
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 city appears to be digging in for a long strike as District Council 33 union workers are looking for more money than the city wants to spend.
3 months ago
WHYY to host pop-up newsroom at Philadelphia City Hall on July 14
The event is designed to give people a chance to speak with WHYY News reporters and offer story suggestions.
3 months ago
Day 8: Philadelphia’s largest city workers’ union is on strike. Here’s the latest
AFSCME District Council 33 represents 9,000 employees ranging from sanitation workers to crossing guards. Trash pick-up, pools and 911 calls are among the services impacted.
3 months ago
The union represents 9,000 blue-collar city employees ranging from sanitation workers to crossing guards.
3 months ago
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.
3 months ago
Listen 1:16AFSCME DC33, which represents Philly’s blue-collar workers, is vowing to strike at midnight if there isn’t an agreement with the city.
3 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.
3 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.
3 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.
3 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.
3 months ago
Listen 1:12More 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