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.

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.

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 […]

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.

A year after the Moody landfill fire: “We need just as much help now”

Around Thanksgiving a year ago a landfill near Moody caught fire blanketing the surrounding area with smoke. The fire burned for months before the Environmental Protection Agency covered the landfill with dirt to extinguish the flames, but there have been flare ups since. To understand what things are like now, we heard from one nearby resident.

Vincent coffee shop becomes community hub

Alicia’s Coffee in Vincent, Alabama, about 45 minutes southeast of Birmingham. The store is the site of WBHM’s latest News and Brews community pop-up Friday, Nov. 17. The story of Alicia’s Coffee is one of entrepreneurship and a little serendipity. 

Proposal would create 36-mile trail loop around Birmingham

The loop would connect Ruffner Mountain, Railroad Park and Red Mountain Park.

Alabama lawmakers close out 2023 legislative session

A proposal to exempt overtime pay from state income tax made it out on the last day. A bill that would have put more teeth in the state’s public records law did not.

Major bills cross the finish line with one day left in legislative session

Gov. Kay Ivey signed both budgets and supplemental spending packages Thursday. A plan to reduce the state sales tax on food is on the way to her desk as well.

Budgets head to the governor after early morning vote

Alabama lawmakers gave final passage to an $8.8 billion education budget and $3 billion general fund budget early Friday morning. That doesn’t count supplemental spending plans.

Alabama lawmakers debate legal definition of ‘woman’

The “What is a Woman” Act drew a full crowd to a public hearing Wednesday and LGBTQ advocacy groups marched outside the statehouse.

Kids’ reading scores have soared in Deep South states

Mississippi went from being ranked the second-worst state in 2013 for fourth-grade reading to 21st in 2022. Louisiana and Alabama, meanwhile, were among only three states to see modest gains in fourth-grade reading during the pandemic.

Woodfin’s budget proposal would be another record high

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said budget highlights include funding for street paving, public transit and pensions.

New biography examines King as a person over the myth

Writer Jonathan Eig’s new biography of Martin Luther King Junior draws on thousands of pages of new documents and audio recordings to paint an intimate portrait of the civil rights leader.

School choice bill advances after spending cap added

An Alabama Senate committee passed a bill this week that would give families almost $7,000 per child in taxpayer money to be used for private school tuition or home-schooling costs. It’s a change from the mixed response the measure received the first time it went before lawmakers.

‘Unprecedented’ education budget passes Alabama Senate

The proposed spending package includes a 2% pay increase for teachers along with more money for K-12 schools, higher education and community colleges. 

Rocky start for Alabama school choice bill

The PRICE Act would give families $6,900 in taxpayer money which could be used for private school tuition or homeschooling.

Republicans and Democrats split over response to Sweet 16 party shooting

Democrats called for gun control measures while Republicans argued for a crackdown on crime.

School choice bill now on lawmakers’ agenda

Alabama legislators also advanced a bill banning teaching “divisive concepts” in the classroom

Tougher penalties on fentanyl trafficking now law

Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law Thursday after the measure, which sets mandatory minimum sentences, passed both legislative chambers without opposition.

Bills tackling fentanyl trafficking and ‘good time’ limits in prisons advance

The bills would set a mandatory minimum sentence for trafficking or possessing fentanyl and reduce good time incentives, which can shorten prisoners’ sentences.

Lawmakers wrap up special session on COVID relief funds

Gov. Kay Ivey signed a more than $1 billion plan to spend federal pandemic relief funds after lawmakers approved the package Thursday.

Special session underway on spending federal pandemic funds

On Thursday, an Alabama House committee passed a plan to spend about $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act on mostly health care reimbursements, water and sewer infrastructure and broadband expansion.

The 2023 Alabama legislative session starts Tuesday. Here’s your preview

Lawmakers return to Montgomery at a time when money is flush thanks to federal COVID funds. Education is among the top issues expected to generate discussion.