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
Does Philly need a ‘hardship exemption’ on property taxes?
A Philadelphia City Councilwoman wants to set up a “hardship” program for those who need assistance in paying their real esta ...
11 years ago
Councilman says Philly pensions need expertise as much as more money
There’s a lot of talk about how to come up with enough money to refill Philadelphia’s underfunded pension accounts. On ...
11 years ago
Listen
Philly Councilman says send him a text…he’ll respond in 24 hours
A Philadelphia city councilman who once released his own app to help constituents reach him is trying to simplify. Councilman Bobb ...
11 years ago
ListenPhiladelphia Controller catches city workers stealing scrap to sell [video]
A Philadelphia School District employee and someone working for the city are accused of stealing scrap metal. They could lo ...
11 years ago
Listen
Orchard to bloom at Philadelphia prison complex
The Philadelphia Prison system is planting an orchard. Prisons Commissioner Louis Giorla says the Orchard Project is just on ...
11 years ago
ListenPhilly Councilman questions overseas trips
Philadelphia city officials have taken to the roads and the air to lure new businesses to town. One councilman wonders why. ...
11 years ago
Listen
Bridge walk to commemorate slain civil rights leader
Members of many faith communities will take a walk early Friday morning as a call for peace in our region. Reverend David Br ...
11 years ago
Listen
Philly Councilman questions minority participation numbers
One Philadelphia City Councilman says the Nutter administration is exempting too many contracts from goals encouraging minority-owned fir ...
11 years ago
Listen
Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment struggling to complete its job
When Philadelphia overhauled property tax assessments in 2013, it meant having to re-evaluate every home and business. The city ag ...
11 years ago
ListenSchools funding a big unanswered question in Philly budget hearings
As Philadelphia City Council holds budget hearings, funding the city schools continues to be a big question mark. Councilman ...
11 years ago
Listen
Philadelphia could be first American city to receive world honor
Philadelphia is being considered for a special honor. It could take years to decide whether Philly will be designated a World Heritage Ci ...
11 years ago
ListenPhiladelphia building maintenance policies questioned
Members of Philadelphia City Council are upset about how the city is maintaining buildings, especially police and fire stations. C ...
11 years ago
Listen