Erie County, N.Y., sued tobacco companies to...

Erie County, N.Y., sued tobacco companies to recoup about $500 million spent on treating smoking-related illnesses, making it the first county outside California to take cigarette makers to court. The county, which includes the city of Buffalo, joins a growing list of more than 20 states and Los Angeles County and the city of San Francisco that have sued the tobacco industry to seek reimbursement for Medicaid payments. . . . Denny’s restaurant chain is giving more than $1.53 million to civil rights groups as part of its efforts to improve its image.