
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.
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.
Exhaustion and nervousness after 2 years of COVID in Alabama
March 13 marked two years since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Alabama. Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said we're in a good place now, but there's concern of another surge.
Alabama lawmakers roll the dice on a new lottery bill
The constitutional amendment would authorize a state lottery, sports betting, eight full casinos and two smaller gambling operations.
Alabama lawmakers advance a record-setting education budget
Legislators also took up measures to improve math education and attack what's known as "period poverty."
Alabama educators push back on bill banning ‘divisive concepts’ from the classroom
Lawmakers also took action this week on a delay to a school reading requirement and a ban on transgender treatments for youths.
Bill that would ban concealed carry permits in Alabama advances
Lawmakers also advanced a so-called bathroom bill but delayed a bill increasing penalties for rioters.
2022 PMJA Awards — Spot News
Newscast spot aired July 29, 2021 Intro: The rise in COVID cases is on the minds of many as Birmingham City Schools students return to the classroom Monday. But on Thursday some kids had something else on their minds — a fresh haircut for the first day of school. WBHM’s Kyra Miles has more.
PMJA Awards — Breaking News, Part 2
Newscasts from March 26, 2021, the morning after a tornado outbreak in Alabama
PMJA Awards — Breaking News, Part 1
Newscasts from March 25, 2021 during a tornado outbreak in Alabama
Alabama Republicans pass bill to hike penalties for removing Confederate monuments
Republicans also advanced a bill that would require jail time for those who participate in a riot, plus another banning certain therapies for transgender youth.
2022 Murrow Award — Overall Excellence
WBHM’s entry for overall excellence includes the following: 00:00 – “Birmingham Teachers Welcome Students Back to School Amid COVID Surge” (aired 08/02/21) 01:53 – Excerpt from audio postcard – “Alabama’s Frontline Providers: ‘We are Overworked And We are Frustrated” (aired 08/19/21) 04:45 – “Surge in Deaths Strains Local Funeral Homes, Morgue” (aired 02/12/21) 08:53 – […]
2022 Murrow Awards — News Series, Part Two
Second part of the news series “Gun Violence in the Magic City” This piece is titled “Birmingham Residents Offer Solutions to Gun Violence but Some Victims Feel Hopeless” and it aired June 29, 2021.
2022 Murrow Awards — Sports Reporting
Story titled “After a blowout pilot season, high school girls flag football could be an official sport in Alabama” which originally aired on Nov. 30, 2021
2022 Murrow Award — Newscast
WBHM morning newscast from Dec. 8, 2021
2022 Murrow Award — Breaking News, Part 2
Excerpts from morning newscasts on March 26, 2021, the day after a deadly tornado outbreak in Alabama
2022 Murrow Award — Breaking News, Part 1
Excerpts from WBHM’s afternoon newscasts on March 25, 2021, when a deadly tornados hit Alabama
School choice and permitless carry bills face rocky road in the Alabama legislature
Legislative committees passed both measures this week, but not before speakers at hearings expressed criticism of the proposals.