Rick Pluta
MPRN Capitol Bureau ChiefRick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
Rick was one of the first Michigan political reporters to write about “pay-to-play” fundraising, and the controversies surrounding recognition of same-sex relationships. He broke the news that Gov. John Engler was planning a huge juvenile justice overhaul that included adult-time-for-adult-crime sentencing, and has continued to report since then on the effects of that policy decision.
He co-hosted the weekly segment “It’s Just Politics” on Michigan Radio with Zoe Clark.
Rick is fascinated by the game of politics, and the grand plans and human foibles that go into policy-making. You will never find him ice-fishing.
Follow him on Twitter at @rickpluta
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Michigan’s early in-person voting period wraps up Sunday. -
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to Michigan’s constitutional ban on direct or indirect public financial support for non-public schools. -
A man given a reprieve from a mandatory life without parole sentence for a murder he committed as a teenager now owes restitution to the victim’s family. That’s under a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court. -
A Republican state legislator was jailed early Thursday following an incident that included a police report of shots fired. -
A legal battle over the future of Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 gas and oil pipeline will continue in a state of Michigan court. -
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The formal opinion from Attorney General Dana Nessel also offers guidance to officials on how to comply with the voter-approved rules. -
On NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, Michigan's governor pointedly declined to use the word “genocide” to describe the war in Gaza and the massive Palestinian civilian death toll as Israel tries to eliminate Hamas.
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A rule issued Thursday by the White House to expand required background checks for many gun purchases largely mirrors a Michigan law already in place. -
The Michigan Legislature is coming off a spring recess and diving into the state budget, ahead of an October deadline.
