Ellie Coatar

Ellie Coatar is a senior at the University of Missouri studying Radio/Television Production and Political Science. Her previous journalistic experience consists of reporting and producing at KOMU-8 News, the Columbia, Mo. NBC affiliate and an internship at KTVI Fox 2 in St. Louis, Mo. Ellie worked as a production intern for the 9 a.m. morning show with Tim Ezell. This is her third semester at Missouri Digital News. Ellie hopes to pursue a career in television after graduation.

Ellie stays involved at MU by working as a Campus Tour Guide for the Office of Visitor Relations and serving as a steering committee member for the philanthropic organization Rockin' Against Multiple Sclerosis.

Stories by Ellie Coatar in 2013 include:

Ellie Coatar's Tweets @MDNnews in 2014

02/10/2014: Former Missouri House Speaker announces she will run for governor http://bit.ly/1hUyD5k
02/10/2014: Former US Attorney and first female Mo. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway announced Monday she will run for governor in 2016 ellie_coatar
02/10/2014: Hanaway is the first Republican to enter the Missouri gubernatorial race #MOleg ellie_coatar
02/10/2014: Hanaway says she wants to "build the largest and best grassroots campaign in Missouri history." #MOleg ellie_coatar
02/24/2014: Tonight a Senate committee will hear testimony on a measure to change how eyewitness testimony is used in court cases #MOleg ellie_coatar
02/24/2014: Mo. Senate started hearing in which Ryan Ferguson's father is expected to testify to change eyewitness testimony use in court HannaBattah

