Rick Pluta | MPRN
Reporter / Producer - Michigan Public Radio NetworkRick 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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Ten years ago, same-sex couples lined up at four county courthouses to get married after federal judge held Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage violated equal protection rights. -
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is challenging a decision that federal courts have jurisdiction over the future of Enbridge Energy’s Line 5. That’s after a judge moved her legal challenge from the Ingham County Circuit Court to a U.S. district court. -
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is challenging a decision that federal courts have jurisdiction over the future of Enbridge Energy’s Line 5. That’s after a judge moved her legal challenge from the Ingham County Circuit Court to a U.S. district court.
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The Michigan Senate adopted two bills this week to expand Michigan’s ethnic intimidation law. -
The state Senate adopted bills today Tuesday to repeal Michigan’s ban on surrogate parenting contracts. -
When a state board met Monday to certify that President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump won the Democratic and Republican primaries, it also heard that most voters cast their ballots before election day. -
McDonald Rivet, who is in her first Senate term, is part of a crowded Democratic field that also includes Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh and Michigan Association of Conservation Districts Executive Director Dan Moilanen. -
The Michigan Supreme Court will consider a case regarding the legal status of a troubled youth whose custody is in limbo. He isn’t allowed to return to his adoptive home and a court won’t allow him to become a ward of the state. -
The Michigan Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on whether schools can be held liable for failing to protect students from sexual harassment by other students. -
The bill lists a wide variety of election fraud, illegal influence or voter threat convictions that would disqualify a person from serving on canvassing boards.
