Self-Checkout Liquor Laws Changing, Pipe Bomb Found in Boardman – Northwest News Roundup May 1

Here is the latest breaking news from the Associated Press and Newstalk 870.

Inslee Signs New Self-Checkout Liquor Laws Into Effect

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state is changing its laws related to liquor purchases at supermarket self-checkout machines. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Wednesday that would require self-checkout machines at supermarkets to freeze transactions involving liquor sales until a worker verifies the buyer is at least 21 years old. The measure passed unanimously through both the House and Senate amid concerns that underage shoppers were able to purchase liquor without scrutiny.

Marriage No Longer Self-Defense in Certain Types of Assault

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Marriage will no longer be an absolute defense against allegations of some forms of rape and sexual assault in Washington state. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Wednesday to change state law, calling it a "very important advance." The measure removes the spousal exemption from both rape in the third degree — in which no physical force is used — and from taking indecent liberties.

Burglars Hit Six Stores in Oregon Mall, Empty out A Drugstore

TUALATIN, Ore. (AP) — Burglars broke into a vacant store at a Tualatin strip mall and knocked through walls or crawled over ceiling rafters to hit a total of six side-by-side businesses. KOIN reports a pharmacy at the Martinazzi Square Shopping Center appears to have been the main target. It lost every prescription medicine — nearly 1,000 bottles worth more than $40,000. A pet store lost all the cash in the register, but no animals were taken or hurt.

Pipe Bomb Found in Boardman Oregon Mobile Home Park

BOARDMAN, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon State Police detective says a pipe bomb discovered in the Eastern Oregon city of Boardman would have damaged a mobile home park if it had exploded. Detective Dennis Wagner told the East Oregonian newspaper that the bomb's potential blast radius was at least 100 yards. Two women found the device Saturday while cleaning up at Boardman's Community Pride Day. Police have no suspects in the case.