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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LAL_ghost_kitchen_mr_beast_burger_oct_2023
Food
Order from one of Lakeland’s ghost kitchens
The only thing scary about these kitchens is how good they are.
October 17, 2023
 · 
Rilee Delgado
The band Canned Heat performs onstage at a music festival
Culture
Looking back on the Florida Sunfest music festival of 1977
Did you know that Lakeland once hosted the largest music festival in the state? Learn the history of 1977’s Florida Sunfest, plus a reader’s own story of how it all went down.
October 16, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Bowls of pho noodle soup from Pho Tan in Lakeland, FL
Food
Lakeland soups for every day
No matter your mood, there’s a soup for you.
October 16, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A close up shot of a black cat inside local mobile cat lounge Botany Cats
Culture
Make your own luck on Friday the 13th
You don’t have to fear Friday the 13th with these events and attractions around Lakeland.
October 12, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Construction on a three-story apartment building at the corner of Lake Avenue and Orange Street.
Real Estate
What’s growing in Lakeland’s Garden District
From multi-family housing to new businesses, learn what’s popping up in the Garden District, a sub-district that’s full of historic charm.
October 10, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial rendering of the Applied Research Center at Florida Polytechnic University in what could be the new Central Florida Innovation District
Business
Could Lakeland get an innovation district?
With a new renewable energy field under negotiation, plans for the Central Florida Innovation District could be coming to life in Lakeland. Check out these new and proposed technology developments.
October 9, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Print Collection
Travel and Outdoors
“An energy vortex": Visit Cassadaga, the psychic capital of the world
Created in 1875, Cassadaga, FL finds its roots in spiritualism. Learn more about this haunting community just 90 minutes from Lakeland.
October 4, 2023
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
LAL-silvermoon-drive-in-nov-2022
Events
See scary cinema at the Silver Moon Drive-In
Buy your tickets for the drive-in theater’s Halloween movie marathon events.
October 4, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rendering of the exterior of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building at Florida Polytechnic University
City
Florida Polytechnic University to add another academic building
This STEM-focused college continues to grow. See what’s next for Florida Polytechnic University’s campus and student body.
October 2, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the Lakeland Antique Mall with a sign reading "Antique Mall" and a life-size horse statue
Business
Go treasure hunting at the Lakeland Antique Mall
Search through over 40,000 sqft of vintage collectibles and antiques at one of Lakeland’s largest antique malls.
September 28, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A front view of a three-story home surrounded by trees. A brick pathway leads to the front door across the lawn.
Real Estate
What’s in store at Lakeland’s 15th Historic Home Workshop
Learn from local and statewide experts in historic home preservation at this free event at Florida Southern College.
September 19, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2021-04-22 at 11.54.54 AM
New to Lakeland
Swan City meets the big screen: Movies filmed in and around Lakeland
Our town has become a regular star on the silver screen — how many of these movies have you seen that were filmed on location in Lakeland?
September 14, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A split screen graphic showing the Prospect Lake Wire rendering versus the current construction
Real Estate
Looking into the future of Lakeland’s upcoming developments
We’re breaking out our crystal ball and looking ahead towards the future of these developments underway around Lakeland.
September 8, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
FTW-Proxi map parks
City
Find your way around Fort Worth with our community maps
We’re on a mission to map out Fort Worth’s top destinations for foodies, art lovers, and pet parents. Learn how you can help.
September 7, 2023
 · 
Rebecca McRobbie
Southeastern University cheerleaders lead a cheer on the football field before a game
Sports
The sports fan’s guide to Lakeland’s college teams
Fall means the return of college sports in Lakeland. Never miss a game with our guide to local teams.
September 6, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A digital map of Lakeland, FL with colorful points on different happy hour locations
City
Find your next favorite spot in Lakeland with our community maps
We’re on a mission to map out Lakeland’s top destinations for foodies, art lovers, and pet parents. Learn how you can help.
August 24, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A view from the summit of Black Elk Peak in South Dakota
Travel and Outdoors
Tell us your fall travel plans
Where are you hoping to visit this fall? Let us know what you’re planning to see and do as we prepare our fall travel guides.
August 23, 2023
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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
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