Lakeland 12-year-old shot, killed after finding gun at friend’s house during sleepover
A 12-year-old boy lost his life Friday night after police say he accidentally shot himself with a gun he found at a friend’s house.
8-year-old Lakeland girl battling cancer surprised with Christmas parade
Christmas came early for a young Lakeland girl battling a rare form of cancer.
Polk deputies searching for driver in deadly hit-and-run crash
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the driver who hit and killed a Lakeland man Saturday morning and fled.
Accused Capitol rioter from Polk County wants ‘inflammatory’ labels kept out of trial
A man accused of rioting at the Capitol on January 6 is heading to trial in a few months and wants to ban several words from the courtroom.
Protesters wearing Nazi gear show up outside Lakeland charity event that included drag performers
At least a dozen demonstrators wearing Nazi gear and carrying flags showed up outside a charity event that included drag performers in Lakeland.
Lakeland brothers killed in motorcycle crash, police say
The Lakeland Police Department is investigating after two brothers were killed in a vehicle crash on Thursday night.
Couple gets married on float during Lakeland's Christmas parade
A Lakeland couple got married in front of an estimated crowd of 50,000 people who turned out for the annual Christmas parade. It's been one of Lakeland's most beloved events for 41 years during the holidays.
Lakeland Christian athletic trainer uses platform on TikTok to educate, inspire
Now, with nearly 90,000 followers, millions of views and likes, the athletic trainer from Lakeland Christian School is a full-fledged TikTok influencer, complete with a collaboration deal with Gatorade.
Lakeland church volunteers help local families by paying for loads of laundry
Volunteers from a Lakeland church have been helping local families fight rising costs for laundry. Every month, "Laundry Love" comes armed with loads of quarters to a local laundromat to pay for everyone's bill.
Woman caught on video stealing puppy from Lakeland store, investigators say
A woman was seen on surveillance video grabbing a Dachshund puppy from its kennel and stuffing it in her purse at an "All About Puppies" store in Lakeland. Investigators at the Lakeland Police Department are now searching for the suspect.
Lakeland to unveil Buffalo Soldier monument over Veterans Day weekend
Lakeland is celebrating Veterans Day weekend by unveiling a monument to the famed Buffalo Soldiers.
Florida Children's Museum opens to families at Lakeland's new Bonnet Springs Park
The Florida Children’s Museum just opened with the blast of air cannons and a shower of confetti and streamers. Families took their first look at the museum Friday morning.
Polk deputies arrest 2 murder suspects wanted in Virgin Islands
"They are both from the Virgin Islands and came here in late June apparently thinking Polk County would be a good place to flee to," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "They were obviously wrong.”
More than 20 Lakeland swans sold after big population growth on Lake Morton
The first swan sale since 2020 took place in Lakeland on Friday. This comes after the swan population on Lake Morton eclipsed 50, a key number for the City of Lakeland.
15-year-old arrested for threatening to shoot student with gun he brought to Lakeland school, deputies say
A 15-year-old boy was arrested after threatening another student with a gun he brought to Tenoroc High School in Lakeland, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
Lakeland clinic focuses on recovery for long COVID patients
Debilitating headaches, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems are just some things people with long COVID deal with daily, but a clinic in Lakeland hopes to help.
'Every day is a gift': Woman nearly fully recovered from COVID-19 says faith, music helped her beat the odds
It's now been two years since Cristie White was told by her doctors to call her family and say her goodbyes. Today, she's 90% recovered from COVID-19 and opening up about how her recovery journey inspired her to write a song and publish a Bible study book now available on Amazon.
Time for a checkup: Lakeland rounds up Lake Morton swans for annual veterinary visit
For the 42nd year, the annual swan roundup started Tuesday morning on Lake Morton with local veterinarians hitting the water to check on all those beloved birds.
Police: 17-year-old boy shot and killed at Lakeland apartment complex over the weekend
Detectives are investigating a homicide after a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed at an apartment complex in Lakeland over the weekend, police said.
Bonnet Springs Park expected to open soon after Hurricane Ian delay
It's the 11th hour for Lakeland's newest attraction, Bonnet Springs Park. After more than two years under construction, the park is going to hold its grand opening next weekend.