Amelia Herring.jpg

Amelia Grooms

City Editor, LALtoday

Amelia is based in Lakeland, FL. Prior to joining LALtoday, she worked in the career
services and marketing sectors. When she’s not writing about what makes Lakeland the
best city ever, she can be found reading or drinking an iced caramel macchiato from
Black and Brew.

Support Good Local News
Cars line a street in downtown Lakeland, leaves are on the ground.
Culture
How to spend a fall day like the “Gilmore Girls” in Lakeland
Who says you have to go to New England to have an autumn worthy of the “Gilmore Girls”?
October 6, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Plates of burgers and hot dogs sit around a table.
Food
Take a bite out of our Orlando-style hot dog
From Seattle to Chicago, cities across the US have created their own signature hot dogs — but not Orlando. That changes today.
October 1, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Front porch decorated with colorful pumpkins and mums on stone steps during autumn.
Real Estate
Meet the newest fall trend: Professional porch decorators
If you’re short on time this season, this may just be the perfect solution.
September 29, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Professionally decorated front porch featuring pumpkins, flowers, and a fall wreath.
Real Estate
Meet the newest fall trend: Professional porch decorators
If you’re short on time this season, this may just be the perfect solution.
September 26, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A decorative wooden frame covered with a variety of orange, white, and gray pumpkins, with a sign reading "FOX SQUIRREL CORN MAZE."
Culture
Fall fun around Lakeland: Corn mazes, pumpkin patches + haunted houses
Ring in the season with a trip to one of these fall-exclusive spots for the whole family.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Plates of burgers and hot dogs sit around a table.
Food
Take a bite out of the TBAY-style hot dog
From Seattle to Chicago, cities across the US have created their own signature hot dogs, but not Tampa Bay — until today.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Bailey LeFever
INDYtoday: INDY_monarch butterfly Eagle Creek Park_SEPT24
Travel and Outdoors
Celebrate and learn about the monarch migration through Indianapolis
Find out where to spot the winged creatures and what you can do to keep them protected + flying high.
August 29, 2025
 · 
Shea Stapley
top of soldiers and sailors monument with sunset-@greglipps
City
The history of Indianapolis’ Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Bust out these facts about this iconic Indy landmark to impress at your next trivia night.
August 26, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A photo of two burgers and fry platters from In-N-Out Burger.
Food
So close, but so far: Chain restaurants readers wish were in Indy
Sure, you could road trip to your favorite chain restaurants — but wouldn’t it be better if they were right down the road?
August 25, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An interior shot of a wedding in Haus820
Experience
Rentable venues in Lakeland
Check out this list of local spots to host your next party, reunion, or reception.
August 13, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Row of classic hot dogs
Take a bite out of the Indianapolis-style hot dog
From Seattle to Chicago, cities across the US have created their own signature hot dogs, but not Indianapolis — until today.
August 5, 2025
 · 
Shea Stapley
Mediterranean-style house with arched windows, tall cypress trees, and a sunset sky in the background.
Real Estate
Mansion Monday: Live out your rom-com dreams in this Tampa home
Step inside this Mansion Monday pick that has us feeling like we’re living out our favorite, nostalgic, feel-good films.
August 1, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Three people in beekeeping suits inspect honeycomb frames at an outdoor apiary surrounded by trees and grass.
Travel and Outdoors
Your guide to beekeeping in Lakeland
What’s even sweeter than honey? Producing your own. Here’s everything you need to know about beekeeping in Swan City.
June 12, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Several RVs parked in the trees surrounding a pond at Flamingo Camping Site in the Everglades National Park
Travel and Outdoors
Take an ad-van-ture to these RV camping spots around Lakeland
Get a taste of the camping life with these seven RV parks + campgrounds around Swan City.
June 4, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Two hands toast with a glass of margarita and a glass of sangria on an outdoor patio.
Food
Celebration-worthy Lakeland restaurants
From graduations to rehearsal dinners to corporate parties, we’re sharing the top reader recommended spots for celebration-worthy eateries.
May 29, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A stack of books is shown on a table in Lakeland Public Library with windows looking out at Lake Morton.
