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.
Andrew wants to know what's on your mind. Let him know what issues you'd like to see the WBHM newsroom covering.
Some might consider Katharine Hayhoe a walking paradox. She’s an atmospheric scientist who believes in human-caused climate change and an evangelical Christian. And to her, neither of those facets are at odds.
Ivey offered the preview during a speech Friday at the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama’s annual meeting in Birmingham. She says this year’s federal census is “make or break” for Alabama, in part because the state is at risk of losing a congressional seat.
Alabama lawmakers start this year’s legislative session Tuesday and one item expected to come up is legalizing medical marijuana.
A report released this week says education and business needs to collaborate better to ensure Alabama has enough qualified workers for employers.
Conversations about race are often fraught and complicated. A production this weekend in Birmingham tackles that topic through opera. "Independence Eve" is a contemporary work staged by Opera Birmingham.
When the U.S. Senate returns from the holiday break, there will be one overriding issue: impeachment. Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones shares his thoughts on this and other actions on Capitol Hill.
A Mountain Brook church raised enough money to help pay off medical debt for thousands of Alabama families.
Friends and family remembered Aniah Blanchard Saturday, a Homewood native who was abducted and killed this fall. Speakers at the funeral told of her caring nature and her faith.
A proposed $40 million development in Birmingham's civil rights district is being received with caution in some parts of the community.
As severe weather moves toward Alabama, several school districts are closing early.
Sherry Lewis, the former chair of the Birmingham Water Works Board, will not go to prison despite being convicted of two felony ethics charges. A judge sentenced Lewis Thursday.
Industrialization is a major part of Alabama’s history and perhaps the most visible reminder of that in Birmingham is Sloss Furnaces. The historic site is marking the bicentennial with an object in line with that past of iron and steel: the Alabama Bicentennial Children’s Bell.
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg spoke about economic and racial inequality at a community leaders meeting in Birmingham Wednesday. It was part of a multi-day campaign swing through the South.
The family of Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr., a young black man killed by a Hoover police officer a year ago, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Friday over his death. Attorneys for the family allege the officer did not follow proper procedure.
Alabama often ends up at the bottom in health rankings on indicators such as obesity and high blood pressure. A new initiative launching Tuesday aims to pull Alabama out of the bottom ten among states over the next decade.
Birmingham is getting safer according to Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. He says the latest statistics show many crimes are down compared to a year ago.
Climate change has far reaching effects. A new series from Birmingham Watch looks at what climate change could mean for Alabama's coast.
The Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers, the top two teams in college football, will clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium. On top of that, President Donald Trump will be there.
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to join a long list of Republicans who want to be Alabama's next U.S. Senator.
A federal judge has blocked Alabama’s near-total abortion ban, which was set to go into effect next month. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until the “court resolves the case in full.”
Randi Pink's latest young adult novel “Girls Like Us” follows four teenage girls, three of whom are pregnant. The story’s set in 1972, a year before the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Many observers say UAB is well-positioned to lead a new front called precision medicine, especially in the area of cancer care.
Birmingham’s newest park opened Friday in an area devastated by a tornado eight years ago. The new "One Pratt Park” is a six acre, $8 million park in the Pratt City community.
Tens of thousands of fans are expected to pour into the Talladega Superspeedway for the big stock car race this weekend. It will also be a celebration of the iconic track’s 50th anniversary.
There’s a lot of unrest around politics in Washington right now, and it’s the same in the United Kingdom as the clock is ticking on a Brexit deal. Andrew Staunton in the UK’s representative in the American South and he visited Birmingham recently.
It won’t be long before construction starts on the planned Protective Stadium at the BJCC in downtown Birmingham. It’s expected to be finished in 2021. That brings up a big question: what happens to Birmingham’s current stadium, Legion Field?
Birmingham owes its existence to mining. But as coal and iron faded in importance, some of those old mines have gone “back to nature.” The new book "Back to Nature: A History of Birmingham’s Ruffner Mountain" chronicles the history of the vast nature preserve.
U.S. Senator Doug Jones says he is trying to rebuild the Alabama Democratic Party, not destroy it. That’s in response to criticism leveled at him by state party chairwoman Nancy Worley. It’s also the latest turn in a leadership fight that’s embroiled Alabama Democrats.
A new report found students of color and children with disabilities are more likely than others to be arrested by school resource officers in connection with their conduct at school.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey apologized Thursday for appearing in blackface in a skit more than 50 years ago while a student at Auburn University. Ivey says she does not remember the incident but does not deny it happened.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released details Wednesday of a plan to offer Birmingham City Schools graduates the chance to go to a public two or four-year school in Alabama tuition free. This follows a tweet Tuesday evening announcing the program.
A recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center says Alabama’s community corrections program unfairly burdens low-include people by charging fees to those under its supervision.