Tom MacDonald

Reporter

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

Politics & Policy

Sports betting approved for more Philly-area casinos

Pennsylvania has now approved all three Philadelphia area casinos for sports betting. Now it’s a race to see which one will ...

7 years ago

Yard signs on Second Street in Moorestown, New Jersey, support the Republican slate, topped by Bob Hugin for Senate and Tom MacArthur for Congress.

Politics & Policy

Political signs have little impact on elections, expert says

On average, lawn signs increase vote share by 1.7 percentage points.

7 years ago

Voters formed a long line in Philadelphia City Hall last week to get their absentee ballots. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Politics & Policy

Final day for absentee ballots brings out throngs to Philly City Hall

...

7 years ago

The Shrine of Mother Katherine Drexel at her home in Center City (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Community

Remains of St. Katharine Drexel at new home in Philadelphia

The shrine of Saint Katherine Drexel now rests at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City.

7 years ago

Shown is the Schuylkill River and view of the Philadelphia skyline, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo)

Politics & Policy

Philadelphia wins major grant for environmental work

Christine Knapp, the city's director of sustainability, says the goal is to work over a short time frame to come up with workable ideas.

7 years ago

Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson says the compromise worked out with the First Judicial District is part of a larger effort to make it easier for people to be released while waiting for trial. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY).

Politics & Policy

Philadelphia moving closer to ending cash bail

Philadelphia will now return the entire bail amount to defendants who meet their court obligations, officials said. A previous rul ...

7 years ago

Charles Massucci kisses his partner of 47 years, Joseph DiDio, as they renew their vows at the National Coming Out Day event at City Hall Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Community

Weddings at City Hall on National Coming Out Day

For National Coming Out Day a handful of LGBTQ couples got married or recommitted to each other at Philadelphia City Hall.

7 years ago

Women alleging workplace harassment in Philadelphia city government speak Wednesday at the Guardian Civic League headquarters. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Politics & Policy

Group alleges systemic harassment of Philly city workers

A group that represents black and Latino police officers has claimed there is a systemwide problem with sexual harassment and assault in ...

7 years ago

State Sen. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, says he wants to make sure the growing cannabis industry offers opportunity for all. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Money

Philly hosts conference to bolster minority participation in cannabis industry

Another focus of the conference will be on continuing to press for legalizing marijuana to end well-documented patterns of racially biased enforcement.

7 years ago