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.
New biography examines King as a person over the myth
Writer Jonathan Eig’s new biography of Martin Luther King Junior draws on thousands of pages of new documents and audio recordings to paint an intimate portrait of the civil rights leader.
School choice bill advances after spending cap added
An Alabama Senate committee passed a bill this week that would give families almost $7,000 per child in taxpayer money to be used for private school tuition or home-schooling costs. It’s a change from the mixed response the measure received the first time it went before lawmakers.
‘Unprecedented’ education budget passes Alabama Senate
The proposed spending package includes a 2% pay increase for teachers along with more money for K-12 schools, higher education and community colleges.
Rocky start for Alabama school choice bill
The PRICE Act would give families $6,900 in taxpayer money which could be used for private school tuition or homeschooling.
Republicans and Democrats split over response to Sweet 16 party shooting
Democrats called for gun control measures while Republicans argued for a crackdown on crime.
School choice bill now on lawmakers’ agenda
Alabama legislators also advanced a bill banning teaching “divisive concepts” in the classroom
Tougher penalties on fentanyl trafficking now law
Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law Thursday after the measure, which sets mandatory minimum sentences, passed both legislative chambers without opposition.
Bills tackling fentanyl trafficking and ‘good time’ limits in prisons advance
The bills would set a mandatory minimum sentence for trafficking or possessing fentanyl and reduce good time incentives, which can shorten prisoners’ sentences.
Lawmakers wrap up special session on COVID relief funds
Gov. Kay Ivey signed a more than $1 billion plan to spend federal pandemic relief funds after lawmakers approved the package Thursday.
Special session underway on spending federal pandemic funds
On Thursday, an Alabama House committee passed a plan to spend about $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act on mostly health care reimbursements, water and sewer infrastructure and broadband expansion.
The 2023 Alabama legislative session starts Tuesday. Here’s your preview
Lawmakers return to Montgomery at a time when money is flush thanks to federal COVID funds. Education is among the top issues expected to generate discussion.
2023 PMJA Awards: Series Entry
Three-part series about the mental health treatment surround a new mental health crisis center opening in Birmingham, Alabama. The series aired Oct. 7, 8 and 9, 2022. Part one examines the difficulties of treating mental health crises in hospital emergency rooms, which is common in Birmingham. Part two looks at the pressures put on the […]
2023 PMJA Awards: Interview Entry
Interview with U.S. Senate candidate Mo Brooks aired on June 10, 2022
2023 Murrow Awards — Overall Excellence
Entry rundown: 00:00 “Some teachers and LGBTQ families feel censored by Alabama’s ‘Don’t Say Gay law” Story aired May 20, 2022 05:08 “Scottsboro is home to the largest gray bat summer cave. They’re leaving for the winter” Story aired Sept. 26, 2022 10:00 “Brooks leans into the ‘Big Lie’ in Republican Senate runoff” Interview with […]
2023 Murrow Awards — Podcast
Selections from WBHM’s 7-part podcast Deliberate Indifference. The podcast traces how Alabama’s prisons became among the most dangerous correctional systems in the nation, where incarcerated men face a near constant threat of violence in overcrowded, critically understaffed facilities. Excerpt from episode 1, “An Alabama Problem,” which introduces listeners to the Alabama prison crisis that’s been brewing […]
2023 Murrow Awards — Newscast
Afternoon newscast from Sept. 28, 2022
2023 Murrow Awards — News Series
Three-part series about the mental health treatment surround a new mental health crisis center opening in Birmingham, Alabama. The series aired Oct. 7, 8 and 9, 2022. Part one examines the difficulties of treating mental health crises in hospital emergency rooms, which is common in Birmingham. Part two looks at the pressures put on the […]
Sigma Delta Chi, Award for Narrative Podcast Excellence — Deliberate Indifference
Selections from WBHM’s 7-part podcast Deliberate Indifference. The podcast traces how Alabama’s prisons became among the most dangerous correctional systems in the nation, where incarcerated men face a near constant threat of violence in overcrowded, critically understaffed facilities. Excerpt from episode 1, “An Alabama Problem,” which introduces listeners to the Alabama prison crisis that’s been […]
2023 Dart Awards — Deliberate Indifference
Selections from WBHM’s 7-part podcast Deliberate Indifference. The podcast traces how Alabama’s prisons became among the most dangerous correctional systems in the nation, where incarcerated men face a near constant threat of violence in overcrowded, critically understaffed facilities. Episode 1, “An Alabama Problem,” which introduces listeners to the Alabama prison crisis that’s been brewing for […]
2023 ABBY Awards — Station of the Year
WBHM’s audio entry for station of the year Snippet of WBHM’s station of the year entry
2023 ABBY Awards — Regularly Scheduled Newscast, Miranda Fulmore
Morning newscast from June 22, 2022 by Miranda Fulmore
2023 ABBY Awards — News Reporter, Cody Short
Montage from WBHM reporter Cody Short
2023 ABBY Awards — News Reporter, Kyra Miles
Montage from WBHM reporter Kyra Miles
2023 ABBY Awards — Regularly Scheduled Newscast, Richard Banks
Afternoon newscast from Sept. 28, 2022 by Richard Banks
2023 ABBY Awards — Podcast
Selections from WBHM’s 7-part podcast Deliberate Indifference. The podcast traces how Alabama’s prisons became among the most dangerous correctional systems in the nation, where incarcerated men face a near constant threat of violence in overcrowded, critically understaffed facilities. Excerpt from episode 1, “An Alabama Problem,” which introduces listeners to the Alabama prison crisis that’s been […]
2023 ABBY Awards — News Reporter, Mary Scott Hodgin
Montage from WBHM reporter Mary Scott Hodgin
Election analysis: Women spearhead Republican dominance in Alabama
Republicans continued their stronghold at the state level with Gov. Kay Ivey claiming a second full term and Katie Britt winning election to the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Steel used convict labor in Birmingham. Has it reckoned with its past?
A century ago, U.S. Steel was one of the companies involved in Alabama's convict lease system. The steelmaker has a mixed record on acknowledging that history.
Brooks leans into the ‘Big Lie’ in Republican Senate runoff
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks faces Katie Britt in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on June 21.
Alabama Democrats hope for improved showing in 2022 elections
Republicans hold all statewide offices plus supermajorities in the state legislature. But Alabama Democrats are in a good position this year, according to the head of the Alabama Democratic Party.
Transgender issues dominate end of the legislative session. Second special session to come
Alabama now has its own version of a Florida law derided by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
‘Divisive concepts’ bill passes Alabama House
The measure faced a questionable future just a week ago when a House committee failed to act on it.
