• JOBLESS: Driven by pandemic-fueled declines in tourism, Polk’s unemployment rate reached 19.1% in May, up from 13.4% the month before. Polk was fourth highest in Florida, behind Central Florida counties even more dependent on tourism.
  • TOWNSEND: Allegations by a Polk Public Schools lobbyist that School Board member Billy Townsend abused his position were rejected by the Florida Commission on Ethics. So was a complaint that state Rep. Melony Bell unjustly sought Townsend’s removal from office.
  • UNITED WAY of Central Florida announced it has raised more than $10.4 million in 2019-20 and bestowed awards on organizations and individuals including the George Jenkins Foundation, the GiveWell Community Foundation, Angel Davis, Kim Elmhorst and Doug McPherson.

Source: The Ledger

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Barry Friedman founded Lkldnow.com in 2015 as the culmination of a career in print and digital journalism. Since 1982, he has used the tools of reporting, editing and content curation to help people in Lakeland understand their community better.

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