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
Philadelphia to shutter century-old jail by 2020
Efforts to cut city's prison population are paying off, Philadelphia officials say.
8 years ago
Listen 2:25
Philly won’t have new voting machines in place for 2020 election, commissioner says
Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres set a Dec. 31, 2019, deadline for replacing machines that don;t have a paper backup.
8 years ago
N.J. lottery winner says he wants to help others with part of $317 million
On the second time he ever played the lottery, North Jersey man hits the multimillion-dollar jackpot.
8 years ago
Philly councilman proposes lien sales to pare planned tax hike
"We are coming for our money," Councilman Allan Domb warns.
8 years ago
Amid criticism, Philly DA Krasner establishing crime victims advisory panel
Families of crime victims have criticized the new district attorney. Krasner has apologized and says the 'door is open.'
8 years ago
Villanova championship parade set for Thursday morning in Philly
City hosting celebration for NCAA Men's Basketball Championship winners
8 years ago
Philadelphia Council presses for answers on borrowing, money lost on police HQ
Council members also seek update on projects stalled by the extended court challenge to the city's sweetened beverage tax.
8 years ago
Philly towing company agrees to fine, refunds in settlement with Pennsylvania AG
The deal between George Smith Towing and the state includes the company's agreement to refund money to 28 people.
8 years ago
Philly halts foster placements with 2 faith-based agencies shutting out LGBT couples
Mayor Jim Kenney has promised an investigation into whether Catholic Social Services and Bethany Christian Services have violated city contracting laws.
8 years ago
Philadelphia going ‘outside the box’ with diversion program
The police-assisted diversion program is designed to redirect low-level offenders suspected of prostitution or drug possession to community-based services.
8 years ago
Part-time workers tell Philly City Council of haphazard scheduling, inadequate hours
A University of California study showed two-thirds of Philadelphia hourly workers report irregular work hours.
8 years ago
Wells Fargo Center to get quarter-billion dollars in upgrades
The Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia is going to be redone instead of being replaced. The plan is to spend nearly $250 mil ...
8 years ago