Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Does Phoenix have a startup scene like Silicon Valley? Oct 07, 2019

Show notes

Phoenix is known as the land of sunshine and real estate. But every so often you might hear someone compare Phoenix with Silicon Valley, the land of tech startups and innovation and billionaires and Tesla. Some have gone so far as to call Phoenix the "Silicon Desert."

But when people talk startups, they usually talk about San Jose and San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Boston. What about us? How big is Phoenix’s startup scene? How is it shaping our metro and our future?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's that dome-shaped church always under construction near downtown? Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

There's a tower and dome-shaped building south of Interstate 10 near 16th Avenue that seems to always be under construction. It's a church called La Luz del Mundo, or in English, The Light of the World Church. So what is the church and what do the members believe? And why is their church leader, Naasón Joaquín García facing 26 felony charges in Los Angeles County? Reporter Uriel Garcia and producer Taylor Seely find out.

To learn more about the church, its history, and ex-churchgoers, read this in-depth article for azcentral.com subscribers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What was life like for Japanese Americans in Arizona after being incarcerated during WWII? Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

Executive Order 9066 lead to the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Two of the largest incarceration camps were located in Arizona.

In last week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we examined the history of the camps and what it was like to live in one. In this week's episode, we'll explore what life was like for Japanese Americans who lived outside of the militarized zone.

We'll also delve into the closing of the camps and, decades later, a moment the president of the Japanese American Citizens League, Arizona Chapter described as a "bright spot" for our country.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What was life like in the Japanese-American incarceration camps in Arizona during WWII? Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

Signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1942, Executive Order 9066 incarcerated almost 120,000 Japanese-Americans without due process.

Internees were sent to one of 10 incarceration camps throughout the country, including two in Arizona. Named the Poston Relocation Center and Gila River War Relocation Center, the camps would become the third and fourth largest cities in Arizona at the time.

This week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, explores the atmosphere that lead to the signing of Executive Order 9066 and the construction of the camps in Arizona. You'll also hear what life was like in the Arizona camps from someone who grew up in one.

This is the first part of a two-part series on this chapter of history. The second part will be released on Monday, Sept. 23. Subscribe to Valley 101 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to ensure that you'll hear the follow up.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How have Latinos shaped Phoenix? Exploring Arizona's Hispanic history Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

How have Latinos shaped Phoenix's development? Who are the Latinos that led the fight for civil rights in the Valley?

It's a broad question, and an essential one: About one third of the people living in Maricopa County are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census data.

We're looking at three stories that illustrate the impact Latinos had in the Valley and continue to have. We take a look into what Phoenix was like before it was developed and during the civil rights movement.

September 15th is the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. Celebrate by learning more about Latino history in Arizona with this episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

NOTE: Valley 101 is intended to be heard. But we also offer a transcript of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.

In this episode, you'll hear:The History of the "Mother of Phoenix," Trinidad Escalante SwillingRay Martinez, a co-founder of the American Legion Post 41 and WWII U.S. Navy veteranMary Rose Wilcox, the first Latina to serve on the Phoenix City Council

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring Phoenix sports fandom: Which team do we love the most? Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

Which Arizona team are we in the Valley the most loyal to? And why? People often talk about how long a team has been around or how much they're winning, but there's so much more to it than that.

Which team do you love the most and why? Let us know on Twitter @valley101pod. And sign up for our email newsletter at valley101newsletter.azcentral.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Phoenix's air quality bad? How does it affect our health? Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

The American Lung Association ranked Phoenix the seventh most ozone-polluted metropolitan area in the United States in April. If you've ever seen a brown haze hanging over the Valley, you too may have questioned the safety of our air quality.

While all residents can experience side effects of poor air quality, there are certain groups of people who are particularly sensitive and will endure more severe consequences. What can we all do to protect them?

This episode will help you understand more about these pollutants; how they affect human health and who is most at risk; and how Phoenix's air quality has changed over time.

LINKS:

Subscribe to our Valley 101 Newsletter: valley101newsletter.azcentral.com

For more info on the ADEQ vehicle emissions assistance program: azdeq.gov/carhelp

Follow Valley on Twitter @valley101pod.

Follow Producer Taylor Seely on Twitter: @taylorseely95

Follow Host Kaila White on Twitter @KailaWhite

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are palm trees native to Arizona? Why does Phoenix have so many? Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

What do you think of when you picture a palm tree?

For some, palm trees bring to mind images of beaches, sand and the ocean waves — not the desert. But you can spot the high-rising plant pretty much anywhere you head to in town.

That begs the question: Are palm trees native to Arizona? Why does Phoenix have so many?

In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O'Connell digs in on this fixture of our landscape.

In this episode you'll hear:Liz Makings, collections manager for Arizona State University's HerbariumSteve Blackwell, conservation collections manager at the Desert Botanical GardenBrian Blake, owner of Whitfill Nursery: Main Tree Farm

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Javelina in Arizona: Are they pigs? Are they dangerous? Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Arizona is home to an array of wildlife unique to the southwestern U.S., including the often-misunderstood javelina. As Mesa resident Jim Albany asked, "Are javelina really dangerous?"

This question took us on a journey to the Phoenix Zoo, a taxidermy-filled office room, and the Ben Avery Outdoor Archery Range in Phoenix.

If you've ever run into a javelina in your neighborhood and not known how to react, you'll want to take a listen to this episode. Did you know that you can hunt javelina? We break down how it works and talk to local hunter Josh Kirchner about his adventures. To learn more, listen to this episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

In this episode, you'll hear:Devorah Young, a hoofstockkeeper at the Phoenix Zoo, talk about javelinas she takes care of. Darren Julian, of Arizona Game and Fish Department, speak about how to react when you run into a javelina.Josh Kirchner, a local hunter, talk about why he hunts javelina and how to do it.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does I-10 go through a tunnel in downtown Phoenix? Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

Odds are you’ve driven through the part of Interstate 10 in downtown Phoenix that dips into a tunnel.

Phoenix natives call this the Deck Park Tunnel. But that is that is not its real name, and it’s technically not a tunnel. The real name is the Papago Freeway Tunnel and it's a series of 19 bridges. Big surprise, right?

To dig in to this controversial history, listen to this episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.

This episode contains clips of a video called "Soaring Sculpture" produced by Swartwout Film Productions in cooperation with the Arizona State Highway Department and the Bureau of Public Roads and U.S. Department of Transportation. Thank you to the Arizona Department of Transportation for letting us use parts of that video.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected