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.
Crime and education on the agenda for the 2025 legislative session
The 2025 legislative session in Alabama kicks off Tuesday, Feb. 4 with plenty on the agenda. Education, public safety, and of course the budgets are expected to come up. We get a preview of what's ahead with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
2025 Murrow Award Entry — Newscast
WBHM’s morning newscast from Sept. 23, 2024
2025 Murrow Award Entry — Continuing Coverage
The following are stories that were part of WBHM’s coverage of the closing of Birmingham-Southern College. BSC’s Daniel Coleman talks about his years-long effort to save the school and what happens next — March 28, 2024 ‘A bad day to be a panther’: Students react to BSC’s closure — April 5, 2024 Birmingham-Southern baseball team […]
2025 ABBY Award Entry — Newscast
WBHM’s morning newscast from Dec. 18, 2024
2025 ABBY Award Entry — News Reporter, Richard Banks
Montage of stories from Richard Banks including: Barely Legal: Some officials in Alabama want to outlaw delta-8. Others want to make it safer — Dec. 18, 2024 Understaffed, the Birmingham Police Department is trying to rebuild trust and its ranks — Aug. 1, 2024 One thing about unspeakable tragedy … you have to speak about […]
2025 ABBY Award Entry — News Reporter, Noelle Annonen
Montage of stories from Noelle Annonen including: ‘Five Points South is so much more than that’: residents reflect one month after mass shooting — Oct. 21, 2024 ‘Iced Cherries’: Joe D. Nelson’s take on modern folk and age old tropes — Nov. 22, 2024 Alabama wants to lower recidivism rates by 2030. What are the […]
2025 ABBY Award Entry — News Reporter, Kelsey Shelton
Montage of stories from Kelsey Shelton including: Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws counter-protest at University of Alabama — May 2, 2024 New opera delves into less familiar part of Helen Keller’s story — Jan. 19, 2024 Anti-DEI bill faces opposition from students across Alabama — March 18, 2024 From scrap to sculpture: Joe Minter’s art reflects Birmingham’s […]
In pictures: snow blankets Birmingham
Snow fell across the Birmingham area early Friday morning, making roadways dangerous, with officials urging residents to avoid travel if possible. Many schools closed in advance of the winter weather giving children the chance to revel in the snow.
Alabama man charged in September mass shooting faces more murder charges in July quadruple homicide
Damien McDaniel has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the July 13 mass shooting outside of a nightclub in Birmingham that left four people dead and 10 others wounded.
What’s your favorite thing about fall?
With cooler mornings and shorter days, if feels like fall is finally here. So what’s your favorite thing about fall? We put that question to people at our recent News and Brews community pop-up in Cullman.
Deceptive drug tests ensnare new parents and babies
Imagine giving birth and then testing positive for a drug. Except you didn't take any drugs. Still the state Department of Human Resources opens an investigation based on that erroneous test.
What does Juneteenth mean to you?
Wednesday is Juneteenth. a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. The date goes back to 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation. During our recent News and Brews community pop-up at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, we asked people what Juneteenth means to them.
A farewell to WBHM’s Mary Scott Hodgin
Friday is a bittersweet day WBHM as we say goodbye to our longtime health and science reporter Mary Scott Hodgin.
Gambling, ethics bills fall short as legislative session ends
Alabama lawmakers closed the books on this year’s regular legislative session Thursday. While Republican leaders passed many of their priority bills, perhaps the most talked about issue – gambling – died.
Gambling bill in doubt with three days left in the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers are coming down to the finish line for this year’s legislative session. Many bills await passage, but perhaps the biggest one up in the air is a lottery and gambling bill.
Attitudes among Alabama lawmakers softening on Medicaid expansion
Alabama is one of ten states which has not expanded Medicaid. Republican leaders have pushed back against the idea for years.
Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.
Lawmakers consider medical cannabis revamp
It’s been three years since Alabama lawmakers passed legislation establishing a system to govern medical cannabis in the state, yet not one prescription for the drug has been filled. The rollout has been delayed by lawsuits and conflict over the licensing process.
Bill revamping ethics law advances in the legislature
Lawmakers also took up the General Fund budget and a proposal to increase the number of medical cannabis licenses.
Anti-DEI bill becomes law as lawmakers return for the second half of the session
Alabama lawmakers returned from spring break this week to take on several priorities for the Republican majority. Chief among them was a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools, universities and government offices.
IVF, school choice and gambling dominate the week in Montgomery
Most in vitro fertilization services resumed across Alabama after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law Wednesday night granting immunity to fertility clinics. This is in response to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling last month that found frozen embryos are children.
Alabama lawmakers pass protections for IVF clinics
In vitro fertilization dominated the conversation in Montgomery for another week in the wake of last month’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found frozen embryos are considered children.
Lawmakers promise action after Alabama IVF ruling
One story dominated Alabama politics this past week – an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found frozen embryos are considered children under a state civil law.
Gambling bill overcomes first big test of the legislative session
The Alabama House Thursday passed a sweeping gambling bill, one that could bring a lottery, casinos and sports betting to the state. It’s a change of luck for gambling proponents as similar proposals historically have died in the House.
2024 Murrow Awards — Overall Excellence Entry
00:00 – ‘Ruffed’ up by school? These dogs help Birmingham students with stress 4:45 – Residents worry about unknown health impacts of toxic landfill fumes 9:10 – Morning newscast from Oct. 23, 2023 12:27 – Cahaba lily season draws crowds, inspires conservation efforts 18:05 – Tuberville defends hold on defense nominations, says Pentagon wrong to […]
Gambling becomes the first big issue of the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers got their first look at a sweeping lottery and casino bill this week. The governor also released her plan for education savings accounts.
2024 Murrow Award Entry — Newscast
WBHM’s morning newscast from Oct. 23, 2023
What to expect in this year’s legislative session
Alabama lawmakers will be back in Montgomery Tuesday to kick off the 2024 legislative session. State leaders are already talking about an array of issues from education to the economy.
2024 ABBY Award Entry — Station of the Year
WBHM’s audio entry for station of the year includes excerpts from: “Residents worry about unknown health impacts of toxic landfill fumes” — Jan. 27, 2023 “Tuberville defends hold on defense nominations, says Pentagon wrong to screen out white nationalists” — May 8, 2023 “Runoff Tuesday in race for House District 55” — Oct. 23, 2024 “Birmingham residents […]
2024 ABBY Award Entry — News Reporter, Mary Scott Hodgin
Montage of stories from Mary Scott Hodgin including: “Cahaba lily season draws crowds, inspires conservation efforts” — May 19, 2023 “Residents worry about unknown health impacts of toxic landfill fumes” — Jan. 27, 2023 “After botched executions, Alabama will try lethal injection again” — April 3, 2023 “How hard is life after prison? This simulation […]
2024 ABBY Award Entry — Newscast
WBHM’s morning newscast from Oct. 23, 2023
Why Birmingham is overlooked when it comes to jazz
Jazz is associated with cities such as New Orleans, Chicago and New York. But Birmingham has had profound influence on the genre too. That’s the argument from a recent book.
