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
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.
5 months ago
Listen 1:05
Selected block parties will receive a $250 ShopRite gift card, patriotic decorations, mini Constitutions and outdoor toys meant to inspire civic pride.
5 months ago
Listen 1:16
Students 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.
5 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.
5 months ago
Listen 0:53
Philadelphia 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.
5 months ago
Listen 1:08
Philadelphia 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.
6 months ago
Listen 0:55
The multibillion-dollar blueprint calls for no new wage or real estate taxes, but does add surcharges to national chain deliveries and ride-hailing fares.
6 months ago
Listen 0:57
SEPTA will eliminate 18 bus routes as part of a phased overhaul starting in August, aiming to increase service and improve reliability for riders.
6 months ago
The Hope 220 Solution Center in the Spring Garden neighborhood is part of an effort to eliminate homelessness in Philadelphia.
6 months ago
Listen 1:00
SEPTA riders rally at City Hall to preserve free-ride programs in new budget
The Zero Fare program provides free rides to low-income residents, and the Key Advantage program offers them to city employees.
6 months ago
Philly on short list to host 2028 Democratic National Convention
The city has made the top five for the convention and has a history of hosting major events and political conventions.
6 months ago
Listen 1:13
Philadelphia pension system to be fully funded by 2032; officials hail progress as a success
Philadelphia officials say the city’s pension system is recovering and is now on track to reach full funding ahead of schedule.
6 months ago
Listen 1:01