Valley 101

Latest Episodes:

Is Cine Capri the best movie theater in Phoenix? Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

In this day and age, there are so many options on where to see a movie. If you want dinner and a show, there's a theater. If you want arthouse, there's a theater. The Valley even has 4 regulated IMAX theaters.

But one place in particular has created an experience for Phoenix movie goers since the 20th century.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore the history of Harkins' Cine Capri Theatre.

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Guests: ⁠Gayle Martin, Jason Carney

Host, Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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Were there Black cowboys in Arizona? Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

People's impression of cowboys is largely due to Hollywood. Actors like John Wayne, Gary Cooper and Clint Eastwood cemented the image of the rugged, handsome, White cowboys throughout their films.

While it made for good movies, it's not entirely accurate to how the West looked at the time.

There's plenty of history on vaqueros, or Mexican cowboys, in the West, but one demographic left their prints on Arizona history with their stories vastly untold: Black cowboys

This week on Valley 101, we answer the question: Were there Black cowboys in Arizona?

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Guests: Tricia Martineau Wagner, Tomari "TJ" Stevenson

Host, Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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Why is the Nancy Guthrie case uniquely Arizonan? Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

One of the interesting things about the Guthrie story is that it is so deeply rooted in Arizona.

Obviously it's taking place here; Guthrie's home is north of Tucson, and the desert landscaping has played a part in how the case is progressing

It just feels like an Arizona story. Because it is.

This week on Valley 101, longtime the Republic reporter who has been covering the story, talks about the Guthrie case, the frustrations of making slow progress and the Arizona ties.

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Guests: Richard Ruelas

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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When did Arizona become a state and what took so long? Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

When did Arizona become a state? The answer is easy enough to find.

What’s more interesting is how Arizona became a state, and even more interesting than that, what took so long.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, we look at two different approaches to the question: When did Arizona become a state? And what took so long?

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Guests: Bob Boze Bell, Stuart Rosebrook

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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Did a murder lead to a wishing shrine in Tucson? Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

In an unassuming dirt patch in Tucson's Barrio Viejo sits a shrine that is said to grant wishes.

But this altar is not like most. It sits at the site of a brutal murder that happened when a love affair went wrong in 1800s Tucson and is said to be the only true shine to a sinner.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, you'll hear the true crime story that lead to a symbol of history and hope for the Mexican-American community in west Tucson.

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Guests: Abraham Cooper

Host, Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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How does a restaurant stay essential? Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

The Arizona Republic has once again come up with a list of 100 Essential Restaurants in the Valley. Like every year, there are some iconic must-visits alongside some new places. Discovery is a big part of the fun.

But some places have been on the list for years. This week on Valley 101, we talk with the Chicago Hamburger Company about what makes a restaurant a staple and how it stays essential to a community.

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Guests: Felicia Campbell, Bob Pappanduros

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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Why does Arizona have so many specialty license plates? Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

For some people, a license plate can be something more.

It's a way for some drivers to express themselves, whether through witty (and not so witty) words and names and such, or through a speciality plate. You have doubtless seen both.

And in Arizona, there are over 100 ways to express yourself with a specialty plate.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the question: why does Arizona have so many specialty plates?

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Guests: Bill Lamoreaux

Host: ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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What is it like to bike across Arizona? Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Most of us have seen parts of Arizona. Some of us have even seen most of Arizona. But Joan? Joan has seen all of Arizona top to bottom.

In 2025, the Arizona Republic's climate reporter rode her bike along the Arizona Trail, spanning the whole state North to South, observing and documenting how climate is impacting the state.

This week on Valley 101, Joan shares the story of her trip, what she learned and how she sees the future of Arizona's climate playing out.

Read Joan's story here and check out her instagram here

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Guests: Joan Meiners

Host: Bill Goodykoontz ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto

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What are the upcoming projects in the Valley for 2026? Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Phoenix is constantly expanding. It seems like there's a new construction project popping up every day, and it looks like that's not about to change in 2026.

To kick off the new year, Valley 101 explores what's to come with the help of the development reporter for the Arizona Republic, Corina Vanek.

Find out what projects she's keeping an eye on and if the classic company town will be resurrected in Phoenix.

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Guests: Corina Vanek

Host: ⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠

Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠

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How did the Flagstaff Pinecone Drop become an Arizona tradition? Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

It's that time of year when every state kicks off the new year with its own "ball" drop.

North Carolina has the pickle drop. Florida has the shrimp drop. Arizona is no different.

The pinecone drop has been an annual tradition in Flagstaff since 1999, but why a pinecone?

Valley 101 investigates this unique tradition with the help of its founder, Sam Green. Find out why the pinecone is the staple of Northern Arizona's new year, why it's lasted so long and how a trash can scandal changed the celebration.

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Guests: Sam Green

Host: ⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto

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