For a long time, Arizona was not always in the political spotlight — or if it was, it was for controversies like former Gov. Evan Mecham, who was impeached and removed from office, or SB 1070, the legislation that made being in the country illegally a state crime, and made it illegal to fail to carry immigration papers, among other things.

How things have changed. Now Arizona's a swing state; presidential candidates visit as often as kids visit the desert bar at an all-you-can-eat buffet. But some of those rough edges Stewart called out remain; the state is also ground zero for election denialism and conspiracy theories.

Someone has to shine that spotlight, and it's the journalists from around the country who flock to the state, providing coverage like never before. TV, newspapers, magazines — everyone's getting in on it. So why is the national media obsessed with Arizona?

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out. We spoke with George Packer, a reporter for The Atlantic magazine who wrote an epic story about Arizona; Vaughn Hillyard, a reporter for NBC News who grew up in Arizona; and Jack Healy, a New York Times reporter based in the state.

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Dia de los Muertos is a popular holiday in Arizona, and really everywhere, but also one that many of the people who celebrate it may not know much about. And while there my be no technically wrong way to celebrate, there is definitely a right way.

So how do you celebrate Dia de los Muertos respectfully?

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we find out. I spoke with Mathew Sandoval, an Arizona State University professor and an expert on the holiday, as well as Tiffany Acosta, a Republic reporter who has written about it a lot.

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Everybody loves a ghost story, but do they love ghosts? The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona's most haunted hotel, has been captivating visitors since 1902 with its ghoulish activities and eerie tales.

In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Bill Goodykoontz dives into its ghostly history by answering the question is the Copper Queen Hotel really haunted?

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The Arizona Cardinals notoriously known for their ups and downs have faced their share of challenges over the years. However, with the right strategies, talent, and teamwork the Cardinals may see a new fate.

In this week's episode of Valley 101 a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Host Bill Goodykoontz discusses the historic nature of this NFL team and the prospects for its future ahead with Bob McManaman, a columnist for The Arizona Republic and Theo Mackie, Cardinals reporter.

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For the first time in nearly three decades, Arizona is not gearing up for hockey season. At the end of the 2023-2024 season, the Arizona Coyotes announced their relocation to Salt Lake City, Utah, ending professional hockey in the state. 

This wasn't the first time the Coyotes had dealt with ownership instability or rumors of relocation. The team has been riddled with complications since they arrived in 1997.

So why was this the time that it actually happened?

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we sit down Craig Morgan, a senior writer for PHNX Sports and All City Network, who broke the story of the Coyotes' relocating to Utah.

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Many debates arise over the topic of Mexican Food. Tacos or Burritos? Corn or flour tortillas? and when it comes to authenticity which city reigns supreme, Phoenix or Tucson?

But with Mexican cuisine representing a large portion of Arizona's food scene, which city takes first place?

In this week's episode of Valley 101 a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we discuss this culinary showdown and you can get the best mexican food near you.

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Over 100 years ago, North Phoenix's main road, Bethany Home Road was just a small path that served a specific community. Bethany Home sanitarium was considered a safe haven helping those with tuberculosis. Although, the sanatarium did get renamed a few years later its legacy lives on today.

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we discuss the history of Bethany Home Road, and why history should always be documented.

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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.

Today, we bring you the history of Goodyear, Arizona's Trotting Horse Park. This vibrant hotspot was the talk of the town in 1965, and while its run was short lived, its legacy still gallops through time.

Saddle up for this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com about metro Phoenix and beyond, as we dive back into the history of Arizona's Trotting Horse Park with East Valley Reporter Martiza Dominguez and Producer Amanda Luberto.

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It's a record year in Phoenix when it comes to the heat.

But it's always been hot here: Phoenix is considered to be the nation's hottest city — but even now the early mornings and late nights cannot always guarantee a break from high temperatures.

Yet despite it all, Arizonans live their lives here. They go to work, they walk their dog, they see their friends. They survive in the heat day after day. For most, salvation comes from a jump in the pool or time spent in the air conditioning, but everyone here is influenced by the heat in their daily lives.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we sit down with three Arizona Republic reporters who worked on One Week in the Heat. Lane Sainty, Ray Stern and Daniel Gonzalez join the show to discuss what they learned talking with doctors, the elderly, the unhoused and more for a real look at what it takes to live in the Phoenix sun.

Read the full One Week in the Heat project by the Arizona Republic here.

Subscribe to The Arizona Republic's climate newsletter here.

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Kaely Monahan is onto a new job so we wanted to take the time to thank her and showcase her best work.

The Arizona Republic podcast team hopes you have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend and we'll be back next week with a regular episode of Valley 101.

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While September 22nd is the "official" end of summer, Labor Day is often marked as the unofficial end of the season.

But summer is one of the most nostalgic times of the year. And there are certain activities or experiences that Arizonans try to get in every year.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, members of our newsroom wax poetic about their summer traditions and what must be done for an Arizona summer to feel complete.

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