Andrew Yeager
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.
More Budget Cuts?
There are just five more work days left in the Alabama legislative session and Jefferson County commissioners are anxiously watching what happens to a bill concerning the county's occupational tax. A judge declared the tax illegal earlier this year, meaning the county could miss out on about $70 million in revenue. That and other financial uncertainty prompted county officials to tell department heads to prepare for massive budget cuts. WHBM's Andrew Yeager reports on how those cuts could affect one county department.
Swine Flu and Alabama
Government health officials report 40 people in the United States are now infected with swine flu. While none of those cases are in Alabama, State Health Officer Don Williamson says it's only a matter of time before there is a case here. In fact, Trussville City Schools leaders are talking with federal officials after some band students took a weekend trip to Mexico, where more than 100 people have died due to swine flu. So far, there are no reports of flu symptoms among the group. Don Williamson is monitoring the situation and spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Anniston Update
Every month we'll hear from the staff of The Anniston Star about an issue of importance to the community around Anniston and Calhoun County. Join WBHM's Andrew Yeager for these engaging conversations.
Making Do: Vanishing Pages
So you're tired of all the grim economic news. You want to relax, sit on the couch and flip through a good magazine. Only trouble is that favorite magazine may not be there any more. Magazines across the country have folded in recent months, including titles in Birmingham. As we conclude our series "Making Do: Alabama's Economy," WBHM's Andrew Yeager takes a look at an industry not just reeling from the recession, but dealing with a change in the medium itself.
Regions: Managing the Message
A recent headline in Newsweek magazine pretty much says it all when it comes to the current financial crisis - "No One Wants to Hug a Banker." Critics of Birmingham-based Regions Bank got two pieces of ammunition last week. The company announced executive compensation for 2008 and while CEO Dowd Ritter turned down a $1.1 million bonus, his total compensation still rose more than $2 million. Two days later, Regions announced it was suspending matching contributions for its employees' 401(k)s. Not exactly positive news in today's economic climate. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Gaza — A Nonviolent View
Skirmishes have broken out within the tenuous cease fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. It's a situation closely watched by Jerry Levin. The former Birmingham and CNN journalist was kidnapped by Hezbollah more than 20 years ago, but since then has become involved in non-violent peace activism in the West Bank. Earlier this month we heard from a Birmingham native living in southern Israel. Now we hear from Levin, a backer of the Palestinian cause and what he calls 'assertive non-violence.' He says Americans are seeing the pain, anger and confusion felt by Palestinians. But he told WBHM's Andrew Yeager the notion that only attacks from Gaza prompted Israel's military action is not true.
The Inauguration and the Magic City
While the eyes of the country turned to Washington D.C. today, the inauguration of Barack Obama is tempered with deep significance for many here in Birmingham. The city which saw the brutality of civil rights - fire hoses, police dogs, even bombings - can now witness the United States' first black president. Thousands marked the occasion today in a city-backed celebration at Boutwell Auditorium. WBHM's Andrew Yeager takes us there.
From Birmingham to Israel
Margaret Duvdevani lives in an area grabbing headlines currently, but not for positive reasons. The Birmingham native graduated from college, hopped around Europe, married an Israeli and settled in Israel 30 years ago. A medical technician by training she lives in a farming community in southern Israel, three miles from the Gaza Strip. Duvdevani is visiting Birmingham this month to share her perspective on the latest clash between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. She told WBHM's Andrew Yeager this conflict is different than previous ones.
Councilman Johnathan Austin
The newest member of the Birmingham City Council is young, just 29, and a newcomer to politics. He says he's eager to bring positive change to the city. But in his first few weeks on the council, Johnathan Austin has faced a number of questions -- most notably questions surrounding a 2003 guilty plea for a misdemeanor marijuana charge. That fact didn't emerge until after Austin was appointed to the council. He says the council never asked him about it, but WBHM's Andrew Yeager asked Austin why he didn't volunteer the information.
