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Tom MacDonald/WHYY

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, doing 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.

Tom MacDonald is a lifelong Philadelphia area resident who has worked in the area 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, doing 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.

Latest by Tom MacDonald/WHYY


Philadelphia offers services to latest group of asylum seekers sent from Texas

The city is preparing for another wave of buses as more people are expected to cross the border when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
By Tom MacDonald/WHYY


What is the future of Philadelphia’s horse-drawn carriage rides?

76 Carriage Company empited it stables
By Tom MacDonald/WHYY

Pennsylvania state lawmakers convicted of a felony would be automatically expelled under new proposal

“Name another job, where you get convicted of a crime and can remain in that job for years? So why should elected leaders be treated any differently?”

By Tom MacDonald/WHYY

Proposal would move up Pennsylvania presidential primary to make voters’ pick more relevant

“This is an issue about making sure Pennsylvania’s voice can be heard in the primary election for president before a substantial decision has been made.”

By Tom MacDonald/WHYY


Philadelphia says it’s ready to welcome migrants sent by bus from Texas with ‘open arms’

“If it is (Texas) Governor Abbot, they should re-examine their Christian values because they talk about it a lot, but they don’t do much.”

By Tom MacDonald/WHYY

Faith-based groups hitting the road to encourage Pennsylvanians to vote

The non-partisan Freedom Express tour will encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote for the candidate of their choice.
By Tom MacDonald/WHYY

Some former prisoners in Pennsylvania are eligible to vote, and this group is spreading the word

An effort is underway in Pennsylvania to get all qualified voters a ballot this time around. That even includes some who are incarcerated.

By Tom MacDonald/WHYY

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