Ellie Coatar's Tweets @MDNnews in 2013

01/29/2013: Medicaid fraud investigators want more funding http://bit.ly/XQGPoc
01/31/2013: Missouri community leaders deliver letters in support of Medicaid expansion to Rep. Sue Allen http://bit.ly/U4iz6J
02/05/2013: A Senate bill to upgrade electrical infrastructure could raise utility rates for Missourians http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
02/05/2013: Power companies go to legislature for rate increase http://bit.ly/WuWBH4
02/12/2013: A labor proposal would repeal prevailing wage and make Missouri a Right to Work state http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
02/12/2013: Proposed changes to Missouri's wage laws meets harsh opposition by business owners http://bit.ly/11FbbBM
02/14/2013: House passes plan to require Missourians to present photo identification to vote http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
02/14/2013: Missouri House sends voter ID measures to Senate http://bit.ly/11JoYXZ
02/19/2013: A proposed amendment to Missouri's Constitution would solidify the right to own firearms http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
02/19/2013: Republicans push bills to resist federal gun control efforts http://bit.ly/WVuenx
02/28/2013: Senate sends "China Hub" debate to the Missouri House http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
02/28/2013: China hub debate heads to the Missouri House...again. http://bit.ly/Vf4qD1
03/12/2013: House Democrats grow restless and take photos at the Speaker's dais while they wait for the Republican reps. to return from caucus
03/12/2013: Missouri Republicans support labor unions deducting from payroll to contribute to political campaigns http://bit.ly/10KpFPW
03/12/2013: Republicans endorse legislation that opponents say attack labor unions http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
03/14/2013: Leaders in Missouri's General Assembly express satisfaction with first half progress http://bit.ly/152Fq1L
03/19/2013: Legislators say they will push to prevent the feds from obtaining Missourians personal info 03/19/13 http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
03/21/2013: Gov. Nixon's trip overseas results in $1.9 billion in trade agreements http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
03/21/2013: No actual trade required as part of Nixon's $1.9 billion trade agreement with Taiwan and South Korea http://bit.ly/WOiUKJ
04/02/2013: Lt. Governor Peter Kinder says he is not worried about safety risks of a new pipeline in Missouri http://bit.ly/16kX4yl
04/02/2013: Lt. Governor not worried about pipeline safety http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
04/11/2013: Missouri House fires back in Department of Revenue controversy http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
04/16/2013: Gov. Nixon rallies with Missourians for Medicaid expansion http://bit.ly/11eUWHa
04/16/2013: Governor Jay Nixon rallies with Medicaid supports at the state Capitol http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
04/18/2013: State senator challenged to duel in citizen letter to Columbia Daily Tribune http://bit.ly/115PqpS
04/18/2013: Boone County Senator says death threats are "just part of the job" http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
04/25/2013: Lawmakers take second look at massive building bond measure http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
04/25/2013: House Budget Committee takes a second crack at building bond measure http://bit.ly/14Tod06
05/02/2013: A new measure would fund Capitol improvements and new MoDot offices http://bit.ly/18fXlGB
05/02/2013: Proposed state spending plan would fund multi-million dollar new building for MoDot http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
05/09/2013: House passes HB 7 budget bill for Econ Development, Insurance and Labor Relations on a 122-35 vote. Senate still gridlocked on HB 2 #moleg
05/09/2013: House passes HB 8 budget bill for Public Safety on a 147-10 vote. Senate still gridlocked on HB 2. #moleg
05/09/2013: House passes HB 9 budget bill for Corrections on a 151-5 vote. Senate still stuck on HB 2. #moleg
05/09/2013: House passes HB 10 budget bill for Health and Mental Health on a 106-51 vote. Senate still on HB 2. #moleg
05/13/2013: Missouri House sends paycheck protection bill to Gov. Nixon http://bit.ly/10U3Jfb
08/21/2013: Environmental lawyers are suing Sec. of State Kander and Gov. Nixon for obstructing renewable energy initiatives @ellie_coatar
08/28/2013: Missouri's March on Washington Tribute Honors Original Format http://bit.ly/185jbut
09/11/2013: SCOM hears appeal from John Coomer who is suing the KC Royals. ellie_coatar
09/11/2013: Coomer suffered an eye injury after being struck in the face by a hot dog at a game in 2009. He claims the Royals are at fault ellie_coatar
09/11/2013: Coomer claims the Royals are at fault for an eye injury he received after being struck by a hot dog at a game in 2009 @ellie_coatar
09/11/2013: Coomer claims the Royals are at fault for an eye injury he received after being struck by a hot dog at a game in 2009 @ellie_coatar
09/11/2013: Missouri Supreme Court hears appeal from man who was injured by a hot dog http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
09/11/2013: The Missouri Supreme Court listens to appeal from man struck in the face by a hot dog at a Royals game. http://bit.ly/15kx35V
09/11/2013: With a vote of 23-10, SB 267 or the Civil Liberties Defense Act, is overridden. ellie_coatar
09/11/2013: The Senate calls a recess for one hour.
09/11/2013: Gov. Nixon still considers today a success even though he may have most overridden bills in history. http://bit.ly/18R6jZf
09/18/2013: St. Louis company settles lead liability cases in Missouri http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
09/18/2013: Two-term Missouri House member from Kansas City plans to run for state auditor http://bit.ly/UBv8Rp
11/06/2013: State Representative Steve Webb charged with misusing campaign finances and will resign http://bit.ly/187V4e0
11/13/2013: Already hearing Democratic senators Nasheed and Keaveny protest a health care draft report, which excludes Medicaid expansion @HannaBattah
11/13/2013: Sen. Nasheed, LeVota and Keaveny just left the meeting. Said they will return when the committee discusses Medicaid expansion. @HannaBattah
11/13/2013: We are now reconvening the Medicaid reform meeting, this time without the Democratic committee members. @HannaBattah
11/13/2013: AND THEY'RE BACK. The Democratic senators joined discussion again on Medicaid draft proposal after unanimously leaving earlier. @HannaBattah
11/13/2013: 2 Republican senators including chairman Romine expressed support to include Medicaid expansion recommendations @HannaBattah

Ellie Coatar's Blog in 2013
The Beginning

Posted 03/01/2013: It’s been a whirlwind during my first few weeks at MDN, and even though it has sometimes been a labor of love, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far.

I was so nervous on my first day. When you enter the Capitol, where everyone is dressed in suits and appears so official, its hard not to feel out of place. I felt like I was in over my head, totally unprepared to do anything at all. I’ve written and covered stories for the J-school before, but this was real life! I felt like the story I was covering was actually real, something that would affect Missourians. Everything I’d done thus far was just fluff.

Not to mention my first story covered Medicaid, a pretty complicated issue. But, although I struggled a bit, everyone at MDN was and is so helpful. That’s something I was not prepared for. I expected the TA’s to help us, but the more experienced reporters are always willing to lend a hand as well. It is a wonderful working environment, and no one ever makes me feel like less of a journalists because I don’t have as much experience. Because Phill expects a lot of his reporters, it makes me work harder. I don’t want to disappoint him or the TA’s, but I mostly don’t want to disappoint myself.

I’ve learned to not be embarrassed or afraid around people that are probably much more qualified and grown up than I am. I have to tell myself that I deserve to be here just as much as any of the other members of the press, even though that’s probably not true. But it gives me the ability to approach legislators, something that I find to be very intimidating.

Everyday gets a little bit easier. Everyday I can work a little quicker. Everyday I get more of a firm grasp on the issue that I’m covering. I can’t wait to continue to grow at MDN. What a wonderful opportunity.