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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Brick condo building with large windows, gabled roof, surrounded by palm and oak trees, located near Lake Morton.
Real Estate
See inside 3 condos coming soon by Lake Morton
The couple behind this new condominium building are looking for the perfect buyer + neighbor to fill the final floor in Lake Morton Place.
May 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of a Publix supermarket features a green, lit sign, outdoor seating area, and a sunset sky in the background
Business
How would Lakelanders make Publix shopping better?
We’re giving Lakelanders the reins to dream up their own store features and items that would make shopping at Publix more of a pleasure.
May 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An exterior view of the Lakeland Amtrak train station
Travel and Outdoors
Pro tips for riding an Amtrak train from Lakeland
Get our best tips to navigating the Amtrak station, finding routes, and buying tickets.
May 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the Lakeland Fishing Outfitters Tackle Shop which was the original location of Red Lobster, viewed from the parking lot.
Business
How Red Lobster got its start in Lakeland
As the seafood chain announces plans to close restaurants nationwide, take a look back at how Red Lobster first started in Lakeland, FL.
May 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
New Publix store under construction at Lake Miriam Square, with wood framing, concrete walls, parked vehicles, and equipment.
Business
Lakeland’s ‘prototype’ Publix: What’s coming to Lake Miriam Square
See what’s planned for Publix’s newly rebuilt store that could give us a glimpse into the future of grocery shopping.
May 12, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Pastel storefront of "Bloom Shakalaka" and "East of These" with pink awning, green doors, and vibrant pink floral decor.
Sponsored
Pass the mic: 3 questions with Lakeland’s small business owners
We’re rounding out a week of small business features by asking owners what it’s like to live + work in Lakeland.
Sponsored by
A service business worker wearing a Help(her) shirt and a yellow purse holds three white paper boxes wrapped with string.
Sponsored
Lakeland small service businesses to cover every part of life
These 25+ businesses are at your service with everything from beauty to events to professional development.
Sponsored by
A photographer takes a photo of a mother and child in front of a Mother's Day photo backdrop at Lakeside Village
Events
A Mother’s Day event for every type of mom in Lakeland
No matter what type of moms we have, they deserve to be celebrated this Mother’s Day. Check out these nine events and deals around Lakeland just for mother figures.
May 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A spread of Southern dishes, including fried fish and shrimp, collard greens, mashed potatoes, onion rings, and mac and cheese.
Sponsored
Small business, big flavor: Try 12 local restaurant owners’ recommendations
Here’s how owners say you can support local restaurants, cafes, and food trucks during Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.
Sponsored by
Hand holding a rose-patterned Dubai chocolate bar from Rogue Coffee, partially unwrapped with a green filling inside.
Food
Trending treats: Where to try Dubai chocolate in Lakeland
These filled chocolate bars have taken over our social media feeds — now they’re taking on Swan City. Here’s where you can find Dubai chocolate bars + inspired treats around Lakeland.
April 30, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Assorted cookies and baked goods on display at Bandidas Bake Shop, including PB miso cookies, vegan ranger cookies, and galettes.
Food
Follow the breadcrumbs on this Lakeland bakery crawl
Lakeland has a book crawl, but isn’t it time bakeries have their time to shine? Let’s roll to each bakery for croissants, cake, and cookies galore.
April 28, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A path through Hollis Garden with trees on either side
Culture
Explore the City of Lakeland’s Urban Forest
Branch out to learn about Lakeland’s flowering and fruit trees with a GPS-enabled tour of the 56,000 trees in the city’s Urban Forest.
April 24, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Little Bus Books mobile bookshop
Culture
Local bookstore owners present the Lakeland Book Crawl
Finding our next read and supporting local independent book sellers? We’re in.
April 18, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Two slices of pizza and garlic knots from Palace Pizza
Food
Eat down the street: Kentucky Avenue restaurants
Discover one of Lakeland’s hidden gems or try a local favorite restaurant for the first time on the next street in this series.
April 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Four loaded hot dogs topped with onions, cheese, chili, and mustard on a tray, with drinks and fries in the background.
Food
Take a bite out of this Knoxville-style hot dog
Chicago’s got one and even Seattle has its own signature recipe, so we’re planting our flag on the hot dog map.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A bright blue, frame vernacular-style house in the Lake Morton neighborhood shaded by a tall tree under a blue sky.
