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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Red, white, and green fireworks explode over the reflective Lake Mirror as a crowd watches under a streetlight
Events
Red, White & Kaboom returns: What you need to know
Fireworks, food trucks, live music, and more — here’s everything you need to know about this annual fireworks display on Lake Mirror.
June 30, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Florida Polytechnic University Phoenix Racing's solar-powered car drives down a palm-lined road under a blue sky with clouds.
City
Phoenix Racing gears up for the Formula Sun Grand Prix
Florida Polytechnic University’s team built a solar-powered car from scratch — now, they’re competing for a national championship for their second year.
June 30, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Group photo at Summer Leadership Program graduation with participants holding certificates and a sign reading "1,000."
Business
LEDC celebrates 1,000 Summer Leadership Program graduates
Since 2008, young professionals have gotten to know the city through the Lakeland Economic Development Council’s program.
June 26, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two-story brick and siding house with green shutters, a front porch, and manicured landscaping under large shade trees.
Real Estate
3 Lakeland homes that have us thinking green
We’re ready to go green with these colorful homes on the market in Lakeland.
June 19, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
FTW_first_job
Business
Do you remember your first job in Fort Worth?
Share your memories from your first job for a chance at being featured.
June 19, 2025
 · 
Elizabeth Hastings
Sunrise over palm trees and swimming lanes lined with blue and yellow pennant flags Gandy Pool in Lakeland, FL
Travel and Outdoors
Beat the heat with these places to swim around Lakeland
Go for a swim in these public pools, water parks, and rental pools around Lakeland.
June 17, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the AGB Museum of Art's new expansion wing, which features high glass walls and a stone facade
Culture
Meet the AGB Museum of Art’s interim executive director
Those in the Lakeland arts scene will recognize Dr. Daryl Ward, a local arts leader who’s set to become interim executive director at the AGB Museum of Art this summer.
June 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
1970s photo of Food World in Lakeland, FL, with a parking lot full of classic cars and an Eckerd Drugs store in view.
Business
Do you remember your first job in Lakeland?
Share your memories of your first job for a chance to be featured.
June 9, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A concrete pier juts out into the ocean at sunset
Travel and Outdoors
Beachy road trip destinations within three hours of Lakeland
We’re exploring a few of our reader recommendations for beachy road trips around Lakeland, Florida.
June 9, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A hand holds a cruffin topped with cream and chocolate chips in front of a lake
Food
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these local desserts
When cravings hit, level up your dessert game at one of these local sweet shops and makers in Lakeland.
June 5, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
LAL_west_pipkin_road_widening_APR2025
City
Decide what’s next for Polk transportation
Join the Polk Transportation Planning Organization’s Envision 2050 meeting to help plan the future of local transportation.
June 3, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Palm trees blowing in hard wind in the foreground, with a dark cloudy sky and the Summit Building in downtown Lakeland in the background.
City
Preparing for hurricane season in Lakeland
Hurricane season officially begins on Sunday, June 1 and will run through Sunday, Nov. 30. We’ve rounded up everything you can do to be hurricane-ready in Lakeland.
May 30, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A swan glides near lily pads on a lake in Lakeland, Florida, with city buildings and trees visible in the background.
Culture
How well do you remember this month’s top Lakeland news?
Take our interactive quiz to test your local news knowledge, and keep reading LALtoday to up your score.
May 28, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The sun setting over a baseball field.
Sports
“Strike Out Hunger” at a Lakeland Flying Tigers game
The Mosaic Company has partnered with the Flying Tigers to help end hunger this season. Here’s how you can watch the initiative in action.
May 28, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large dog on a leash sits on a bench near Lake Mirror in Lakeland, FL
Experience
Pamper your pet at these Lakeland spots
We’re paws-itive you’ll find a new park, pet supply store, or groomer to take care of your four-legged friends.
May 23, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Curved black benches surround a memorial with a rose inlaid on stone, honoring law enforcement at Veteran's Memorial Park.
City
Explore Veterans Memorial Park in Lakeland
Find a quiet place for reflection at Veterans Memorial Park, a serene green space near downtown Lakeland on the shores of Lake Beulah.
May 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A black and white map of Raleigh in 1872.
History

Test your Oak City smarts with our history quiz
Take our quiz to see how much you remember about Raleigh’s geography, and learn about three of our favorite transformations from over the years.
May 22, 2025
 · 
Allie Remhof
A vintage postcard with an illustration of Downtown Lakeland and Lake Mirror from an aerial view
City
Test your Swan City history smarts with this quiz
Take the interactive quiz to see how much you remember about Lakeland’s geography, and learn about three of our favorite transformations from over the years.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Signage marking the Lake-to-Lake Bikeway and bike lane
Travel and Outdoors
Ride the Lake-to-Lake Bikeway across Lakeland
See Lakeland from a new perspective — on two wheels.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A bowl filled with ramen noodles, a boiled egg, roe, nori, and bok choy, with a cup of tea and a cup of roe on the side.
Food
Taste test Orlando’s 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists
Local restaurants, chefs, and restaurateurs are up for this year’s coveted James Beard Awards. Try as many as you can before winners are announced on June 16.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A timelapse photo of the exterior of the Polk Theater at night. The marquee sign is lit with blinking lights, and car lights streak by the front door.
Food
Enjoy dinner and a show around Lakeland this week
Let us plan your nightly entertainment with movies, live music, and stage shows, plus the perfect places to grab a bite.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holds a bagel sandwich in front of Uncle Nick's Deli in Lakeland. The cheese bagel is wrapped in aluminum foil. The deli is in a small shopping center and has a few tables and chairs by the front entrance.
Food
Where to find fresh bagels around Lakeland
Plain, with cream cheese, or topped with an egg, bagels are sure to be a hole in one. Order one from these local bakeries, delis, and cafes.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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
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