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
Schools 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
Port Authority chair quits in wake of ‘bridge gate;’ Christie not surprised
The head of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has tendered his resignation. Governor Chris Christie spoke to reporters ...
11 years ago
Listen
Philly Mayor feels good about Papal visit after trip to Vatican
There is plenty of optimism in the group that just got back from Rome for an audience with Pope Francis. Mayor Michael Nutter says ...
11 years ago
Listen
Bill to end pot arrests in Philly on hold
A plan to stop arresting people for posessing small amounts of marijuana in Philadelphia is on hold for now. Councilman Jim ...
11 years ago
Listen
A bid to bring back Commission for Women in Philly, permanently
A Philadelphia City Councilwoman is pushing for a charter change to establish a permanent Commission for Women. Councilwoman ...
11 years ago
Listen
Fire at Philadelphia Councilwoman’s former home suspicious
An investigation is underway into a suspicious fire in the former home of a Philadelphia City Councilwoman. The property in ...
11 years ago
Listen
E-cig ban passed in Philadelphia City Council
By a unanimous vote, Philadelphia City Council has approved a bill prohibiting electronic cigarettes in the same public places where you ...
11 years ago
Listen
Minimum wage bus tour stops in Philadelphia, pushing for $10.10
A bus tour to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 made a stop in Philadelphia. The protesters say t ...
11 years ago
Listen
Judge deciding whether State Rep. really is from Philly [updated]
UPDATE: State Rep. Pamela DeLissio survived the ballot challenge, ...
11 years ago
ListenPhilly firefighters union opposes paramedic staffing change
The union representing Philadelphia firefighters and paramedics is worried a change in staffing could cause problems. The un ...
11 years ago
Listen