Magic City Marketplace
The Birmingham marketplace is connected by people who have to grapple with numbers and projections and spin. We try and slice through the psychobabble that can be business news with our occasional segment featuring the editor of the Birmingham Business Journal.
Anniston Update
Every month we'll hear from the staff of The Anniston Star about an issue of importance to the community around Anniston and Calhoun County. Join WBHM's Andrew Yeager for these engaging conversations.
John Archibald: Plugged
Our weekly segment features The Birmingham News columnist John Archibald, discussing the city politic (and county and state politic too). Instead of being unplugged as he is in the newspaper, we offer him a bullhorn. Sort of.
Considering Faith: Emuna
Religion has inspired art in the western world for centuries. Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' or Michelangelo's 'David' are just two examples. In Birmingham, one group of artists is also drawing on religion, but not so much for inspiration - rather as a platform for discussion. WBHM's Andrew Yeager introduces us to Emuna
Considering Faith: Pulpit Politics
One principle which has shaped American democracy is the separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson used the phrase a "wall of separation" and through the years courts and legislatures have shaped what that wall looks like. Now one group has made a specific challenge to that boundary, saying the federal government is preventing pastors from speaking their minds on politics. One part of that battle is in an Alabama church as we hear in the first installment of our series Considering Faith. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports
Election Day Tips
It almost seems like it would never come. We're finally just a day away from the 2008 election. Record turnout and long lines are expected in Alabama. So before you go to cast your ballot, WBHM's Andrew Yeager has a few things to keep in mind for the occasion.
2008 Constitutional Amendments
When voters go to the polls tomorrow, they'll get to choose who will be in the White House for the next four years, as well as congressional, local government and judicial seats. In Alabama, there are also a number of constitutional amendments to consider. We have an overview from WBHM's Andrew Yeager and Tanya Ott.
Electing Judges?
Alabama has a history of expensive and nasty races for the state supreme court. This election cycle has done nothing to change that reputation. But Alabamians will select other judges on this year's ballot too, leaving some to wonder if these men and women personifying fairness and impartiality should even be elected. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Stock Market Perspective
If there's a singular image of the American economy in action, it's perhaps the frenzied floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The opening bell rings, traders shout and stock prices rise and fall. It's familiar territory for William Johnston. Johnston is the former head of the exchange. He spoke at Samford University Thursday. As Johnston finished his tenure at the exchange in late 2001, the financial world was rocked by accounting scandals at Enron and Worldcom. WBHM's Andrew Yeager asked if there are any similarities between that market turmoil and what we're seeing today.
My City Was Gone
Have an unexplained phenomenon, unusual behavior or an unexpected baby boom? You can always declare, "There must be something in the water." But for the Anniston community, this is not simply an innocuous cliche. Dumping decades ago by the Monsanto corporation has left Anniston with elevated levels of PCBs, a chemical banned since the 70s, but blamed for high rates of cancer and birth defects in the east Alabama town. Public outrage culminated in a legal settlement about 5 years ago which approached $800 million. Journalist Dennis Love followed the case in his book "My City Was Gone." The Anniston native spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Alabama Economy: Regions Bank
This September is a month economists will remember like it or not. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual, Wachovia - it seems financial giant after giant just kept falling. Then yesterday, Birmingham-based Regions' stock plunged more than 40%. So what does this mean for our corner of the banking system? As we continue our series on the Alabama Economy, WBHM's Andrew Yeager looks at how Regions Bank is weathering the storm.
