Lakeland recruits NYPD officers as 'anti-police sentiment' grows in big cities
“He said, ‘You can park your police vehicle in front of your house,’ and to me, that was mind-blowing. I used to lie about what I did. I used to tell people I was a bartender. I was ashamed to be a law enforcement officer,” said a former NYPD officer who moved to Lakeland.
New video shows Lakeland man attacking Capitol officers on January 6, FBI says
The FBI is renewing its push to capture a Lakeland man they say played a part in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Investigators say Jonathan Pollock can be seen in new video assaulting multiple police officers.
Lakeland's iconic swans rounded up for annual checkup
A wild tradition continued Tuesday in downtown Lakeland: the annual swan roundup at Lake Morton.
Sexual misconduct allegation leads Southeastern University athletic trainer to relinquish license
The head athletic trainer for Southeastern University in Lakeland has voluntarily relinquished his license following a sexual misconduct complaint filed nearly a year ago by a 23-year-old volleyball player.
Polk County law enforcement honor officers who served to the end
Each year, Polk County honors law enforcement officers who passed during the last year. After last year's ceremony was canceled and this year's was delayed due to the pandemic, two more names were added to the memorial.
Lakeland firefighters relieved to work less overtime as COVID-19 surge slows
Lakeland firefighters, like many of their brethren, are working fewer hours these days. It's a welcome reprieve from the long shifts and overtime they endured during the recent surge in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant of the virus.
Three brothers arrested for burglarizing cars, stealing firearms in Polk County
After a rash of car burglaries in Lakeland, Polk County detectives say they found their suspects: three brothers, ages 14, 15 and 18.
Florida Polytechnic University kicks off school's first women’s sports team with soccer
Florida’s only STEM-based state university is now offering more than academics to women who attend.
47-year-old Lakeland man posed as teenager to obtain nude photos of 14-year-old girl, sheriff says
Polk deputies arrested a 47-year-old Lakeland man who they said went on Snapchat and began messaging a 14-year-old girl, telling her he was 17 in order to get her to send him nude photos.
Four more Kathleen High students arrested following Monday's rowdy protest against principal
Four more Kathleen High students were arrested following the rowdy protest that took place on-campus earlier this week.
15 Kathleen High School students arrested after rowdy protest
It was a rough start to the week at Kathleen High School in Lakeland. Hundreds of students protested outside the school, and as tensions escalated, law enforcement was called in to keep the calm.
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.