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 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.
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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 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 17, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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
Screen Shot 2019-10-15 at 3.03.16 PM
Culture
Look out for these creepy Florida cryptids in Lakeland
Keep an eye out and perhaps you’ll see one of these cryptid creatures in Lakeland — or maybe it will see you.
October 23, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A vintage photo of a JCPenney store with a covered walkway connecting it to another building, surrounded by palm and oak trees.
City
What Lakelanders could buy for the same price as Publix’s $10 real estate deal
Could this be the real estate deal of the century? Learn how Publix is buying two downtown buildings for $10 each — and what you could get for that same price.
October 22, 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.
Business
Shop ‘til you drop at Nordstrom Rack, opening in Lakeside Village
Find discounted clothing, accessories, shoes, and home goods at this national retailer’s first Lakeland location.
October 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A multi-lane stretch of I-4 in Polk County, Florida, with several cars driving on a cloudy day, surrounded by lush greenery.
Development
More I-4 congestion relief lanes coming west of Lakeland
Due to the Moving Florida Forward Initiative, new I-4 express lanes are coming nine years in advance between I-75 and County Line Road.
October 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A side-by-side photo of two homes: a historic Spanish-style home (left) and a modern stone and stucco home (right).
Real Estate
You choose: Historic home vs. new construction in Lakeland
Do you prefer to live in the past, or are you looking ahead to the future? Compare a 1925 home with a newly built house that just hit Lakeland’s real estate market.
October 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
People dressed in retro attire dancing under neon lights
Culture
Dance the night away at these Lakeland spots and events
In the mood to bust a move? Shimmy down to these local spots and events for open dance floors, performances, and dancing lessons.
October 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Shoppes at Lake Miriam, showing storefronts for Gosh! Asian Bistro & Sushi, Coast Dental, Glam Bar, and Hand & Stone.
Food
Eat down the street: Lake Miriam Crossing restaurants
Find a parking spot and walk to each of your favorite restaurants in the Shoppes at Lake Miriam Crossing plaza on South Florida Avenue.
October 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A photo collage showing Health Buddies volunteers and clients: a large group of people smiling, and volunteers with older women
Wellness
How Health Buddies are transforming life for lonely Lakelanders
Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay connects volunteers and clients with chronic health conditions for Health Buddies, a 12-week telephone call program. Learn how it works and how you can sign up.
October 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Joinery food hall lit up at night, with a view of downtown Lakeland and a long-exposure shot of the street in the background
Food
Eat it all at these Polk County food halls
Deciding where to eat is hard — these local food halls are making it easier with plenty of options all in the same place.
October 10, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Copy of LAL-Lead Story Image Crop.png
City
Create your voting plan with these Lakeland election dates
Lakeland’s municipal election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 4. These are the dates, positions, and resources you need to know before you vote.
October 2, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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