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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Two shoppers purchasing goods from a market vendor's tent. The table is covered with stationery and tote bags.
Business
5 top markets to shop in Lakeland
Find handmade goods, tasty food and drink, or a unique piece of art at these community markets.
June 10, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL-Polk-museum-of-art-classes-SEPT2022.jpeg
Culture
Be a lifelong learner with these classes for adults
Relive the camp days of your youth by learning something new at one of these local classes or workshops just for grownups.
June 10, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A pianist playing a grand piano onstage at a church at the Swan City Piano Festival
Events
Your guide to the Swan City Piano Festival
We’ve got the keys to everything you need to know about this annual piano festival with free events.
June 6, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Tall plants in pots sit inside a greenhouse at Sow Exotic nursery.
Business
Discover your green thumb at Sow Exotic
Learn how the team behind Sow Exotic grew it from a budding operation to a thriving plant nursery near Lakeland, and see how you can stock your own garden with its edible plants.
June 4, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A gated pool and palm tree within the Welcome Canary apartment complex courtyard.
Real Estate
Four new Lakeland apartments that will have you calling the movers
No matter what area of Lakeland you’re interested in moving to, there’s an apartment complex for you. Check out the amenities available at these new + coming soon properties.
May 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A hand holding an iPhone showing a Spotify playlist called "Lake Morton swan stroll Sunday evening"
Culture
Listen to these Lakeland-inspired playlists
See what playlists Lakelanders are listening to when they’re driving, strolling, and shopping around town.
May 23, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
City Editor Connor gets a head spa hair treatment at Skin Thermea spa
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A rendering showing the interior of Florida Southern College's future School of Architecture, featuring community seating and workspaces.
City
Florida Southern College opening School of Architecture in fall 2025
Students will get hands-on experience while earning bachelor’s degrees at the new School of Architecture.
May 17, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
map of lakeland's historic districts
New to Lakeland
Lakeland’s charm: Historic districts in the Swan City
Canopy roads, bungalows, brick streets, and royal swans — you’ll find all this and more throughout Lakeland’s seven historic districts.
May 13, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Table featuring afternoon tea at Lavender 'n Lace Tearoom
Food
Where to find tea around Lakeland
When you’re in the mood for a cup of tea, visit one of these spots in and around Swan City to get your fix.
May 6, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An exterior view of small businesses on North Kentucky Avenue, including Scout & Tag, with seating and plants outside.
Business
Lakeland’s favorite small businesses, as chosen by Lakelanders
You told us which Swan City small businesses you love and we’ve put them all in one place — from restaurants to retail to home services and beyond.
May 1, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2019-07-22 at 2.33.19 PM
Culture
Give these Lakeland live music venues a listen
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
April 30, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
Asheville city skyline in the sunset
Small Business
Shout out your favorite Asheville small businesses
Tell us which local small businesses you love, from restaurants to retail to home services and beyond.
April 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A storefront with signage that reads "Pop's Resale Since 1996. We buy vinyl records, vintage clothing, and vintage audio gear."
Small Business
Shout out your favorite Lexington small businesses
Tell us which LEX small businesses you love, from restaurants to retail to home services and beyond.
April 26, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of a tan, one-story building with dark trim and large front windows. A small sign for a church is fixed on one of the walls.
Food
Serving up a slice of history with Strollo’s, Lakeland’s first pizzeria
Learn the back story of Strollo’s, a restaurant that first introduced Italian cuisine to Lakeland in the 1940s.
April 23, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Gates closed outside Unfiltered Lakeland coffeeshop
Business
LoveBird’s owner is planning another Lakeland restaurant
Restaurateur Jeremy Brumley says he’s in early stages of planning a new concept at the former site of Unfiltered Lakeland.
April 19, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Two girls smile for the camera in front of a Lakeland mural.
Culture
Meet the editors behind LALtoday
Say hello to Connor Jacobson + Amelia Herring, the faces behind your favorite 5-min morning newsletter.
April 18, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An outdoor view of the Grasslands Golf Course in Lakeland from the balcony of the clubhouse
Food
What would you choose for your Masters Champions Dinner?
Fill your menu with local food and drink.
April 9, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The New Haven, CT downtown skyline viewed from afar. Behind highrise buildings are wooded hills.
Travel and Outdoors
A Lakelander’s travel guide to New Haven, CT
Find out what to do and where to stay in the first destination city Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.
April 9, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A student employee of Morning Grind hands a coffee cup to a customer across the coffee cart.
Business
Grab a cup from Morning Grind, Florida Southern College’s student-run coffee cart
See how students are learning about entrepreneurship with this experiential learning lab.
April 5, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Three small funnel cakes topped with chocolate, caramel, and powdered sugar sit on a paper plate on top of a wood picnic table.
Food
It’s all in the family at Funnel Feasts
Dominik Rahmani is following in his parents’ footsteps to bring delicious food truck bites to Lakeland. Learn more about what inspired him to open Funnel Feasts.
April 5, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A sign on a streetlight post reads "The Squeeze, board here" with a scannable QR code to see the schedule. A tree-covered downtown Lakeland street is in the background.
City
Hitch a ride on The Squeeze, Citrus Connection’s free downtown service
Hop on a golf cart for a ride that’s “Fast, Frequent, and Fun.”
March 26, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
History
The history of Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL
Get to know the lore behind Bok Tower, one of Central Florida’s most iconic structures.
March 21, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Lexington, Kentucky's skyline with a sunset of blues, reds, and oranges
What affordable housing means in Lexington
Get answers to these frequently asked questions about affordable housing options and qualifications in Lexington.
March 19, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A man wears a black t-shirt that reads "Lakeland vs. Everybody, Welcome Back Tigers" in white lettering. He also wears a Detroit Tigers baseball cap and stands in front of a Tigers baseball banner on a wall.
Sports
Lakeland vs. Everybody: How a Detroit slogan came to Swan City
Have you seen this phrase on t-shirts lately? Learn how it started in Detroit, MI and how you can get your own tee to rep your city.
March 14, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A crowd dressed in green celebrates at a St. Patrick's Day street party. The street is lined with lit palm trees and festive banners are hung between them over the partiers.
Food
Try your luck at these St. Patrick’s Day events
It’s the perfect day for live music, traditional foods, and green beer.
March 12, 2024
 · 
Intern
The Lakeland City Commission Chamber as seen from the audience seats. It features a large semicircular desk with name placards for commission members, and a podium with a microphone for speakers. Behind the desk are a US flag, State of Florida flag, and the City of Lakeland logo on the wall.
City
Who’s my Lakeland City Commissioner?
If you live in Lakeland, find out who your city commissioners are and how you can engage with local civics.
March 12, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An Avelo Aircraft sits on the tarmac with the word "Avelo" painted on its side
City
Planes, trains, and automobiles: The state of transportation in Lakeland
Catch up on the progress of Lakeland’s transportation projects, from airport updates to possible future railways and road improvements.
March 6, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A new lit sign for Southwest Middle School sits in front of its newly built, two-story administrative building. A US flag pole sits a few feet away from the sign.
Development
Southwest Middle School is getting a new campus
Construction on a modern new campus completed in March 2024 for the Lakeland school founded in 1956.
March 5, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of the Publix Super Market location at Lake Miriam Square, including the facade, sign, and a green awning over the entrance.
Business
Lake Miriam Publix will be razed this summer ahead of a remodel
Here’s what to expect — from the demolition and rebuild to where to shop in the meantime.
February 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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