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. Producers of the show are Amanda Luberto and Kaely Monahan.
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Helping you keep up with what matters in Arizona's political news. Each week we interview politicians, public figures or journalists to break down one local issue and how it affects your life in Arizona. Coming to you every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle is hosted by The Arizona Republic's national political reporter Ron Hansen and state politics reporter Mary Jo Pitzl. You can find them on social media at @ronaldjhansen and @maryjpitzl. Producers of the show are Amanda Luberto and Kaely Monahan.
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I'm the father is an amazing little boy and happen to be a journalist for azcentral. Here is where those two worlds come together as part of my daddy blog. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/i-am-your-father/support
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Yes, you need to prove your citizenship to vote in Arizona. But what if you can't?
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It goes without saying: You must be a U.S. citizen to vote in U.S. elections. Even so, the idea of proving your citizenship has been hotly contested. Proponents say it's crucial to prevent non-citizens from voting in U.S. elections. Opponents say that this creates roadblocks that disenfranchise voters. In Arizona, the Legislature sought to reinstat…
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No Arizona summer is complete without....
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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…
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4 key races on your 2024 ballot that you really shouldn't ignore
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The general election is less than seven weeks away on Nov. 5, and the presidential race is gaining the most attention. However, for Arizonans, there are some really important races down your ballot that you don't want to skip over. In Maricopa County in particular, there are four races worth your attention: county recorder, sheriff, board of superv…
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Arizona's Paleolithic history is just 45 minutes from Phoenix in the Great Bend of the Gila
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Drive about 45 minutes southwest of the Phoenix Valley, and you will reach an expanse of the Sonoran desert with a long, rich history. The Gila River runs through this area, which was once lush with flora and fauna. Now, with the river dammed up, the water doesn't always flow. Nonetheless, the region is still home to an abundance of people, wildlif…
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Why Mesa's mayoral race is one to watch in the 2024 election
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For the first time in 10 years, Mesa has to choose a new mayor. Politically, Mesa is a study in contrasts. The current mayor, Republican John Giles, is known for his relatively moderate views and willingness to cross party lines, as he has again in the presidential election this year. But it’s also the political base of U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, a MAGA…
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Can Arizona's power grid sustain our future?
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Power grids in the United States are struggling. As temperatures increase and populations grow, so does the stress on systems that keep our electricity running. For the West, electricity is most important in the hot summer months. It keeps our cool air-conditioners pumping. Going without air conditioning for too long can be not only an annoyance, b…
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What the stock market crash means for Arizonans
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Slow job growth could be one reason why markets worldwide took a nosedive on Monday. At the beginning of August, the U.S. jobs report showed sluggish growth in July. However, the stock market has been stabilizing. And for those of us in Arizona, things are looking up. At least a little. Inflation is cooling - though that doesn't mean prices are goi…
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How many 'childless cat ladies' live in Arizona?
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Vice President nominee JD Vance rubbed some Americans the wrong way when a clip from a 2021 interview surfaced recently. He derided some voters as "childless cat ladies" in a now infamous quote, Vance said the country is run "via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and …
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Primary election day 2024: How July will shape November
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Voters across Arizona headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their vote in the 2024 primary election. A low voter turnout resulted in few complications on primary election day. There were no noteworthy technology glitches or long lines deferring voters from participating. But that doesn't mean that everything will be smooth sailing on the big day in N…
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Where does Arizona's political extremism come from?
