
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
Pa. U.S. Senate candidate Kenyatta gets key union endorsement
Democratic State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta accepted the endorsement of the Service Employees International Union Wednesday outside Philadelphia City Hall.
3 years ago
A Philly Council member wants the city to follow NYC’s model for fixing crumbling schools
Fixing Philly’s ailing public school buildings has been a big item on City Council’s collective to-do list for years. A new bill targets the problem.
3 years ago
Murphy sworn in for second term with a goal to cut property taxes
After narrowly winning reelection on a progressive platform, Murphy is focusing his second term on dealing with a perennial problem in New Jersey: high property taxes.
3 years ago
Philly kicks off 27th annual MLK Day of Service
While most of the events were virtual, people still gathered for the country’s largest MLK Day of Service event at Girard College in Philly for COVID tests and vaccinations.
3 years ago
NTSB investigating medical helicopter crash in Drexel Hill
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board will look at the physical condition of the helicopter itself and the flight conditions.
3 years ago
Harriet Tubman statue arrives in Philadelphia in time for her 200th birthday
The nine-foot-tall sculpture will reside on the apron of City Hall until the end of March when the city will celebrate the anniversary of her birth in March of 1822.
3 years ago
Listen 1:26Cold temps and COVID create problems for Philadelphia’s homeless
Cold weather and a COVID surge are making things harder for those living on Philly’s streets.
3 years ago
Eight facing charges in alleged Philly home-stealing ring
City prosecutors said eight people are facing charges in connection with a coordinated scheme to steal 17 homes and properties in several Philly neighborhoods.
3 years ago
If you don’t get a Real ID when you renew your license in N.J., it could take months
The state of New Jersey is limiting appointments for converting a standard license to Real ID, so people who want one should convert at renewal time.
3 years ago
Philly looks to expand initiative offering support to potential shooters before they pick up a gun
The goal of Group Violence Intervention is to offer support, such as job placement and training, to stop participants from picking up a gun.
3 years ago
Outlaw vows to reduce homicides in Philly as shootings continue to surge in 2022
Philly police say they can reduce crime by reassigning officers to street duty and creating a new unit designed to curb non-fatal shootings.
3 years ago
COVID cases ‘skyrocketing’ in Philadelphia, says health commissioner
COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising and Philadelphia’s health commissioner is warning people to be boosted and either double mask or wear an n-95.
3 years ago