two, Valley 101, a podcast from the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, covers more of his civil rights wins for the state, his connection with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and what he was like as a father.

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One year earlier, in February 1953, Judge Fred Struckmeyer Jr. in Maricopa County ruled that a law permitting students to be separated by race in the Phoenix Union school district was also unconstitutional.

The court challenge came from a handful of civil rights activists in Phoenix, but one man in particular looked at this as the tip of the iceberg.

Dr. Lincoln Ragsdale Sr. helped fund a lawsuit on behalf of three Black children during the Phoenix Union case, but his time fighting for racial freedoms in the Valley spread much further than high schools.

He was a Tuskegee airman, a business owner, a fighter for civil rights and the man whose name is on the executive terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

This is the first part of a two-part series on the local icon. The second part will be released on Monday, Feb. 28.

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Connecting Missouri to California, the Pony Express crossed eight states. However, it actually bypassed Arizona. Nonetheless, the tradition has lived on in Arizona where riders still deliver mail. The service is the only U.S. Postal Service-sanctioned Pony Express in the country.

In this episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we learn about a special horse-riding unit in northern Arizona that brings down mail to the Valley each year.

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This year, collectors, buyers, and curious onlookers alike were surrounded by more than 1,800 cars at Westworld in Scottsdale. Regarded as one of the world's greatest collector car auctions, auto enthusiasts from all over arrive in the desert in hopes of being the highest bidder.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we bring you the history of the famous car auction and talk with sellers and buyers about why they come to Barrett-Jackson each year.

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The law prohibits the discrimination based on sex in any programs or activities in all federally funded educational institutions. This includes both middle and high schools in addition to universities. 

Before Title IX, there were pioneering women who fought for inclusion and equality in sports. One of those is Ina Gittings. 

Gittings was the first director of physical education for women at the University of Arizona. She also homesteaded north of Tucson near Oro Valley. Those familiar with Tucson might spot the connection to Ina Road.  

In this week's episode of Valley 101, we explore the story behind the legend of Ina Gittings.

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For the city of Mesa, this celebration is close to home. They've been hosting a parade and festival in his memory for 24 years after a long battle to get the holiday recognized at a city level.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by Keisha McKinnor to discuss the state's history with MLK Day and why this celebration feels personal to her.

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In 2017 it closed its doors, with the last holdouts shuttering in 2020. Since then, the 1.2 million square foot shopping center has been boarded up and unusable. 

There were talks of converting it into multi-use property with campuses for both education and health, but talks on that stalled. 

So the question remains: what is going to happen to Fiesta Mall? 

In this episode of Valley 101, we speak with people in the know as well as residents who fondly remember Fiesta Mall in its prime.

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Thoughts of frosty nights seem like winter fantasy for Phoenix. However, January is typical the Valley’s coldest month. This has horticultural novices and experts thinking about protecting their gardens.. 

In this episode of Valley 101 we get to the root of how to over-winter your plants Arizona style.

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While people from all over the world would visit the post office to get the highly desired postmark at the holidays, the residents of Christmas lived there because of the copper mining.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by retired geologist David Briggs to tell you the history of the Christmas mine and the coveted post office in its town. 

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But there are those who enjoy foods that speak of their heritage and family traditions. Festive foods are a big part of holiday gatherings. It just wouldn’t be the holidays without that one special dish you have only this time of the year. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, producer Kaely Monahan asks some of Phoenix’s foodies to share their untraditional food traditions. 

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If so, you just might be a rockhound.

Rockhounding is the recreational study and collection of rocks, minerals and gems. Some rockhounds, or amateur geologists, find that Arizona's vast mountain ranges and developed mines are great places to explore for interesting and unique rocks.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share what you can find, where to look for it, and the regulations you need to know while rockhounding.

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But we’re still able to get into the holiday spirit just as easily as our wintery neighbors with our local traditions – snow or not!

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, our producer Kaely Monahan went on a search for some holiday cheer, Phoenix style. So, gather up the kids and hot chocolate, for a Christmas tale unlike the others you have heard as we take a walk into the world of ZooLights.

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Many of us might believe that this was the first interaction between European settlers and Indigenous peoples who lived in what is now America. But long before the Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock, there was an explorer who walked the Arizona land and interacted with its people.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share with you the story of the Franciscan friar, Marcos de Niza, and his relationship with the Indigenous peoples of the Southwest. 

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Rugged landscapes split by sharp mountains and dotted with scraggly brush, and the sentinel of the desert. The saguaro cactus.

Found only in the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro cactus has a shallow but wide root network – snaking outwards in the hunt for water rather than burrowing deep into the earth. Its roots are often as wide as the cactus is tall creating a firm base to stabilize its towering height. The saguaro's thick, waxy, green skin helps retain water and they hold their breathe all day to make sure they don't lose moisture. They are an Arizona icon and provide essential resources for desert dwellers.  

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we venture out into the desert to discover why saguaros only grow in the Sonoran Desert.

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Regardless, a lot of people who now call Arizona home didn't grow up in the Valley of the Sun. And maybe after a while you begin to realize, you're not in Kansas anymore. 

Like a listener who submitted a question to the Valley 101 team. He said that he’s lived in other states before moving to Arizona. He wondered why those places used water towers in their communities, but they weren't common in Phoenix.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we investigate why metro Phoenix lacks water towers and search for a town that still uses a water tower today.

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The state is largely seen as a golf destination, but how did that happen? 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, producer Maritza Dominguez breaks down how golf's popularity grew in the Valley. 

