Turns out, there’s more to being an engaged citizen than sitting in Munn Park enjoying an iced coffee from Black & Brew. These organizations and resources keep Swan City residents in the know so we can all do our part.

Organizations to follow

City of Lakeland | Daily updates on community events, traffic updates, and city commission meetings, which you can attend in person or watch online

Polk County | Updates from all county departments, from parks to solid waste and beyond

Lakeland Community & Economic Development Department | Business opportunities, neighborhood events, and initiatives by the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency

Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) | Previews of all downtown events, from Tasty Tuesdays and First Fridays to the Downtown Farmers Curb Market

Lakeland Public Library | Upcoming events and throwback photos from the city's historic archives

Lakeland Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts | The latest on local sports, parks, pools, and gardens

Civic newsletters

Access Lakeland | City of Lakeland municipal news, service updates, and upcoming events

The Back Porch | Polk County news, from commission decisions to parks + recreation events

Text blasts

Alert Polk | Public safety notices about severe weather, boil water orders, evacuations, and more

Polk County text alerts | Road closures, water main breaks, and county service disruptions

Lakeland Downtown Development Authority | Event updates + farmers market vendor maps

Local media

We know how much our readers love LALtoday, and we also believe there’s enough love to go around. Swan City residents have many options for staying on top of local news, events, and more.

LALtoday | News, lifestyle | Free

You probably already know this one. Here at LALtoday, our goal is to educate and activate our readers. We give you the need-to-know Lakeland information directly to your inbox each morning for you to read in five minutes or less.

LkldNow | News | Free

Founded in 2015, LkldNow is a nonprofit local news provider that delivers community-driven stories to its online readers via its website, social media platforms, and weekly newsletter. According to founder Barry Friedman, LkldNow’s mission is to increase citizen engagement and help readers understand their communities.

The Lakelander | Culture, lifestyle | Free with subscription options

Dubbed “Lakeland’s City Magazine,” The Lakelander is known for its artistic format, impressive photoshoots, and stands scattered throughout Swan City. If you’re anything like us, you’ve been collecting their free magazines for years.

Lakeland Mom | Kids + family, lifestyle | Free

Polk County parents would be wise to make Lakeland Mom a regular part of their reading, in our opinion. Owner + editor April Mucci launched the website in 2015 and has been sharing family-oriented events, camps, seasonal activities, educational opportunities, and more ever since.

The Ledger | News | Free with subscription options

Did you know that The Ledger has been around for nearly 100 years? Founded in 1924 as the Lakeland Evening Ledger, the local paper has covered everything from breaking news to sports throughout its many iterations.

LKLD Magazine | Lifestyle | Free

Lakeland and Winter Haven residents can find new favorite spots with the stories in LKLD Magazine + Haven Magazine. With 13,500 copies distributed monthly, this local publication does significant work highlighting local businesses and individuals that make Polk County a great place to live.

Did we miss your favorite local outlet? Tell us who you love to read.