News
Polk County reports first measles case of year as U.S. tops 2,000 mark
The Florida Department of Health’s latest update confirmed Polk County’s first measles case of the year.…
Lisa Miller Reelected to Polk School Board
Incumbent Lisa Miller has officially secured her third term representing District 7 on the Polk County…
Lakeland weighs a one-year ban on large power users such as data centers
This is a massive development, and honestly, a necessary one given how fast things have been…
Employee-owned Harrell’s adds 11 to sales team
In a broad and sweeping move, Harrell’s recently named a total of 11 new U.S. territory managers to…
Saddle Creek Campground Closed July and August For Renovation
The campground at Saddle Creek Park, located at 3716 Morgan Combee Road, Lakeland, will be closed from…
Pedestrians and Drivers beware: Polk County among nation’s most dangerous places
It is an incredibly frustrating and sobering reality. For years, national traffic safety studies like Smart…
Florida Southern starts roof repairs on famed Annie Pfeiffer Chapel
The roof restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Annie Pfeiffer Chapel is a major win for…
Want to participate in the upcoming documentary on Silver Moon
Want to participate in the upcoming documentary about our 80th anniversary in 2028? Visit the site…
For fresh-baked favorites everyone loves, Bread 4 Ways delivers soft, cozy goodness
Ingredients Beer Bread 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt ¼…
Lakeland Commissioners To Consider 12-Month Pause on Data Centers
7 pm Update: The discussion is intended to provide an opportunity for commissioners to review and consider whether additional evaluation…
New lawsuit challenges Florida’s proposed property tax amendment
The legal challenge against the proposed property tax constitutional amendment focuses squarely on how the question…
SCREWWORM: Florida is now blocking the importation of rescue and shelter dogs and cats from states with confirmed New World Screwworm detections
The situation escalated rapidly, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officially tightened…
Lakeland Horror Film Festival
The Lakeland Horror Film Festival will hold its 2nd Annual festival on October 17, 2026, at…
Einstein Bros. Bagels Opens on South Florida Avenue
It is official! Einstein Bros. Bagels has officially opened its doors in South Lakeland, bringing a…
Body found in submerged car near Publix warehouse
UPDATE: On Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 2:11 a.m., Lakeland Police received a call about a…
McCOY MOORE MAKES EMOTIONAL GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT
NEW ALBUM SUNSHINE STATE OUT NOW SET FOR PACKED CMA FEST WEEK WITH MULTIPLE APPEARANCES Rising…
McCOY MOORE SHINES ON DEBUT ALBUM
SUNSHINE STATE “McCoy Moore has quickly emerged as one of Nashville’s most promising new voices,” –…
Nearly 350,000 passengers have flown Avelo flights out of Lakeland
That is a massive milestone for Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL)! It really highlights just how…
Grace City Church Set to Open New Worship Campus
Grace City Church is counting down the days to a massive milestone. After five years of…
Women’s Day Returns to the RP Funding Center (June 28) – Free Admission!
Women’s Day will be held on Sunday, June 28th at the RP Funding Center! Hosted from 11:00-4:00 pm…
Elon Musk’s first-gen orbital data center craft spans wider than a Boeing 747 and runs an interchangeable chip payload
The first-gen orbital data center craft spans wider than a Boeing 747 and runs an interchangeable…
Polk private school athletes face $400 fee to play for public schools
Polk County Public Schools announced this policy to align with a recently passed Florida law (SB…
The Lakeland Public Library system is leaning heavily into prehistoric fun for its 2026 summer programming, creating a “Jurassic Polk” experience
The Lakeland Public Library system is leaning heavily into prehistoric fun for its 2026 summer programming,…
The shifting landscape of municipal proclamations across Polk County has become a major point of discussion, reflecting a broader statewide pushback on diversity initiatives
Over the last few years, the traditional practice of local governments issuing symbolic recognitions for LGBTQ+…
Retired Lakeland cops say pensions aren’t keeping up with inflation
That is a very real, frustrating struggle, and it is a massive talking point for retired…
Central Florida Ford Dealership Celebrates Multiple Awards: Wins President’s Awards for 27th Time
Bartow Ford Company, who celebrated 78 years in business on April 1, has more reasons to…
Farmers Market CLOSED on July 4
The Downtown Farmers Curb Market will take a brief break on Saturday, July 4, as we…
ASPCA’s Spay/Neuter Pivot Signals Big Shift in Animal Welfare
By Ed Boks After years of focusing on managing shelter overcrowding, one of the nation’s most…
AI Data Centers’ Water Consumption Breaks 264 Billion Gallons in 2025 as Devastating Drought Hits Nearly 63% of U.S.
The reality of AI’s physical footprint is hitting a massive bottle-neck. The intersection of skyrocketing tech…
Florida Governor’s Race: Follow the Grease
The 2026 Republican primary for Florida governor has a clear frontrunner, a lagging lieutenant governor, and…
WATSON CLINIC HOSTS CLINICAL HIRING EVENT ON JUNE 20, 2026
Watson Clinic’s Human Resources department will host a Clinical Hiring Event on Saturday, June 20 from 9 am –…
The system to cool Fort Meade hyper-scale data center might not suffice
The debate surrounding the proposed $2.6 billion hyperscale AI data center in Fort Meade has drawn…
Velvet Swan Celebrates Soft Opening June 10
That is exciting news for the downtown social scene! The Velvet Swan is opening at 125…
Fatal Polk County Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) released details regarding that tragic crash on westbound I-4 in Polk…
Polk Pride entering 11th edition
Polk Pride is heading into its 11th edition in June 2026, remaining resilient through shifting cultural…
Movie Review – Scary Movie
By Bob Garver From the fifth “Scream” movie proving a shockingly strong January release in…
Was that an earthquake? Residents in Polk County feel tremors
You weren’t imagining things. If you felt a subtle swaying or noticed light shaking around 2:00…