LALtoday

20/08/2024

Trying that creative new latte you saw online or sticking to your classic drip coffee? Either way, there's a Lakeland coffee shop with your name on it. ☕️

If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.

20/08/2024

Lakeland scores a 35/100 for walkability, meaning it's a pretty car-dependent city. If you're trying to get your 10,000 steps in (or save on gas), read on for walkability details + guides to CitrusConnection's options.

Whether you're looking to shop, dine, or just enjoy Swan City without a car, we're talking about our local public transportation + walkability.

19/08/2024

ICYMI, the Detroit Tigers just dropped their 2025 spring training schedule. From Feb. 22-March 22, the MLB team will play 19 home games at Publix Field here in Lakeland. ⚾

While we wait for individual tickets to go on sale, read up on how the Tigers came to call Swan City their home away from home — an excellent decision on their part if you ask us.

Keep reading for our favorite local love story.

19/08/2024

When it comes to buying a home, we know the thought can be overwhelming.

We're diving into some of the data from the NBC home buyer index to get insight on Lakeland's housing market + what Lakelanders need to know if they want to take the leap into homeownership.

This NBC tool utilizes home prices, interest rates, and availability (among other factors) to determine just how difficult it is to buy a home in Polk County.

18/08/2024

Lakeland's college students are moving back in and getting into the swing of a new school year. Learn more about these learners that are likely to stay in Swan City to start their careers.

With five local colleges calling Lakeland home, it's no surprise this city is a smart place to live.

18/08/2024

Fun fact: When it was newly opened, the Polk Theatre’s air conditioning system took such a toll on Lakeland’s power supply that lights across the city dimmed when it was turned on. Stay cool today with a showing of "War & Peace" at 4 p.m.

We're traveling back to the Golden Age to learn about Lakeland's oldest indoor movie theater, and how it continues to be a place "where historic is cutting edge."

17/08/2024

Bok Tower Gardens will soon undergo a multimillion-dollar restoration + preservation project — but first, it needs your help. Submit your thoughts on the Bok Olmsted Cultural Landscape Report to help shape the final plans.

With the help of the Save America’s Treasures grant, Bok Tower Gardens is planning to undergo a multimillion-dollar restoration project — here's how you can help.

17/08/2024

Earlier this week, we asked if you want to see more art on Lakeland's streets, and the majority of responses were all for it. If it's more street art you seek, chart your course to these murals around Lakeland using our interactive map.

Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.

16/08/2024

When we shared about the I-4 widening last week, many readers + followers said they'd rather hop on a train — but what's the status on SunRail? An update could come this month.

Are your days of sitting in I-4 traffic almost behind you?

16/08/2024

We don't have any maps showing gold buried in Munn Park (sorry), but these award-winning maps by the City of Lakeland are the real hidden treasures. 🗺️

Find your way around town and learn something new with the City of Lakeland's handy GeoHub.

15/08/2024

Should Buc-ee's build in Polk County?

Polk State College grad Jackson Lord recently completed a research project analyzing traffic patterns, available land, and proximity to determine an ideal next location for the fan-favorite gas station franchise. Based on his findings, exit 48 off I-4 near Polk City and Lake Alfred came out as the winner.

Do you agree with Lord's findings + think Buc-ee’s should come to Polk? Let us know in the comments below.

📸: YoItsCapture/Unsplash

15/08/2024

In just over two months, Avelo Airlines will begin non-stop flights to its next destination out of Lakeland International Airport: Concord, NC/Charlotte, NC.

Prepare for takeoff with this guide of things to do, places to eat, and where to stay — recommended by our friends over at CLTtoday.

Find out what to do and where to stay in one of the next destinations Avelo Airlines will fly to from Lakeland.

14/08/2024

In their latest budget workshop, city commissioners chose to explore raising the property tax rate to either 5.5644 or 5.62 mills (down from the previously planned hike to 6.0529 mills). Formal budget hearings will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5 and Thursday, Sept. 19.

Here's what you need to know as the mayor, commissioners, and city staff determine the FY 2025 budget.

14/08/2024

Does Lakeland need more street art? We're finding inspiration in the most unlikely of places: a dumpster we spotted in downtown Plant City. 🎨

Think outside the canvas and tell us if Lakeland should add more street art, similar to Plant City's Trash Can-vas Project.

13/08/2024

August is National Golf Month, making it the perfect time to improve your abilities or to try out the activity for the first time — although, we might recommend going for an early morning or sunset drive to get away from the heat. ☀️

Check out one of these Lakeland courses the next time you're looking to tee up.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 13 golf courses in Lakeland are sure to make for a good round.

