Politics in Polk Podcast

Polk County School Board member Billy Townsend provides his take on school safety and the long-term issues that face the school district. Notably, he says, the real power of a local school board in the face of state education policy supremacy is to take a stand and refuse to follow through on orders he says will hurt schools.

A political-action committee supporting Josie Tomkow has sent six flyers this month to Republican voters in District 39, including some that describe her opponent as a fan of Hillary Clinton who was soft on crime as a prosecutor.

Democrats are pushing to flip District 22 in a race that pits retired Circuit Court Judge Bob Doyel against Kelli Stargel, the Republican who has held the seat since 2012.

John Chambliss

Lakeland City Commission agrees not to move Confederate monument in Munn Park

Interview with Fl. Ag Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam

Christopher Guinn talks about Lakeland's Confederate statue

Lakeland voters will pick their next mayor on the same day they're figuring out the job description.

Challengers in the five-way race for the Lakeland At-Large District commission seat have focused on themes rather than specifics, and have generally avoided direct criticism of the incumbent seeking re-election. The seat is currently held by Jim Malless, who is seeking a second four-year term. Challenging him are Kathy Smith Barsotti, Stephanie Madden, Laurel Pullo and Ricky Shirah.

Four candidates with distinct backgrounds and styles seek the Southwest District commission seat being vacated by Don Selvage, who declined to run for a third term on the board. Lakeland City Government Reporter Christopher Guinn talks about the race for this seat on the Lakeland City Commission. 

President Donald Trump brought renewed attention to immigration with a letter he sent Sunday to Congress reaffirming his demand for a wall along the border with Mexico. So now, with the clock ticking toward the end of Trump’s six-month deadline, what are the prospects of legislation that would spare the Dreamers from rejoining the ranks of illegal residents in danger of deportation?  

Lakeland City Government Reporter Christopher Guinn talks about the race for a seat on the Lakeland City Commission. In this race, community super-volunteer Sandy Toledo is running against established business executive Scott Franklin.

North Lake Mirror development project unveiled