Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jacob OglesJanuary 6, 2019

Former Agriculture Commissioner candidate Baxter Troutman faces new accusations by wife Rebecca of aggravated assault and domestic battery. Arrest records with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office detail a tumultuous and sometimes violent home life for the Troutmans over ten years of marriage, despite the couple during the course of his campaign insisting their home life […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 11, 2018

Take a break from politics to geek out about space travel for a moment. Florida Polytechnic University researchers are working on a breakthrough technology that could simplify the way oxygen is created for such travel. Student researchers and faculty are exploring ways to use algae to capture carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. The technology would simplify […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorNovember 6, 2018

In what could have been a major upset for Republicans, Florida Rep. Ross Spano held off Democrat Kristen Carlson in the race for Congressional District 15. With 88 percent of the vote counted, Spano led 53-47 percent. The solidly red Congressional District 15 should have been an easy win for conservatives. It covers parts of Hillsborough, […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 31, 2018

A Florida Polytechnic University professor won a $70,500 grant to create a new course on mobile computing security and privacy, the school announced Wednesday. Karim Elish, an assistant professor in the computer science department, received the grant from the Florida Center for Cybersecurity. He’ll use the money to create an ongoing and evolving course relating […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 18, 2018

Republican Congressman Dennis Ross is backing Ross Spano as his successor, Spano announced Thursday. Conservative Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd also endorsed Spano. Spano, a current Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, is running for Florida Congressional District 15 covering parts of north Hillsborough and Polk Counties including Brandon, Plant City, Bartow and […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 18, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University students in Lakeland are learning how to be the bad guy hackers in order to gain a superior understanding of cybersecurity. Students are developing 10 different cybersecurity projects including hacking a user’s device and altering codes on Android devices for malicious purposes, the school announced Wednesday. “One of the most basic strategies […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorOctober 4, 2018

Ross Spano, the Republican candidate for Florida’s 15th Congressional District, is calling out his opponent for hypocrisy in her latest campaign ad. In the ad released Wednesday, Kirsten Carlson touts her record fighting against crime and corruption and willingness to stand up to special interests. One of her talking points — that she fought out-of-state orange juice […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorSeptember 19, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University is launching a program to further development and testing of autonomous vehicle technology, the school announced Tuesday. The Advanced Mobility Institute (AMI) is the first of its kind in Florida and one of the largest centers in the nation specialized on testing and verifying autonomous vehicles technology, according to the Lakeland-based school. AMI’s […]

Staff ReportsJuly 12, 2018

Uber Eats is coming to Lakeland. Beginning midnight Thursday, the stand-alone meal delivery app from ride-sharing giant Uber will start serving the greater Lakeland area, offering menu items from more than 25 local and national restaurants. Uber Eats Lakeland users can choose from such regional favorites such as Duke’s Brewhouse, Main Squeeze Smoothies, Wraps & […]

Bill RuftyApril 30, 2018

While the hapless state Democratic Party has done almost nothing for the underdog campaign of Ricky Shira of Lakeland in preparation for Tuesday’s special election to fill a vacancy in Florida House District 39, local grassroots organizations did. At the last minute, Shira received $280 in in-kind services from the state. But the county party, […]

Tag: Lakeland

Baxter Troutman arrested for domestic battery, wife details years of abuse

Florida Poly students identify new way to create oxygen in space

Ross Spano wins CD 15 over Kristen Carlson

Safer smartphones: Florida Poly to teach mobile computing security

Ross Spano nabs backing from incumbent Dennis Ross, Polk Sheriff Grady Judd

To be the good guys, Florida Polytechnic students first learn how to be the bad guys

Fresh squeezed controversy: Ross Spano spills on Kristen Carlson’s orange juice advocacy

No hands: Florida Poly to research driverless vehicles

Uber Eats now serving Lakeland

Polk grassroots Democrats pick up the slack in HD 39