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...
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.
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...
Super-freezing temperatures will reduce effectiveness of salt to thaw roads
A cold snap expected to last until Thursday could make for treacherous driving conditions across much of Michigan. Officials are...
2024 bringing boost in state minimum wage to $10.35
The new year will bring an automatic pay increase to minimum wage workers in Michigan. And it may not be...
Nessel charges former House GOP staffers with corruption
Two former senior aides to a Republican state House Speaker are facing a raft of felony corruption charges, and the...
Whitmer signs new laws to discourage threats and violence against health workers
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hopes tougher laws will help stem the growth of threats and violence against health care workers. She...
Whitmer signs directive to transition state fleet to emissions-free by 2024
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive Tuesday instructing state departments and agencies to accelerate their transition to zero-emission vehicles...
Benson gets to sign bill adopting SOS ballot policy
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently got to sign a voting rights law. Benson, Michigan’s top election official and a...