Vipassana Behind Bars
Just outside of Birmingham lies what's arguably Alabama's toughest prison. The maximum security Donaldson Correctional Facility holds death row inmates, murderers, rapists...the worst of the worst some might say. But in the midst of this environment, and in the Bible belt of Dixie, some inmates are practicing an incredibly intense eastern meditation from the Buddhist tradition. And it's winning fans from prisoners and prison officials alike. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Pump Prices
Drive by many gas stations around Birmingham and it's unmistakable - the cost to fill up is much higher than just a few days ago. It's little surprise then that more than 1,500 complaints about rising gas prices have flooded the Alabama Attorney General's Office since Friday. With the governor's emergency declaration prompted by Hurricane Ike, the state can now prosecute price gouging. But as Attorney General spokesman Chris Bence told WBHM's Andrew Yeager, even after weeding out cases which don't constitute price gouging, it's a long investigative process.
Bunking in Bartow
More than 12,000 people are making Alabama their temporary home today, fleeing the destruction of Hurricane Gustav. That doesn't count those who may be staying with relatives or in hotels, outside the official numbers of the state's shelters. One of those shelters is UAB's Bartow Arena. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke to evacuees bunking at Bartow. He heard plenty of frustration, anxiety, and anger. As well as plenty of talk about a hurricane other than Gutav.
Sewer Split
When it comes to Jefferson County's sewer debt crisis, there's a well-documented split among county commissioners. They've clashed over how to solve the problem, and now they're divided over how to even gather public input about it. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Volkswagen Goes to Tennessee
Alabama economic develop officials are understandably glum after news Volkswagen is driving past Alabama as a location for its new U.S. assembly plant. A site in Limestone County had been in the running. But the German automaker announced Tuesday Chattanooga, Tennessee, will get the $1 billion plant and the estimated 2,000 jobs that come with it. It's a rare miss for the state which already has investment from foreign car manufacturers Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Toyota and Honda. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Neil Wade, the head of Alabama's Development Office, to gauge his reaction to the announcement.
Stopping Spam
Believe it or not, those unsolicited e-mail messages called spam turn 30 this year. That first e-mail sent over a government computer network opened a floodgate, with spam now accounting for 85% of all e-mail traffic by some estimates. It's annoying, sure; but there are real costs. Which is why researchers at UAB are developing a new tool...a tool they say will help stop spam at the source. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Air Quality: Health
Nearly half of Americans breathe air which falls short of the federal government’s standards for acceptable air quality. But what does polluted air mean for our health? Continuing our weeklong look at air quality in Birminghm, WBHM’s Andrew Yeager spoke with Dr. Ed Postlethwait. He’s chair of UAB’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences and an […]
It’s Elementary
For filmmaker Debra Chasnoff, her work goes back to her son. It was the mid-90s, he was about to enter kindergarten and she was concerned about the teasing he'd receive because he happens to have two mothers for parents. From her concern developed, It's Elementary , a film Chasnoff produced and directed designed to combat negative stereotypes of gay and lesbian people through education. The film has generated controversy, with some public television stations not airing the program. Some of that controversy in documented in an updated version of the film, It's Still Elementary which plays Wednesday in Birmingham. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Debra Chasnoff.
Alabama Sales Tax on Food
Alabama lawmakers are on overdrive to wrap up this year's legislative session. Despite a May 19th deadline, many bills remain unresolved including one which could mean some extra cash at the grocery store. Alabama is one of just two states which charge the full state sales tax on groceries without some kind of offset for low-income families. A bill that could eliminate the state sales tax on food is stalled in the senate. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Free Bus Rides
The price of oil topped $121 a barrel, suggesting the price we pay at the pump will continue to climb as well. That's part of the reason behind Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford's proposal to eliminate fares on city buses this summer. So with gasoline prices on the rise, would free buses make a difference?
Marriage and Immigration
In Alabama, there's a new battle brewing in the immigration debate. Some counties have begun enforcing a decade-old law which requires a social security number before a marriage license can be issued. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Childcare in Birmingham
For families with young children in the Birmingham area, a report released Monday may present an already familiar reality. The survey by the non-profit Childcare Resources found the number of childcare programs in the area dropping while costs are on the rise. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Executive Director Joan Wright about this snapshot of childcare from 2003 to 2007. He began by asking what's behind that drop in the number of childcare programs.