13/08/2024

The Olympics may have ended last week, but there's a new athletic competition in town that's completely unique to Florida. Presenting, The Florida Man Games.

Team registration is now open for the second annual games to be held in St. Augustine this March. Learn how you can apply to represent Lakeland at the link below.

Learn how you + your team can represent Lakeland at the "wildest live athletic competition on Earth."

12/08/2024

Early voting is now open for Polk's primary election. Read up on local elections before casting your vote early through Saturday, Aug. 17 or heading to the polls on on Tuesday, Aug. 20. 🗳️

Learn all about casting your vote in the upcoming elections, including voting locations and candidates.

12/08/2024

Is that the scent of freshly sharpened pencils in the air? It must mean today is the first day of a new school year for Polk County Public Schools students. Thankfully, we have a guide to all you need to know about PCPS (think: school choice, zoning, VPK, and more). 🎓

In this guide to schools in Lakeland, we'll explain all the options, including charter schools, school choice, demographics, enrollment information, and more.

09/08/2024

It's official — the Publix at Lake Miriam Square as we once knew it has been demolished, and the clean-up before new construction is underway.

As a reminder, the other shops in the plaza, including the Publix pharmacy, are still open through the entire construction period.

Tag your favorite Lake Miriam Square business in the comments below to show them some appreciation. ⬇️

📸: LALtoday

09/08/2024

We asked our readers for the best spots around town to take in a sunrise or sunset, and as always, you all delivered. ☀️

Head to the link below to check out their recommendations, plus a few of our own as well.

Florida is home to some spectacular skies, especially where day and night meet — and our readers are sharing the spots where you can get the best view.

08/08/2024

Just call us gold medalists. 🥇

What other Lakeland “sports” do you think you could win? Maybe you’ll see them in LA in 2028 (but probably not).

// 📸: Photos via Creative Commons

08/08/2024

Slime green word salad. Viral TikTok dances. Your Gen Z + Millennial relatives calling you “so brat.”

It’s been a “brat summer” whether you knew it or not, so we’re here to explain what it means and how to get in on the fun before fall takes over. 💚

Thanks to Charli xcx's hit pop album, we’re here to decode why “brat” is all over the airwaves, internet, and right outside your front door.

08/08/2024

Did you know Lakeland + the Central Florida area have ties to several Olympians competing in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics? 🥇

Swan City is well represented on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics — these are some local Olympians to watch.

07/08/2024

The former Sumo Sushi space in Lakeland South Plaza might not look like much right now — but come this winter, it'll transform into Metro Diner.

The eatery known for allowing customers “to order anything, any time of day” will feature menu items spanning from new + exciting twists on breakfast food (think: s'mores waffles) to diner classics.

An official opening date is TBA.

📸: LALtoday

07/08/2024

It's been just shy of two years since Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art began its multimillion-dollar transformation, and the project is quickly approaching the finish line.

Get to know more about the project, including the timeline + how the museum got its new name, at the link below. 🔗

What you need to know about the monumental project that's set to be completed in the fall of 2024.

07/08/2024

Yep, we got an answer to the age-old question. 🚗

See what a local insurance expert had to say about policy savings, premium spikes + other young driver-related Qs.

We’re tackling the age-old question of whether the youngest roadsters in the family should start on their own policy.

06/08/2024

📢 “Bus driver, move that bus,” we all say in unison. The show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is returning to ABC with new hosts, and the iconic bus was spotted in north Lakeland’s Copper Ridge neighborhood yesterday.

It was announced earlier this year that the show was casting in the Lakeland area, so maybe this means a deserving local family has been chosen for a home makeover. Crews were gone by the time we drove through this morning, but we’re keeping an eye out for filming updates. 🎥

// 📸: Photo submitted by Caron Mabry Radachy

06/08/2024

The timeline for an I-4 widening project from Polk to Osceola County was bumped up to begin this year instead of 2026. Here's what you need to know about the plans + budget, plus another Polk project beginning in 2024. 🚧

Learn the details of Polk County's I-4 widening and interchange projects starting in 2024.

05/08/2024

Swan City 🤝 Incredible sunrises and sunsets.

We know Lakeland has no shortage of spots that are perfect for taking in the sky's beauty, but we want to hear from you.

Head to our poll + clue us in on the best spot for watching the sunrise or sunset around town — we'll be sharing the answers in a future newsletter.

Florida is home to some spectacular skies, especially where day and night meet — and we're calling on you to help us find the best view.

05/08/2024

17. That's how many movies, TV shows, commercials, and music videos have been filmed in and around Swan City.

How many did you know from this list?

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?