Senate sends IVF bills to Whitmer for signature
Bills on their way to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk would repeal Michigan’s ban on surrogate parenting contracts. Michigan was among...
Rick Pluta 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-hosts 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.
Most February Michigan primary votes were cast before Election Day
A state elections board on Monday completed the formality of certifying Michigan’s presidential primary results and, along the way, learned...
UAW endorses McDonald Rivet in 8th Congressional District race
State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet has won the influential United Auto Workers endorsement in the Democratic primary to fill Michigan’s...
House bill would permanently block convicted tamperers from election jobs
A state House committee held its first hearing Tuesday on a bill to permanently bar people convicted of many election-related...
Whitmer will consider MSU trustee removal request
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will consider a request to remove two Michigan State University trustees over allegations of bullying and other...
Trump walks away with Michigan GOP convention, hard feelings linger
Former President Donald Trump swept Michigan Republican caucuses held Saturday in Grand Rapids. Trump’s victory and popularity among delegates belies...
Appeals court denies stay to stop ouster of Michigan GOP chair
Former Michigan Republican Party chair Kristina Karamo has lost an important court decision in her effort to be reinstated as...
Whitmer visits polling site to tout early in-person voting in presidential primary
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, bearing boxes of pastries, dropped by an early voting center in Lansing on Wednesday to thank election...
Judge refuses to toss court case to remove Karamo as GOP chair
A Kent County judge has allowed a lawsuit to go forward that seeks a court order to legally declare that...
Josh Schriver loses office staff, committees over racist social media post
Republican state Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) was stripped of his office staff and committee assignments over his sharing of a...
RNC empanels special committee to resolve Michigan leadership dispute
The Republican National Committee has stepped in to resolve the dispute over who is leading the Michigan Republican Party. A...
RNC meets as Michigan GOP still fights over who’s in charge
A court hearing in Kent County scheduled for Tuesday was delayed as a tussle continues over leadership of the Michigan...