Valley 101

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 might hate and vice versa. So we called in for backup. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, we're joined by a former critic and current communications manager at the Sidney Poitier New American Film School at ASU, along with another film critic at the Republic who you might recognize. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Barbara VanDenbergh, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠ Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto, Madison Knutson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 rankings. One of the biggest food debates is: What is the best Thanksgiving side? This week on Valley 101, we dive into the rankings with the help of Arizona Republic's dining and food reporter Endia Fontanez and several Arizona chefs. You'll also hear from the Valley 101 team about their Thanksgiving opinions. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Endia Fontanez, Mahfam Mooeni Alacron, Justin Beckett, Julie Moreno, Charleen Badman, Mark Tarbell, ⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠ Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 would start after Thanksgiving. This year, she started music on November 5. This week on Valley 101, we explore why Arizonans are asking Beth McDonald to kick off Christmas music early. We also brought on Bill Goodykoontz to share his complicated views on the seasonal earworms. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: ⁠⁠⁠Beth McDonald, Bill Goodykoontz Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Valley 101 listener had the question: What's the best Native American restaurant in the Valley? A quarter of Arizona is designated tribal land, and there are many different Native American restaurants. We're going to cover one in Wild Horse Pass. In this week's episode of Valley 101, reporter Martiza Dominguez explores the old and new of Native American food. ⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: ⁠Ryan Swanson, Mario Ettsity Host: ⁠Maritza Dominguez Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson, ⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 a former tax office. However, both these bars shine bright, nonetheless. This week on Valley 101, host Bill Goodykoontz talks to Arizona Republic dining reporters about what makes these bars among the best in the country. He's also joined by the owner of Carry On Theodore Myers to discover what it's like to make it on this kind of list. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Bahar Anooshahr, Endia Fontanez, Teddy Myers Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Knutson, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 people who know what it's like to be behind the scenes scaring people at the 13th Floor Haunted House. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Kyle Seichard, Lauren Garris Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Madison Knutson ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ability. They're psychedelic! In this week's episode of Valley 101, experts join producer Madison Knutson to explore the danger and importance of this Arizona amphibian. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Thomas Jones, Blythe Kelly, Candace Lewis Host: Madison Knutson Producer: Madison Knutson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 life, the hardships of having your worst qualities displayed on the silver screen and what Kerr's time as a roadie for bands like The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi was like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Amanda Luberto sets the record straight with the help of a state climate expert and some definitive data. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Erinanne Saffell⁠ Host: ⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 trendiest foods of the Arizona State Fair, including lots of hot honey and Dubai chocolate. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Dina Kaur, Tiffany Acosta, Endia Fontanez Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? And why does Bill Goodykoontz seem to dislike cats so much? Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Joe Casados Host: Bill Goodykoontz Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 least in spirit. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Roger Naylor, Jim Dublinski Host: Kaely Monahan Producer: Madison Knutson, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto, Kaely Monahan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 and more importantly, why do they stay? This week on Valley 101, we ask an advocate and someone who returned why the Valley of the Sun has people falling in love with it every day. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Mayor Kate Gallego, Sean Mclaughlin Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 teams. He's called ASU football for 38 years, 10 on TV, 28 on the radio. So he'd know. This week on Valley 101 we answer the question: What's it like to call Arizona State football games for almost 40 years? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Tim Healey Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we spoke with the winner of our fried chicken poll, the co-owner of CC's on Central about what makes good fried chicken and how to best make it at home. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Sharon Cunningham Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana? It's becoming a major industry in the state, leading many to joke that maybe a 6th C should be added to the state's mantra: cannabis. This week on Valley 101, we talk with the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU, to give us a sense of where our water is being used. Then, a cannabis brand shares how their grow is using as little water as possible. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Sarah Porter, Jake Ritter Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 anyone can confirm the myth, it's the participants. But as it turns out– there is always more to the story. In this week's episode of Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we explore this Arizona heat myth, with the help of a climatologist, food safety expert, and small-town competition to answer the question: can you really cook an egg on the sidewalk in Arizona? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Bobby Mursick, Erinanne Saffell, Heather Miller Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 can just hop in your car and drive for an hour or two and find something extremely different. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, host Bill Goodykoontz talks with an Arizona author and travel writer and, the consumer travel reporter for The Republic to to answer a question we posed to readers: what is the most scenic view in Arizona? ⁠⁠⁠Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Watchlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Friday media newsletter. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Roger Naylor, Michael Salerno⁠ Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bill Goodykoontz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger⁠, ⁠Amanda Luberto ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 reminiscing and reflecting on what being from Arizona means to her. This week on Valley 101, a podcast about metro Phoenix and beyond, Republic editor Shelby Slade shares a personal essay about how Arizona's namesake made her fall in love with her state. Read Shelby's article here Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Shelby Slade Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 many rocky relationships in the villa and bombshells “taking your man.” The drama went beyond Fiji when several accounts of public backlash rose against contestants online. Arizona contestant Cierra Ortega was removed from the villa, though she was not the only one. This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we answer the questions: What is the controversy behind an Arizona “Love island” contestant and what this scandal may mean for casting reality television contestants moving forward. Submit your question⁠⁠⁠⁠ about Phoenix! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: Dina Kaur Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Abby Bessinger, Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices