Recount of Michigan’s Presidential Ballots Is Underway
The statewide recount of ballots cast in the presidential election is underway. That’s after a federal judge ruled overnight the...
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.
Judge Orders Michigan Ballot Recount To Begin
Jake Neher/WDET The largest voter recount in Michigan’s history has been ordered to begin Monday at noon. Federal Judge Mark...
Elections Board Allows Michigan Recount, But State Supreme Court Could Intervene
Jake Neher/WDET UPDATE 12:16 a.m.: A Michigan elections board will allow a recount of the ballots cast in the presidential election to go...
State Board To Certify Votes, Set Stage For Recount
Jake Neher/WDET An elections board will meet Monday afternoon at the state Capitol to certify the results of the November...
Snyder Waiting To See How Trump Handles Immigration Promises
Jake Neher/WDET It’s been a year since Gov. Rick Snyder called for a “pause” in re-settling refugees from the Middle...
Appeals Court Rejects Challenge to Detroit Water Shutoffs
Eli Newman / WDET A federal appeals court has rejected a request by Detroit residents to allow their legal challenge...
Gov. Snyder Names Lake Erie “Impaired’ Waterway
Jake Neher/WDET Gov. Rick Snyder and state environmental officials have declared western Lake Erie is an “impaired” waterway that needs to...
Michigan Senate Adopts Energy Overhaul
Jake Neher/WDET The state Senate has adopted an overhaul of Michigan’s energy policy. It’s designed to ensure reliability as the...
Republicans Sweep Michigan Elections
Michigan Republican Party For the first time since 1988, Michigan helped elect a Republican president. The state’s 16 electoral votes...
State, Local Business Fight Over Iconic M-22 Highway Sign
Rick Pluta/MPRN There’s a fight over a simple black-and-white sign that identifies a state highway that runs through a popular...
Foes Make One More Attempt to Block Ballot Selfies Ban Before Election Day
Jake Neher/WDET With a week to go before Election Day, opponents of Michigan’s ban on voters taking selfies with their...
Anti-Fracking Group Challenges Petition Limits
Jake Neher/WDET The campaign to outlaw fracking in Michigan is asking the state Court of Appeals to strike down a...
