Miss Florida competition is no longer a beauty pageant

There has been an evolution away from the superficial; the emphasis is now on the cerebral. Many of the women have college or advanced degrees.

Lakeland bungalow moved as part of man's mission to preserve history

You may have moved into a new house, but a Lakeland man is known for actually moving houses -- old ones that are historically torn down -- to save them from demolition.

29 baby swans released on Lake Morton

The population of Lakeland is growing. A new bevy of baby swans has just arrived at their new home on Lake Morton.

Gator Pale Ale becomes first beer brewed using hops grown only in Florida

Craft beers have flooded the market, with so many choices there's hardly time to try them all, but a new brew made with 100% Wimauma-grown hops might be worth a second look.

'Angel' maid interrupted Lakeland youth pastor and teenage girl in hotel room, sheriff says

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the pastor had been "informally counseling" the 17-year-old girl when he asked to see nude photographs of her. "Let me share a little counseling with Andrew here: Jesus don't like that," Judd said.

Lakeland man says mobile home park threatened eviction for pride flag

For many, the pride flag symbolizes equality, but one Lakeland man says his mobile home park won’t allow it. He says management is now warning him that if he doesn't take his flag down, he could be evicted. 

After finding notes to girls of 'any age,' Polk pastor poses as teen to stop registered sex offender

Polk deputies say a 54-year-old man went looking for underage girls to have sex with, even leaving handwritten notes with his phone number at a Lakeland church. What he didn't expect was for the pastor to get ahold of them first.

3 armed teens facing charges after being caught with stolen vehicle, police say

Three teenagers are facing multiple charges after Lakeland police say they had loaded concealed firearms on them as they put air in the tires of a stolen vehicle Wednesday night.

DeSantis pushes plan for Floridians to receive cheaper prescription drugs from Canada

DeSantis says Floridians are one step away from paying for cheaper prescription drugs imported from Canada. The state just needs a final approval from the federal government.

Mother 'thanking God' that daughter is recovering after being shot by 3-year-old brother

After two surgeries, six days, and thousands of prayers, the 2-year-old Lakeland girl who was accidentally shot by her 3-year-old brother is awake, active, and should make a full recovery.

Doctors expect Polk girl, shot by 3-year-old brother, to make full recovery

Kalli Berrien, 2, was shot late Friday after investigators say her brother found a loaded gun. The owner, a family friend, has since been arrested for failure to safely store it.

Residents escape injury as fire destroys Lakeland apartments

It was around 7:30 a.m. when crews responded to the blaze along North Florida Avenue. They say everyone inside the single-story multi-unit building was able to evacuate on their own.

Polk teacher of the year overcame adversity to inspire students

Maude Graham has many titles. She is a teacher, a mentor, a student -- and she can now add "winner" to the list. Mrs. Graham is 2021's Polk County Teacher of the Year.

Lakeland police investigating fatal motorcycle crash

Darry Darnell, 53, died Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle crash, according to the Lakeland Police Department.