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.
John Archibald: The Northern Beltline Boondoggle
Supporters of the Northern Beltline had a good 2014. Construction began on the planned 52-mile, $5 billion interstate highway stretching across the northern half of Jefferson County. Critics have long pointed to the price tag as a reason to abandon the proposal, but some new maps and data are adding to the cry of boondoggle. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Best Anchor: Andrew Yeager
Andrew Yeager's entry for Best Anchor in the Alabama APME Broadcast Contest
Ollie’s Barbecue: The Case that Integrated Restaurants
One of the enduring images of the Civil Rights Movement is of black protesters being pulled away from lunch counters. Fifty years ago this Sunday a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively ended segregation in restaurants. That case came from Birmingham.
John Archibald: UAB President’s Leadership has been Damaged over Football
UAB President Ray Watts' decision to cut the school's football, bowling, and rifle teams has moved beyond a simple matter of athletic priorities now that a no confidence vote is in play. The UAB faculty senate on Tuesday agreed to draft a resolution expressing no confidence in Watts. They could vote on the measure next month.
A Moonshine Renaissance
Mention moonshine and you might think of an illegal backwoods still in the mountains of the South, carefully hidden to evade the authorities. In recent years though, legal distilleries have been popping up in sort of a moonshine renaissance.
The Debate Rages about UAB Football
Almost a week after UAB President Ray Watts' announcement that the university's football program would end, vigorous debate continues about the decision. Our roundup of what people are saying.
The A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham: A Civil Rights Landmark
Many names are associated with the Civil Rights Movement, but sometimes buildings can hold just as much importance. Once such building is Birmingham's A.G. Gaston Motel. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders stayed there and it served as the headquarters for the Birmingham movement. Marie A. Sutton wrote about the history of the building in her new book.
John Archibald: UAB Football was not a Recent Decision
University officials say this week's decision to end UAB's football program came after a strategic planning process revealed increasing costs were unsustainable. In the days since, evidence has emerged that the university had been laying groundwork to cut football for some time. We hear more about that from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
The Business Impact of Ending UAB Football
While many UAB students, staff and alumni are upset over the decision to end the university's football program, the team's influence isn't confined to campus. The football program has an economic impact. We explore that with Birmingham Business Journal managing editor Ty West.
UAB Ends Football
UAB President Ray Watts has announced the university's football program will end with the 2014-2015 academic year. Listen to the complete press conference and read reactions from Governor Robert Bentley, Birmingham Mayor William Bell and Birmingham Business Alliance President and CEO Brian Hilson.
John Archibald: A Spat in the Mike Hubbard Case
A trial for indicted Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been delayed until next year, but it hasn't stopped people on both sides from trying to influence public discussion. Hubbard faces 23 corruption charges and Tuesday Acting Attorney General Van Davis released a statement pushing back against Hubbard defenders who say this is a political prosecution. By the end of the day Hubbard's lawyer said he would file new a motion with the court. Alabama Media group columnist John Archibald talks about the tit-for-tat.
John Archibald: The Future of UAB Football
Alabama may be a football crazy state, but UAB's football program has always struggled to gain traction. Certainly there's the dominance of the teams at the University of Alabama and Auburn University. But UAB boosters say the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has undermined the team and is now trying to shut it down. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
With Republicans Dominating the Ballot Box, What’s Next?
Alabama Republicans are celebrating their election victories as they maintained control of all statewide offices and all but one congressional seat. Republicans also added to their supermajority in the the Alabama legislature. That means 4 more years for Governor Robert Bentley and 4 more years of Republican dominance.
Election 2014 Results
Alabama Republicans maintained their dominance sweeping all statewide offices in the 2014 election. Governor Robert Bentley wins a second term and he'll have a legislature in firm Republican control to work with. We have the results.
John Archibald: Don’t Despair about Political Corruption
Corruption seems to be gaining the spotlight in Alabama politics after being dormant for a few years. That's thanks to the indictment of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard on 23 corruption charges. He's the latest in a long line of politicians wrapped up in corruption cases. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says don't despair.
A Guide to Alabama’s 2014 Constitutional Amendments
When voters head to the ballot box next week, they won't just be voting for governor, attorney general and other statewide offices. They'll also vote on five statewide constitutional amendments. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Anniston Star reporter Tim Lockette about the amendments.
The Races for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District
As Alabama voters pick their members of Congress at the polls next week, only residents of the sixth congressional district will be guaranteed to have new representation. Long-time Congressman Spencer Bachus is retiring from the district that covers suburban Birmingham. The fight for Alabama's only open seat is heating up.
A Dialogue on the Brain with the Dalai Lama
The brain is a changing organ that can heal itself after injury. That's the message from a dialogue involving the Dalai Lama and scientists at UAB's Alys Stephens Center Saturday.
