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.

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
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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
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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
Lakeland High School football team players and a coach pose with a child in a Lakeland Regional Health hospital room
Sports
Do the Dreadnaught Wave for kids at Lakeland Regional Health
Cheer on your team while supporting children in Lakeland Regional Health’s pediatrics department during Lakeland High School’s home football games.
October 26, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two women smile and hold up a Michelob Ultra bottle and a Wilson football.
Sports
Where to watch sports in Lakeland
This is where you’ll find our readers grabbing a bite and catching a game.
October 26, 2023
 · 
Kelly Hughes
A large and small dog walk around the Frances Langford Promenade on Lake Mirror in Lakeland
Real Estate
Which dog breed are you based on your Lakeland neighborhood?
Just like each dog breed has its own personality, each community in Lakeland shines with unique characteristics. Which breed sounds most like you?
October 24, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A colorful sign reading "I love Mi Pueblo" in the foreground with flea market buildings in the background
Experience
Shop, swap, sell, and save in Lakeland
Here’s the deal — the thrift and vintage shopping scene is stellar in Swan City.
October 23, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Fireworks over a concert stage at Bonnet Springs Park
Events
Celebrate Bonnet Springs Park’s birthday with a bang
Bonnet Springs Park will host a Birthday Bash to celebrate its first year of operations. See what’s on the schedule and what milestones the park has achieved this year.
October 18, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL_ghost_kitchen_mr_beast_burger_oct_2023
Food
Order from one of Lakeland’s ghost kitchens
The only thing scary about these kitchens is how good they are.
October 17, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
The band Canned Heat performs onstage at a music festival
Culture
Looking back on the Florida Sunfest music festival of 1977
Did you know that Lakeland once hosted the largest music festival in the state? Learn the history of 1977’s Florida Sunfest, plus a reader’s own story of how it all went down.
October 16, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Bowls of pho noodle soup from Pho Tan in Lakeland, FL
Food
Lakeland soups for every day
No matter your mood, there’s a soup for you.
October 16, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
theater
New to Lakeland
Arts and culture guide for Lakeland
From comedy shows and Broadway tours to local organizations supporting Lakeland’s arts community, we’ve rounded up 19 places to get your arts and culture fix around Swan City.
October 12, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A close up shot of a black cat inside local mobile cat lounge Botany Cats
Culture
Make your own luck on Friday the 13th
You don’t have to fear Friday the 13th with these events and attractions around Lakeland.
October 12, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Construction on a three-story apartment building at the corner of Lake Avenue and Orange Street.
Real Estate
What’s growing in Lakeland’s Garden District
From multi-family housing to new businesses, learn what’s popping up in the Garden District, a sub-district that’s full of historic charm.
October 10, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial rendering of the Applied Research Center at Florida Polytechnic University in what could be the new Central Florida Innovation District
Business
Could Lakeland get an innovation district?
With a new renewable energy field under negotiation, plans for the Central Florida Innovation District could be coming to life in Lakeland. Check out these new and proposed technology developments.
October 9, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holding a pumpkin spice croissant pastry dessert with white frosting, orange sprinkles, and an edible leaf by Meraki Bakehouse in Lakeland.
Food
Where to find all things pumpkin spice in Lakeland
From coffee to baked goods to cocktails, there’s a pumpkin spice treat for everyone in Lakeland to enjoy this fall.
October 6, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Print Collection
Travel and Outdoors
“An energy vortex": Visit Cassadaga, the psychic capital of the world
Created in 1875, Cassadaga, FL finds its roots in spiritualism. Learn more about this haunting community just 90 minutes from Lakeland.
October 4, 2023
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
LAL-silvermoon-drive-in-nov-2022
Events
See scary cinema at the Silver Moon Drive-In
Buy your tickets for the drive-in theater’s Halloween movie marathon events.
October 4, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rendering of the exterior of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building at Florida Polytechnic University
City
Florida Polytechnic University to add another academic building
This STEM-focused college continues to grow. See what’s next for Florida Polytechnic University’s campus and student body.
October 2, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the Lakeland Antique Mall with a sign reading "Antique Mall" and a life-size horse statue
Business
Go treasure hunting at the Lakeland Antique Mall
Search through over 40,000 sqft of vintage collectibles and antiques at one of Lakeland’s largest antique malls.
September 28, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
An exterior view of Mitchell's Coffee Shop in Lakeland, FL
Business
The 25-year history of Lakeland’s oldest coffee shop
Mitchell’s Coffee Shop has been serving up coffee and gourmet food since 1998. See what inspired the coffee shop’s owner to open the first shop of its kind in Lakeland 25 years ago.
September 26, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large tree covered in jack-o-lanterns and lit with red lighting.
Events
Fall fun in and around Lakeland
Check out fall and Halloween-themed events happening in and around Lakeland in this seasonal guide.
September 20, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A front view of a three-story home surrounded by trees. A brick pathway leads to the front door across the lawn.
Real Estate
What’s in store at Lakeland’s 15th Historic Home Workshop
Learn from local and statewide experts in historic home preservation at this free event at Florida Southern College.
September 19, 2023
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Connor Jacobson
A historic home with striped awnings and a gable roof
Real Estate
What makes a Lakeland home historic?
There are both benefits and strict guidelines for homes in Lakeland’s seven historic districts.
September 18, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2021-04-22 at 11.54.54 AM
New to Lakeland
Swan City meets the big screen: Movies filmed in and around Lakeland
Our town has become a regular star on the silver screen — how many of these movies have you seen that were filmed on location in Lakeland?
September 14, 2023
 · 
Victoria Bardega
A split screen graphic showing the Prospect Lake Wire rendering versus the current construction
Real Estate
Looking into the future of Lakeland’s upcoming developments
We’re breaking out our crystal ball and looking ahead towards the future of these developments underway around Lakeland.
September 8, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
FTW-Proxi map parks
City
Find your way around Fort Worth with our community maps
We’re on a mission to map out Fort Worth’s top destinations for foodies, art lovers, and pet parents. Learn how you can help.
September 7, 2023
 · 
Rebecca McRobbie
Southeastern University cheerleaders lead a cheer on the football field before a game
Sports
The sports fan’s guide to Lakeland’s college teams
Fall means the return of college sports in Lakeland. Never miss a game with our guide to local teams.
September 6, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL-Polk-museum-of-art-classes-SEPT2022.jpeg
Culture
Be a lifelong learner with these classes for adults and kids
Learn something new at one of these local classes or workshops in Lakeland, FL.
August 31, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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