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Cases of West Nile can range from mild to severe. This year, the number of severe cases is also on the rise.

So what is West Nile virus, and how is it being prevented and researched? 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, producer Alexandra Watts answers questions about West Nile virus in the state and why the number of cases is increasing this year. 

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But the team hasn’t announced where they’re going next. There isn’t another NHL-sized arena in the Valley so it begs the question, where in the world will the Arizona Coyotes play next?

In September, the team proposed a $1.7 billion hockey arena and entertainment district in Tempe. Even if this does come to fruition, the Coyotes will have a minimum of two years without an arena to call home.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, reporters Joshua Bowling, José Romero and Paulina Pineda join the show. We discuss how the Coyotes and the City of Glendale came to an impasse and what the future could hold for the Valley's NHL team. 

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But metro Phoenix actually has more miles of canals than all three of those places combined.

The city's canal systems are operated by the Salt River Project and the Central Arizona Project for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. But Phoenix has had canals long before the Reclamation Act was signed in 1902.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out the history of the canal system dating back to 400 A.D. and how it helps us live in the desert today.

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It was the 1960s, and the neon sign that served as a beacon to travelers was dubbed the Diving Lady. The motel sign on Main Street in Mesa continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many.

What is the history behind this 70 foot motel sign and how did it become a rallying point for Mesa?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, producer Maritza Dominguez dives into the iconic landmark’s history, its efforts to keep it standing and what it means to local residents in the Valley.

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But in reality it's built beside the mountain. The process is costly and arduous, but wanting an unrestricted view of the Valley is a trend that's nearly 100 years old. And even before it was a trend, it was a necessity to build up into the mountains.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out the history of mountainside houses and how they're built.

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Hundreds lived in five different camps made up of tents and wood-framed houses.The tight-knit communities were the first permanent residents of what is now Litchfield Park. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, producer Maritza Dominguez walks us through the history of the Mexican laborers who were recruited to work in Arizona’s cotton industry, the campsite communities on Goodyear Farms and the Latino farmworkers' impact on the development of the southwest Valley.

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Now that there are regulations and rules, long time users, medical patients or beginners all have questions about what legal recreational marijuana means in Arizona. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share how Arizona's history with legal marijuana, dispensary basics, and what is within your rights.

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Bird, now 33, remembers thinking to himself, “I think dad is around there somewhere. I think something is very wrong there and we are in a lot of trouble right now.” His father, Gary Bird, was the only victim from Arizona to die in the attacks.

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Many of us remember exactly where we were when the Twin Towers fell. Some weren’t old enough to create memories of that day, but recognize its significance. And for others, it changed the trajectory of their life.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, producer Maritza Dominguez speaks with four people, all of whom represent a different generation, that were impacted directly and indirectly by that day.

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During the summer monsoon season, Phoenix receives one-third of its annual rainfall, a necessary relief to help combat the drought that 83% of the state is experiencing, according to the National Weather Service. 

While monsoons bring reprieve from the extreme heat and aid in the drought, they are sometimes responsible for power outages and extreme flooding.  

Flooding in urban areas, such as Phoenix, often causes minor headaches such as traffic congestion on surface streets and highways. However, in parts of the state outside the Valley, floods can be dangerous, and occasionally deadly. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share the good and the bad of monsoon season in Arizona.

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First identified in India, the delta variant is now the dominate strain in Arizona. 

What is the delta variant? What does it mean for us? Are vaccines mitigating community spread of the variant?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer those questions. 

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While the Salt River Project and Arizona Public Services electric serve the rest of the state, Mesa has owned and operated its own electrical utility since 1917. At that time, the city purchased it from Dr. A.J. Chandler, the city of Chandler's namesake. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we share why Mesa manages their utilities and the history of how they came to own it.

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Jagger Eaton, Alana Smith and Brighton Zeuner all started their career in Arizona. 

How are there so many Arizonans on the team? What impact has the Valley had in the growth of the sport?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dive into the skateboarding community in the Valley and its history. 

In this episode, you'll hear from people who have been skateboarding in the Valley since the mid-1970s, and from a local skateboard coach who hopes to continue growing the skating community. 

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Surprisingly enough, sightings of a Sasquatch-like creature have been reported in Arizona, including one in 1903 near the Grand Canyon according to an article in The Arizona Republican. Several years later, when more sightings of a similar creature near the Mogollon Rim were reported, this cryptid soon became known as the Mogollon Monster, Arizona’s Bigfoot.  

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we speak with experts on metaphysical concepts, folklore, mythology and a researcher who says he has seen Bigfoot on multiple occasions.

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Just northeast of Tucson on a private ranch lives an Aravaipa avocado tree. Although no one can definitively say how this tree found its way into the Arizona soil, it hasn't stopped people from speculating.

So, how has this Aravaipa avocado tree managed to survive and can other Aravaipa avocado trees be grown in Arizona?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talk with horticulture experts and rare fruit enthusiasts to find out.

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Their appearance in the NBA Finals is unexpected since it was only two years ago that the team won only 19 games. After that disappointing season, the Suns brought in a new head coach, Monty Williams, who managed to end last season on an exciting 8-0 run in the NBA bubble. The Suns finished just under .500. 

This season, with a 51-21 record, the Suns are different. Adding future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul to the roster was the missing piece to the team’s puzzle. His veteran leadership paired with Devin Booker style and Deandre Ayton’s energy helped propel what was once a mediocre team at best, into a capable contender. 

