SUBSCRIBE

City

LAL-lakeland christian school rise institute-6.5.23.jpeg
City
Entrepreneurial program gives middle and high students a taste of business
Sponsored by
The Florida flag
History
History of the Florida flag
Most of us probably don’t have our state flags memorized, but it’s worth studying up: Our flag’s design reflects centuries of history.
May 31, 2023
 · 
Dayten Rose
Exterior of a historic home in the Lake Morton neighborhood with green trim, landscaping, and purple and pink flowers lining the yard.
City
How to do good in your neighborhood
Did you know that our city has around 100 vibrant and diverse neighborhoods? Try these ways to do some good in your ‘hood.
May 25, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
Children running towards a flagpole; an American flag waves in the wind
City
Observing Memorial Day in and around Lakeland, Florida
We’re rounding up wreath-laying ceremonies, local businesses who are observing the day with events, and closures to be aware of.
May 25, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
LAL-polk county catholic schools teaching positions-5.25.23.jpeg
Sponsored
Polk County Catholic Schools is hiring multiple teaching positions
Sponsored by
A map showing the locations of hurricane shelters in Polk County with information about how to use them.
City
Preparing for hurricane season in Lakeland, FL
Hurricane season officially begins on Wednesday, June 1 and will run through Wednesday, Nov. 30. We’ve rounded up everything you can do to be hurricane-ready in Lakeland.
May 19, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
LAL-lakeland-downtown-skyline
Work
The who’s who and what’s what of Lakeland’s economy: Meet the top employers and industries
Explore the leading economic drivers in Lakeland, from exciting, new technology to top leaders in growing and distributing delicious eats.
May 5, 2023
 · 
Victoria Bardega
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.
May 5, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
Interior of Lakeland City Hall Commission Chamber
City
What you need to know about attending a Lakeland City Commission meeting
From where to park to finding the agenda online
April 14, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A swan swimming across Lake Morton at sunset
Volunteer
Volunteer, clean up, or donate: Good deeds you can do in Lakeland Florida
Reach out to help and support your local Lakeland community with these upcoming service opportunities.
April 14, 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.
April 13, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
A rendering of the new e-library at Kelly Recreation Complex
News
Lakeland’s new e-library at Kelly Recreation Complex
The project will take just over three months to complete.
April 5, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
earth-day.jpg
Volunteer
Celebrate Earth Day in Lakeland
Invest in our planet via local, national, and global Earth Day initiatives.
April 5, 2023
 · 
Emily Shea
Lake Mirror at sunset in Lakeland, FL
Business
How to start a business in Lakeland, Florida
You have a good idea — now the fun begins.
March 29, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Interior of Lakeland City Hall Commission Chamber
Government
City approves affordable housing zoning code changes
Qualifying developers will now be able to build in industrial and commercial zones with a faster approval process.
March 22, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
Exterior view of the Polk County Government Center offices
City
Meet the Polk County Clerk of Courts
It’s more than jury duty — find out everything the Clerk’s office does to keep public records and funds safe.
March 20, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
dm2852
New to Lakeland
A guide to Lakeland’s streets + the history behind them
Learn about the historic places and faces that influenced the streets you drive every day here in Lakeland, FL.
March 14, 2023
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
two students look at a laptop
Sponsored
A career in tech is calling (and this program can help) 💻
With a variety of virtual + in-person courses, Flatiron School is designed to help Lakelanders prepare for a career in tech.
Sponsored by
An analogue clock with several timezones (Bangkok, Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, etc.)
City
Will we always change the clock?
Daylight saving time has been around as early as 1918, and many legislators across the country are looking to change that.
March 2, 2023
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Screen Shot 2019-02-04 at 1.06.37 PM
City
Here’s how to join Lakeland boards and committees
Create the city you want to live in by applying to serve in these volunteer roles.
February 22, 2023
 · 
Kaylee Holland
Air Force One at Lakeland Linder International Airport 1980
History
President Jimmy Carter’s 1980 visit to Lakeland, FL
We’re firing up the time machine and stepping back in history.
February 21, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
LAL-lakeland-downtown-skyline
City
Answering the most common questions about Lakeland life
Learn who’s in charge of city decisions, how to grow your business, and how to get involved.
February 16, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
A rendering of a dog park in Munn Park.
Government
Asked: Which major local project would you want finished immediately?
If we had the power to instantly finish a local infrastructure or development project, which project would we choose?
February 1, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Catapult-3.0-Lakeland-interior-2
Development
Wait, what’s a special use permit? Understanding development terms in Lakeland, Florida
Become a development terminology expert faster than you can say “Special use permit for a mixed-use zone.”
January 30, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Lakeland City Hall sign in grass and flowers in front of building
City
Get involved with Lakeland’s upcoming changes
With so many updates on the horizon, how can you be active in your community?
January 3, 2023
 · 
Connor Keith
Aerial shot of downtown Lakeland and three lakes
Government
Lakeland’s migration patterns
Where are Lakelanders moving to and from in young adulthood?
December 20, 2022
 · 
Connor Keith
LALtoday: City hall interior
History
Looking back on Lakeland’s city commissioners
Meet some of the Lakeland citizens who left a mark on Swan City’s government.
December 5, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
118260789_369404917556563_2691016622286741150_n
Culture
The 2022 Lakeland Christmas Parade
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Check out what you can expect for the annual Lakeland Christmas Parade.
November 23, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
244001608_2905542649759186_6545731562717999934_n
City
5 questions with Commissioner Phillip Walker
With his term coming to a close, Phillip Walker sat down with us to answer some of our burning questions.
November 3, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
voting sign.jpeg
City
Voting in Lakeland on Election Day
Learn all about casting your vote in the upcoming elections, including voting locations and candidates.
October 27, 2022
 · 
Staff
Downed trees and a woman walking her dog
City
Hurricane Ian’s impact on Lakeland, Florida
From downed power lines to damaged trees and green spaces, here’s a brief rundown of what Lakeland, Florida looked like on the heels of Hurricane Ian.
October 6, 2022
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Load More
Good news for Lakeland.
Get the best local news & events sent to your inbox each morning, for free.