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
Indigenous Peoples’ Day to replace Columbus Day in Philly
The city of Philadelphia will no longer observe Columbus Day — and that has organizers of the city’s annual parade up in arms.
5 years ago
Food distribution hub gets a million dollars to fund repairs and go solar
A solar upgrade is on the way for a food distribution hub in Philly.
5 years ago
City Council returns from recess with hearing on school district future
Philadelphia School District talks about the future including virtual school end and the possibility of summer school for all students.
5 years ago
Guns for groceries? Philly buyback offers $100 ShopRite gift card for firearms
Philly City Councilmember Curtis Jones said guns will be taken with no questions asked. The buyback will happen Saturday at two local churches.
5 years ago
Pa. lawmakers, workers link minimum wage fight to MLK’s push for equality
Interfaith leaders, workers, and elected officials spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day advocating for a living wage in Pennsylvania.
5 years ago
Center City District ad campaign aims to help restaurants survive
With images evoking battles of the past, the promotion encourages people to order takeout meals directly from the restaurants.
5 years ago
PHLConnectED is offering free internet to more Philadelphia students and their households
The effort widens to households in public benefit programs with income qualifications, and students designated as English learners and special ed students.
5 years ago
Philly FOP sues over City Council hearings on proposed contracts
Philadelphia police union wants to keep their bargaining efforts private and are against hearings on city proposals with public input.
6 years ago
Committee that paid for Frank Rizzo statue wants it back
Lawsuit filed to return statue of former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo to committee that paid for it.
6 years ago
Krasner tells Columbus supporters to leave baseball bats and hatred at home
The Philadelphia District Attorney has charged a man for assaulting a photographer Tuesday night at Marconi Plaza.
6 years ago
Philly councilmembers call for ambassadors, not police, to enforce social distancing
City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas said he hopes the ambassadors will come from the neighborhoods where they would be assigned.
6 years ago
Rizzo name removed from Police Athletic League Center In Port Richmond
Police Athletic League board removes Rizzo's name from the youth center, shortly after the statue of the former mayor was taken down from near City Hall.
6 years ago