
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 is urging low-income earners to apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit
The city of Philadelphia is sending out a message far and wide about the Earned Income Tax Credit. The credit is designed to encourage lo ...
8 years ago
ListenPhilly councilman wants diversity among licensed pot growers
A Philadelphia councilman is calling on Harrisburg to make sure medical marijuana business opportunities don’t skip over the city.& ...
8 years ago
ListenPhiladelphia making effort to recycle, reuse — and avoid landfill
Philadelphia intends to become a “zero waste” city — even while hosting big events such as the NFL draft and the thousands ...
8 years ago
ListenToday is deadline for registering to vote in Pa. primary
Monday is the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania’s May 16 primary. Off-year primaries are usually the lowest turno ...
8 years ago
ListenMass media: Philly archdiocese reaching larger flock through Facebook Live
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is venturing into social media to engage with followers who don’t come to worship in person. ...
8 years ago
ListenWomen issue annual plea to be priests outside Holy Thursday Mass
For decades, the Thursday before Easter has meant a protest outside the Catholic Cathedral of Saints. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia as w ...
8 years ago
Listen‘iBuyBlack’ discount card aims to boost African-American entrepreneurship
A new card is encouraging African-Americans in Philadelphia to keep their money in their community. The “iBuyBlackR ...
8 years ago
ListenU.S. budget cuts could imperil low-income housing in Philly
Possible cuts to federal funding continue to be a big concerns during Philadelphia City Council’s budget hearings. Any ...
8 years ago
ListenBack to kiosks for Philly parking as PPA suspends Meter Up app
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is suspending its smartphone app effective midnight April 12th. Corrine O’Connor of the P ...
8 years ago
ListenBigger planes, fewer takeoffs mean Philly airport can wait on new runway
A change in the airline industry towards bigger planes means an extra runway at Philadelphia International Airport is no longer a to ...
8 years ago
ListenSEPTA working to keep rails and passengers secure, agency officials tell city
A hearing in Philadelphia City Council took a look at the past — and the future — of SEPTA. Councilman Curtis Jones said ...
8 years ago
ListenKenney says Philly tax abatement is here to stay
The mayor of Philadelphia said he will not consider ending tax abatements. He may even extend some of them. Providing the ta ...
8 years ago
Listen