The last time the Suns made it to the finals was in 1993 and things were different. The team had been playoff contenders the last few seasons and at the time, the missing piece was star Charles Barkley. And Barkley always gave reporters something to write about on and off the court. 

 In this bonus episode of Valley 101, Arizona Republic reporters Bill Goodkoontz and Kent Somers share what it was like to cover the 1993 finals and what the atmosphere in Phoenix was like the last time the Suns rallied the Valley. 

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Traditional Japanese sushi’s main ingredient is vinegared rice. Sonoran sushi rolls have those base ingredients like rice and seaweed, but with their own twist. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're diving into how this fusion began and why it's becoming more popular. 

We'll break down the episode into three parts. First, we’re taking a trip down to Puerto Peñasco, commonly known to Arizonans as Rocky Point, to check out a local sushi restaurant. Then The Republic's dining critic, Andi Berlin, will join Valley 101 to give listeners a sense of how Tucson and Southern Arizona has made itself known for its Mexican Sushi. 

And finally, you’ll hear from a local Valley restaurant owner who was one of the first to introduce this food trend to metro Phoenix. 

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Shore is most known by his moniker, "The Hip Historian," a name given to him in 2009, as a way to distinguish him from Marshall Trimble, the state's official historian. Through his work as project manager for the Arizona LGBT History Project, he has worked with Arizona State University to create an archive of the community.

On this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Shore shares some of the stories he's come across about the icons in the state's LGBT+ history. 

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In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we’re diving into Christown’s namesake and the cultural impact the mall had on Phoenix after opening in 1961.

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It all began with James W. Elmore, the founding dean of the College of Architecture at Arizona State University. He challenged the College faculty in 1966 to transform the Salt River, a dry riverbed, from an eyesore into a greenbelt attraction. 

One year later, an ASU professor and 16 graduate students proposed The Rio Salado Project, “a vast reservoir of open space unique to the heart of a great city.”

Thirty-three years later, the first developed phase of the project was realized when water from the Central Arizona Project flowed into the dry riverbed and Tempe Town Lake was born.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explores the project’s history and how it connects the Valley together through the unexpected ways of water. 

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In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we’re answering three of those questions. 

We'll take a brief dive into the history of Arizona toll roads, a look at the future of Interstate Highway 11 and then how Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway has impacted the Valley.

In this episode you'll hear from: 

• Laura Douglas, a communications project manager with the Arizona Department of Transportation
• Philip Vandermeer, an emeritus professor of history from Arizona State University
• Eric Anderson, the executive director for the Maricopa Association of Governments. 

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One Valley 101 listener plans on making Phoenix their new home. They asked us to put together a bucket list of activities and places they should check out in the Valley.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we’re doing just that. Even if you’re an Arizona native, there might be some activities on this list you haven’t heard.

We spoke with one expert and a couple of Arizona Republic reporters to share their picks of places to check out in the Valley. You’ll hear about quick day trips and some hidden gems.

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Despite nearly 500 residents at one point, the community was absent of good water and sanitation. The community lacked stores, mail delivery, streetlights or even stop signs.

This was the town of Allenville.

In the 1940s when part of the town was sold by Lee North to John Allen, the town's namesake, it was the only area of town where Black people could own land.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, and with the help of Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic's Southwest Valley reporter, we uncover the hidden past of this all-Black community and how it was destroyed by a series of floods in 1978.

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Valley 101 listener Genevieve Hall asked: "What's the best Native American restaurant in the Valley?" 

That depends.

There are 21 federally recognized tribes in Arizona and more than 500 in the United States. Each have their own traditions and nuances. However, there is one restaurant that stands out.

In this week’s Valley 101 episode, producer Maritza Dominguez spoke with two Valley chefs who specialize in Native American food. They discussed the history of a popular dish and how their culture and community have influenced their cooking style.  

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But those were not unseasonable clouds, it was smoke from fires in Northern Arizona and California that traveled into the Valley.

With the majority of the state in a drought, the potential for an active fire season and big dust storms blowing into the Valley this summer, has one Valley 101 listener asking what they can do to protect their lungs.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out what is in store for us this summer and the best practices we can adopt for healthier lungs.

Producer Amanda Luberto has more.

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What you might not know is that the section of Anthem with the outlet mall — the western section — is actually part of the city of Phoenix. The larger portion of Anthem, its eastern counterpart, is in unincorporated Maricopa County. There’s no such thing as the city of Anthem. 

In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we’re answering two questions from our listeners. We’ll look at why Anthem as a whole isn’t located in Phoenix. Then we’ll explore whether the master planned community will ever be fully incorporated into Phoenix. 

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The factory captured the interest of Valley 101 listener Garret Godfrey. He asked us about the history of the Beet Sugar Factory and about future plans for the building. 

It turns out that building has a connection to the development of Glendale.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, producer Maritza Dominguez takes a deep dive about the Beet Sugar Factory.

Have more questions about Metro Phoenix for the Valley 101 team? Submit them here.  

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Phoenix famously has a grid system for its roads. Roads running North to South are numbered and roads running East to West are named streets. 

But one of our listeners asked why the streets in Central Phoenix are named after United States Presidents. They grew up on Portland Street, one street over from Roosevelt and always wanted to know why names of past Presidents adorned the street signs of Phoenix. 

In today’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out how this came to be and what it would take to continue it. Producer Amanda Luberto has more.

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In fact, there are more than 200 plants that thrive in our desert climate. 

“One of my favorites is the chocolate flower, that spring or fall will grace your morning grand with the aroma of sweet chocolate,” said Kirti Mathura, the Smartscape Program Coordinator at the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. 

