About us

Welcome to The Citrus Tea News, Polk County, Florida’s newest locally-owned, independent, comprehensive news outlet, covering ALL of Polk County. Did we also mention that its 100% FREE to readers? Once you read our Origin Story, we think you’ll agree that it’s about time our area got truly local coverage that doesn’t depend on social media apps or the giant cities that only feature our breaking news. Truth is, they don’t understand what makes living here so absolutely incredible…so much so, that we continue to be the largest growing county in the entire United States for the last 5 years and counting. Like what you see here? Be sure to subscribe to our Daily Cup of Tea for all the latest news from right here in the Heartland!

Becky McLachlan, Founder & Editor

Meet your Editor-in-Chief: Becky McLachlan

Becky McLachlan is a Polk County neighbor, a former educator and chronic over-researcher, and the one who started The Citrus Tea News because she noticed nobody was telling news stories that truly represented ALL of Polk County.

She has lived enough life to know that the most important stories are rarely the loudest ones. Years working with at-risk youth, walking alongside families in crisis, and an entire decade in K-12 education will do that to you. Polk County got under her skin in the best way, and The Citrus Tea News is her attempt to cover it the way a good neighbor would — honestly, warmly, without an agenda, and always with a full cup of something nearby.

The Citrus Tea News is different in so many ways. It’s an independent, truly local, truly Polk County publication that will cover the biggest and smallest stories that other outlets don’t. Come be inspired, get informed, and get involved, because something new is brewing here and it’s going to be grand! For more about how this all got started, check out the Citrus Tea News Origin Story and Ethics!