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 hand holding a slice of cheesecake in front of Almora Sweets dessert shop. The cheesecake is filled with chocolate chips and topped with chocolate drizzle, placed inside a plastic box. The storefront in the background has an "Almora" sign and small seating area.
Food
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these local desserts
When cravings hit, level up your dessert game at one of these local sweet shops and makers in Lakeland, Florida.
February 13, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
The downtown Lakeland viewed from across Lake Mirror. Clouds in the sky cast shadows over the lake and the mix of high and medium-rise buildings, including the Lakeland Electric building.
City
Lakeland rises in the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities index
The list of best-performing cities considers the economy, resiliency, and growth of 400+ cities. See where Lakeland ranked.
February 9, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
A rendering of the Valencia at the Park apartment complex exterior, seen from above. The complex includes three bungalow-style buildings with three stories. The complex faces a street, where a few cars are parked, and a parking lot is situated behind the buildings.
Real Estate
See inside Valencia at the Park, Orange Street’s new apartment complex
Check out the floor plans, renderings, and price range of this complex within walking distance of downtown Lakeland’s hot spots.
February 7, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
Actor and wrestler John Cena is seen on set of a commercial being filmed in Lakeland. He wears a blue bathrobe, white shirt, dark pants, and holds a coffee mug. Production workers stand around him behind a short hedge, and they're surrounded by lighting rigging.
Culture
John Cena visits Lakeland for a commercial shoot
The actor and wrestler stopped by a Swan City staple to fuel up before heading to work.
February 7, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three rattan and leather bags from the small business boutique Monkee's of Lakeland
Business
Small business, big style: Boutiques and gift shops in Lakeland
Find a new outfit or the perfect gift for a friend at these locally owned small businesses.
February 6, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
Three people judge archery results at the Polk Senior Games. They stand around a large target pointing at the arrows around the bullseye.
Sports
Bowl, dance, run, and volunteer: How to get involved with the Polk Senior Games
The Polk Senior Games will draw 2,000 competitors and 700 volunteers. Learn how you can compete, help, or cheer at this year’s events.
February 5, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
A silhouetted runner on Lake Hollingsworth at sunset
City
Lakeland earns a Runner Friendly Community designation
See how Lakeland’s running trails and local support earned made it a Runner Friendly Community for the next five years.
February 5, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
flower fridge at Bloom Shakalaka flower shop in Lakeland, FL
Culture
Lakeland plant shops and florists to brighten up your day
Find floral arrangements, Florida natives, and houseplants at these local shops.
February 2, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rendering of The Depot 303 food hall, showing a white one-story building with black trim and design accents. The top of the building has a small sign that reads "The Depot 303."
Real Estate
Get a sneak peek at The Depot 303, Mulberry’s first food hall
As this food hall gets closer to opening, see the latest renderings of the 14,000-sqft indoor and outdoor space coming to The Depot 303 in downtown Mulberry.
February 1, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An admissions counselor hands a gift to a high school student in a basketball gym. The gym is darkened, except for lighting on the basketball court. A drumline and costumed mascot stand behind the counselor.
City
When to apply for Lakeland’s local colleges
As admission deadlines loom, don’t miss out on applying to one of Lakeland’s local colleges.
January 30, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A crowd sits in camping chairs watching fireworks over Lake Mirror during Red, White & Kaboom Lakeland event. Trees and street lights block part of the view.
Events
Don’t miss these top Lakeland events happening all year long
We’ve got the ultimate list of Lakeland events you don’t want to miss out on each year. Mark your calendar for these community celebrations.
January 30, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A City of Lakeland worker holds a net out of a boat to catch a white swan that's flapping away as part of the Swan Roundup. The worker lays on their stomach and leans off the front of the small fishing boat, holding the large net with both hands.
Culture
See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
The votes are in for the LALtoday 2023 Picture of the Year contest. Check out the finalists below, including the winner that you, our readers, voted for.
January 29, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
A table full of trays with barbecue, hot dogs, burgers, and more.
Food
It’s time to get hungry: Check out your new favorite Lakeland restaurant
Dining in Lakeland is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
January 26, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Chef Marcos Fernandez of Nineteen61 carefully crafts a plate in the restaurant's kitchen. Next to him on the counter are prep containers and ingredients.
Food
Lakeland’s local restaurant picks for the James Beard Awards
Lakeland’s restaurants are deserving of recognition — see who our readers think deserves a prestigious James Beard Award next year.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Gabe Guarente
The exterior of the Lakeland Country Club, viewed from the front entrance. The building is designed in the Mediterranean style, with red terracotta roof tiles. The entrance includes a valet parking spot and lanterns on the exterior walls.
City
The Lakeland Country Club celebrates a century of community
Dive into the history behind the Lakeland Country Club and learn how you can become a future member.
January 24, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
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Culture
Literature with Lakelanders: Join these local book clubs and storytimes
Find a love of literature at these reading programs for all ages.
January 22, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
lakeland scavenger hunt
New to Lakeland
Take this quiz to find out which Lakeland neighborhood fits best
Need that big backyard for the kiddos to roam? Or does a vibrant street scene draw you in? Our fun quiz will help you pick the Lakeland neighborhood that’s right for you.
January 18, 2024
 · 
Victoria Bardega
Young trees stand in planters from The Nectary. They are tagged with information for the Florida Arbor Day sale.
Travel and Outdoors
Celebrate Florida Arbor Day with The Nectary’s native tree sale
This local plant nursery will offer deals on all native trees during Florida Arbor Day weekend, so you can beautify your space.
January 18, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
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New to Lakeland
Find your ideal Lakeland neighborhood
While you really can’t go wrong in Swan City, this quiz will guide you to the perfect Lakeland neighborhood just for you.
January 18, 2024
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Kaylee Holland
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
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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
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