Rick Pluta
Rick 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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Michigan's governor says vaping poses a public health crisis, especially to teens, and has ordered that the state ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.
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The university grapples with the aftermath of the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal that's left students, faculty, alumni and donors wondering what's next, and bracing for civil suits against the school.
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Retail giant Amazon is looking for a second home, and many cities are trying to land the HQ2 project. At stake are 50,000 jobs and a new economic anchor for the winner. It has led to a lot of stunts. -
The director of the state's Department of Health and Human Services, Nick Lyon, and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Eden Wells are the highest-ranking state officials to be charged in the crisis.
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Nick Lyon is the highest-ranking state official to be charged in the crisis. -
With its large population of Middle Eastern immigrants, the Detroit area is a natural destination for refugees from Syria. But a local leader has called for a stop to these refugee resettlements. -
In Michigan, six state employees were charged Friday with covering up information that could have warned the public about lead contamination of the city of Flint's drinking water.
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A day after the first criminal charges related to Flint's lead tainted water were filed, residents of the Michigan city and others wonder how high up the investigation into the crisis will go.
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Former Flint, Mich., Emergency Manager Darnell Earley is among those to testify before Congress on Tuesday about the actions leading up to Flint's water crisis.
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People in Kalamazoo, Mich., are mourning 6 victims of a fatal shooting spree over the weekend. Police have a suspect in custody. But, the community still doesn't know why the mass shootings occurred.
