First Avelo Lakeland flight | FSC's new president

Learn who’s running for office this year

Barry Friedman

Founder and Editor-at-large

Over the next few months, you’ll be reading more about the smiling faces on the collage above. They represent a snapshot of the local candidates you will be seeing on election ballots this year when we vote on Aug. 20 and Nov. 5. (Yes, there will be a lot more to decide other than Biden-vs.-Trump.)

On Friday afternoon, LkldNow will introduce you to them after the noon deadline for candidates to qualify for office has passed. We will also update the collage for that article. (We already know of one candidate who filed after this version of the collage was assembled, and it’s not unusual to have last-minute surprises around deadline time — both new candidates and ones who decide not to proceed.)

Friday’s article will tell you who is running for which offices and give links to more information about them, including their campaign finance reports. (You can learn a lot about a candidate by seeing who supports them.).

In addition, watch for a Voter Guide in August. Since LkldNow’s founding in 2015, we have strived to make our Voter Guides the best place to research local candidates.

Friday’s article and the Voter Guide will include all of Polk’s countywide offices and the two seats in the U.S. House and three seats in the Florida House that represent the greater Lakeland area. A note: There are no city of Lakeland races being decided this year; city elections are held in odd-numbered years.

Avelo Takes Flight From Lakeland Linder International Airport

The city celebrated the first passenger flights into and out of Lakeland with lots of fanfare and photo ops.

DeSantis Signs Budget, But Nixes Several Polk County Projects

The second time was the charm for many projects vetoed last year. Florida Poly will get $5.7 million for a student achievement center.

Yates Road to Close for 60 Days as West Pipkin Widening Continues

The feeder roads are being upgraded sequentially. The entire three-year project is scheduled to end in November.

Lakeland’s First LGBTQ Center Opens

The Rose Dynasty Center will offer medical care, counseling, support groups and social events.

Florida Southern College Chooses New President: Jeremy P. Martin

Martin, currently a vice president at William & Mary, will take over from Anne Kerr on Aug. 1.

Charges Dropped Against 16-Year-Old in Videotaped Beating, Arrest

The FBI is now probing the incident. LPD said it will release bodycam footage once its investigation is complete.

Hail Hits Parts of Lakeland

Second day of rain brings some relief, but the area is still in a drought.

Car Found in Ethan Fussell Murder Case

The murder might have been caught on camera. The two suspects’ girlfriends have also been arrested.

CURATED LAKELAND NEWS

LPD expands its summer trades camps for kids to east Polk | Fox 13 News

With passenger flights starting at Lakeland airport, here’s what travelers need to know | LALtoday

Employees robbed at S. Florida Ave. McDonald’s recognized masked gunwoman as a former co-worker | Fox 35

Warehouse in Lakeland is largely unused though company has received $50M from Florida for a stalled Canadian drug program | Orlando Sentinel

Celebrate with Polk Pride | Thursday – Saturday | Various locations
This week’s events celebrating Polk’s LGBTQ+ residents includes an interfaith service at 7 p.m. Thursday at Beacon Hill Fellowship and is highlighted by Saturday’s family-friendly Pride in the Park at Munn Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check more events.

Hear ‘Purple Rain’ in concert | Thursday | 7:30 p.m. | Youkey Auditorium
The classic Prince album is played track-for-track, note-by-note as part of the RP Funding Center’s Classic Albums Live series. Tickets: $34-$44

Celebrate Juneteenth | Saturday | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Jackson Park
The city of Lakeland event includes live music, arts and cultural exhibits, food vendors and dance performances at the park, 1130 N. Martin Luther King Ave.

Check our full calendar