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

Trash on the curb in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia

Urban Planning

Philadelphia’s largest city workers’ union is on strike. Here’s the latest

AFSCME District Council 33 represents 9,000 employees ranging from sanitation workers to crossing guards. Trash pick-up, pools and 911 calls are among the services impacted.

3 days ago

Community

Philly’s largest union representing city workers could go on strike Tuesday. Here’s what could be impacted and how the city is preparing

The union represents 9,000 blue-collar city employees ranging from sanitation workers to crossing guards.

4 days ago

Dwight Evans speaking at a podium at an outdoor event

Politics & Policy

Philly’s U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans says he’ll retire at end of term

Evans, who had a stroke last year, won’t leave office until 2027. His announcement will likely set off a primary scramble to find his successor.

4 days ago

Listen 1:16

Philadelphia City Hall in Philadelphia, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.

Community

Philly’s blue-collar union says it will strike at midnight if there’s no deal struck. Here’s what you need to know

AFSCME DC33, which represents Philly’s blue-collar workers, is vowing to strike at midnight if there isn’t an agreement with the city.

4 days ago

Community

Mayor Cherelle Parker takes to social media to deliver union contract update

Philadelphia’s mayor pleaded her case via social media to say that the city is offering a fair wage package to the District Council 33 union, which represents city workers.

6 days ago

Politics & Policy

Philadelphia city workers union leader says they will walk if no deal by July 1

The union head says they are double digits apart on wage demands, as the clock ticks towards a Tuesday morning strike deadline.

1 week ago

Weather

SEPTA says heat wave precautions could mean schedule delays

Extreme heat could impact rail infrastructure. SEPTA says it slows down trains to prevent failures.

1 week ago

Education

Philadelphia City Council allocates $500,000 to help CTE teachers earn certification

More students are choosing career training over college. New funding will help certify industry pros to teach in Philly schools.

2 weeks ago

Listen 1:12

Community

Philadelphia residents are more understanding about substance abuse issues in the city, according to new Pew poll

More than 50% of Philly residents have family or friends struggling with substance abuse. One in three know someone who died from overdose.

2 weeks ago

Over a dozen SEPTA police officers take the oath of office

Urban Planning

SEPTA swears in new transit police officers amid budget woes and ongoing safety concerns

The transit agency is facing funding opposition from Pennsylvania Republicans over safety. SEPTA says it plans to hire new officers despite its budget crisis.

3 weeks ago