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Polk voters to decide school property-tax proposal on November 3

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Education

Polk voters to decide school property-tax proposal on November 3

The district projects $65.6 million for employee pay and student programs if voters approve the additional mill.

Oct 10, 2026Read the story ↗

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FDOT Plans to Shrink Memorial Boulevard From Six Lanes to Four After 470 Crashes in Five Years

Sep 28, 2026

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Community & Events

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Pop Warner Cheer Competition

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Pinkalicious the Musical

Sun, Oct 11

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Latest News

Government & Politics

Lakeland's $872 Million Budget Gets Final Vote Sept. 24

City commissioners will cast a final vote at 6 p.m. Sept. 24 on a FY2027 budget that holds the tax rate steady but grows 7% on utility work, aging radios and staff pay, while a Holloway Park pickleball complex got cut.

Sep 204 min read

Lifestyle & Entertainment

Starlink in Lakeland: A Practical Guide for Connected Households

A practical Lakeland guide to Starlink: how it works, setup considerations and how eligible new customers can check the one-month-free referral offer.

Sep 192 min read

Events

Free Asian Night Market Takes Over Munn Park Saturday

The Lakeland Downtown Foodie World Asian Food Festival brings food vendors, night-market shopping, karaoke and live performances to Munn Park this Saturday, with free admission and paid parking nearby.

Sep 182 min read

Government & Politics

Lakeland Commissioners Set to Hold Tax Rate Steady as $14.5M Amendment 3 Risk Looms

All seven city commissioners back keeping Lakeland's property tax rate unchanged at 5.4323 mills, with a final vote Sept. 24 even as a statewide ballot measure could strip $14.5 million from the city's budget.

Sep 144 min read

Government & Politics

Lakeland Commission Splits on Whether to Oust Housing Board Member Amid CareerSource Scandal

City commissioners debated but did not vote on removing Stacy Campbell-Domineck from the Lakeland Housing Authority board after her suspension as CareerSource Polk's director, while one commissioner pushed for a forensic audit of financial ties between the two agencies.

Sep 124 min read

Government & Politics

Lakeland Doubles Down on Water Rules: Fines Now Up to $500 for Watering on the Wrong Day

City commissioners voted unanimously to strengthen enforcement of Phase III drought restrictions, with fines starting at $50 and climbing to $500 for repeat violations, effective immediately.

Sep 103 min read

Lifestyle & Entertainment

Lakeland Community Theatre Names Interim Leader as 17-Year Director Alan Reynolds Departs

The board declined to renew Alan Reynolds' contract after 17 years, and Maureen McGowan, the theater's former education director, is stepping in as interim producing director for the 41st season.

Sep 84 min read

Education

Southeastern University Enrolls Record 14,500+ Students, Extends 15-Year Growth Streak

SEU announced its largest enrollment ever this fall, growing even as colleges nationwide close, and it's leaning on new nursing and aviation programs built with Lakeland partners.

Sep 63 min read

Public Safety

Lakeland, Polk Sheriff Race to Pull License Plate Cameras Off State Roads by Sept. 30

A Florida Department of Transportation order forces the removal of Flock license plate readers from state highways through Lakeland, including stretches of Florida Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, within 30 days.

Sep 44 min read

Business

Concord Coffee's Fourth Lakeland Shop Opens Inside the City's New Hospital

The locally roasted coffee brand has opened a café inside Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital, giving patients, staff and visiting families a familiar hometown option steps from the lobby.

Sep 23 min read

Education

Polk Schools Ban Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Citing Covert Recording Risks

Polk County Public Schools now prohibits Meta/Ray-Ban smart glasses and similar wearable recording devices during the school day, with confiscation, discipline and possible police referral for violations.

Aug 314 min read

Business

Trimak Building Systems Moves Headquarters to Lakeland, Adds 20 Jobs in a Month

The metal building giant's new $45 million plant near Lakeland Linder Airport has already hired 20 people, with dozens more jobs on the way tied to a city incentive deal.

Aug 293 min read

Education

Free Until 6:30, Dinner Included: Inside Polk's Boys & Girls Clubs as Lakeland Kids Head Back to Class

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County runs free after-school programming at 11 sites, three of them in Lakeland, for at least 7,000 students. A new on-campus location at IDEA Lakeland opened Aug. 24.

Aug 254 min read

Education

Fields and Sharpless Win Outright; District 3 School Board Seat Goes to a November Runoff

Kay Fields secured a seventh term and board chair Justin Sharpless cruised to a second, but no one cleared 50% in District 3, so Kate Wallace and Victor Sims will face each other again on Nov. 3.

