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 group of people sit on yoga mats doing a yoga practice in Hollis Garden in Lakeland, FL
Experience
Flow at these Lakeland yoga studios
Check out these eight yoga studios around Swan City, which offer classes for beginners, hot yoga, and more fitness classes.
August 23, 2023
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
An exterior shot of an Aldi super market
Business
Lakeland reacts to Aldi’s purchase of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets
Could more Aldi stores be coming to Lakeland? We asked our readers what they think of Winn-Dixie and Harveys locations changing to Aldi grocery stores.
August 21, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Culture
Celebrating our birthday at LALtoday
We’re looking back on five years of bringing you Lakeland’s top news and events.
August 15, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A Google Street View photo of the retro Southgate sign and stores at the Southgate Shopping Center
Travel and Outdoors
Quiz: How well do you know Lakeland’s streets?
Take our 5-minute quiz to test your local street smarts.
August 11, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
A rendering of the new e-library at Kelly Recreation Complex
City
Lakeland’s new eLibrary at Kelly Recreation Complex
The former eLibrary will close its doors on Saturday, Sept. 2, and the new library is expected to open on Monday, Sept. 18.
August 9, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An interior of a classroom with blue sky and cloud decorations. Paper lanterns and decorative hot air balloons hang from the ceiling.
Culture
Upgrade your gifts for teachers this school year
We asked Polk County teachers what was on their wishlist before the school year begins. Consider this a crash course in gift giving.
August 9, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2019-10-14 at 2.32.05 PM
Culture
A guide to trivia nights in Lakeland
Show what you know at these weekly trivia events.
August 4, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Entrance to Sir Henry's Haunted Trail in Plant City, FL
Culture
Never fear, Halloween scare actor auditions are here
Let out your inner ghosts and ghouls as a scare actor at these Central Florida Halloween events.
July 28, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A woman smiling and walking into a downtown shop with a tote bag that reads "Lakeland Farmers Market"
Business
Beyond the market: Supporting local small businesses online and in-person
Don’t wait until fall to show your favorite small business some love. Here’s how you can support them in person and online.
July 26, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A backyard aerial view of a home with a manicured lawn and gazebo
Real Estate
Hot Homes: Wide open spaces for sale
See inside these two hot homes with unique outdoor spaces that have hit the Lakeland real estate market.
July 19, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Boxes stacked on industrial shelves inside a fluorescent lit warehouse.
Business
How Polk County’s economy is changing
Learn where the local economy has increased and decreased over the past decade, plus where you can expect to see growth in Lakeland.
July 18, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Rahmani family poses together in matching Feasts of Persia t-shirts in front of their food truck.
Business
How Gianna Rahmani and her family started a full-time food truck
Gianna Rahmani of Feasts of Persia tells us how angel employment offered her the chance to chase her passion ahead of an Author Spotlight Night.
July 14, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three men sit in a colorfully decorated room recording a podcast
Culture
Podcasts for Lakelanders to listen to + learn from
Put your headphones on and listen to one of these podcasts made by Lakelanders, for Lakelanders.
July 14, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A rendering showing a black and white home with a modern butterfly roof design
Real Estate
Look inside three new modern homes in Lakeland
We visited the construction site of three uniques homes in Lakeland’s Paul A. Diggs neighborhood to learn about the inspiration behind their design.
July 12, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A painted rendering of a plaza at night with a fountain in the center of a large walkway surrounded by four-story buildings
City
Shape the future of the Downtown West redevelopment
Share your thoughts on the CRA’s newest project to be a part of the Downtown West redevelopment.
July 10, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three colorful cocktails sitting on a bar
Food
We tried July’s Cocktails for Charity at The Back Nine
A dollar from the sale of these cocktails will be donated to a different charity each month.
July 6, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A sign showing a vintage label for Moccasin Brand citrus with a drawing of a boot. Decorative oranges line the sign.
Food
Your roadmap to the Polk County Citrus Label Tour
Take a bite out of the local citrus industry’s history with a self-guided tour of labels found around Polk County.
July 3, 2023
 · 
Kaylee Holland
An unfinished digital jigsaw puzzle of the Red, Whit & Kaboom event in Lakeland, FL
Events
How fast can you solve this Red, White & Kaboom puzzle?
We’ve given you all the pieces you need for a challenge.
June 30, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Many people sitting on towels on a beach facing the sea at sunset
Travel and Outdoors
What’s in our beach bag this summer
Heading out on a beach trip? Fill your bag with our favorite items from Six & Main to bring Lakeland with you wherever you go.
June 22, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A group of young professionals laugh, talk, and drink beer at a long table outside. A sign reading "emerge" is visible in the background.
New to Lakeland
Excellent places to network in Lakeland
Need a new job or new connections for professional development? Try one of these networking opportunities in Lakeland to take the next step in your career.
June 21, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A latte from Hillcrest Coffee
Food
LALtoday is hosting Drink Up Month in July to celebrate local beverages and beverage makers
Throughout the month of July, LALtoday will be sharing content celebrating the beverage industry in the Lakeland community.
June 14, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Mirror at sunset in Lakeland, FL
City
How do Polk County residents rate their quality of life?
The results are in from the United Community Needs Assessment — see how Polk residents rate their quality of life in different categories.
June 12, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A bright blue ocean on a sunny day spreads before a mountain range in the distance.
New to Lakeland
Lakeland’s 5 sister cities will surprise and inspire you
Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister cities in Japan or Jamaica.
June 7, 2023
 · 
Kaylee Holland
A hand holding an open book with the Blanton Family Lagoon at Bonnet Springs Park in the background
Culture
All Together Now: Join the Lakeland Public Library’s summer reading programs
This year’s summer reading program theme is “All Together Now,” highlighting community and kindness for all ages.
May 31, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Exterior of a historic home in the Lake Morton neighborhood with green trim, landscaping, and purple and pink flowers lining the yard.
City
How to do good in your neighborhood
Did you know that our city has around 100 vibrant and diverse neighborhoods? Try these ways to do some good in your ‘hood.
May 25, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lakeland Storefront (1) copy
City
All Publix GreenWise Market locations to become traditional Publix Super Markets
A timeline for closing the eight Publix GreenWise Market stores — including one in Lakeland — is yet to be announced.
May 19, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An exterior aerial view of the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL
Business
What’s next for the RP Funding Center?
With news of the Lakeland Magic, Florida Tropics, and the RP Funding Center’s executive director leaving, we’re putting you in the director’s seat.
May 17, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
James_Henry_House,_St_Petersburg_01.jpeg
History
Celebrate Historic Preservation Month in Tampa Bay, FL
Learn how to research and preserve your family and home’s history.
May 16, 2023
 · 
Bailey LeFever
"Red Bear" metal sculpture on Lemon Street in Downtown Lakeland
Tourism and Hospitality
Stroll through Lakeland’s newest sculptures
These 11 sculptures will be on display through the end of 2023.
May 10, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An iced latte, blueberry muffin, and laptop sit on a table at the Unfiltered coffee shop in Lakeland, FL
Food
We tried a vanilla latte at 5 Lakeland coffee shops
Here are our superlatives for the six cups of joe we tried at a few of our favorite coffee shops and cafes.
May 9, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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