WHYY reporter Tom MacDonald is a lifelong Philadelphia-area resident who has worked in the region since the mid-1980s. Tom started in commercial radio covering the MOVE standoff with police for WFIL-AM. He was also City Hall Bureau Chief, covering government and politics for more than a decade, for WWDB-FM.
Tom has been heard on numerous stations in the region during the decade he worked for Metro Traffic, doing news, traffic, and weather.
Tom has also been heard nationally, filing reports for NPR, ABC News Radio, NBC Radio, and CBS Radio.
He has won the Associated Press award for his coverage of the protests of the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia and a Religious Communicators award for a post-9/11 documentary he did with the late Peter Jennings.
More from the Contributor
Selection committee for DNC tours Philadelphia as potential 2028 site
The city, which hosted the 2016 Democratic National Convention, is one of five on a list to be reviewed by the party.
2 months ago
Listen 1:09Philadelphia Parking Authority unveils renovated Filbert Street bus station
The $5 million renovated facility boasts shiny floors, bathrooms and a seating area for 189 passengers.
2 months ago
Listen 1:04Philadelphia looks to employ thousands of youth this summer with city-led program
The #ItsASummerThing campaign looks to give youth jobs and keep the city safer by keeping them employed and out of trouble either with a job or recreational activity.
2 months ago
Listen 0:59Bodies of 2 workers recovered at CHOP garage collapse site in Grays Ferry
The deceased, Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr., were found less than 12 hours after the demolition of the garage was completed and the site declared safe for workers to enter.
2 months ago
Listen 1:10Philadelphia tourism groups look at this summer and the next half decade
Tourism officials say they are hoping to get people to Philly, show them a good time and have them keep coming back for more.
2 months ago
The ballot question, which could have allowed lawmakers to keep their seats while running for state or federal office, will no longer be part of May’s primary vote.
2 months ago
Listen 1:05Selected block parties will receive a $250 ShopRite gift card, patriotic decorations, mini Constitutions and outdoor toys meant to inspire civic pride.
3 months ago
Listen 1:16Students and advocates call for expansion, not elimination, of 5 West Philly schools
A West Philadelphia rally called for the consolidation of five schools set to be closed under the school district's plan.
3 months ago
Jamie Gauthier wants to rezone schools to limit redevelopment of school buildings, arguing their land value is driving decisions instead of students’ needs.
3 months ago
Listen 0:53Philadelphia prisons report a boost in staffing as Council considers new oversight board
More corrections officers should give incarcerated people more time outside their cells and reduce costly mandatory overtime for prison staff.
3 months ago
Listen 1:08Philadelphia sues Glock, says gunmaker’s firearms are too easy to make fully automatic
The lawsuit filed by District Attorney Larry Krasner alleges that the gunmaker’s firearms are contributing to mass shootings by their design.
3 months ago
Listen 0:55The multibillion-dollar blueprint calls for no new wage or real estate taxes, but does add surcharges to national chain deliveries and ride-hailing fares.
3 months ago
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