Connor Jacobson

Connor Jacobson

Senior City Editor, LALtoday

Connor is a lifelong Floridian based in Lakeland who joined LALtoday in 2022. A Southeastern University alum, her background is in marketing and writing. When she’s not bringing you Lakeland’s top stories, you can find her shopping at the downtown farmers market, searching local coffee shops for the best hazelnut latte, or performing comedy shows with Swan City Improv.

A group in Star Wars costumes posing with R2-D2
Events
Our guide to Central Florida Comic Con
Prep for the convention with events, guests, and exhibitions we wouldn’t miss.
January 16, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A woman in a dress points to a large cake made by Publix for the fourth anniversary of Lakeland's Dixieland neighborhood.
Culture
A slice of Lakeland history: The Dixieland anniversary cake of 1952
Do you remember the time Publix made a huge birthday cake for an entire Lakeland neighborhood? Read on for the story.
January 16, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
An exterior shot of the Kress Building in downtown Lakeland. A sign on the stone facade reads "S.H. Kress & Co." and a sign on the business below reads "Explorations V Children's Museum."
Development
Answered: Where locals want affordable housing, according to our readers
You told us which empty buildings could be converted into affordable housing.
January 12, 2024
 · 
Brianna Williams
A colorful mural with "We love Lakeland" and cartoon pictures of fast food
Culture
28 murals around Lakeland
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.
January 12, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A red mocktail topped with fruit and a paper umbrella
Food
Where you can find buzz-free beverages, or mocktails, in Lakeland
Shaken or stirred? Either one works, as long as it’s zero-proof. Check out this list of alcohol-free cocktails — mocktails — in Swan City.
January 10, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A sign featuring Martin Luther King Jr. hangs on a fire truck during a parade
Events
Lakeland Dream Megafest events
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at these local events.
January 10, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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Culture
Check these activities off your Lakeland bucket list
Tell us what you’re hoping to do, see, and experience for the first time this year. We’ll share the best responses in our Lakeland bucket list.
January 8, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two chefs cook barbecue in an industrial kitchen at Catapult
Business
Get hungry for Catapult’s restaurant residency program
The program will allow food entrepreneurs to get the experience of running their own restaurants, while Lakelanders will get to try even more local food.
January 4, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A graphic showing a photo of a boy waving at a train, a photo of a baseball field, and a photo of Publix GreenWise Market
Culture
Take LALtoday’s 2023 news quiz
How well did you keep up with the Lakeland news and stories we shared this year? Test your knowledge with our 12-question quiz.
December 21, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A sunset over Lake Mirror with the downtown Lakeland skyline in the background
Culture
That’s a wrap: LALtoday’s top stories of 2023
We’ve brought you Lakeland’s top stories all year long, but which articles were you most interested in? See what took the top spot in categories like development, food + drink, real estate, and more.
December 21, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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New to Lakeland
Forests, swans, and architecture: 11 can’t-miss tours of Lakeland
Be a tourist in your own town. Get out and try these 11 fantastic tours of Lakeland and beyond to learn something new.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A light-up Santa and his reindeer overlook downtown Lakeland
City
What’s closed in Lakeland during the 2023 holiday season
From city offices to your favorite grocery stores, here’s when you can expect closures during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Crenshaw Canopy Walk at Bonnet Springs Park decorated with Christmas lights
Travel and Outdoors
Where to find the best holiday lights in Lakeland — according to our readers
Hop in your car and grab your hot cocoa. We’re driving around looking for the shiniest, brightest holiday lights in Lakeland and beyond.
December 19, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An Avelo Aircraft sits on the tarmac with the word "Avelo" painted on its side
City
Lakeland Linder International Airport will offer commercial passenger flights
The airport will ink a deal with Avelo Airlines to offer passenger service from Lakeland Linder as early as summer of 2024.
December 18, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rendering of the living space at Welcome Canary, including a living room and kitchen
Real Estate
Welcome Canary: Lakeland’s new wellness-focused apartment complex
The apartment is slated to open in January 2024, offering health and wellness amenities for residents in west Lakeland.
December 15, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two hands hold boba drinks from Hana Tea House
Food
You can’t beat these boba shops in Lakeland
Here’s a pearl of wisdom: You can find delicious boba tea at these locally owned shops around Lakeland.
December 7, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Shiny silver photo backdrop with silver Christmas trees and hanging disco balls
Culture
Lakeland holiday activities based on your Enneagram
Find an activity perfect for your personality.
December 4, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
Cloudy sky over downtown Lakeland, FL streets and businesses
Culture
Winter 2023 weather forecast for Lakeland
Prepare for winter weather in Lakeland, FL with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
December 1, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
A string of Christmas lights with a large lit display in the background
New to Lakeland
Winter events happening in and around Lakeland
Check out winter and holiday events happening in and around Lakeland in this seasonal guide.
November 29, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A side-by-side image showing an old lakeshore view of Lake Morton next to a current one.
City
How Lakeland has changed: Then and now in photos
We dug through Florida’s archived photos and postcards to see how much Lakeland has changed since it was first founded in 1885 — you might be surprised.
November 29, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
20190227_Hagerty-440-Pano-Edit-12x4
Sports
The Detroit Tigers will train in Lakeland through 2044
The Detroit Tigers will continue spring training for the next 20+ years, and the City of Lakeland will help fund a new team facility. We break it down by the numbers.
November 21, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A pecan pie sits on a red kitchen towel.
Culture
What Lakelanders are thankful for this year
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? We’re sharing what our readers are giving thanks for, plus a few of our own favorite things.
November 21, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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Culture
Asked: What are Chattanoogans thankful for this year?
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? We are sharing what our readers are giving thanks for, plus a few of Editor Haley + Kristen’s favorites.
November 15, 2023
 · 
Kristen Templeton
Dixieland
New to Lakeland
Neighborhood guide: Dixieland in Lakeland, FL
From historic homes to a flourishing small business scene, there’s something for residents and visitors alike to explore in Dixieland.
November 15, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A portrait of artist Ahmad H. Taylor
Culture
10 questions with artist Ahmad H. Taylor
We sat down with Ahmad to learn about his local roots, latest ventures, and what he would do to spark Lakeland’s arts scene.
November 13, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A concert taking place on an outdoor stage at Bonnet Springs Park
Culture
Our readers plan their dream Lakeland music festival
If Lakeland hosted your dream music festival, what would it be like? Our readers put on their event producer hats and share their ideal scenarios.
November 9, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Interior of Lakeland City Hall Commission Chamber
City
2023 Lakeland municipal election results
See who voters chose for two Lakeland City Commission seats in this year’s election.
November 8, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of Kitty Cat Lounge in Lakeland, FL
Business
Come with us to Kitty Cat Lounge, Lakeland’s newest cat café
Grab a coffee and curl up with adoptable cats at Kitty Cat Lounge. It’s the second business of its kind to open in Lakeland.
November 3, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rendering of the Florida Southern College Golf Clubhouse lobby, with indoor simulators and championship trophies.
Sports
A putt above: Florida Southern College’s new golf clubhouse
Peek inside the future clubhouse for FSC’s championship-winning golf teams before its fall 2024 opening.
October 30, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Exterior view of The Joinery decorated with fake skeletons climbing the walls
Culture
Lakeland’s most haunting Halloween stories
Get into the Halloween spirit with these terrifying tales from around Central Florida.
October 30, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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