Connor Jacobson

Connor Jacobson

Senior Newsletter Editor

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.

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A contemporary five-story mixed-use building with ground-floor retail space on a downtown street corner, amidst other mid-rise buildings.
Real Estate
Live steps from your favorite spots in this downtown Lakeland condo
Your favorite hangouts can be just a hop, skip, and a jump away from this rare condo listing in downtown Lakeland.
December 11, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Parker at sunset with clouds and trees reflecting on the water
City
What’s going on with Polk County water?
Short answer: quite a bit. Get the quick updates you need to know about Polk County’s burn ban, water shortage, and an alternative supply project grant.
December 9, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A green historical marker from the State of Florida detailing the history of the Acton Community on a grass lawn
City
Here’s your sign: Learn about Lakeland’s historical markers
Dive into how nearly a century and a half of history is kept alive with historical markers around town.
December 9, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A dark theatre with the orchestra brightly lit upon the stage.
Culture
Two Lakeland arts organizations celebrate major milestones
Celebrate Lakeland Community Theatre and the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, which have reached 40 and 60 years in the local arts scene, respectively.
December 8, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A man in a black tank top and shorts with a race bib runs in the BMW Berlin Marathon, with spectators and a large billboard behind him.
Sports
Lakeland Runners Club member takes on the OUC Orlando Half Marathon
Jonathan Mott has qualified for three Olympic trials, coached hundreds of local runners, and competed all over the world. Here’s how you can follow in his fast footsteps.
December 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A front yard full of lights and holiday-themed inflatables
Events
Add your neighborhood to our Lakeland holiday decor map
Does your neighborhood go all out with decorations? Do you set up a drive-thru lights experience? Add it to our map of holiday decoration destinations.
December 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holding an iPhone showing a Spotify playlist called "Lake Morton swan stroll Sunday evening"
Culture
What’s on Lakeland’s Spotify Wrapped?
When it comes to national charts, Swan City often gets skipped. Tell us which artists, podcasts, and genres you listened to all year long so we can wrap them up ourselves.
December 3, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A three-panel graphic demonstrating how to navigate a multi-lane roundabout to go straight, turn left, or turn right.
City
How to navigate Lakeland’s first multi-lane roundabout
Buckle up — it’s time for a driving lesson before you try this new traffic pattern on Drane Field Road.
December 2, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Wish Farms stage at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds
Culture
The stage is set: Florida Strawberry Festival’s 2026 entertainers
See who will take the stage in Plant City when the festival returns in February 2026.
November 26, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The open door entrance of a small business, with a "SHOP SMALL" welcome mat and shelves of merchandise visible inside.
Business
Our Lakeland-based Small Business Saturday shopping picks
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle into your holiday shopping.
November 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial photo of a crowded fall street festival with white tents, vendors, and people walking in downtown Lakeland.
City
Look back on fall in Lakeland’s photo archives
We’re digging through the Lakeland Public Library photo archives to relive autumn memories from years gone by.
November 24, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rotating gif of the Florida Southern College NCAA Division II men's basketball team playing a game at Jenkins field house
Sponsored
Try This: Watch NCAA basketball at Florida Southern College
Cheer on the Mocs all season long at Jenkins Field House.
Sponsored by
Swan City Improv's future building, a white and turquoise painted church with a gray roof and a spire against a clear blue sky.
Culture
Swan City Improv opening a comedy club in downtown Lakeland
The Comedy Cathedral is set to open by spring 2026 with entertainment, classes, and community events designed to keep Lakeland laughing.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A silhouetted runner on Lake Hollingsworth at sunset
Travel and Outdoors
Turkey Trots and Thanksgiving runs around Lakeland
You won’t find an official Turkey Trot in Lakeland, but there are plenty of fun runs and nearby races to break a seasonal sweat.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Terrace Grille's dining room has plush orange chairs, large windows, and two glasses of white wine on the table.
Food
Dine in or carry-out Thanksgiving dinner in Lakeland
