Ella McCarthy is the City Hall/City Government Reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. She covers the Austin City Council, local government, politics and elections. Before joining the American-Statesman, she had a fellowship with ABC News in Washington, D.C., where she covered national politics. A native Missourian and graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, McCarthy’s work has appeared in several papers across the state including the Kansas City Star, the Jefferson City News Tribune and the Columbia Missourian. Her work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, the Missouri Press Association and LION Publishers in the LION local journalism awards. To share tips or insight with McCarthy, email her at emccarthy@statesman.com.