Gov. DeSantis proposes legislation to recruit out-of-state officers, retain talent in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis announced his push for next year's legislative session to create a three-part incentive to help recruit law enforcement officers from across the country and keep young talent in the state.
Lakeland unplugs 40-year-old coal-burning power plant
Lakeland is closing one chapter and opening another. The city is getting rid of Unit 3 at the MacIntosh Power Plant.
Therapy dog helps students at Southeastern University cope with stress
The college fall semester is underway and one out-of-state addition to the faculty staff at Southeastern University has all of the students vying for a spot in her class.
Central Florida hospitals add portable morgues to handle COVID-19 deaths
Lakeland Regional Health, like many other Tampa Bay area hospitals, is bringing in mobile coolers because their morgues are near or at capacity due to COVID-19.
Lakeland children’s museum changing its name, moving to new location
Explorations V Children's Museum in Lakeland, a fixture of the city's downtown, is becoming the Florida Children's Museum at Bonnett Springs Park.
Pandemic puts new pressure on funeral homes
Many funeral homes are having a difficult time finding critical things such as cremation equipment and cold storage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pedestrian dies in Lakeland crash, police say
A 75-year-old woman passed away following a traffic crash in Lakeland, according to police.
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center to postpone all elective surgeries
Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center will postpone all of its non-urgent, elective surgeries, including same-day operations, beginning Monday, August 23 due to a high number of COVID-19 cases in the community and an increase in patient volume.
Lakeland nursing home makes the move to mandate vaccines
Florida is second only to Louisiana for the fewest number of nursing home workers who have been given the shot. A Lakeland nursing home is giving its staffers an ultimatum, either get vaccinated against COVID-19, or find a new job.
COVID-19 cases double weekly in Polk County; majority are unvaccinated, health officials say
There are currently 275 patients being treated for COVID-19 at Lakeland Regional Health, which is about 100 more than the last peak. Just two weeks ago, there were only 41 patients being treated there for the virus.
Florida’s first COVID-19 long-hauler clinic packed with patients, has 6-month waitlist
Watson Clinic’s COVID-19 long-haul clinic opened last fall with a handful of patients and now has more than 250 patients and a six-month waiting list.
Child playing with lighter causes apartment fire in Lakeland
Firefighters in Lakeland responded to a report of fire at an apartment building on East 1st Street Tuesday afternoon.
Lakeland man arrested for have sexual contact with child, deputies say
Polk County deputies arrested a 32-year-old Lakeland man after inappropriately touching a child under the age of ten, they said.
Veteran Lakeland officer beats brain cancer three times
Sergeant Chad Mumbauer has served his community as a member of the Lakeland Police Department for 20 years. The first responder has beat cancer three times.
Lakeland bakery makes 'Forbes Next 1,000' list
Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, there’s something on the menu at Born & Bread Bakehouse that’s sure to hit the spot.
Understaffed hospitals in need of nurses amid COVID-19 surge
A dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases, primarily due to the highly infectious Delta variant, is weighing heavily on nurses, which are already in short supply.
'My stomach ain't made for this': Lakeland based company on new extreme cleaning reality show
For anyone who sees something gross but can’t look away, a new show on A&E called "Dirty Rotten Cleaners," might be must-watch TV.
Van offers free rides from Lakeland VA clinic to Tampa VA hospital
A new van that goes from the Lakeland VA Clinic and the Main Tampa VA Hospital is open to all veterans.
Lawsuit seeks to reimburse college students for fees paid while campuses were closed during pandemic
Morgan and Morgan has filed suits against several state colleges and universities alleging that students paid all kinds of fees and didn’t get what they paid for because campuses were shut down during the pandemic last year.
Polk deputies join call for tips about Florida man accused of assaulting Capitol police
The FBI and Polk deputies are asking for help finding a man accused of assaulting police officers during the Capitol riot.