Josh Shepherd

A church demolished during a crackdown on independent Christian worship in mountainous southern Zhejiang has been replaced by a paved public park, with China’s national flag flying prominently where Yazhong Church once stood. The former sanctuary, also known as Yayang Church, stood in Yayang Town, Taishun County, near Wenzhou, a city sometimes called “China’s Jerusalem” because of its large Christian population. Authorities demolished the building in May after months of confrontation with congre

The 35 annual Red Ribbon Run, promoting healthy, substance-free living, returns to Lake Mirror this Saturday, Oct. 31.

Lakeland’s $26.3 million project will bring wider sidewalks, improved crossings and a permanent three-lane design to Dixieland.

Which reality-competition journey is worth taking with your kids? We’ll compare format, spectacle, content concerns, and messages young viewers take away.

From sensory-friendly activities to massive trunk-or-treats, Lakeland churches offer family fun while building community connections.

Lowe’s plans to bring Plant City warehouse operations in-house, ending Saddle Creek’s role and putting 178 positions in transition.

Lakeland city commissioners met for around an hour on Monday, Oct. 19. Here are the top stories in a 4-minute read.

A local developer has purchased the century-old apartment building overlooking Lake Morton.

On Tuesday, Polk County removed Campbell-Domineck as CEO of CareerSource Polk. Her future with Lakeland’s housing authority board is uncertain.

Polk County commissioners remove CareerSource Polk CEO Stacy Campbell-Domineck, complicating Lakeland’s debate over the Housing Authority board.

Lakeland city commissioners met for three hours on Monday, Oct. 5. Here are the top stories in a 3-minute read.

The city budget keeps the property-tax rate unchanged but raises health care costs for some city retirees.

“I would like all peace-loving people to help me come back to my family,” Pastor John Cao said in a new interview from southern China. “And I firmly believe to bear the cross never means an easy path.” Today, Cao, 67, has stage 4 prostate cancer

Battling stage 4 cancer after seven years in prison, Pastor John Cao is pleading to leave China and reunite with family in the U.S.

In a four-and-a-half-hour meeting Monday, the Lakeland City Commission discussed red-light cameras, approved a much-debated Pipkin Creek Road rezoning, and backed a county partnership to help bring lights to John McGee Park.

The Just Between Friends Consignment Sale will be held Sept. 25 to 27 at RP Funding Center, giving families a way to save money on children’s items and earn money by selling them.

The Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes spending on personnel, water and wastewater projects, and new radios for Lakeland police and fire.

This mix of educational, adventurous and faith-based shows offers something for a range of ages — and parents may even find themselves also watching.

Lakeland commissioners are expected to maintain the city’s millage rate despite Amendment 3, which could cut annual revenue by $14.5 million.

A three-hour City Commission meeting distilled into a four-minute read.