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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.