The Lakeland election season is picking up speed, with new candidates and incumbents pulling petitions.

Lakeland School System Superintendent Ted Horrell will continue to lead the district after school board members approved unanimously a new four-year contract.

Suburban districts saw various improvements on TCAP data, released Wednesday. The third-grade retention law remains concerning for education leaders.

The recently completed $42 million Phase 1 includes 138 flats and 21,200 square feet of commercial space, as well as amenities like a clubhouse and pool for residents.

Office users are trickling back to the market two-plus years after the COVID pandemic and its restrictions.

Lakeland’s Economic Development Commission gets an overview of expected impact of the Haywood County project that is generating 32,900 construction jobs to build the megasite, and about 6,000 net new jobs for the site’s assembly facility, battery plant and recycling facility.

Candidates continue to pull petitions to get on the November ballot in Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown and Lakeland municipal elections. 

“I believe fresh ideas and fresh faces are important. It just feels like the right time for me to move on,” Kevin Floyd said.

Leaders of Shelby County’s smaller municipalities eye Memphis Light Gas & Water Division’s discussions to replace Tennessee Valley Authority, and say they’re frustrated by having no input in the discussion.

A change in perception by one Lakeland commissioner has moved the Ashmont project from being in jeopardy to the next phase of consideration.

Bartlett, Lakeland and Arlington school districts will take advantage of the empty campuses and work on improvement projects. 

Yehuda Netanel updated Lakeland’s Economic Development Commission on the progress of the various pieces of his $400 million development.

The $150 million Ashmont project continues to face questions.

After one term in office, Lakeland Mayor Mike Cunningham has decided not to seek a second term as the suburb’s top elected official.

Sisters-in-law and best friends Brandi Flaig and Jesse Boyd have started their own catering business, something they might not have been able to do before a pandemic-era trend took hold. 

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners has started the budget review process and maintaining the suburbs’ current $1.04 property tax rate for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Lakeland-based New Life Medical Clinic has shifted its focus to three new protocols meant to help not only with weight loss, but also focusing on specific nutrition for clients.

Weather-related closures are layered decisions for local superintendents as they balance a number of concerns while prioritizing student safety.

After much discussion and the removal of a convenience store/gas station, a project at Davies Plantation and Canada roads has the endorsement of the Lakeland Municipal Planning & Design Review Commission.

“I’ve reviewed the budget, and I think it is a reasonable and appropriate budget as we approach new territory as we’ve done so many times in this school system in the last nine years,” LSS board chairman Kevin Floyd said.

Mayor Mike Cunningham filed the complaint last Thursday based on comments Wright made in a social media post about a potential 3-2 vote against a proposed development.

According to Commissioner Wesley Wright, the complaint centers on something he said on Facebook about the Ashmont mixed-use project.

Lakeland City Manager Shane Horn is moving back to Michigan to be near his family.

An Olive Branch couple is opening a pair of fitness-related businesses —CycleBar and StretchLab — in The Lake District, the mixed-use development south of Interstate 40 and Canada Road in Lakeland.

With open areas and a future bright with developments such as Ford’s Blue Oval City, Lakeland leaders want to make sure they are in control of growth.