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After the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and after digging into Arizona's prominent role in the plot to overturn the 2020 election, Republic reporters repeatedly heard questions we couldn't quite answer. What is going on in Arizona? Why does this state seem to have people willing to push the political envelope further than almost anyone else? Ho…
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How bipartisan observers help keep elections secure
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The election process is being carefully watched. From security cameras at county offices to candidates monitoring polling places, there are eyes and ears on alert to ensure the safety of the voting process. But another group plays a key role in ensuring the integrity of the vote: election observers. With less than a week before the 2024 primary ele…
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The efforts to grow the film industry in Arizona
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In the world where business and film collide, many states have lucrative film tax incentives that attract big production companies to their sites. Arizona's previous tax program closed its curtains in 2010, but a new initiative, the Arizona Motion Picture Program, went into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, that reinstated film tax credits if a production me…
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The far right started 60 years ago when Arizona's Barry Goldwater ran for President
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The Republican National Convention is underway in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this week, and Donald Trump is the GOP's official pick for president. But Trump's bombastic attitude and brash words aren't new to American politics. Sixty years ago, another grandiloquent and explicitly extreme presidential candidate appeared on the scene: Barry M. Goldwater. F…
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BONUS: What the Trump assassination attempt could mean for our elections
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On Saturday, former President Donald Trump was shot at during his campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania. Three people were injured including the presidential nominee, who suffered an injury to his ear as a bullet skimmed the side of his head. One man died while shielding his family from the gunshots. The assassination attempt is still under investi…
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Should Arizona be using its limited water on growing weed?
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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 being considered more often by policymakers. The state's water supply comes from three sources: surface water, reclaimed water and…
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Arizonans rallied to get 3 key issues on the ballot. So what happens next?
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At the end of July, Arizonans will vote in the primary election to say who will represent them for the Republican and Democratic parties. But the work is already underway on the ballot for the November general election. A legislative panel signed off on the language that describes what ballot propositions would do, and last week, supporters of thre…
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While it may not be the state first thought of when considering Black history, Arizona has a diverse and rich history of African American stories dating back to the 1800s. Yet most of the archives, stories and icons are not being preserved or celebrated. Today, about 5% of Arizonans are Black and some community leaders and activists are working to …
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The Arizona Republic reads the Declaration of Independence
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This year, Americans will choose their next president and many other lawmakers, and decide which initiatives to enshrine in local law. It's a practice made possible by rebels of the British Crown more than two centuries ago. Since then, America has evolved dramatically, and the stage is set for history to be made once more this November. However, i…
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Should all fireworks be legal in Arizona?
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Across the nation, Fourth of July is marked by friends and families gathering to watch firework displays – or in some cases, set off their own light shows. Under Arizona law, only some types of fireworks can be legally used and sold during certain times of the year. But some illegal fireworks still make their way into the sky, and it's sparked a de…
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Ballots for the July 30 primary election will soon be arriving in voters' mailboxes. In Maricopa County, a postal worker will drop off a distinctive, light yellow oversized envelope. Some counties will get light green. Others will get light blue. But they will each have been filled right here in the Valley. These ballots get tailor-made for each vo…
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Calling all dog lovers! Find out how to prep your pooch to hit the trails with you.
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It might be hot out, but we have a cool and cute episode for all you dog-lovers. Today we revisit one of our favorite episodes from former podcast producer Taylor Seely, on how to hike safely with your dog. Now, it's probably too hot to hit the trails here in the Valley, but that just gives you the perfect excuse to hit the road and seek out cooler…
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The DOJ's report on Phoenix Police is pretty damning. But city leaders have stayed mostly mute. Why?
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On June 13, the U.S. Department of Justice released a long-anticipated report on its investigation into the city of Phoenix and its Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division laid out the results of the 126-page report after a nearly three-year investigation. Thus far, the reaction…
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Arizona can be weird. Here's 3 things you might not know about the Grand Canyon State
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The Republic's podcast team is working feverishly on a brand new season of Rediscovering, our investigative podcast series. We're so close to launching as well! Since the team is deep in production, we're bringing you one of our favorite Valley 101 episodes from 2023. Producer Kaely Monahan explores some odd facts about the 48th state. We hope you …
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Arizona's cracking down on fake rehab centers. What's the political fall out and what's next?
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At least $2.3 billion has been milked from Arizona taxpayers since 2019 in a shocking fake rehab program that mainly targeted Indigenous communities. Scammers posing as legitimate workers or counselors for sober living communities in Phoenix would patrol areas where Native Americans would gather to buy and consume alcohol. They would then pick up p…
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How heat domes help generate Arizona's monsoons
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With Phoenix already experiencing temperatures over 110, many of us are wondering "when will the monsoons start?" Officially, monsoon season kicks off June 15. But most of us want to know when the rains will come. That depends on how hot it gets. While we might be suffering under a heat dome, the high temps are drawing up moisture from south of the…
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