Fla. high court rejects tobacco verdict (AP)

By BRENT KALLESTAD, Associated Press Writer 48 minutes ago TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday tossed out a record $145 billion punitive damage award against tobacco companies for injuring smokers, saying it was excessive even though it agreed that the companies had misled the public about the dangers of cigarettes. The justices also approved an appellate court ruling that it had been a mistake to certify a class-action lawsuit representing an estimated 300,000 to 700,000 ill ...