Afternoon newsletter captures hectic day

This afternoon's e-newsletter from Bradenton.com reflects a whopper of a news day -- and the Herald's staff was on top of it.

Take a glance at the top of the local headlines -- only a fraction of what all was posted:

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

• GOP picks Tampa for 2012 convention
The Republicans have picked Tampa for their 2012 presidential convention.

• Trooper: Passenger said Hunter was driving at time of fatal wreck
SARASOTA -- A Florida Highway Patrol trooper testified this morning that a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed on Interstate 75 in March 2009 told him shortly after the accident that the vehicle was being driven by Josh Hunter at the time of the wreck.

• Villages of Lakewood Ranch South gets green light
SARASOTA -- In an historic vote, Sarasota County commissioners gave their consent today to the massive Villages of Lakewood Ranch South project.

• Judge declares mistrial in Manatee tobacco trial
BRADENTON - A judge this morning declared a mistrial in a lawsuit against major tobacco companies after a juror complained she could not go on with deliberations because her fellow jurors "are mean."

• Crist asks BP to pay for oil-spill tourism ads
Gov. Charlie Crist asked BP PLC on Wednesday to pay nearly $35 million for an emergency ad campaign to assure the world that Florida's beaches and coastal waters are untainted by the company's Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Haven't signed up yet? You're overdue -- here's your ticket.

-- Joan