Culture
Ready, set, read — kick off summer with these reading programs
Who says summer reading is only for the kids? Check out these opportunities for every age around Lakeland.
May 21, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Small kitchen with white cabinets, electric stove, microwave, and beige tile floor and countertops.
Real Estate
Put your own spin on these Lakeland fixer-upper homes
Grab your tool belt — these five homes are primed and ready for you to unleash your creativity and put your vision into action.
May 19, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A bowl filled with ramen noodles, a boiled egg, roe, nori, and bok choy, with a cup of tea and a cup of roe on the side.
Food
Taste test Orlando’s 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists
Local restaurants, chefs, and restaurateurs are up for this year’s coveted James Beard Awards. Try as many as you can before winners are announced on June 16.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Screen Shot 2021-10-20 at 1.57.47 PM
Culture
What is the Junior League of Greater Lakeland?
Learn how this organization is impacting Lakeland through its educational and charity work.
May 15, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A commercial building under construction with yellow sheathing and a Rodda banner on the sidewalk.
City
The latest on Lakeland Family YMCA’s $21 million renovation project
The project is roughly halfway complete, with all phases expected to conclude by 2027.
May 15, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Chicken and waffles with onion rings and gravy, served with mimosas and water at a restaurant table.
Live
Where to plan your next brunch date in Orlando
Don’t just pick a spot with pancakes and eggs — pick the spot that’s perfect for your gathering with this guide that includes menu recommendations, brunch categories, and beyond.
May 9, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
LAL-Mister-Fish-laltoday
Food
Get a taste of the sea at these Lakeland area restaurants
Whether you’re making dinner plans and craving lobster rolls or looking for your local fish market, check out this list of seafood eateries and distributors in and around Lakeland.
May 9, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Pole dance studio with wood floors, mirrored wall, neon signs, and chrome poles evenly spaced throughout.
Sponsored
Try this: 12 unique Lakeland small businesses worth experiencing
While we love our Lakeland small biz staples, think outside the box and check out these 12 small bizzes that are carving their own path.
Sponsored by
Shoppers browse fine art at an outdoor art festival. Each artist is set up in a small white tent with a domed top set up in the grass by a road.
Events
Headed to Mayfaire by-the-Lake? Save these pro tips.
From where to park to must-do activities, here are the top things you need to know if you’re planning to attend the Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival.
May 7, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Laptop on a blue table with iced tea beside it, displaying small business Whimsy & Stars Paperie's website.
Sponsored
5 Lakeland small bizzes you can support from your couch
Who says you have to leave home to support Lakeland’s small businesses?
Sponsored by
A swan glides near lily pads on a lake in Lakeland, Florida, with city buildings and trees visible in the background.
Culture
Catch Phrase: Our readers’ Lakeland-isms
We’re calling on our readers to tell us the phrases they say as a Lakelander that others simply don’t get.
May 1, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A painted rendering of a plaza at night with a fountain in the center of a large walkway surrounded by four-story buildings
City
5 Lakeland projects we’ve got our eyes on
As Lakeland continues to grow, these five major revitalization + improvement projects are staying top of mind.
April 29, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
LAL-FSC-college-calgolden-AUG2022.jpeg
Culture
We’re tossing our caps for these college graduations around Lakeland
How to prepare + plan for your weekends as Lakeland celebrates graduates from four of its five colleges around town.
April 29, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Two students in lab coats and safety glasses lean over a beaker, A group of students stands over lab tables in a science classroom
Sponsored
Try This: A day at SEU’s College of Natural & Health Sciences
We got a sneak peek into SEU’s science programs and cutting-edge tech.
Sponsored by
Modern single-story house with palm trees, stone driveway, and sunset sky in the background.
Real Estate
Meet the Lakeland estates featured in the Spring Parade of Homes
Take a self-guided tour of these new construction homes Saturday, April 26-Sunday, April 27 + Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
April 25, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Load More