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.

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?

Civil Rights Institute Reverses Decision on Angela Davis Award Again

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will award Birmingham native Angela Davis its 2018 Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award -- again. Friday's reversal is the latest development in a public controversy that has embroiled the institute for the last month.

Shutdown Leaves Some Alabama Farmers in Limbo

Tuesday marks one month for the partial federal government shutdown and it’s not just federal workers feeling the pinch. Farmers in Alabama are also seeing its effects.

A Fresh Look at the Man Considered Alabama’s First Historian

In 1851, Albert Pickett published what would become the definitive history of Alabama's early years. That history has had an update of sorts with a new annotated edition.

Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, 72, Dies

One of Birmingham’s most colorful and memorable mayors died Tuesday. Larry Langford, 72, died Tuesday evening at a Birmingham hospital.

Gun Violence Through the Eyes of a Trauma Surgeon

The recent shooting at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover has renewed attention on the issue of gun violence. Dr. Jeff Kerby, head of trauma services at UAB, says to curb gun-related deaths and injuries, health officials must have a seat at the table.

Bradford Funeral a Celebration and Call to Action

Mourners in Birmingham Saturday remembered a young black man who was killed by police at a Hoover mall Thanksgiving night. The funeral was part celebration and part call to action.

Expert: Active Shooter Situations Can Easily Confuse Police

Active shooter incidents can be difficult for police officers. Events unfold in seconds and often end tragically. In Hoover on Thanksgiving night at the Riverchase Galleria, police shot and killed 21-year-old Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr. Initially, they said he was the gunman in a shooting that left two wounded. They then backtracked and said the real gunman is still at large. Police responding to such situations can find themselves in the midst of chaos.

A Flu Shot, a Letter and an Unexpected Response

Every fall, doctors beg the public to get a flu shot. It might not be a big deal to an adult, but for a kid, that needle can be intimidating. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager recently found the story of a girl, a vaccine, a letter and an unexpected response.

Democrats Angered at Lack of State Party Support

Democrats across the country took the House and flipped several governorships during the midterms. It was a different story in Alabama. Democrats here lost every statewide race, and they lost five statehouse seats to Republicans. Recent news reports say the Alabama Democratic Party sat on hundreds of thousands of dollars -- money candidates say could have been used toward their campaigns. Many Alabama Democratic candidates blame their poor performance on the lack of support from the state Party.

Republicans Maintain Firm Control After Alabama Midterms

Republicans left no doubt about their dominance of Alabama politics Tuesday. Republican incumbent Governor Kay Ivey turned back a challenge from Democrat Walt Maddox. The Republicans kept all statewide offices and won all contested congressional races in Alabama.

Alabama GOP Still Dominant Despite Challenges from Democrats

Democrats hoped to make inroads in Republican-dominated Alabama during Tuesday's midterm election. They were riding high after electing Doug Jones to the Senate in a special election in December. That enthusiasm did not translate into victory as Republicans maintained all statewide offices and all contested congressional seats.

Alabama’s Sole Congressional Democrat Sees Opportunity in House Victory

Of all the congressional candidates in Alabama Tuesday, only one was guaranteed to win. Democratic Representative Terri Sewell faced no opposition as she reclaimed the seventh district seat. But for the first time in her congressional career, Democrats hold the majority in the House of Representatives. Rep. Sewell says Democrats will be able work with Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Ivey Won’t Debate Maddox. Do Voters Care?

Political debates can be fiery and emotional. They can reveal a lot about a candidate, including how he or she acts under pressure. And they've become an issue in the Alabama governor’s race.

Ten Commandments and Abortion Amendments Could Spur Legal Challenges

Two statewide amendments on the November ballot have already generated debate among legal scholars. One involves the public display of the Ten Commandments. That's the same issue that led to the removal of former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench in 2003. The other amendment deals with abortion. Approval of these measures could potentially set the stage for future legal challenges.

Birmingham Author’s Book Hits the Big Screen

A new thriller opens in theaters today. It’s about an American submarine captain on the hunt for a U.S. submarine in distress. The film “Hunter Killer” features some big names including Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman. It was adapted from a novel co-written by Birmingham author Don Keith.

Birmingham Poet uses a “House” to Explore her Personal Loss

Five years ago, Birmingham poet Emma Bolden faced an excruciating decision. She was 33. She wasn’t married and had no children, but she was considering a hysterectomy because of decades of health issues. That decision and the subsequent surgery became a theme for her latest collection of poems called “House is an Enigma.”

Is CBD Oil Legal in Alabama? It’s Complicated.

People seeking an alternative to pain medications or anti-anxiety drugs are increasingly turning to CBD oil. Some athletes even claim it helps with post-workout recovery. Studies have shown it curbs severe epilepsy. Those array of claims have made it easier to find CBD products in Alabama. But there’s just one problem: CBD is derived from marijuana.

Judge Bob Vance Makes Second Run for State’s Top Judicial Seat

Judge Bob Vance has been on the bench in Jefferson County since 2002. This year he’s trying for a second time to become the head of Alabama’s court system. Vance is the Democratic nominee for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

Birmingham Pursues Two Federal Agencies to Fill Downtown Building

The City of Birmingham hopes the federal government will move two agriculture agencies to Birmingham and fill downtown office space that's been vacant since 2010.

A New Play Explores Race Through A 1951 Birmingham Basketball Court

The play "Separate and Equal" by University of Alabama Professor Seth Panitch centers on a hypothetical basketball game between black and white teens in 1951 Birmingham -- a game that would have been illegal.

$25 Million Alabama Futures Fund: ‘This state is open for business for startups.’

The new $25 million dollar Alabama Futures Fund will try to attract and grow promising startups in Alabama.