Quinn McBride has a new favorite book. The 5-year-old, whose favorite holiday is Halloween, is the main character in “Quinn’s Monsters,” a collection of short spooky stories curated and edited by Lakeland children’s author Fred Koehler. More
Polk County’s 134 polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday for the Florida primary election. Even though it’s a primary election, six races on Lakeland-area ballots are open to all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation. More
It’s election season. The primary election — where quite a few races will be decided — is Aug. 23, less than a month away, and the general election is Nov. 8. To help you prepare, LkldNow has published our Voter Guide 2022. More
Several Lakeland residents were at the Orange County Convention Center Thursday as Vice President Kamala Harris gave a candid 30-minute speech to more than 13,000 members of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. More
Residents of northwest Lakeland interested in serving as an interim Lakeland city commissioner for one year are asked to fill out an online form and then submit an application packet by noon on Aug. 26. The position fills the remainder of the term of Commissioner Phillip Walker, who is resigning effective November as part of running for Florida House of Representatives. More
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried came to Lakeland Thursday to attend a pro-choice rally and show support for a 13-year-old who was detained by police after using a megaphone at a similar rally on Monday. “How can I not be here to show her support?” Fried, a Democratic candidate for governor, told Fox 13 News at a rally in front of Southgate Plaza. Crowd estimates from media organizations ranged from “more than 50” to “perhaps 300.” MORE COVERAGE: The Ledger (subscribers-only story) | Bay News 9 More
A social media firestorm erupted on Independence Day after a mom posted a video of her 13-year-old daughter being arrested by Lakeland police for using a megaphone at a pro-choice rally in Munn Park. The video gained traction well beyond Lakeland when it was tweeted by Nikki Fried, a Democratic candidate for governor of Florida. More
As black clouds threatened rain, about 20 pro-choice protesters lined Florida Avenue in front of Southgate Shopping Plaza Friday evening, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal protections for a woman’s right to have an abortion, allowing each state to rule on the matter. More
On Monday, banks will be closed and so will post offices in observance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday that marks the end of slavery in Texas in 1865. The city of Lakeland will be open for business this year, including a city commission meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.
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After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Polk Pride Week is back for its sixth year with a theme of “Prouder than Ever” and events spanning June 11 to June 18. More
