Today in Lakeland.

Thursday, September 24, 202676°FLakeland, FL

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

The world's only planetarium designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is open to the public again in Lakeland, with new sound and video systems and tickets starting at $15.

Sep 24, 2026Read the story ↗

THE NEWS DESK More stories that matter

Business & Development

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

Sep 22, 2026

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Community & Events

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Sep25

Strum Bugs Ukulele Camp

Fri, Sep 25 · 3:30 PM

Main Library Meeting Room

Sep25

Movie on the Lawn: The Princess Bride

Fri, Sep 25 · 7:30 PM

Allen & Company Family Lawn, Bonnet Springs Park

Latest News

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

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

Education

$264,315 Behind Seven Candidates: Every Lakeland Voter Decides Three School Board Seats Tuesday

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, and all Polk County voters — regardless of party or district — can vote in three nonpartisan School Board races. Campaign finance records show where the money came from, and how much of it came from outside the county.

Aug 154 min read

Government & Politics

Three Days Left: Lakeland's Two Early Voting Sites Close Saturday at 6 p.m.

Polk County's early voting period for the Aug. 18 primary ends Saturday, and every registered Lakeland voter, party or not, has a ballot with three school board races on it.

Aug 134 min read

Government & Politics

Free Candidate Forum Wednesday: Politics in the Park Moves Indoors to Sun 'n Fun's Skylight Hangar

The Lakeland Chamber's election-year tradition returns Aug. 12 with candidates from 14 races, a Supervisor of Elections straw poll and no admission charge, six days before Polk County's Aug. 18 primary.

Aug 113 min read

Healthcare

Polk Triples the Income Cap: A Lakeland Family of Four Earning $99,000 Can Now Get Free Care

County commissioners raised the Polk HealthCare Plan income limit to 300% of the federal poverty level and cut the paperwork down to one proof of income. Enrollment workers will be at the Lakeland Government Center this month.

Aug 94 min read

Public Safety

Lakeland's School-Zone Cameras Start Writing $100 Tickets Tuesday. Here Are All Eight Zones.

The warning phase ends Aug. 11, the same morning Polk County students return to class. Fourteen cameras at eight Lakeland school entrances will begin mailing $100 civil citations to registered owners.

Aug 73 min read

Government & Politics

Lakeland Freezes Data Centers on a 4-3 Vote, and the Pause Covers Project Swan

Commissioners adopted a 12-month moratorium on data centers and any customer drawing 50 megawatts or more, effective immediately. A city spokesperson confirmed it halts Ryan Companies' proposed 600,000-square-foot Project Swan in west Lakeland.

Aug 54 min read

Today in Lakeland.

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'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

More Top Stories

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

Community & Events

Strum Bugs Ukulele Camp

Movie on the Lawn: The Princess Bride

Latest News

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

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

$264,315 Behind Seven Candidates: Every Lakeland Voter Decides Three School Board Seats Tuesday

Three Days Left: Lakeland's Two Early Voting Sites Close Saturday at 6 p.m.

Free Candidate Forum Wednesday: Politics in the Park Moves Indoors to Sun 'n Fun's Skylight Hangar

Polk Triples the Income Cap: A Lakeland Family of Four Earning $99,000 Can Now Get Free Care

Lakeland's School-Zone Cameras Start Writing $100 Tickets Tuesday. Here Are All Eight Zones.

Lakeland Freezes Data Centers on a 4-3 Vote, and the Pause Covers Project Swan

Today in Lakeland.

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'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

More Top Stories

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

Community & Events

Strum Bugs Ukulele Camp

Movie on the Lawn: The Princess Bride

Latest News

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

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

$264,315 Behind Seven Candidates: Every Lakeland Voter Decides Three School Board Seats Tuesday

Three Days Left: Lakeland's Two Early Voting Sites Close Saturday at 6 p.m.

Free Candidate Forum Wednesday: Politics in the Park Moves Indoors to Sun 'n Fun's Skylight Hangar

Polk Triples the Income Cap: A Lakeland Family of Four Earning $99,000 Can Now Get Free Care

Lakeland's School-Zone Cameras Start Writing $100 Tickets Tuesday. Here Are All Eight Zones.

Lakeland Freezes Data Centers on a 4-3 Vote, and the Pause Covers Project Swan

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

Tick Tock Ultra

Business & Development

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

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

Upcoming Events

Strum Bugs Ukulele Camp

Movie on the Lawn: The Princess Bride

Tick Tock Ultra

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