TOBACCO

Judge Quashes CBS Subpoena: The New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that the network does not have to give a tobacco company material from its “60 Minutes” interviews with a whistle-blowing former executive. Judge Robert Lippmann, who said he wanted to safeguard “a viable free press,” also refused to compel correspondents Mike Wallace and Morley Safer and others to give pretrial depositions. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. wanted the material for its lawsuit in Kentucky against Jeffrey Wigand, a biochemist and former B&W; vice president. It accuses Wigand of breaching confidentiality agreements by divulging company secrets on “60 Minutes.” Stanley Arkin, a lawyer for B&W;, said the company will appeal.