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
Philly’s U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans says he’ll retire at end of term
Evans, who had a stroke last year, won’t leave office until 2027. His announcement will likely set off a primary scramble to find his successor.
2 months ago
Listen 1:16
AFSCME DC33, which represents Philly’s blue-collar workers, is vowing to strike at midnight if there isn’t an agreement with the city.
2 months ago
Mayor Cherelle Parker takes to social media to deliver union contract update
Philadelphia’s mayor pleaded her case via social media to say that the city is offering a fair wage package to the District Council 33 union, which represents city workers.
2 months ago
Philadelphia city workers union leader says they will walk if no deal by July 1
The union head says they are double digits apart on wage demands, as the clock ticks towards a Tuesday morning strike deadline.
2 months ago
SEPTA says heat wave precautions could mean schedule delays
Extreme heat could impact rail infrastructure. SEPTA says it slows down trains to prevent failures.
2 months ago
Philadelphia City Council allocates $500,000 to help CTE teachers earn certification
More students are choosing career training over college. New funding will help certify industry pros to teach in Philly schools.
2 months ago
Listen 1:12
More than 50% of Philly residents have family or friends struggling with substance abuse. One in three know someone who died from overdose.
3 months ago
SEPTA swears in new transit police officers amid budget woes and ongoing safety concerns
The transit agency is facing funding opposition from Pennsylvania Republicans over safety. SEPTA says it plans to hire new officers despite its budget crisis.
3 months ago
Philadelphia City Council urges Parks and Rec to stop using chemical herbicides
Councilmember Nina Ahmad said Parks and Recreation officials are ignoring the 2020 law. The city department says the natural herbicides don’t work.
3 months ago
Listen 0:51
Portrait of former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter wins national award
The Portrait Society of America awarded the painting of Nutter first place in its 2025 international portrait competition.
3 months ago
Listen 1:02
Fire that damaged multiple decommissioned SEPTA buses at Philly storage yard now under control
City health officials said Friday that nearby residents can resume their normal routines after several dangerous air pollutants spiked Thursday.
3 months ago
Philadelphia’s largest city workers union schedules strike vote
A social media post urges members of AFSCME District Council 33 to attend a meeting at union headquarters to take a strike vote.
3 months ago