Michigan Supreme Court rules victim restitution in juvenile life case
Convicted defendants given reprieves from life-without-parole sentences for crimes committed as teenagers can still be ordered to pay restitution to...
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.
Michigan lawmakers approve budgets amid debate over school spending
The Michigan Legislature pulled an all-nighter Wednesday through early Thursday to finalize the new state budget. The sun was rising as...
GOP lawmaker arrested in Lansing after alleged shots fired incident
A Republican state lawmaker remains jailed in Lansing following his arrest early Thursday for “a felony-level offense” after police officers...
AG opinion offers guidance for politicians to comply w disclosure rules
A formal legal opinion released Wednesday by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel upholds financial disclosure rules for elected officials and...
Worker groups say minimum wage proposal could drive voter turnout
Business and worker groups are waiting on a Michigan Supreme Court decision due by the end of the month. The...
Michigan House GOP blasts Nessel plan to sue oil and gas industry
Republicans are pushing back against Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s plan to deputize private practice attorneys to pursue climate lawsuits....
Michigan Supreme Court allows ‘indirect retaliation’ workplace lawsuit
The Michigan Supreme Court delivered a precedent-setting ruling Friday that allows civil rights claims alleging indirect workplace retaliation. The lawsuit...
Chatfield pleads not guilty to corruption charges
Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife were in court Thursday to plead not guilty to embezzlement. In...
House Committee holds first hearing on renters’ rights bills
A state House panel held its first hearing Thursday on legislation to create a right to legal representation for people...
Whitmer says reproductive rights a major issue in presidential campaign, refuses to call war in Gaza ‘genocide’
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pointedly declined to use the word “genocide” on a Sunday morning news show to describe the war...
White House gun safety rule would standardize closing gun show loophole
A rule issued Thursday by the White House to expand required background checks for many gun purchases largely mirrors a...
Michigan Supreme Court refuses terrorist sentence appeal
The Michigan Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a leader of a white supremacist group who tried...