Real Estate
Create your own Lake Morton Historic Home + Garden Tour
This year’s tour may have been canceled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore one of Lakeland’s oldest neighborhoods on your own.
April 14, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Plates of barbecue meat with sides on trays
Food
Goodbye gluten: Lakeland restaurants with gluten-free options
No matter why you’re avoiding it, you can find new eats without gluten here.
April 14, 2025
 · 
Kaylee Holland
flower fridge at Bloom Shakalaka flower shop in Lakeland, FL
Culture
Lakeland plant shops and florists to brighten up your day
Find floral arrangements, Florida natives, and houseplants at these local shops.
April 11, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Entrance to IFF Citrus Innovation Center with colorful signage, citrus displays, and ribbon for grand opening under a sunny sky.
Business
IFF’s Citrus Innovation Center now open at Florida Polytechnic University
Find out what’s inside this high-tech facility that’s bringing Lakeland’s years of experience with citrus to the forefront of the flavor + fragrance industry.
April 10, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Vinyl records categorized by genre at Jesse Carl Vinyl in Lakeland, FL
Business
Celebrate Record Store Day with Jesse Carl Vinyl
Owner Jessi Zilka shared how you can support this local shop during the international Record Store Day event.
April 9, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A new ALDI store in Lakeland with a "Coming Soon" banner displayed at the entrance under a cloudy sky.
Business
ALDI opening two Lakeland locations in former Winn-Dixie stores
The new ALDI stores are part of the grocery chain’s goal to open 800 locations across the US in the next three years. See what’s planned for opening day.
April 8, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lake Hollingsworth under gray skies and choppy waters during Hurricane Milton, with palm trees swaying and a dock partially submerged.
City
What Lakelanders should know about the 2025 hurricane season
With forecasters predicting more activity than normal in the Atlantic this year, here’s how you can start preparing for hurricane season in Lakeland.
April 8, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Exterior of Depot 303 food hall in Mulberry, featuring a modern white building with black metal framework and patio seating.
Food
Depot 303, Mulberry’s first food hall, to open this month
We took a look around Depot 303 before its soft opening to see what foodies can expect soon.
April 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Muralist Samara Ash spray paints a large mural featuring the profile of a Florida panther on a wall using a lift.
Culture
Wild new mural to be unveiled at the RP Funding Center
The mural is a collaboration between the Lakeland CRA and the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation.
April 4, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An LALtoday city editor steps into a passenger plane wearing an LAL hat.
Events
What not to miss at SUN ‘n FUN
Take our word for it — these are the activities, exhibits, and stops we wouldn’t miss at Florida’s largest aerospace expo.
April 2, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holds a phone with a "Lucky Lakeland Treasure Hunt" app loaded in front of the Munn Park entryway and sign
Culture
Are those Lakeland scavenger hunts real? We found out
If you’ve seen a digital scavenger hunt listed online and wondered if it was worth the money, we took one for you to see if you should try one for yourself.
March 31, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Pink and purple skies are reflected on the surface of this lake, and a fountain, lily pads, and ducklings are also present.
Travel and Outdoors
Dip your toes into the Polk County Water Atlas
Use this online resource to check water health, water levels, upcoming events, and more.
March 31, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Bright Ice Cream shop in Lakeland with a red "Opening Soon!" banner, outdoor seating, and a sunny sky along a busy street.
Food
Bright Ice opening its next scoop shop in Lakeland
Get the inside scoop on Bright Ice’s fifth location before it opens its doors in Dixieland on Friday, March 28.
March 27, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The entrance of the Project Prom store, with racks of formalwear inside and volunteers assisting shoppers in a bright, welcoming space.
Business
Project Prom: Helping Polk students celebrate safely
Find out how students can get free formal wear by signing the Project Prom pledge to stay sober.
March 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A medical professional operates an ION robotic-assisted technology system at Lakeland Regional Health, using a console for precision control.
Business
The latest and greatest technology being used in Lakeland
As Lakeland’s high-tech sector continues to grow, check out a few advancements in technology that are being used and developed in the local health, agriculture, and transportation fields.
March 19, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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