Rick Pluta
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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The Michigan Supreme Court has left in place a lower court ruling that awards possession of a frozen embryo to the ex-husband as the final act in a divorce case. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s appointment of Michigan Supreme Court Justice-designate Noah Hood might have been more consequential if it flipped the high court’s majority. But that’s not the case. Rather, it takes the court from a majority of Democratic Party-affiliated justices to a 6-1 super majority. Why it matters. Plus, President Trump will visit Macomb County next week for a rally highlighting the first 100 days of his second administration. -
Michigan House Republican leaders say they will act if Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson refuses to comply with a legislative subpoena covering materials related to elections training and management. -
Legislation rolled out Wednesday would help lower-income Michigan households access safe and affordable water. -
The chair of the state House Oversight Committee has delivered a subpoena calling on Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to turn over materials related to elections training and management. -
The state House is poised to vote on legislation to allocate 75 million dollars toward recovery efforts following massive ice storms across northern Michigan in March. -
The Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee has authorized a subpoena targeting Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over unreleased election materials. A look into the rare use of a subpoena in Lansing. Plus, former Republican Attorney General Mike Cox announces he’s running for Michigan governor in 2026. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive Thursday calling on the state health department to create a report on how big proposed cuts to the federal Medicaid program would affect Michigan. -
The Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee authorizes a rare subpoena targeting Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Plus, former Republican Attorney General Mike Cox announces he’s running for Michigan governor in 2026. -
The Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee has authorized a subpoena targeting Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for refusing to share election training materials with lawmakers.
