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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Three people judge archery results at the Polk Senior Games. They stand around a large target pointing at the arrows around the bullseye.
Sports
Bowl, dance, run, and volunteer at the Polk Senior Games
The Polk Senior Games will draw 2,000 competitors and 700 volunteers to this year’s events. Learn how you can compete, help, or cheer people on.
January 29, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
snow
City
Look back on winter in Lakeland’s photo archives
We’re digging through the Lakeland Public Library photo archives to relive winter memories from years gone by.
January 29, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large crowd sits at round tables in an industrial-style event space for the Catapult Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards.
Local businesses honored at the 2026 Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards
Several familiar names were nominated for Catapult’s biggest night of the year. See who won big at the Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards.
January 28, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holds a "Strawberry Season Passport" listing various local farms in front of the Parkesdale Farm Market storefront.
Business
Explore Central Florida’s best berries with Strawberry Season Passports
Did you get your hands on the popular Strawberry Season Passports before they sold out? If not, no worries — just follow along with our editor’s tasty travels.
January 27, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A map from the National Weather Service showing winter weather advisories in counties across the southeast US.
City
Lakeland’s winter weather headline roundup
The rest of the country is feeling the effects of Winter Storm Fern, but Central Florida won’t get off that easily. Stay up to date — and warm — with Lakeland’s top winter weather stories.
January 26, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A metal baking tray is filled with rows of assorted gourmet pastries, including cinnamon rolls and strawberry-topped buns.
Food
Born & Bread Bakehouse named James Beard Awards semifinalist
Born & Bread made the shortlist for the Outstanding Bakery category, becoming the first in the Lakeland area to be recognized by the prestigious James Beard Awards.
January 22, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three men in black polos stand on a stage in front of a "Screen Skinz" logo, pitching their product on the show "Shark Tank."
Business
Lakeland-based Screen Skinz lands a “Shark Tank” deal
This Catapult member business has gone nationwide. Find out what happened when its owners appeared on “Shark Tank.”
January 22, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A concert taking place on an outdoor stage at Bonnet Springs Park
Culture
Readers share their Lakeland concert memories
Do you remember your first Lakeland concert? Did your favorite musician make a major impact? Share your concert memories with us for a chance to be featured.
January 21, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A black-and-white photo of the multistory New Florida Hotel at a street corner, with vintage cars and a church visible in the background.
City
Lakeland in 1926: Look back on a century of history
What did Lakeland look like in 1926? We’re firing up the time machine for a 100-year trip to the past.
January 21, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A crowd sits in camping chairs watching fireworks over Lake Mirror during Red, White & Kaboom Lakeland event. Trees and street lights block part of the view.
Events
Don’t miss these top Lakeland events happening all year long
We’ve got the ultimate list of Lakeland events you don’t want to miss out on each year. Mark your calendar for these community celebrations.
January 16, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A red mocktail topped with fruit and a paper umbrella
Food
Where you can find buzz-free beverages, or mocktails, in Lakeland
Shaken or stirred? Either one works, as long as it’s zero-proof. Check out this list of alcohol-free cocktails — mocktails — in Swan City.
January 14, 2026
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Gillian Fazio beside her mural "Oranges"
Culture
Lakeland artists to host Color Wave Walls mural festival
Learn how artists Gillian Fazio and Katerina Santos plan to drench Lakeland in color through its first-ever mural festival, and how small businesses + muralists can get in on the artistic action.
January 13, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A group in Star Wars costumes posing with R2-D2
Events
Get nerdy with it at Central Florida Comic Con
Prep for the convention with events, guests, and exhibitions we wouldn’t miss.
January 13, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holds a square plate of green tea-flavored shaved snow dessert topped with strawberries, almonds, and condensed milk
Food
Sweets meet stories at Vampire Penguin, Lakeland’s newest dessert cafe
With a Victorian vibe and shaved snow desserts, Vampire Penguin could become your newest downtown haunt.
January 12, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The counter inside a Raising Cane's restaurant, with a large plush dog wearing sunglasses sitting on top.
Food
Lakeland’s ultimate restaurant wishlist
We hear readers’ hopes for future Lakeland eateries all the time. Now, we’re compiling them all into a restaurant wishlist to see which foodie dreams come true.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Mirror at dusk with the Lakeland skyline in the background.
City
See Lakeland’s top rankings on nationwide lists from 2025
From improving quality of life to wins for local businesses, find out how Lakeland measured up in last year’s rankings.
January 8, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An Avelo Aircraft sits on the tarmac with the word "Avelo" painted on its side
Travel and Outdoors
More Avelo flights, planes coming to LAL
Avelo Airlines announced plans for two additional aircraft at its Lakeland International Airport base, as well as more flights on its schedule.
January 7, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
FTW_hot_homes
Real Estate
Hot homes: 6 Fort Worth properties ahead of 2026 trends
This year, Zillow reports that homebuyers are playing with splashes of color, getting cozy, and looking for ultra-resilient homes.
January 7, 2026
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An ornate, carved stone exterior entrance to Lakeland City Hall seen from underneath a tree branch
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.
January 7, 2026
 · 
Kaylee Holland
A nighttime view of a street in San Juan, Puerto Rico, featuring dozens of colorful umbrellas suspended between historic buildings.
2026 travel trends in Lakeland
Airbnb released its travel trends predictions for the year — here’s how you can take part, starting in Lakeland.
January 6, 2026
 · 
Brianna Williams
A collage features a dumpling, a flower-lined boardwalk, an orange cocktail, and architectural building models.
Culture
2025 in review: Our favorite things we tried in Lakeland
What were the top things you ate, drank, and did in 2025? We’re sharing editor and reader picks for you to try in the new year.
December 17, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An old fashioned airplane in bright blue sits outside the airport.
City
Look back on LALtoday’s top stories of 2025
From airport news to real estate, these are the top stories our readers loved most this year.
December 15, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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
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