Prosecutor Worthy Says Loaded Guns Around Kids Should Be a Crime
WDET Wayne County’s prosecutor says her office is drafting legislation to outlaw keeping an unsecured, loaded weapon in a home...
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.
Surge of Jobseekers Keeps MI’s Jobless Rate Steady at 4.8 Percent
neetalparekh Michigan’s monthly jobless rate remains unchanged at 4.8 percent. There was an increase in hiring, but that was accompanied...
Snyder, Lawmakers Look To Trim Spending
Sandra Svoboda There’s less money than expected for Gov. Rick Snyder and the Legislature to put together the next state...
Gov. Snyder Says It’s “Possible” He Deleted Flint-Related E-Mails
Michigan Municipal League / CC Gov. Rick Snyder now says it’s possible he deleted some e-mails related to Flint, even...
Marijuana Legalization Campaign Says Court an Option If Petitions Rejected
Jake Neher/WDET There could be a legal showdown looming between state elections officials and a ballot campaign to legalize recreational...
Sixth Circuit Allows Challenge to Michigan’s Juvenile Lifer Fix
Brian Turner A federal appeals court says Michigan still has not fixed problems with its juvenile lifer law that was...
Flint Committee Wraps Up Hearings
Jake Neher/WDET The legislative committee looking into the Flint water crisis wrapped up hearings Tuesday without hearing from Gov. Rick...
State Board Of Education To Hold Final Hearing on “Bathroom Rule”
Laura Weber Davis/WDET The State Board of Education holds its final public session Tuesday on controversial guidelines to help schools...
Detroit Schools Legislation Faces Skeptical Michigan Senate
Detroit Public Schools A controversial GOP plan to overhaul Detroit’s schools has landed in the state Senate, and is getting...
State Agrees Not To Enforce “Gag Order” Law Against Local Officials
WyoFile WyoFile A federal judge has approved a settlement to end litigation over a state law that stopped local officials...
Court of Appeals Says University Boards Can Meet in Private
Joe Gratz, flickr The University of Michigan Board of Regents and other public university boards may meet behind closed doors as long...
Flint Mayor Presses Lawmakers for Assistance
Karen Weaver Flint Mayor Karen Weaver is welcoming President Obama’s decision to visit the city next week. She says it...