Tom MacDonald

1 week ago | phillytrib.com | Tom MacDonald

A new survey released by The Pew Charitable Trusts on Tuesday found that more Philadelphia residents recognize opioid use disorder as a chronic health problem, rather than believing that the disorder is something that people bring on themselves. That’s a change from just a few years ago. “We asked a question about whether drug use is something more akin to a chronic disease, something like heart disease or diabetes, or if it’s something that you bring upon yourself,” said Pew’s Katie Martin.

2 weeks ago | phillytrib.com | Tom MacDonald

A painting commissioned to commemorate the eight years Michael Nutter served as mayor of Philadelphia has been awarded first place in the Portrait Society of America’s 2025 international portrait competition. Artist Joseph Daily’s painting that depicts Nutter standing in Dilworth Park is based on a picture taken during Daily’s photo session with the mayor on a hot summer day a few years ago. Daily said one shot stood out from the hundreds of pictures he took that day.

3 weeks ago | whyy.org | Tom MacDonald

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!SEPTA officially has a new general manager. The move comes after a nationwide search led the transit agency to its own executive suite. Kenneth Lawrence, SEPTA board chair, quoted from Temple University founder Russell Conwell’s “Acres of Diamonds” speech when he introduced the resolution to make Scott Sauer, who has been serving as interim general manager, permanent.

1 month ago | whyy.org | Tom MacDonald

What questions do you have about the 2025 elections? What major issues do you want candidates to address? Let us know. Before most elections, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner hosts a news conference to offer a warning to anyone thinking of causing trouble related to the vote. Typically the DA’s office receives reports and investigates any cases of intimidation or other voter-related crimes.

1 month ago | heraldextra.com | Tom MacDonald

Courtesy PhotoTom Macdonald It is hard for me to believe that it was back in 2013 that I first ran for city council in Orem. At that time, there were budget concerns confronting the city and we were emerging from a national recession. I believed the city could use my experience as a businessperson and CPA to help ensure that proper budget practices were in place to strengthen the financial security of our city.