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.
Retailers And Beaches Allowed Conditional Reopening As Ivey Eases Stay-At-Home Order
Gov. Kay Ivey says retailers and public beaches can reopen under certain conditions as she relaxes a stay-at-home order issued to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
COVID-19 Restrictions Not Slowing Work For Divorce Lawyers
Courtrooms are quieter because of the coronavirus. But divorce lawyers have found ways to keep working.
Is Stay-in-Place Currently A Wise Policy For Alabama?
There's a tension between the social distancing measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and the economic cost that's causing. The Harvard Club of Birmingham took up that issue in a formal debate this week.
Frustration And Anxiety While Waiting for Unemployment Benefits To Arrive
More than 285,000 Alabamians have filed for unemployment benefits in the last month as the coronavirus outbreak has forced layoffs and furloughs. Many applicants have yet to receive any money.
Parenting Hotline Shows The Rising Stress Of Coronavirus At Home
Parenting is hard enough as it is, much less during the coronavirus crisis. A parental hotline offers help for those stressing out over their kids.
Alabama Labor Department Urges Patience For Unemployment Claims
Alabama has seen a record number of unemployment claims because of the coronavirus. The state Department of Labor is trying to keep up.
Birmingham Extends Shelter-In-Place Order Through April
“People need to remember that people are dying, that this has the potential to continue to spread,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin says. “If you can’t take this serious[ly] and police yourself, then we will gladly assist and help you.”
Three Mini Stories To Make You Smile During The COVID-19 Crisis
There's so much news about the coronavirus it can be overwhelming. So here are three bright moments in the midst of the pandemic.
Birmingham Could Be Two Weeks Away From NYC COVID-19 Rates
The coronavirus pandemic in Alabama is not as bad as hot spots elsewhere in the country, but public health officials expect that to change.
Making Sense Of Alabama’s Coronavirus Numbers
Alabama's coronavirus numbers don't always seem to line up. What's going on?
Alabama Orders Nonessential Businesses Closed Due To Coronavirus
The Alabama Department of Public Health has ordered nonessential businesses closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Alabama Schools Chief Explores Ways To Teach Students During An ‘Incomplete Year’
State education leaders are trying to figure out how to teach students in an era of coronavirus.
Sunday Church Drive-In Style In The Coronavirus Age
Large gatherings are banned due to coronavirus, so churches can't meet as usual. One Alabama church tried a drive-in service.
UAB Infectious Disease Expert With COVID-19 Says “Stay Home”
University of Alabama at Birmingham AIDS researcher Dr. Michael Saag says he's tested positive for coronavirus. He made his diagnosis public in an effort to raise awareness of how to fight the disease.
Doug Jones: ‘We Don’t Want To Overrun This System.’
U.S. Sen. Doug Jones says everyone has to do their part to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Congress is working on relief packages to support the medical community and address the economic fallout.
Uncertainty Around Coronavirus Hits The Travel Industry Hard
Usually this time of year, families are gearing up for spring break trips. But coronavirus has people canceling plans, putting significant pressure on the travel industry.
Alabama Lawmakers Approve $5 Million For Coronavirus Response
Coronavirus grabbed the attention of state lawmakers this week. And bills related to the prison system and medical marijuana advanced.
Alabama Republican Senate Contest Headed To A Runoff
The race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate is headed to a runoff. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville will face off March 31st.
Officials Say Anniston Facility Not Designed To Hold Coronavirus Patients
State and local leaders say they were justified in pushing back against a plan to bring Americans infected with the coronavirus disease to a facility in Anniston. They say there weren't enough details known.
Voters Could Change How Education Leaders Are Picked In Alabama
When Alabama voters go the polls on March 3rd, they’ll be voting on a constitutional amendment that changes the state board of education. Currently board members are elected. If Amendment One is approved, the governor would appoint school board members.
New Exhibit Features Artwork From Alabama Inmates
The issues around Alabama's troubled prison system are complex, but a new exhibit featuring artwork by Alabama inmates hopes to generate a different conversation.
Payday Lending, Transgender Athlete Bills Go Nowhere in Alabama Legislature
A number of bills had difficulty moving forward in the second week of this year's Alabama legislative session.
Firehouse Ministries Opens New Homeless Shelter
For almost 40 years, Firehouse Ministries has offered shelter at its downtown Birmingham building. Thursday the non-profit cut the ribbon on a new facility.
How One Climate Scientist Reconciles Her Faith with Global Warming
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.
Gov. Ivey to Touch on the Census, Prisons and Education in State of the State Address
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.
Medical Marijuana Bill Expected in Upcoming Alabama Legislative Session
Alabama lawmakers start this year’s legislative session Tuesday and one item expected to come up is legalizing medical marijuana.
Report Says Better Collaboration Needed to Produce Enough Qualified Workers for Alabama
A report released this week says education and business needs to collaborate better to ensure Alabama has enough qualified workers for employers.
Opera Birmingham’s ‘Independence Eve’ Tackles Racial Themes
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.
Doug Jones Weighs in on Trump Impeachment
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.
Church Fundraiser Forgives Millions in Medical Debt
A Mountain Brook church raised enough money to help pay off medical debt for thousands of Alabama families.
Aniah Blanchard Remembered for Smiles, Laughter and Encouragement
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.
Proposed Center for Birmingham’s Civil Rights District Draws Skepticism
A proposed $40 million development in Birmingham's civil rights district is being received with caution in some parts of the community.