“Neuroplasticity and Healing” — A Dialogue with the Dalai Lama
Birmingham is preparing for a visit this weekend from the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan leader will speak about religion and human rights. But the Buddhist figure will also indulge his personal interest of neuroscience. The Dalai Lama will participate in a talk with scientists Saturday at UAB.
Alabama House Speaker Hubbard Indicted on Corruption Charges
The Speaker of the Alabama House has been arrested on a 23 count indictment alleging an array of ethics violations.
John Archibald: Birmingham Schools Superintendent Resigns
The Birmingham City Schools is looking for a new leader. Superintendent Craig Witherspoon surprised many when he announced his resignation Tuesday. It's effective December 31st. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his thoughts on the move.
Calls for Federal Judge to Resign after Alleged Domestic Dispute
Mark Fuller, a federal judge in Alabama, is facing mounting calls for his resignation. Judge Mark Fuller was arrested last month for allegedly beating his wife. The calls for his resignation come amid increasing attention on domestic violence after several high-profile cases involving NFL players. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
John Archibald: A Not So Empowering “Empowerment Week”
This week marks the 51st anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham. The blast killed four girls and is a pivotal moment of the Civil Rights Movement. The City of Birmingham noted that event by bring back what's been dubbed "Empowerment Week." The series of speakers, festivals, and a day of service comes with an $180,000 price tag. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says it's not very empowering.
John Archibald: Preferential Treatment for the Governor’s Security Head
Those who protect prominent politicians often stay out of the limelight, But the head of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's security detail is getting some unwelcomed attention. It's for how much he's making and for a promotion some say wasn't deserved. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald has the details.
Artwalk: Public Forum
Artist Steve Lambert likes to say his medium is "trouble." That's a creative way of saying he's less interested in pretty pictures than in artwork that challenges the audience. Or in the case of his latest, work that forces them to examine their own views. The New York-based artist is currently an artist in residence at Birmingham's Space One Eleven gallery. This weekend he brings his work called "Public Forum" to Birmingham’s Artwalk.
John Archibald: Open Season for Campaign Finance Abuse
Alabama has seen a number of high profile corruption trials in recent years, but one that won't be added to the list is that of Lowell Barron. The former Democratic State Senator and a staffer faced charges of misusing campaign funds. The attorney general's office though dropped the case last week after the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a lower court judge's ruling blocking certain evidence from being presented. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says that constitutes a slap in the face.
John Archibald: Court Fines and the Wonders of Birmingham
The flashpoint for protests in Ferguson, Missouri, these last few weeks is the shooting death of 18-year old, African American Michael Brown by a white police officer. But those protests rest on kindling of distrust between the town's black majority and the white leadership. Part of that distrust could be due to court fines that have become increasingly part of Ferguson's revenue and it sounds similar to a phenomenon in Alabama. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about that and offers his seven wonders of the Birmingham world.
Kyle Whitmire: There Will Be A Dome?
College football season is nearly upon us. It comes at the same time a sports-related political football is reemerging in Birmingham. Local leaders have argued for years about building a domed stadium or multi-purpose facility. Momentum for such a facility has been on the rise in recent months. This week a prominent voice in the hospitality industry declared there will be a domed stadium with or without public support. We talk about those comments with Al.com and Birmingham News political commentator Kyle Whitmire.
EarFlims: To Sleep To Dream
You know how people often say the book is better than the movie because you can create your own pictures? The same thing is true for audio. A new show with its American debut Tuesday at UAB's Alys Stephens Center puts that notion to the test. "To Sleep to Dream" is a production of the United Kingdom-based EarFilms. It's like a feature-length movie told only with sound.
John Archibald: Birmingham City Council Goes Behind Closed Doors
Birmingham city officials are gung ho about wooing the Democratic National Convention to the Magic City in 2016, but the price tag for that effort is quickly increasing. Two weeks ago the Birmingham City Council approved $250,000 to hire consultants to promote the city's bid. This week they approved another $275,000 for more consultants. But what's really raising eyebrows is the fact this involved a closed-door meeting and no bid contracts. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his thoughts.
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: How the Swampers Changed American Music
The Shoals area of Alabama is known for a long list of popular musicians who recorded there in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists including Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan cut tracks in this otherwise sleepy corner of the state. But a part of the region's musical success is thanks to four men nicknamed the Swampers. They're the subject of the new book "Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: How the Swampers Changed American Music" by Birmingham music writer Carla Jean Whitley
John Archibald: The Ethics of Economic Development
There's the adage it takes money to make money. An Alabama corollary could be it takes money to recruit jobs as state and local officials recently spent several hundred thousand dollars to attend an international airshow in London. They're hoping to recruit new aerospace business to Alabama. While that's supported by taxpayer dollars, the private money involved has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald concerned.
