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
City Controller seeking help in review of Philadelphia Police Department
Philadelphia’s City Controller is establishing a community council to assist in a review of the city’s police department.
4 years ago
Homicides, shootings begin trending down in Philly
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw stressed that even though the numbers are down, people are still dying and families are losing loved ones on a daily basis.
4 years ago
Philly COVID cases continue to drop, but ‘we’re not out of the woods yet’
The city’s health commissioner said vaccinating children under 5 will help slow the spread, and the city will be ready when federal regulators give the green light.
4 years ago
SEPTA faces delays and workarounds as supply chain issues disrupt repair projects
The transit agency is getting creative with recycling and reusing parts from retired vehicles to deal with supply chain shortages.
4 years ago
Philadelphia Democrats select state lawmaker to replace convicted Councilmember Bobby Henon
Mike Driscoll has been picked by ward leaders to be the Democratic candidate in a special election, virtually ensuring he will replace Bobby Henon on City Council.
4 years ago
Philadelphia airport parking could be privatized within a year
After almost 50 years under Philadelphia Parking Authority control, the airport parking concession could soon be run by a private company.
4 years ago
Philly DA: Murders are down compared to this time last year
Philadelphia’s District Attorney says homicides are down for the first time this year, and a new initiative is looking to help younger offenders take a path away from crime.
4 years ago
Philly reps. urge Congress to pass bill to put $1B to help solve murders, care for victims
The press conference calling for the federal funding drew an uninvited guest: the mother of a 15-year-old who was killed just feet from where the politicians were speaking.
4 years ago
‘Badlands’ to green homes: New building rises from a former Philly drug hotspot
Called “Camino De Oro,” the new building will provide affordable apartments to seniors in the North Philadelphia neighborhood.
4 years ago
Philly mayor undergoes medical procedure
City officials said they do not expect the situation to require anyone to take over the mayor’s duties.
4 years ago
Philly DA: City’s 2022 murder rate already outpacing record-deadly 2021
As homicides spike to a rate unseen in Philadelphia since the city began tracking murders, Philly DA Larry Krasner vows to focus on prosecuting gun crimes.
4 years ago
A review aims to find out if anti-violence money is doing its job in Philadelphia
Anti-violence initiatives in the city will be evaluated, to make sure the funding is getting to those most at risk.
4 years ago