It's a simple matter of math: Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court has complicated the government's effort to force the tobacco industry to cough up nearly $300 billion.

If confirmed by the Senate as a justice, Kagan would have to sit out high court review of the government's decade-old racketeering lawsuit against cigarette makers. That's because she already has taken sides as solicitor general, signing the Obama administration's Supreme Court brief in the case — an automatic disqualifier.

Kagan is expected to step aside from 11 of the 24 cases the court has so far agreed to hear beginning in October.

Without her, the government and anti-tobacco advocates could find it difficult, if not impossible, to find a fifth vote to allow the government to seek $280 billion of past tobacco profits and $14 billion for a national campaign to curb smoking.

Vincent Smothers pleaded guilty to eight counts of second-degree murder and a gun charge in exchange for a minimum sentence of 52 years in prison. With credit for time served since his arrest, he could be freed when he's about 80 years old.

Smothers, 29, shocked police two years ago when he confessed to the eight Detroit slayings during around-the-clock interrogations. He told investigators his hits were all related to the drug trade except for the final one, the killing of Rose Cobb on the day after Christmas in 2007.

"He's just glad there's closure for everybody," defense attorney Gabi Silver told The Associated Press after the hearing in Wayne County Circuit Court, where jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday for the Cobb slaying.

Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel issued a warrant for Lohan's arrest after the 23-year-old actress skipped a mandatory court appearance last week.

Revel also ordered that the star abstain from alcohol, wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet and submit to random weekly drug testing.

Lohan avoided arrest by posting $100,000 bail, but still faces the other conditions imposed by the judge.

The actress was due in court last week for a progress report on her probation stemming from two arrests in 2007. Revel said there is probable cause to believe that Lohan violated the terms of her probation. A formal hearing will be held to determine if she is in compliance with the court's conditions.

The Rosen Law Firm today announced it has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of all purchasers of TierOne Corporation stock between August 8, 2010 and May 14, 2010, inclusive (the "Class Period").

To join the TierOne class action, go to the website at http://www.rosenlegal.com or call Laurence Rosen, Esq. or Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email lrosen@rosenlegal.com or pkim@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

The case is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska as case no. 10-CV-00199-JFB-TDT. You can obtain a copy of the complaint from the clerk of court or you may contact counsel for plaintiffs Laurence Rosen, Esq. or Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email lrosen@rosenlegal.com or pkim@rosenlegal.com.