Judge Tosses State’s Challenge to M22 Logo Trademark
Rick Pluta/MPRN A federal judge has thrown out the state’s challenge to a Traverse City business that trademarked a highway...
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.
Survivors Help Michigan Mark Holocaust, Armenian Genocide
Jake Neher/WDET Music, speeches, prayers and a candle-lighting ceremony that included 39 Jewish survivors were part of Michigan’s official commemoration...
Calley Hints at Run for Governor
Jake Neher/WDET Lt. Gov. Brian Calley is moving closer to a formal announcement that he will run next year for the...
Legislative Leaders Hope to End Standoff on Money for Flint, Macomb Sinkhole
Jake Neher/WDET Lawmakers are back at the state Capitol following their spring break. One job facing them is ending a...
GOP State Senator Says Michigan Should Protect Internet Privacy if Feds Won’t
Office of state Sen. Rick Jones A Republican state lawmaker says Michigan should step in to protect people’s internet privacy....
Progressive Group Sues Schuette for Emails
Rick Pluta/MPRN A left-leaning group has filed a lawsuit to find out how often Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and...
House GOP Campaign Fund Faces Questions Over Missing Money
Jake Neher/WDET A campaign committee controlled by Republican leaders is facing fines and questions over how it lost track of...
Justice Young to Retire, Snyder Will Have Fourth Appointment to MI Supreme Court
Michigan Supreme Court State Supreme Court Justice Robert Young plans to retire at the end of next month, if not...
Johnson Shows Up for Work a Day After Raid on Home and Office
Jerome Vaughn State Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park) showed up for work a day after his metro Detroit home and...
State Lawmakers Get Preview of New Lead Rule
Amber Neher Some state lawmakers got an early peek at Gov. Rick Snyder’s new lead rules that are supposed to...
Snyder Wants to Create Permanent Lead Commission
Amber Neher Gov. Rick Snyder will create a commission this week that has the mission of tackling the problem of...
Michigan Is Running Out of Environmental Cleanup Money
Sandra Svoboda The state is close to running out of money to clean thousands of abandoned, polluted properties all across...