Here’s a list of local restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
November 17, 2025
 · 
Victoria Bardega
The front of a newly opened Publix, decorated with green and white balloon columns and silver "WELCOME" balloons for its grand opening.
Business
Lake Miriam Square Publix is now open
The rebuilt store includes 55,701 sqft of space for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scroll through photos from opening day.
November 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The front exterior of the Spanish Colonial-style Ludd Spivey House with a stucco facade, arched windows, and a terracotta tile roof.
Real Estate
Influential Lakelander’s home hits the market
Take a look inside the Ludd M. Spivey House, formerly home to Florida Southern College’s president who made a historic impact on the campus.
November 11, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
ORLtoday-Second-Harvest-Food-Bank-Central-Florida-November-2025.jpg
City
How to help Orlando food banks
When times are tough, Orlandoans join together to help neighbors in need. Here’s how you can help local food banks and food distribution programs through donations and volunteer work.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A night photo of the Lakeland Margarita Ball on the lawn near Lake Mirror, with a band playing on a lit stage in the background.
Events
Raise funds (and a glass) at the Lakeland Margarita Ball
The Lakeland Margarita Society hosts the Margarita Ball every November to raise money to provide Christmas gifts for local children.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Overhead shot of five pumpkin pies with whipped cream dollops
Food
Preorder your prized pies ahead of Thanksgiving
Whether you’re an annual customer or looking for the first time, check out these pies you can bring to Thanksgiving made fresh by local bakers.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
LAL-kidspack-10.27.2023.JPG
City
How to help Lakeland food banks
When times are tough, Lakelanders join together to help neighbors in need. Here’s how you can help local food banks and food distribution programs through donations and volunteer work.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial view of downtown Lakeland's streets at night
City
Lakeland CRA begins Restore the Core initiative
Help the Community Redevelopment Agency update the plans for its three core areas by sharing your feedback.
November 5, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A sculpture of Frank Lloyd Wright wearing a wide-brimmed hat stands in front of the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center
New to Lakeland
Forests, swans, and architecture: 11 can’t-miss tours of Lakeland
Be a tourist in your own town. Get out and try these 11 fantastic tours of Lakeland and beyond to learn something new.
November 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large Nordstrom Rack shopping bag is held up in the foreground, with the storefront and a blue inflatable arch in the background.
City
Top Clicks: Here’s what you loved in LALtoday last month
We keep an eye on your clicks to make sure LALtoday is always filled with content you love.
November 3, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
A house covered in Halloween decorations, including a huge spider and fake webs.
Events
Add your neighborhood to our Lakeland trick-or-treat map
Does your neighborhood go all out with decorations? Is it known as the street for full-size candy bars? Add it to our map of trick-or-treat destinations.
October 31, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2019-10-15 at 3.03.16 PM
Look out for these creepy Florida cryptids in Orlando
Keep an eye out and perhaps you’ll see one of these cryptid creatures in Orlando — or maybe it will see you first.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A plaza outside a modern commercial building, featuring two decorative white-flowered artificial trees and large support columns.
Culture
Celebrate the Depot Arts District’s opening in style
This new arts hub will open on Saturday, Nov. 1 with an art-themed kickoff celebration.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holding a flower arrangement with pink, purple, and orange flowers and greenery stems in a skull-shaped container
Business
Find your inner florist at Bloom Shakalaka’s flower arranging workshops
Learn to arrange beautiful bouquets with the help of the expert florists at Bloom Shakalaka.
October 29, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL-downtown-winter-haven-ritz-theater
Travel and Outdoors
Take a quick trip to these cities near Lakeland
In need of a one-day getaway? We’re sharing our readers’ favorite things to do, see, and eat in towns within a quick drive of Swan City.
October 27, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A graphic that says "Their perfect gift is on this list. Our holiday gift guide just dropped." surrounded by images of gift tags.
Small Business
LALtoday’s 2025 holiday gift guide: 90+ finds for everyone you love
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
October 24, 2025
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
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