Using local or adapted plants like the chocolate flower, in favor of turf or non-native plants, is a type of gardening called xeriscaping. Xeriscaping not only helps conserve water, but it’s beneficial for local wildlife as well. 

In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O’Connell digs into xeriscaping. You’ll find out the benefits of having a xeriscaped space, as well as some hints for achieving one.

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Those names might sound familiar. Betty H. Fairfax High School in the Phoenix Union District is named after the oldest sister. She’s the only former educator in the district with a high school named after her.

How did that happen? What kind of legacy did the Fairfax sisters leave in Arizona?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're diving into their lives and how they inspired students to strive to higher education. 

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Then there's Candice Copple, whose family has been in Arizona for six generations. Copple's ancestors came to Arizona in the 1800s as a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Her great-great-great grandfather was Charles Innes Robson the 1st. He’s considered a founding father of Mesa in the East Valley. Charles came to Arizona with his father-in-law Francis Pomeroy and two other families under Brigham Young’s direction.

Today, Arizona has the fourth highest population of LDS members in the United States. We’re just behind Utah, California and Idaho. And Arizona’s history with the LDS Church stretches back before Candice’s family.

In today’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out more about the Valley’s connection to the LDS Church. Producer Amanda Luberto explores its history and why Arizona continues to have such a large LDS population today.

In this episode of Valley 101, our voiceover said, “A quick heads up for those who may be interested in exploring the Mormon history of Arizona: Non-members can go to any of the LDS Temples in the Valley during Christmas to look at the lights or Easter time to be a part of festivities, but only members are allowed inside.”

However, the only temple in Arizona to have a Christmas light display and an Easter Pageant is the Mesa Temple. Those events have been suspended during its renovation but will recommence once the renovations are completed.

The best way to listen is to subscribe to Valley 101 on your favorite podcast app, but you can also stream the full episode below.

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When that happens, the local branch of the National Weather Service will send out a weather emergency alert. Odds are you've received one on your phone. Sirens, however, are not part of the messaging equation.

It turns out there are a few reasons why sirens aren't used during dust storms. Part of it has to do with infrastructure. The other has to do with which type of messaging is most effective during moments of hazardous weather.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're catching up with the National Weather Service and the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management about dust storms and emergency messaging.

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Valley 101 listener Harold Lohner noticed this too. He asked why Arizona cars have so many vanity license plates? Is it more than other

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're diving in the trend of vanity license plates in Arizona. 

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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, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we break down the reasons why where you live affects how and what you can recycle.

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As the city grew, the bakery grew, leaving its original location in 1929. But the red-brick building that housed the original operation is still around today. There’s just one catch: it now resides at the Phoenix Zoo, miles away from its original location. 

How did it get there? In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we’ll look at the history of the building, starting with the unlikely journey its owner took to immigrate to the U.S. and ending with its reconstruction at the Zoo. 

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The story dates back to 1937. The city had purchased Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport two years prior in 1935. Most states across the U.S. at this point had laws mandating a 3-day waiting period for couples wishing to wed. But Arizona didn't. 

Capitalizing on that lack of regulation, the airport built a chapel and advertised fly-in weddings. The hope was to draw in Hollywood celebrities who wanted to marry quickly and under-the-radar, hopefully without paparazzi.   

It wasn't a total success, but it wasn't a failure either. Listen to this week's episode of Valley 101, an Arizona Republic and azcentral.com podcast answering questions about metro Phoenix, to uncover the history of Phoenix's fly-in chapel.  

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And it’s still growing. The coalition anticipates that over the next 25 years, 49.5% of the growth in Maricopa County will happen in the West Valley.

That's vastly different from what it was like in the beginning of the 20th century. Before Arizona had towns like Avondale, Goodyear and Litchfield Park, the West Valley was barren.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're diving into the history of the Southwest Valley. What took it from the desert to what it is today? And we're doing that thanks to a question from listener Dale Arel, who asked how Paul Litchfield shaped the Valley

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His tenure came during a momentous and tumultuous period in our nation’s history. The year before, thousands were arrested while protesting segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Among them was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would deliver his famed “I Have A Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial that same year. 

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The following year, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

Phoenix was segregated at the time. Years of redlining and restrictive covenants had left their mark on the city. Harris was assigned to cover poverty in the city, telling the story of some of its most vulnerable citizens. 

Later in life, Harris wrote that he “detested some of the paper’s ultra-conservative editorials and stories slanted in favor of the Establishment.” Still, he was proud of his tenure there and what he accomplished. In his 2004 autobiography "The American Odyssey of a Black Journalist," Harris wrote that he “proved to be as capable as most white peers and soon found news stories outside the stereotype bounds.”

Today, Harris is remembered by those who came after him as a modest, humble man. 

“And what I’d like to say about Richard Harris is that, you know, he wasn’t a physically large guy. But he had very broad shoulders, figuratively speaking,” said Art Gissendaner, who worked as the sole Black reporter at The Republic a decade after Harris. “And something I tell a lot of young people now is that where we are now, we all are standing on someone else’s shoulders.”

In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Executive Editor Greg Burton explores the story of Harris’ life and legacy. 

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But if you take your dogs with you, there are some things you need to know. Maybe you’re new to the Valley and your transplant dog isn’t used to the desert terrain. But even if you’re a long-time resident, we’ve got some tips that you might not know.

Consider this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, a toolkit for how to safely hike with dogs here.

