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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The state has asked a federal court to refuse Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s last-ditch request to be removed from Michigan’s presidential ballot. A hearing is set for Tuesday. -
In this week’s It’s Just Politics newsletter, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta explore the role presidential debates actually plan in voters’ decisions, plus election security takes centerstage. -
Two former top state House Republican staffers will go to trial on allegations they embezzled from political funds for their personal use. -
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed a last-ditch federal lawsuit to get his name off Michigan’s presidential ballot — as local clerks were already finalizing ballots for printing. -
It’s Just Politics hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta debrief with Michigan Public’s Adam Yahya Rayes about last night’s presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump and ask: do presidential debates actually change voters’ minds? Plus, how the state of Michigan came to own the blueprints for the World Trade Center. -
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will testify Wednesday before a U.S. House committee that deals with election security. -
The state's high court ruled against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s attempt to remove himself from the ballot.
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Hours after the state appeals court ordered Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name off of Michigan's ballots, the state asked the Michigan Supreme Court to reverse that decision. -
The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a lower court today and held it’s not too late for state election officials to grant Kennedy’s request to remove his name. -
In this week’s It’s Just Politics newsletter, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta dig into the role third parties play in presidential elections and ask: do more candidates mean more opportunities for voters or are they just ‘"spoiling" the election? Plus, Michigan’s new “I voted” stickers go viral.
