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.
Alabama Democrats Face a Deadline for New Bylaws and Elections
The Alabama Democratic Party is in the midst of a leadership crisis. The party must approve a new set of bylaws and elect new leaders by Saturday. But many observers say it looks like state Democrats will blow the deadline.
Museum Exhibit Explores Empowerment Barbie
The Birmingham Museum of Art opens an exhibit this weekend that lets museum-goers become Barbie through an interactive, reimagined dream house. The exhibit also delves into how complex this figure can be.
New Virus Threatens State’s Cotton Crop
Many of the state’s cotton farmers are monitoring their fields more closely after agriculture officials issued warnings about a new virus threatening their crops.
Partnership Aims to Make Birmingham’s Economic Growth More Equitable
Birmingham has gained attention for its downtown rebirth. But the Birmingham area economy still falls behind similar cities, particularly when it comes to job growth. A partnership announced in December between the city and the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C. think tank, aims to boost the Birmingham economy with an eye toward making those gains more equitable.
“Welcome to Night Vale” Podcast Brings Bizarre Stories to Birmingham
The popular podcast “Welcome to Night Vale” can be a little hard to describe. It takes place in a fictional desert town with stories told through a community radio station where conspiracy theories are real. They bring their bizarre mix of horror and humor to Birmingham's Lyric Theatre Wednesday.
The 15-Year Fight to Integrate Public Schools
The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 ruling in the Brown v. Board of Education case struck down racial segregation in schools. It wasn’t until 1969 the court forced school integration in a case called Alexander v. Holmes. Birmingham-Southern College professor Will Hustwit wrote about the case in his new book.
Persistent Potholes Draw Phallic Painting
Drive around Birmingham and you probably have to dodge potholes. A strategy middle school boys would love is drawing new attention to the problem. Recently, someone sprayed penises on potholes in an effort to get city officials to respond.
UA to Consider Returning $21.5 Million in Dispute with Donor
Hugh Culverhouse, Jr., a major donor to the University of Alabama, has called for a boycott of the school in response to the state’s strict abortion ban. Now university officials say the system’s chancellor will recommend the board of trustees return Culverhouse’s gift and strip his name from the law school.
Lawsuit Filed Challenging Alabama’s Abortion Law
Abortion rights groups filed a federal lawsuit Friday seeking to block Alabama’s strict new abortion law.
Alabama’s Abortion Law Could be Bad for Business
Alabama’s abortion law has yet to go into effect, but it’s already causing ripples in the business community. The law sparked widespread criticism, including a campaign on social media calling for people to boycott the state. Officials with the City of Birmingham say it’s hurting the city’s ability to attract business.
Documentary Wrestles with Race and Class On and Off the Mat
A documentary that airs Monday on Alabama Public Television follows four high school wrestlers trying to make it to the state tournament. But "Wrestle" also delves into issues of race and class away from the mat.
Protesters March to Oppose Abortion Ban
Supporters of abortion rights marched through downtown Birmingham Sunday, one of several rallies across the state in protest of a new abortion ban signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey last week.
Abortion Bill Vote Delayed After Commotion on Senate Floor
An abortion bill delayed, a medical marijuana measure advances and a switch-out of a lottery bill ... Alabama Public Television has a look back at this week's action in the Alabama legislature.
The Final Curtain Falls on Youth Shakespeare Group
The theater group Bards of Birmingham has performed Shakespeare with casts of mostly children for almost a decade. The group's performance of "Henry V" opening this weekend will be its final show ever.
Alabama Abortion Bill Designed to Provoke Court Challenge
Lawmakers in states across the U.S. have recently introduced measures to significantly restrict access to abortion as a way to challenge the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. An Alabama bill goes farther than other proposals. It would ban abortion in almost all cases.
Bill that Changes Ethics Law Stalls
A bill that makes changes to state ethics law stalled this week. But a bill that would block local governments from banning plastic bags and the General Fund budget both advanced. We have an update from Alabama Public Television's Don Dailey.
Want to Create a Language? Here’s the Guy who did it for “Game of Thrones.”
The HBO show "Game of Thrones" envelopes viewers in a medieval fantasy world right down to the words that are spoke. Linguist David Peterson created the language Dothraki for the show, one of many he's developed for film or television.
What We Know About CBD
CBD or cannabidiol seems to be everywhere. It's derived from cannabis, and proponents say it can help with conditions from epilepsy to anxiety to pain. But is there evidence for that?
Lawmakers Tackle Alabama’s Persistent Prison Problems
Alabama’s prisons are overcrowded, understaffed, and plagued by violence. Mental health care for inmates is inadequate. There have been suicides and homicides within prison walls. Alabama Sen. Cam Ward explains how lawmakers are approaching the problems.
Shipt Founder Leaves. Now what?
Shipt founder and CEO Bill Smith is stepping down. Now what?
Gas Tax Increase a Political Win for Ivey
It’s been a great week for Gov. Kay Ivey. Her proposed 10-cent-a-gallon gasoline tax increase passed overwhelmingly. The money will go toward infrastructure improvements.
UPDATED 1:30 p.m. – Schools Dismiss Early Due to Severe Weather Threat
UPDATED 1:30 p.m.: A number school systems will dismiss early Thursday because of the threat of severe weather.
Doug Jones Recounts Church Bombing Prosecution in New Book
U.S Senator Doug Jones prosecuted two of the Klansmen who bombed Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church. Jones writes about his experience in his new book "Bending Toward Justice."
Building Mobile Homes to Withstand Tornadoes
One benefit of mobile homes is they tend to be relatively affordable. But these structures can be especially vulnerable during severe weather. Many of the 23 people died in last week's tornado in Lee County lived in mobile homes. Auburn University civil engineering professor David Roueche grew up in one and he wants to make them safer.
Support for Gas Tax Increase Uncertain Among State Lawmakers
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s State of the State address Tuesday was typical. But shortly after finishing her speech, she issued a call for a special session around her proposed increase to the state's gasoline tax. That special session starts Wednesday morning.
Weather Service Surveys Tornado Damage in Southeast Alabama
Teams from the National Weather Service in Birmingham are evaluating the damage from six potential tornadoes that touched down across parts of Alabama Monday. The storms killed at least 23 people in Lee County Sunday.
Supreme Court Justice Questions Landmark Ruling from Alabama
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently called for review of a landmark First Amendment case that originated in Alabama. It was New York Times Company v. Sullivan, and it raised the bar for public officials claiming libel.
Reaching Everyone in the 2020 Census Might be Harder in Alabama
We’re not far into 2019, but those at the U.S. Census Bureau have long been focused on 2020. That’s when the next national census will take place. Many in Alabama say this census is especially critical for the state.
Alabama Can Expect Days of Rain, Potential Flooding
Rain is forecast for Alabama this week. A lot of rain. On Monday, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch through Friday morning for roughly north of Interstate 59/20. That area could see up to 6 inches of rain this week.
A Friendly Homecoming for Activist Angela Davis
Civil rights activist and Birmingham native Angela Davis spoke at Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium Saturday evening. The talk came after a controversy over an award from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Gov. Ivey Says Infrastructure is Top Priority
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says infrastructure is her administration’s top priority. Ivey made the comments in a speech Friday at the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama’s annual meeting in Birmingham.
Officials Won’t Name Hoover Officer Involved in Shooting. Why Not?
Officials still have not released the name of the police officer who shot and killed a 21-year-old black man at the Riverchase Galleria mall. The attorney general cleared the officer of any wrongdoing. Should authorities release his name?