Producer Taylor Seely speaks with Bretta Nelson, a spokesperson for the Arizona Humane Society. Plus, an only-in-Arizona style story about running into a herd of cows while hiking from Valley resident Debi Palestina. 

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Then there are the funny ones. Ones that say things like, "Cut off? Don’t get bad blood. Shake it off” in reference to a Taylor Swift song. Or “Aggressive driving is the path to the dark side,” a nod to “Star Wars.”

Arizona isn't unique in having signs like that. The trend started with the Iowa Department of Transportation, but Arizona Department of Transportation spokesperson Doug Pacey thinks we may have perfected them.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're exploring the history of these signs and what it takes to write them. You'll also hear from Mitzie Warner, a Chandler resident who won a safety message writing competition. 

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Valley 101 listener Antonio Moody is a teacher and heard about the exact same trend from his students. Some of them even thought of taking up roller derby. Moody asked the podcast team if there was a roller derby scene in Metro Phoenix. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, producer Maritza Dominguez digs into this community. 

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That's how Christopher Bunce felt when he moved to the Valley in January of 2020. So he submitted a question to Valley 101, our newsroom podcast dedicated to helping Phoenicians better understand the place they call home. He asked, "Why does Phoenix have so few cemeteries?"

Bunce thought it perhaps was because Arizona is a younger state. Cindy Lee, vice president of the Pioneers' Cemetery Association, offers a few other reasons in this week's episode.

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How did that tradition start? And how does the mall know that its tree is the tallest in the state?

Podcast editor Katie O'Connell found out during this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com where we answer the questions you ask about metro Phoenix.

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But what brings snowbirds to Arizona specifically? And once they're here, what's their economic impact on the Valley? In this week's episode, producer Maritza Dominguez digs into this phenomenon. 

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In the biggest race of his life, the 1964 presidential election, Goldwater lost significantly to Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson. LBJ walked away with 61.1% of the popular vote and 486 electoral votes, leaving Goldwater with 52.  

So why has Goldwater been called the face of modern conservatism? Why have some historians credited him for paving the way for Republican Party icon Ronald Reagan? 

That's the subject of this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, that answers questions you ask about metro Phoenix. Producer Taylor Seely journeys through Goldwater's life with historians Michael Rubinoff and Brooks Simpson, stopping in at key moments in Goldwater's timeline that help explain his impact on contemporary U.S. politics. 

In this episode you'll hear:

• How growing up in Arizona and taking over the family business amid President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal programs shaped Goldwater's political ideology. 
• Why Goldwater got involved in politics in the first place, starting with Phoenix City Council. 
• What made Goldwater unique for his time, and how his political brand redirected the Republican Party's ideological trajectory. 
• How Goldwater's conservatism compares to the conservatism of today. 

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While people in other parts of the country may retreat to the cooler depths of their basements, that's not an option here in Phoenix. Rather, it's not a popular option.

Instead, folks across the Valley take a dip in a pool to find some relief.

But why is that? Why do houses here tend to have pools instead of basements? Podcast editor Katie O'Connell found out the answer in this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

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This wasn't the first question about Phoenix Sky Harbor submitted to the team. Producer Maritza Dominguez teamed up with travel reporter Melissa Yeager to answer your questions about the local airport. They also answer questions about the safety of flying amid a global pandemic and why Sky Harbor doesn’t offer more international flights.

In this episode you'll hear from: 

• Michael Taylor, a representative with J.D. Power
• Brian Znotins, the vice president of network and schedule planning with American Airlines 
• Kacey Ernst, a University of Arizona professor in the College of Public Health and an infectious disease epidemiologist 
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This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, dives into those questions 

Guiding us through the journey are:

• Jackie Meck, the soon-to-be former mayor of Buckeye.
• Deanna Kupcik, president and CEO of Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce.
• Levi Beard, former Vice Mayor and owner of Absolute Screen Printing in Buckeye. 

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From 1887 to 1948, the Phoenix Street Railway System shuttled riders from downtown through growing neighborhoods to rural areas. In 1929, the system had 6.6 million passengers. That year, the system really lived up to its motto, "Ride a Mile and Smile the While."

The system survived the Great Depression and World War II, but a mysterious fire in 1947 was the fatal blow to an already-declining system. 

However, the system and its role in Phoenix's history weren't forgotten. The wonder and importance of such transportation is memorialized in the Phoenix Trolley Museum. 

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O'Connell examines the history of the Phoenix trolley.

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This week on Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we meet some of the leaders of the women's suffrage movement in Arizona and explore their long-lasting impacts. 

In this episode you'll hear: 

• How Frances Munds impacted women's suffrage. 
• How literacy tests in Arizona disenfranchised women of color.
• When Native Americans received the right to vote. 

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But that's not the case in two states: Arizona and Hawaii. 

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast intern Jonathan Tease dives into the history and debates that led to Arizona's decision to opt out of Daylight Saving Time.

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The bill arrived in an era of post-World War II, Cold War tension. Its proponents said highways were necessary for national defense. In case of an attack, people in densely populated cities would need roadways to evacuate. 

Across the country, highways were placed directly through towns, bisecting neighborhoods and changing the social fabric of communities. Some were routed through Black and minority neighborhoods that city leaders considered unsightly. 

"Urban renewal” programs sometimes used highways as barriers between Black and white parts of town.

In Phoenix, highway construction came years later than other big cities, and the pushback by residents was strong. Mostly middle- and upper-class white residents of Phoenix were able to bargain for alterations and accommodations when infrastructure came in. For mostly low-income Black and Latino neighborhoods, the result was different. 

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"The United States is first and foremost, and always has been and always will be, Indigenous peoples' sacred homeland," Peshlakai said.

On Sept. 4, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day. Similar to the city of Phoenix's 2016 shift, the move does not replace Columbus Day, which falls on the same date, as a state holiday. And since it's a proclamation instead of legislation, this year will be the only year Indigenous Peoples Day is recognized by the state.

At least for now.

Pehslakai has plans to introduce legislation in 2021 to push for Indigenous Peoples Day to replace Columbus Day, but that move won't come without opposition.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're looking at the history behind the movement for Indigenous Peoples Day. The episode is hosted by Shondiin Silversmith, an Indigenous Affairs reporter for the Republic, and produced by podcast editor Katie O'Connell.

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Richer lived in other cities like Chicago, New Orleans and Portland. The phenomenon he saw in Phoenix was new to him. To find out what was going on, he got in touch with our team at Valley 101.

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dive into the social media influencer community here in the Valley. Producer Maritza Dominguez partnered with the Republic's entertainment reporter KiMi Robinson. 

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She made waves by being one of the first — if not the first — women to ride a bike in Phoenix. She worked as a reporter at the Denver Post. She ran for political office a decade after white women in Arizona were given the right to vote. 

But Hattie's story would go from riches to rags. In the final years of her life, she would be seen wandering around town in outdated ball gowns, rummaging through garbage bins for scraps. By the time she died in 1945, she had lost all but two small parcels of land and most of her money.

How did someone who grew up in the lap of luxury lose everything? It's a story of grief, a city's development and the tenacity of those who helped grow it. 

To find out more about Hattie Mosher, listen to today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. 

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After dozens of private investors constructed the highway in 1988 and 1989, the highway sat unused amid desolate surroundings for nearly 20 years. So what happened? How did this become our "Road to Nowhere"?  

This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, digs into the rich history of Sun Valley Parkway. 

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But this year, many students are not getting that same experience. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic put the traditional rituals of returning to school on hold. This includes students attending Arizona State University. 

 ASU reopened their campus with new restrictions and guidelines. In today’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're following two students and an English instructor as they adj to life on campus. We'll hear how safe they feel teaching and going to school at ASU. 

The Republic’s higher education reporter Rachel Leingang partnered with producer Martiza Dominguez for today's episode.

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Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta are two of the most well-known organizers in the movement. But Arizona had its own leaders. People such as Gustavo Gutierrez and Francisca Montoya. Their efforts, which diverged at times from union leadership in California, created lasting impacts for farmworkers in Arizona.

The movement is also credited to laying the foundation for activism in the Latino community in Arizona.  

Today, we're diving into the movement by answering five questions about the movement. Producers Maritza Dominguez and Taylor Seely will guide you through the history and impacts of the movement. 

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Marco Rosales, a Ph.D candidate at the University of California-Davis,  who has extensively researched the movement.  
• Francisca Montoya who experienced the farmworkers movement first hand in Arizona.  
• Cesar Chavez in "Huelga!," a 1966 documentary. 

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Those are the questions reporter John D'Anna wonders about every time he walks his dog George along the neighborhood canal path. This week, Valley 101 is answering them. 

The shells' official name is Corbicula fluminea, but they're more commonly referred to as Asiatic clams. They were first spotted in the U.S. in 1938, then in Phoenix in 1956. 

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This year has been a little different thanks to a hotter and drier summer. But when the rain hits, there's a noticeable scent to it. 

That's thanks to a certain desert plant, the creosote bush. In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O'Connell explores what element of the creosote bush is responsible for producing this scent. She'll also discover whether or not we're the only place in the world with storms that smell like ours. 

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However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Grand Avenue is one of those. Today we’re answering two questions submitted by listeners. First, how does a diagonal street like Grand Avenue exists in a grid system? And second, what’s so grand about Grand Avenue?

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dive into the street's history.

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With higher than usual patient-to-nurse ratios, stringent PPE protocols and looming fears over exposing their loved ones to the novel coronavirus, health care workers in Arizona are feeling tired, dejected and desperate for lawmakers and the public to take COVID-19 seriously.  

"They've been trying to do two to one ICU patients to a nurse, but that's starting to be hard," Miranda Dunkelbarger, an ICU nurse in Apache Junction, said. Some days she said she's had three patients at a time. 

When New York emerged as a national hotspot in March and April and became the subject of eye catching stories about overwhelmed hospitals and mass graves for the dead, health care workers in Arizona watched in both fear and trepidation — How long before it came to Arizona?

By early August, the novel coronavirus infected more than 180,000 Arizonans and killed more than 4,000. In June and July, Arizona was thrust in the national spotlight as a global hotspot, at one point recording a 25% positivity rate of tests conducted, a key COVID-19 metric. 

This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, follows Dr. Brad Dreifuss and nurse Miranda Dunkelbarger. Dreifuss is an emergency physician based in Tucson and co-founder of HCWHosted, a coalition dedicated to building pandemic preparedness plans for communities. 

Producer Taylor Seely dives into what they're experiencing and what they want people to know about their work.

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In 1923, Phoenix Union Station opened. And in 1926, a transcontinental line was completed, meaning someone could take the train anywhere in the country. 

In this episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're exploring the history of passenger-rail service in the Valley. We'll look at what caused the decline in ridership, as well as future plans that could revive rail service to the historic building.

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Jimmy Flores, a 30-year-old man from Tempe, told Arizona Republic reporter Audrey Jensen he thought COVID-19 was a joke. He figured he was too young and healthy to be susceptible to any significant danger.

