FOX 12 Beyond the Broadcast

Investigative reporters Spencer Schacht and Ward Jolles break down the disturbing case of Richard Michael Robinson, who is accused of killing his fiancée, Meihong He, in Klickitat County, Washington. Robinson allegedly left a trail of deception after her May 2024 disappearance, moving across state lines before He’s body was discovered in July 2025 inside an unpaid Oregon storage unit that was auctioned for $20. The complex case now spans two jurisdictions—with murder charges in Washington and abuse of a corpse charges in Oregon—as a slow-moving court process continues to reveal new details.

More than 50 sixth graders at Fowler Middle School in Tigard were served pretzels mistakenly seasoned with crushed oven-cleaner instead of salt, leaving students with burning mouths and headaches. Parents say the district’s initial messaging was misleading, and FOX 12 found key witnesses weren’t interviewed before police quickly closed the case citing a lack of video evidence. The district says changes are being made, but families want accountability.

Portland’s controversial Northwest Northrop low-barrier overnight shelter in the Pearl District. Neighbors and businesses say the 200-bed shelter reduced overnight camping, but has brought spillover issues—drug use, trash, public urination, and safety concerns—prompting the adjacent Oro apartment complex to file a lawsuit against the City of Portland.

Adrianne and Nora breadkdown Nora’s “Wellbeing Revolution” feature on pelvic floor therapy—why it’s so rarely discussed, what a first appointment actually looks like, and why “just do kegels” is often the wrong advice. They share how pelvic floor issues can affect everything from pain and bladder control to intimacy, confidence, and mental health, and why therapy can be life-changing for postpartum moms, younger women, and women going through menopause.

Spencer Schact and Ward Jolles break down the rise of “illicit massage businesses” in Oregon—storefronts that can appear legitimate but are often tied to commercial sex, trafficking, and organized crime. They explain how these networks recruit and control vulnerable women through debt bondage, why cases are difficult to investigate and prosecute, and what warning signs can help identify suspicious locations. The episode also covers the policy fight over how communities and lawmakers can respond, plus how viewers can report concerns safely without intervening directly.

Butane torches—sold widely in everyday stores—are being linked to a growing number of explosions, structure fires, and severe burn injuries in Oregon, including burns so deep they can lead to amputations. Investigative reporter Spencer Schacht explains doctors at the Legacy Oregon Burn Center are seeing many cases connected to people using torches to smoke drugs; the biggest danger is the torch’s locking mechanism that can keep the flame on, especially if someone passes out from fentanyl while it’s still burning. The episode (hosted by investigative reporter Ward Jolles with guest Spencer Schacht) highlights proposed solutions: harm-reduction education now, and potential legislation next session to redesign/ban “flame-locking” mechanisms.

FOX12 reporter Ezra Kaplan and photographer/editor Frank Frenzel discuss their recent story in Rowena following a wildfire, where Team Rubicon volunteers helped residents by cutting down dangerous “hazard trees” that need to be cleared before the rebuilding process can begin. Frank and Ezra reflect on the human impact of returning months after the disaster—how complex, expensive, and emotionally heavy rebuilding is—and why Team Rubicon’s free labor provided real, tangible hope for families who otherwise couldn’t move forward.

FOX 12 Investigative Reporter Ezra Kaplan and FOX 12 Reporter Julia Lopez talk about covering a deadly chemical spill in Longview, Washington.

A Northeast Portland woman says that her go-to method for managing chronic pain, stress, and anxiety has been participating in Float Therapy. The process? Sitting alone with your thoughts in a sensory deprivation environment, floating in water so dense that you couldn’t sink even if you tried. In this episode of Beyond the Broadcast, reporter Nora Hart takes the plunge, and talks about what she didn’t expect to experience during her time at Float North. Watch the full Beyond the Broadcast episode exclusively on the FOX 12 Streaming App. Download today on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV.

A married couple trying to navigate the U.S. immigration system through legal channels received a deportation notice earlier this year.
 In early 2024, the couple filed for an I-130 petition for Andres, a common first step toward permanent residency for immigrants married to U.S. citizens.
Two years later, Andres received a notice to appear at a court hearing for deportation. Now the couple is struggling with legal red tape as Andres and Steve’s I-130 petition appointment is scheduled for this spring, ahead of Andres’ deportation hearing set for this summer – leaving the family waiting for answers.

https://www.kptv.com/2026/02/23/three-steps-forward-two-steps-back-washington-couple-shares-years-long-immigration-fight/