Andrew Yeager
WBHM Managing Editor
It was probably inevitable that Andrew Yeager would end up working in public radio. The son of two teachers, NPR News programs often formed the backdrop to car rides growing up. And it was probably inevitable that Andrew would end up in news after discovering the record button on his tape recorder. He still remembers his first attempted interview - his uncooperative 2-year-old sister.
Originally from east central Indiana, Andrew earned degrees in broadcasting and political science from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. While there he spent more than his fair share of time at WOBN, the student-run radio station. After college Andrew worked for an educational non-profit and volunteered at WMUB in Oxford, Ohio. He ventured into public radio full-time as a reporter for WNIN in Evansville, Ind. Besides covering an array of local stories, Andrew's work has been heard on many public radio programs.
Andrew lives with his wife and two children in Birmingham. When not consumed by public radio work, he's often picking up items strewn about the house by said children, reading or heading out on a bike ride when not enveloped by the Alabama heat.
Birmingham Pursues Two Federal Agencies to Fill Downtown Building
The City of Birmingham hopes the federal government will move two agriculture agencies to Birmingham and fill downtown office space that's been vacant since 2010.
A New Play Explores Race Through A 1951 Birmingham Basketball Court
The play "Separate and Equal" by University of Alabama Professor Seth Panitch centers on a hypothetical basketball game between black and white teens in 1951 Birmingham -- a game that would have been illegal.
$25 Million Alabama Futures Fund: ‘This state is open for business for startups.’
The new $25 million dollar Alabama Futures Fund will try to attract and grow promising startups in Alabama.
Alabama Seeks Comment on Plans to Add Medicaid Work Requirement
Alabama wants to require some Medicaid recipients to work if they want healthcare coverage. The public has until Thursday to comment on the plan.
UAB Study Finds CBD Oil Helps Epilepsy Patients
Researchers at UAB published a study this month that offers hope to those dealing with severe epilepsy. It found cannabidiol or CBD oil helps curb seizures. The substance is derived from marijuana although it doesn’t have hallucinogenic properties.
UAB Opens New Business School Building
UAB's business school has a new home. Officials cut the ribbon Friday in the new Collat School of Business building.
Sidewalk Film Festival Returns for its 20th Year
The 20th Sidewalk Film Festival opens Friday in downtown Birmingham. A look back at the early years from someone who helped get it off the ground.
Connecting With Seniors One Phone Call At A Time
At the Senior Talk Line in Birmingham, volunteers call seniors just to chat. It's an effort to fight loneliness and connect with people who may have few others to connect with.
Birmingham Student Wins National Poetry Award
Alabama School of Fine Arts senior Daniel Blokh was named a National Student Poet earlier this month. He's one of five students in the country to win the honor.
Uncovering Elder Financial Abuse? It’s Tricky.
The elderly can be easy targets for financial abuse. First, they might have money saved from a lifetime of working. Plus they might not be as alert to scams or people taking advantage of them. Banks and other financial institutions can sometimes spot potential problems early. That’s just the beginning of what can be a sticky issue.
Promoting Humanities in a Math and Science World
Listen to Alabama politicians talk about education and you’ll hear about workforce development. They say schools should focus on math and science to help industry grow. There’s less emphasis on music or literature. That concerns John Parrish Peede. The Mississippi native became chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities earlier this year.
Panel: School Resource Officers are Primary Way to Combat School Shootings
A panel of school superintendents and others discussed Tuesday how to respond to active shooter situations.
Bribery Trial Guilty Verdict Sends Message Through Alabama Politics
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald reacts to the bribery conviction of a Birmingham attorney and a coal company executive saying it sends a message to those who believe this is business as usual.
Birmingham Attorney, Coal Executive Found Guilty of Bribing State Lawmaker
An attorney with Birmingham firm Balch & Bingham and an executive with coal company Drummond have been convicted of bribing a state lawmaker to stop expansion of an environmental cleanup site around north Birmingham.
Etowah County Sheriff Accused of Sex with Underage Girls
An Alabama woman says she had sex with Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin four times in 1992, when she was 15 and he was 29. The incidents allegedly took place at drug-fueled parties the sheriff hosted. Entrekin denies the allegations.
Federal Bribery Trial Digs into Lobbying Around Birmingham Superfund Site
The prosecution has rested its case in the federal corruption trial of two Birmingham attorneys and a coal company vice president. The question is whether they bribed a state lawmaker to fight efforts to clean up a polluted Birmingham neighborhood.
Report: Alabama Children Improve on Health, Family Measures
An annual survey of child well-being found Alabama continues to improve.
AG Marshall Speaks Out About Wife’s Mental Health Struggles
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall shed light today on circumstances around his wife's death this past Sunday. In an emotional press conference, Marshall set the record straight about his family.
Birmingham’s Love Moor is Grabbing Ears Beyond the Magic City
Birmingham singer Love Moor has been attracting attention around the Magic City. But she's pushing beyond her hometown, including an appearance at South by Southwest this spring.
Birmingham Student Puts Braille Skills to the Test
Birmingham-area student Rachel Hyche will compete this weekend in the Braille Challenge. It's her second trip to the finals in Los Angeles.
Jefferson County Approves Incentives for $325 million Amazon Project
A new Amazon facility in Bessemer is one step closer to reality. Jefferson County Commissioners approved a package of incentives for the anticipated Amazon fulfillment center Thursday morning.
Analysis of Alabama’s Primary from the Right and Left
Democrat Walt Maddox and Republican Kay Ivey will meet in the fall race for Governor. Some other races in Alabama's primary will go to runoffs first. We have analysis from Republican consultant Jeff Vreeland and Democratic pollster Zac McCrary.
GOP Plays to Social Conservatives in Statewide Primaries
Alabama voters go to the polls June 5th for party primaries. In addition to governor, they’ll choose nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general and chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
2018 Governor’s Race: Doug “New Blue” Smith
Democrat Doug "New Blue" Smith says previous Republican administrations have dismantled the state's "economic machinery." He would restore it if elected governor.
Amazon Eyes Bessemer for a Fulfillment Center
Amazon is strongly considering a Bessemer site for a new fulfillment center. If the project happens, it would likely bring at least 1,500 jobs.
2018 Governor’s Race: Scott Dawson
Scott Dawson is a newcomer to politics. But the Republican evangelist says he was inspired to run for Alabama governor after watching former Governor Robert Bentley’s administration fall apart amid Bentley’s alleged affair with an aide.
Networking Company Wins Birmingham Startup Pitch Contest
A Birmingham startup focused on networking won $100,000 in a pitch contest for entrepreneurs.
Birmingham Startups Take a Turn in the Spotlight
AOL co-founder Steve Case will bring his "Rise of the Rest" tour to Birmingham Wednesday.
Ethics Complaint Filed Against Senator Shelby
A watchdog group has filed an ethics complaint against Alabama Senator Richard Shelby.
2018 Governor’s Race: Christopher Countryman
Democrat Christopher Countryman has been active as an LGBTQ activist. He now has his eye on the governor's office.
A Forgotten Civil Rights Battle — Public Libraries
Protests from the civil rights movement centered on lunch counters, buses or the voting booth. But one often forgotten battle was over public libraries.
WBHM Politics: Tariffs and China
China and the U.S. have locked horns over tariffs. Alabama companies and farmers are right in the middle.