After a night out at the bars, Flores contracted COVID-19 and was subsequently hospitalized. He tried to persuade friends and family to be more cautious. He posted on Facebook about his experience and tried to steer clear of politics, hoping it might help detractors or skeptics grasp reality.

Others trying to spread awareness, though, are diving head first into politics. Mark Urquiza was a 65-year-old resident living in Phoenix's Maryvale neighborhood. He died on June 30 from COVID-19. His daughter, Kristin Urquiza, blames Gov. Doug Ducey. 

She published an evocative obituary for her father in The Republic calling out, "the carelessness of the politicians" for jeopardizing public health and "brown bodies." In an interview, she said Ducey has "blood on his hands." 

This week's episode of Valley 101 shares the stories of Flores and the Urquiza family. It examines the confusion some felt about Arizona's reopening and the potential effects of returning to life as usual. 

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The reason dates back to the 1940s before the state even had its own Major League Baseball team. Arizona's relationship to Americans' favorite pastime started with a coalition of baseball teams that would eventually become known as the Cactus League.   

This week on Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, I look into the history of that league, while answering my own question, "Why is Arizona home to the Cactus League?" 

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How the Cactus League got its beginning in Arizona. 
• How the league planted the seed of integrating the city in the 1940s.
• The economic impact spring training has in the Valley. 

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Did you know that if you live in Tempe, you can get a Phoenix Public Library card? One of our podcast listeners knew that, but he wasn't sure why, so podcast editor Katie O'Connell found out. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we're exploring peeking behind-the-scenes at our local libraries. This includes looking at how services have been updated during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the popular summer reading program for kids. 

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But how did we get here? How did the state go from reliably red to purple, with the possibility to shift blue in 2020, in just a decade? To understand, go back to 2010 when Arizona surprised the nation by passing Senate Bill 1070, a sweeping and highly controversial immigration law, otherwise known as the "show me your papers" law. 

That's what Valley 101's sister podcast will explore in season two of Rediscovering. The five-part series will examine what led to the bill, what its proponents sought to do, how the community and nation reacted, and how its effects linger still today. 

This week on Valley 101, host Kaila White will speak to the hosts of Rediscovering: SB 1070, The Arizona Republic's national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen. They also host our political podcast, The Gaggle. They'll take you behind the scenes for a sneak peak of what to expect in the new series. 

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You might hear how convenient and logical it is. Avenues on the west, streets on the east. Central in the middle. You might think the only flaw is that there's no pattern to the east-west extending named streets. That's true. 

But that's not the only problem. Midtown Phoenix resident Scott Wilken spotted major inconsistencies between the number of blocks between each major named street when a driver is traveling north and south. He also discovered the blocks when traveling north and south are not equivalent to the blocks plotted going east and west. 

So, why is that? Plus, who created Phoenix's grid system? What's its history? This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, answers Wilken's question. 

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The Lost Ranch ruins are located within the park away from official trails. As time has passed, the ruins have captivated hikers. 

One Valley 101 listener submitted this question: "What are the origins of the Lost Ranch?" In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dive into the history South Mountain Park and the lonely ruins in the mountains. In this episode, you'll hear from South Mountain Park manager Dan Gronseth. 

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In 1944, three Arizonans invented a new type of concrete block, the Superlite block. The key material in Superlite is volcanic scoria, which is essentially cooled volcanic magma. In this case, it's mined in Winona, AZ.

The Superlite block allowed Phoenix to grow at an exponential rate after World War II. It was light, soundproof, fire proof and it could hold up to our summers. By 1955, Superlite was used in the construction of 75% of new buildings in the Valley.

And it's still used a building material today, including in our fences. 

To read Taz Khatri's Modern Phoenix blog post on this subject, click here.

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Includes: Taylor Seely, Stephanie Innes and Alison Steinbach.

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In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Kaila White interviews Alberto Ríos. 

In this episode you'll hear how Arizona shaped Ríos and what lead him to poetry. You'll also hear him recite some of his poetry. 

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Be sure to listen to part two where we explore the future population of the Valley.

Enjoy and we'll be back next week with a brand new episode.

Want your question about metro Phoenix answered? Submit it at valley101podcast.azcentral.com. And follow us on Twitter @valley101pod. 

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But why are there so many of them? And why are so many of them about personal injury lawsuits?

Turns out, until 1977, attorneys were prohibited from advertising. Times certainly have changed. Arizona lawyers, law firms and legal-services providers spent $32 million on advertising last year. And that number doesn't include spending on social media campaigns.

If you're curious about this phenomenon, podcast editor Katie O'Connell got to the bottom of it in this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com where we answer the questions you ask about metro Phoenix. 

In this episode, you'll hear from:

• Van O'Steen, a Phoenix attorney who sued for the right to advertise
• Mark Breyer, a Phoenix personal injury attorney who currently advertises on TV
• Patricia Sallen, a Phoenix attorney who works in legal ethics
• Nancy Gray, a professor at Arizona State University

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One Valley 101 listener submitted this question, "What is the story behind the angel on top of the Arizona state Capitol?" 

This week on Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we dive into the history of the angel. We also dig deeper into the history of the Arizona State Capitol. 

In this episode, you'll hear from:

• Stephanie Mahan, an administrator at the Arizona State Capitol Museum
• Michael Cady, a retired teacher and volunteer at the Arizona State Capitol Museum

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Eric Wulf, the CEO of the International Car Wash Association, said that Phoenix is one of the top markets for car washes. The reason for that traces back to a few things, including our weather, our growing population and changes in the industry overall. 

