Food stamp fraud — Authorities in the Portland area have arrested 31 people accused of food stamp fraud. Beaverton police spokesman Mike Rowe said Friday the investigation began when a detective learned the owner of Metzger Mart in Beaverton was exchanging Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for cash. Customers would use their SNAP card for a large purchase and then exit the store with something like a can of soda. Rowe said the owner was giving customers 50 cents on the dollar in cash. Detectives later connected 30 others to the fraud. All have been accused of unlawfully using supplemental nutrition assistance, and the market owner faces other charges.

Infant starvation case — A southern Oregon woman has pleaded not guilty to murder and other counts in the starvation death of her baby. Amanda Hancock, 21, entered the plea Friday during a hearing in Douglas County Circuit Court in Roseburg. She and the baby’s father were arrested last February after an autopsy determined the 7-week old baby died of starvation. The charging document said the couple showed extreme indifference to human life in causing Data Toria Hancock’s death by failing to provide him adequate food and medical care. An affidavit filed by deputies said the parents told investigators they were involved in online pornography.