Aug 214 min read

Business & Development

Lakeland Linder Wins $13M in Federal Grants: Second Gate Hold Room, New Holding Bays, Air Taxi Site

City commissioners approved two FAA grant agreements Aug. 17 worth nearly $13 million, funding a bigger passenger hold room with a kids' play area and three aircraft holding bays. Construction on the terminal starts in September.

Aug 194 min read

Latest local news in Lakeland

Polk voters to decide school property-tax proposal on November 3

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FDOT Plans to Shrink Memorial Boulevard From Six Lanes to Four After 470 Crashes in Five Years

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Lakeland's $872 Million Budget Gets Final Vote Sept. 24

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Lakeland Commissioners Set to Hold Tax Rate Steady as $14.5M Amendment 3 Risk Looms

Lakeland Commission Splits on Whether to Oust Housing Board Member Amid CareerSource Scandal

Lakeland Doubles Down on Water Rules: Fines Now Up to $500 for Watering on the Wrong Day

Lakeland Community Theatre Names Interim Leader as 17-Year Director Alan Reynolds Departs

Southeastern University Enrolls Record 14,500+ Students, Extends 15-Year Growth Streak

Lakeland, Polk Sheriff Race to Pull License Plate Cameras Off State Roads by Sept. 30

Concord Coffee's Fourth Lakeland Shop Opens Inside the City's New Hospital

Polk Schools Ban Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Citing Covert Recording Risks

Trimak Building Systems Moves Headquarters to Lakeland, Adds 20 Jobs in a Month

Free Until 6:30, Dinner Included: Inside Polk's Boys & Girls Clubs as Lakeland Kids Head Back to Class

Fields and Sharpless Win Outright; District 3 School Board Seat Goes to a November Runoff

Lakeland Linder Wins $13M in Federal Grants: Second Gate Hold Room, New Holding Bays, Air Taxi Site

Latest local news in Lakeland

Polk voters to decide school property-tax proposal on November 3

Lakeland watches Gulf disturbance with 80% development chance: the week ahead

Lakeland Set to Finalize 27-Camera Red-Light Network in Monday Vote

Lake Morton's Swans Get Rounded Up for Their Annual Checkup Oct. 6-7

FDOT Plans to Shrink Memorial Boulevard From Six Lanes to Four After 470 Crashes in Five Years

What’s happening around Lakeland, FL?

More Top Stories

Rural King Plan Filed for Vacant Sears Space at Lakeland Square Mall

Community & Events

Pop Warner Cheer Competition

Pinkalicious the Musical

Latest News

Lakeland's $872 Million Budget Gets Final Vote Sept. 24

Starlink in Lakeland: A Practical Guide for Connected Households

Free Asian Night Market Takes Over Munn Park Saturday

Lakeland Commissioners Set to Hold Tax Rate Steady as $14.5M Amendment 3 Risk Looms

Lakeland Commission Splits on Whether to Oust Housing Board Member Amid CareerSource Scandal

Lakeland Doubles Down on Water Rules: Fines Now Up to $500 for Watering on the Wrong Day

Lakeland Community Theatre Names Interim Leader as 17-Year Director Alan Reynolds Departs

Southeastern University Enrolls Record 14,500+ Students, Extends 15-Year Growth Streak

Lakeland, Polk Sheriff Race to Pull License Plate Cameras Off State Roads by Sept. 30

Concord Coffee's Fourth Lakeland Shop Opens Inside the City's New Hospital

Polk Schools Ban Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Citing Covert Recording Risks

Trimak Building Systems Moves Headquarters to Lakeland, Adds 20 Jobs in a Month

Free Until 6:30, Dinner Included: Inside Polk's Boys & Girls Clubs as Lakeland Kids Head Back to Class

Fields and Sharpless Win Outright; District 3 School Board Seat Goes to a November Runoff

Lakeland Linder Wins $13M in Federal Grants: Second Gate Hold Room, New Holding Bays, Air Taxi Site

Restored Frank Lloyd Wright Planetarium Reopens at Florida Southern College After 20 Years Dark

1922 Ledger Building Comes Down Downtown, Making Way for Townhomes and Prima 135 Steakhouse

Lakeland Art Guild

Business & Development

Lakeland Women's Business Network Marks Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting Wednesday

Lakeland Commissioners Set to Hold Tax Rate Steady as $14.5M Amendment 3 Risk Looms

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Pinkalicious the Musical

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