To find out more about this subject, podcast editor Katie O'Connell talked to trade experts and car wash owners alike. Listen to this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, to find out more.

In this episode, you'll also hear from:

• Dave Cheatham, the president of Velocity Retail Group
• Brian Gleason, the owner of Mr. Shine Car Wash in Peoria

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But the coronavirus pandemic isn't the first time people began gardening during difficult epochs.

In World War I and II, self sufficiency took on new importance as Americans had to cope with food shortages and rationing. Out of it came "victory gardens," named after the war-time campaign slogan asking Americans to begin gardening and, "sow the seeds of victory." 

Although we do not face the same food shortages today, the comfort of gardening remains the same. 

In today's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Taylor Seely asks experts the step-by-step process of how to begin a garden and speaks to locals about their newfound love of horticulture. Plus, what to do if you want to garden in an apartment or would prefer to start with houseplants. 

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During Black History Month, she wrote a column about moving to Metro Phoenix. Montgomery had lived her whole life in Atlanta, Ga. After moving here, she realized quickly that Atlanta and Phoenix are very different. 

One of the biggest differences is the population of African Americans in each city. Atlanta is 52% African American, while Phoenix is just under 7%.

Soon after her arrival, Montgomery searched for her community, for the people, businesses and art that would help her feel at home. And she found it.

In today's episode, she's sharing her tips to learning to love your new home. Montgomery teamed up with producer Maritza Dominguez to share her journey of finding a community in Phoenix. 

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But in world shaped by the coronavirus pandemic, the thought of 3,000 people from North Dakota congregating in a Mesa park seems distant. Still, that's exactly what happened on March 1. 

Perhaps the largest gathering of North Dakotans outside of the state, the North Dakota picnic gives transplants like reporter Rachel Leingang the chance to reconnect with those who sound and feel like home. A first-time attendee, Leingan decided to play a game: she attempted to find an unknown relative on a Saturday morning, 1,400 miles away from her hometown. 

Did her experiment work? And how did she feel afterward? Find out in this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Producing the episode this week is podcast editor Katie O'Connell.

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Located at 1021 E. Washington Street, the inn is named after its second owners, Golden and Elvira Swindall. But its story begins with a Belgian immigrant in 1913.

And rumor has it that famous black performers like jazz pianist Count Basie and athlete like baseball player Jackie Robinson stayed there. But efforts to locate a guestbook to verify those claims have failed.

In fact, much of the building's history has been lost to time. Producer Taylor Seely spent two months uncovering the Swindall House's rich history, significance and lasting legacy for this episode of Valley 101.

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Craig also knew the illustrator who would bring Sparky the Sun Devil to life. Berkeley Anthony was a former Disney animator in the 1930s and early 1940s. But the story of Berkeley's time at Disney, as well as his creation of Sparky afterward, has many twists and turns.

Producer Maritza Dominguez will explore that story on this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How a small time Disney animator created the iconic mascot for ASU
• How Sparky came to live on the football field 
• How the legacy of Sparky the Sun Devil Continues 

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So this week we're releasing a 15-minute bonus episode answering the essential frequently-asked questions about COVID-19. In this episode, health-care reporter Stephanie Innes tells you what you need to know to keep yourself and your family safe and informed during the outbreak.  

Here's what we answer: 

• What's the difference between the coronavirus and COVID-19?
• How's it different from the flu?
• How does it spread? 
• How do you stay safe?
• What's social distancing? Why are people doing it?
• What does "flattening the curve" mean?
• Why flattening the curve is especially important in Arizona
• What's the worst-case scenario that could happen in our community?
• How long could this last?

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But what is valley fever?

The answer lies in our soil. There's a type of fungus that lives in the first few inches of the soil in the southwest. When that fungus dries, it turns into microscopic spores. When those spores are swept up in haboobs, we run the risk of breathing them in, which could lead to an infection in our lungs.

And it's not just humans who are at risk. Our pets can develop valley fever too.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O'Connell finds answers about valley fever before monsoon season hit.

In this episode you'll hear:

• What valley fever is and what causes it
• What are the symptoms of valley fever
• Options for diagnosis and treatment of valley fever
• How to tell if your pet might have valley fever

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Haboob is an Arabic word that essentially means big, blasting winds, according to Andrew Deemer, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Phoenix and former linguist. 

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast that answers your questions about metro Phoenix,  Producer Taylor Seely breaks down the components necessary for a dust storm to be considered a haboob, plus how and when the word entered Arizona's lexicon. 

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There are a few ways to approach this question, from either an aesthetic standpoint or by evaluating a building's history. 

But, thanks to the help of some expert sources, we've crowned one building the winner. 

Listen to this week's episode, produced by podcast editor Katie O'Connell, to find out which one. 

In this episode you'll hear:

• Alison King, founder of Modern Phoenix: The Neighborhood Network
• Michelle Dodds, city of Phoenix historic preservation officer

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But by the 1950s, light pollution became a concern, as it effects both natural ecosystems and human health. In fact, studies have shown that light pollution can be linked to breast cancer.

Today, the future of Arizona's dark sky could be threatened by light pollution. It's an issue dark sky advocates are working to ease. 

This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, breaks down what the Valley is doing to mitigate light pollution. 

In this episode, you'll hear:

• The components that make up light pollution. 
• The impacts of light pollution on the state's tourism and economy. 
• The steps communities in Metro Phoenix are making to combat light pollution. 

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