Ellie Coatar
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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.