Valley 101

Arizona Highways has chosen its Best Picture of 2025, and surprise, it isn't of the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley - although one of those panoramas did place. This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz is taking...

It might surprise you to know that a good amount of movies have been filmed in Arizona over the decades. And more than just westerns! But what is the "best" movie? That is subjective: a movie you love, someone else...

It's Thanksgiving week, and Arizonans have food on their mind. Stores are starting to sell out of food. It's the last rush before the big meal. Something that people like to talk about during this season is food...

Love it or hate it, Christmas music has started playing on radio stations and in grocery stores. Beth McDonald hosts "Beth and Friends" on KEZ 99.9 FM. She's been playing Christmas music for 41 years. In the past, she...

November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month. According to the Department of the Interior, it's a time to recognize the contributions that indigenous communities have made to the United States. One...

Recently, two Arizona bars made it on USA Today's 29 best bar list: Carry On and Gracie's Tax Bar. These bars couldn't be more different. One is a highly themed, cocktail experience. The other is a friendly dive bar in...

You might know what it's like to walk through a haunted house. It's exhilarating, scary and just a little bit annoying. But what is it like on the other side? This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to two...

You might've heard screeching outside after the rain this year. Don't fear, it's just the Sonoran Desert Toad. This toad appears during the monsoon season to reproduce. More importantly, this amphibian has a special...

This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to one of the few people who can say Dwayne Johnson has played them in a biopic, extreme fighter Mark Kerr. We explore what it's like to have a superstar depict your...

If you find yourself thinking, "This summer wasn't that bad," you're not alone. The Valley 101 crew feels the same way But are our senses tricking us into thinking triple digits aren't that bad? ' This week, Producer...

State fairs across the country are often known for being places full of large, fried, and trendy foods. Arizona is no different. This week, host Bill Goodykoontz and The Arizona Republic dining team explore the...

A story from U.S. News & World Report crossed the desk of our host Bill Goodykoontz this week that crowned the chihuahua as the most popular dog in Arizona, but why is that doggie the favorite of the Grand Canyon State?...

It’s coming up on fall! A time where America seems to be jumping up in joy, donning their cardigans and proclaiming their love for leaves, apple cider and, of course, pumpkin everything. Arizona is no different … at...

The weather is triple digits, it's dry as a bone and the city landscape is overrun with strip malls. Yet, Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the nation and the population is growing fast. So why are people moving here...

Football season is finally back and the ASU Sun Devils are expected to deliver on their high expectations. At least according to Tim Healey, the longtime announcer of the Sun Devils football, basketball and baseball...

Everyone has their own definition of the well-worn phrase "comfort food." Pizza, burgers, whatever it is that takes your mind off stress and helps you chill out qualifies. How about fried chicken? This week on Valley...

Something Arizonans hear a lot is that we're running out of water. While the state has enough water to not induce complete panic yet, conservation methods are being put into place and Arizona's long-term water supply is...

The rumors might be true... the desert heat is hot– maybe even hot enough to cook your breakfast. Just ask the town of Oatman, Arizona, where the annual egg fry competition has become a long-standing tradition. If...

Arizona has a different kind of beauty. Those craggy rocks and scrubby little bushes start to look better, if you look in the right places. If you don’t like the terrain or the view in the part of Arizona you’re in, you...

The fires burning at the Grand Canyon are now the the fifth-largest blaze at a national park in recent history. It's destroyed the historic lodge and has spanned nearly 17,000 acres of forest. The destruction has Shelby...

Peacock’s hit reality TV series “Love Island USA” wrapped it's seventh season on Sunday, July 13 after leveraging millions of viewers worldwide for its juicy summer drama. However, Season 7 had an unusual run despite...

If you've ever been to an Arizona Diamondbacks game, you've heard Bobby Freeman. You may not know you have, but you have. There's no way around it — he's been the organist for the team since they started play in 1998. A...

Happily, metro Phoenix has some great pizza places. Places? Joints? Choose your own colloquialism. Your favorite pizza place says a lot about you. So who has the best? Lucky for us, we have a way of figuring this out...

Arizona has been home to many musical acts — some born and raised here, others who found fame along the way. But who's the biggest artist to come out of the Grand Canyon state? Is it Alice Cooper? Stevie Nicks? Linda...

Monsoons are an ancient phenomenon, bringing heavy bursts of rain and wind to the Valley. But there's much more to know about this season. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com...