Mitchell Kukulka

Michigan

Public Safety Reporter at MLive

Articles

‘Swatting’ call spurs lockdowns for Jackson schools for 3rd time in a week

5 days ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI - A Jackson school district ordered lockdowns for the third day in a row Friday in what has become a series of threatening hoax phone calls. The Middle School at Parkside and Cascades School were put into lockdown at about 9:10 a.m. Friday, May 9, due to an attempted “swatting,” school officials said in a Facebook post. Swatting refers to an anonymous threatening phone call made to emergency services to prompt an armed police response.
Deteriorating, pot-holed streets on Jackson’s east side to be rebuilt with $4M

5 days ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI — Street construction on portions of East Washington Avenue, South Elm Avenue and Page Avenue on Jackson’s east side could begin next year. The three streets are all deteriorating, jeopardizing important access points for downtown, east side neighborhoods and drivers coming into the community off U.S. 127, city officials said in a news release. Jackson received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the work.
Jackson Schools eye districtwide improvements with $126 million bond plan

6 days ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI - Jackson Public Schools will ask voters to approve a $126 million bond extension on the November ballot. If approved during the Nov. 4, 2025, election, the bond would fund improvements and building upgrades at almost every school building in the district, according to information presented this week to the Jackson Public School Board. Superintendent Jeff Beal previously said the bond would be used to complete work that wasn’t addressed with the district’s 2018 bond.
Hoax ‘swatting’ call prompts lockdown at Jackson middle for 2nd day in a row

6 days ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI - A Jackson middle school went into a short lockdown Thursday morning after receiving a threatening prank phone call for a second consecutive day. The Middle School at Parkside was put on a short-lived lockdown at about 10:03 a.m. Thursday, May 8, due to an attempted “swatting,” said Kriss Giannetti, assistant superintendent of communication & community relations. Swatting refers to an anonymous threatening phone call made to emergency services to prompt an armed police response.
Jackson nonprofit founder shares stage with Prince Harry in Las Vegas

6 days ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI — A Jackson native joined British royalty this week at a major technology conference to discuss the importance of supporting young leaders. Sikander “Sonny” Khan was on a Las Vegas stage with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, on Tuesday, May 6, as part the ServiceNow software company’s “Knowledge 2025” conference. The event marked the launch of The Diana Award’s “Pledge to Invest” initiative.
Incoming superintendent charts new course for Jackson Public Schools

6 days ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI — In his new role, Jeremy Patterson intends to follow the same advice he often gives students: be your own, authentic self. As the next superintendent of Jackson Public Schools, he believes it will be crucial to pursue his own vision for the district on top of the foundations left by his predecessor. “I can just be the best Jeremy Patterson I can be. I’m never going to try to be anyone else,” Patterson said.
Prank ‘swatting’ call causes lockdown at Jackson middle school

1 week ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

This story has been updated with additional information from the Jackson Police Department regarding the investigation. JACKSON, MI - A Jackson middle school went into lockdown Wednesday afternoon following a threatening prank phone call. The Middle School at Parkside was put on a brief lockdown at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, due to an attempted “swatting,” said Kriss Giannetti, assistant superintendent of communication & community relations.
Power outage prompts early dismissal at Jackson High School

1 week ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI - Students at Jackson High School got an unplanned half-day Wednesday due to a power outage. Jackson High and the Jackson Pathways alternative education program were dismissed at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, due to a power outage, school officials said in a Facebook post. “Decision Day” activities planned for Wednesday will be rescheduled, officials said. Details will be shared at a later date.
East Jackson schools secure millions for critical repairs with successful bond after 2024 failure

1 week ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON COUNTY, MI — East Jackson Community Schools will move forward with long-awaited districtwide improvements thanks to the passage of its bond extension. Superintendent Jeff Punches credits this year’s success to an increased effort from the school community and staff to spread awareness of the bond and its importance. He said informational messaging on social media played a more central role in this year’s bond campaign than last year, when a bond proposal failed by 76 votes.
Expect closures on MLK Drive as major reconstruction begins in Jackson

1 week ago | mlive.com | Mitchell Kukulka

JACKSON, MI - A long-planned construction project aiming to revitalize a busy corridor on Jackson’s southside officially begins this week, bringing some changes to traffic patterns with it. The first phase of the “Martin Luther King Reimagined” project kicked off Monday, May 5, with the closure of the southbound lane of S. MLK Drive between Morrell and High streets. Drivers will only be able to use the northbound lane of S.