Whether you're a longtime Arizona resident or a newcomer, chances are there's something you've always wondered about the Valley. From The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com comes Valley 101, a weekly podcast where our journalists find answers to your questions about metro Phoenix and beyond. From silly to serious, you tell us what to investigate. You can submit questions at valley101.azcentral.com or reach us on social media @azcentral. This show is hosted by Bill Goodykootz and produced by…
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Salad and Go was founded in Gilbert in 2013 and quickly became a go-to spot for quick, affordable salads. On Aug. 4, 2026, the chain announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing all of its Arizona and Nevada locations. But what happened? On this week's episode of Valley 101, we look at what led to the closures and what the future could hold for those stores. Submit your…
There is one thing most Arizonans can agree on, we need a beach. While it’s a borderline impossible thought, we are fortunately able to head down to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico, nicknamed “Arizona’s beach." On this week’s episode of Valley 101, we take a walk down the shore and answer the question: How did Puerto Peñasco become Arizona’s beach? Submit your question about…
Most people know Papago Park for the hole in the wall, or the famous Phoenix Zoo, but overlooking it all, on top of a hill, is one of the strangest landmarks in Arizona: a white pyramid. Many locals have no idea what it is — or what's in it. On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we look into the history behind the mysterious pyramid and learn…
Sometimes, you can instantly tell where a person is from by the way they speak. A southern drawl or a California vocal fry can give someone away. If you're around it all the time, you might not even hear that you yourself have a distinct speech pattern. So when the idea of an "Arizona accent" was floating around social media, we had to find out. This week on Valley 101, we answer the question: Do…
Election season is about to heat up in Arizona, and everywhere else in the country. If your mailbox isn't clogged with campaign mailers already, count yourself among the lucky ones. Arizona is now a battleground state. That means more media scrutiny and more nasty campaign commercials, which is a real disappointment to those of us who enjoy turning off our brains on Sunday afternoons in the fall…
Just off the corner of Camelback Road and Central Avenue is an old-school deli that's been there for almost 100 years. Cheese 'n Stuff first opened its doors in 1949 — less than 40 years after Arizona gained statehood — and has been feeding the Uptown Phoenix neighborhood ever since. This week we answer the question: is Cheese 'n Stuff really Uptown Phoenix's favorite sandwich? Co-owner Julie…
Arizona summers are known for their crazy high temperatures. The heat can make you want to stay inside, but where’s the summer fun when you’re trapped indoors? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, we talk with The Arizona Republic’s newsroom crew to find out how they like to continue to have fun even through the drastically hot summers. Submit your question about Phoenix!…
LGBTQ+ rights have changed significantly over time, but progress has not always been a straight line. Something that helps the community is living in a place that is LGBTQ+ friendly. But what does it mean to be LGBTQ+ friendly? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore whether Phoenix is LGBTQ+ friendly, the progress the city has made,…
In Arizona, 78 degrees can feel perfect in the winter and surprisingly cool in the summer. So why does the same temperature feel so different depending on the season? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the science behind the air that thermostats blow into our homes and how our bodies adapt to the raging and changing temperatures…
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It’s history is often associated with the South, but what was Arizona like when Juneteenth happened? On this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the significance of Juneteenth in Arizona, how it has been celebrated over the years, and why the holiday remains important today.…