News
Question for our fellow Polk County residents
How many of you live outside the City of Lakeland but receive your electric service from…
Florida Homestead Exemption Proposal: Pros and Cons
The debate around Florida’s proposed property tax relief—most notably the upcoming ballot proposal to expand the…
Man accused of federal child sex crimes may have exploited kids in Lakeland
Federal authorities have issued a public warning and are searching for potential victims regarding Joseph Dalton…
Why Pornhub Blocked Florida Over HB 3 Age Verification
The pushback from Pornhub and its parent company, Aylo, against Florida’s age verification law (HB 3,…
2026 Florida Agriculture Commissioner Primary Guide
The race for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services is heating up heading into the…
Update: Lakeland Auto Shop Calls for City Help After Severe Flooding
A Lakeland auto body shop is asking the city for help with nearby infrastructure after being…
Lakeland Police Seek Help Identifying Found Toddler
Follow-up: Family has been located The Lakeland Police Department has located a male African American juvenile,…
How to Get the US Patriot Passport: Step-by-Step Guide
To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary (America 250), the U.S. Department of State launched a special, limited-edition…
Polk State & Florida Poly Launch STEM Transfer Pathway
Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic University signed an expanded articulation agreement creating the Eagle to…
Florida Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Lettuce Recall: 264 cases across nearly 40 counties
Florida’s state health officials and federal agencies are tracking a significant uptick in cyclosporiasis cases—an intestinal…
Letter: Polk County Commission Candidates on Animal Welfare
On July 20, Coalition for Animal Rights and Education in Polk County (CARE) sent an identical…
Lack of drainage on Memorial Blvd during rainstorms causes a business to be flooded
“City of Lakeland, what the hell are we gonna do about this, guys? And who am…
Lakeland Woman Arrested After Infant Dies from Severe Abuse
A 23-year-old Lakeland woman was arrested by the Lakeland Police Department following a severe child abuse…
Lakeland Christmas Eve Shooting: Man Sentenced to 30 Years
The fatal Christmas Eve 2020 shooting in Lakeland, Florida, resulted in federal charges and a federal…
City Manager Shawn Sherrouse Appoints Scott Bishop as Interim General Manager of Lakeland Electric
City Manager Shawn Sherrouse is pleased to appoint Mr. Scott Bishop as Interim General Manager of Lakeland Electric, citing…
Polk County Confirms 5th Rabies Case After Bat Tests Positive
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Animal Control confirmed the fifth positive rabies case in Polk…
Margarita’s Cocina Mexicana Opens in Lakeland, FL
Brothers and combat veterans Joel and Fernando Rodriguez have officially transformed the former Ovation Bar &…
Bringing Urban Radio Back to Lakeland FM Airwaves
In Lakeland and broader Polk County, bringing dedicated urban sounds—such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Gospel, and Urban…
Publix Recalls All Lots of GreenWise Organic Frozen Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries Due to Potential E. coli O145 Contamination
Publix is recalling all lots of GreenWise Organic Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries because they…
Small sandwiches, big flavor!
These 4 slider recipes are easy to make, fun to serve, and guaranteed to disappear fast.…
Citrus Connection to offer free bus rides for voters during early voting and on Election Day
Citrus Connection is making it easier for Polk County residents to participate in the democratic process…
Editorial: 𝟰𝟲,𝟳𝟳𝟵 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘-𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗦𝗢𝗡
Since Rick Wilson for Polk County Commission took office in 2018, the county’s legally required Animal…
SPCA Florida Secures $25K Grant for Spay & Neuter Programs
This is great news for local pet owners and animal welfare in Polk County. The $25,000…
New ER Planned for North Lakeland on Hwy 98
Lakeland Regional Health has submitted a permit to construct a 14,488-square-foot free-standing ER at 6625 N…
GOP Grills Fauci Over COVID Origins and Fifth Amendment Use
Dr. Anthony Fauci’s appearance before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 29,…
Lakeland Political Rally: Meet the Candidates This Saturday
Meet the candidates. Ask the questions. Make an informed decision before you vote. Join us this…
Letter: Don’t Abuse Blessings: The Publix Principle and Florida’s Governor Race
My pastor was onto something Sunday. There’s a pattern that runs through Scripture, through business, through…
Plant City Man Arrested for Illegal Cockfighting Gear
Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest of Plant City Man for Possession of Items Used for Illegal…
Lakeland Horror Film Festival 2026: Dates & Details
Hey horror fans!!! The 2nd annual Lakeland Horror Film Festival is coming up on October 17,…
Florida Grandmother, 68, Arrested for Fentanyl Trafficking in Polk County
A routine traffic stop in Lakeland ended with a 68-year-old Rotonda West woman facing a fentanyl-trafficking…
Lakeland Budget Cuts: Vetoes and Tax Reforms Loom
Here is what’s on the table as Lakeland faces budget belt-tightening and potential spending cuts across…
First Dengue Case of 2026 Confirmed in Florida
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory following a…
FAKE OFFICIAL BALLOTS APPEARING AT CHAMBER-SPONSORED CANDIDATE FORUMS ACROSS CENTRAL FLORIDA – GOP CHALLENGERS ERASED FROM TICKET
Someone is handing Republican primary voters fake election ballots at chamber-sponsored candidate forums across Orange, Sumter,…
Lakeland distribution center housing PepsiCo’s Gatorade operations sells for $61.5M
Here is a breakdown of the transaction details and context around the property: Transaction Overview Tenant…
Why Animal Welfare Matters to Polk County Voters
Rick Wilson for Polk County Commission, you are right: animal welfare is an emotional issue. Research…
How Amendment 3 Could Cost Lakeland $14.5M
Discover how Florida's Amendment 3 could cost Lakeland $14.5M in revenue and what this property tax…