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 becomes the final state in the nation to allow families to use in vitro fertilization with compensated surrogates without fear of criminal prosecution. -
U.S. Eastern District of Michigan Judge Bernard Friedman’s decision said the amendment to the Michigan Constitution violated equal protection and due process rights. -
Michigan’s authority to demand the shutdown of an oil and natural gas liquids pipeline that runs through the Straits of Mackinac is central to arguments heard Thursday before the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. -
The bills cover instances of threats and violence related to sexual orientation or gender identity, ethnicity, age or a disability. -
The legislation would allow people who entered guilty pleas to come back later and ask for a court-ordered test of DNA evidence.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will consider a request to remove two Michigan State University trustees once she returns from an overseas trade trip. -
But, while Trump remains very popular with Republicans, the state party is split between supporters of former chair Kristina Karamo and the new chair, former congressman Pete Hoekstra. -
The Michigan primary preceded next week’s decisive “Super Tuesday” when 16 states and one U.S. territory will host primaries and caucuses. -
While the winners of Michigan's Democratic and Republican primaries are not expected to be a surprise, the outcome can provide insights to candidate strength in a key battleground state.
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Michigan's GOP is dealing with a challenge to its leadership over alleged mishandling of party assets. The winner of Tuesday's GOP primary will not receive all of the state's party delegates.
