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 challenge claims Michigan’s gun law is not consistent with the nation's historic traditions of gun regulation when the Second and 14th amendments were adopted.
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The Michigan Court of Appeals says a defendant in a murder case was not denied a fair trial when a key prosecution witness wore a COVID-19 face mask while testifying.
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Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife were in court Thursday to plead not guilty to embezzlement and conspiracy charges.
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One of the chief targets of Michigan Attorney Dana Nessel’s failed Flint water prosecutions has filed a notice that he intends to sue the state.
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Michigan's unemployment agency has reached a tentative $55 million agreement to resolve a lawsuit filed by workers who were wrongly forced to repay jobless benefits.
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Bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature would offer many lower-income parents a tax break for every child under 4 years old.
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The Michigan Court of Appeals has rejected a constitutional challenge to the state’s concealed weapons law in an opinion made public Friday.
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A state House panel held its first hearing Thursday on legislation to create a right to legal representation for people facing eviction from their rental homes.
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The Michigan Supreme Court is asked to decide whether sneakers and flip flops can be considered a dangerous weapon for the purpose of charging a teenager with assault.
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The parents of the Oxford High School shooter have been assigned public defenders to handle their appeals of involuntary manslaughter convictions.