font-size: 16px; } top: -5px; Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. Roughly 700 waterways in Iowa are deemed impaired to the point they cannot be used for sources of drinking water or for recreation. I'm most concerned about education, providing opportunities for working families, keeping and attracting workers, and our environment. "Ive received ongoing threatening messages on social media," she said in the statement. background: #4c4c4c; A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. margin-bottom:0px; Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. } Dec 2 #OTD in 1938, the first Kindertransport arrived in Great Britain. overflow-x: auto; .widget-img { An unsuccessful state legislative candidate and former Des Moines-area TV reporter and anchor has been ordered to complete a firearm safety class after being convicted of mishandling a handgun. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. .race_header, .results_text, .results_table_container, .votebox_legend { She sought treatment for infertility in the 1950s when options for women were few and far between. Examples include lifting the ban on same-sex marriage in 2009 and the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1919 (the 10th state to do so). font-weight: bold; Former anchor Sonya Heitshusen, 54, was let go from WHO-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, after 17 years and she alleges the reasons were her age and gender. Ten years after treatment, my mother and father were the proud parents of six children. $('.collapse').collapse('show'); She said she was devastated last August. .votebox-scroll-container { William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. width: 100%; I thought, Im good enough to work here but Im not good enough to be on camera? Heitshusen, 54, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the stations parent company, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., alleging she was removed from the air because of her age and gender. ap photo margin-bottom: -2px !important; .results_row { People have also expressed concern that legislation recently passed is creating an "unwelcoming" environment in Iowa. width: 57%; Heitshusen has pleaded not guilty. } The case was originally set to go to trial before the election, but Heitshusen asked to reset the trial date until after voters have gone to the polls on November 8. There was no safety on the gun, and the gun did not belong to Heitshusen, according to the criminal complaint, which was filed Tuesday in Dallas County. border-top: 1px solid #aaa; If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusen's firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. We need to stand up for what is right, defend democracy, and do the right thing, even when that might not be politically advantageous. .votebox-scroll-container { I also oppose vouchers for private schools. Is there a story that youve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? who challenged Republican Rep. David Young, Gun safety taught at Iowa schools? This is also affecting our workforce. They are hard workers and can make a difference.. .leg-hnt-leadership > div { } Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. Sonya Heitshusen, a Democrat who challenged Republican Rep. David Young in the 2022 election for West Des Moines-centered House District 28, was charged in June 2022 with reckless use of a firearm after police said she accidently fired a shot through a sliding glass door in her home. They're moving out of the state because one man is a teacher, who feels his profession is under attack. } } overflow-y: hidden; } position: absolute; No injuries were reported but, on Tuesday, the West Des Moines Democrat was arrested on a charge of reckless use of a firearm. My mother is my first role model. padding-top: 5px; I assisted on Sonya went to bat for him, eventually securing the treatment he needed and legally deserved. display: inline-block; "I loved my job. color: #fff; Heitshusen said she was blindsided in April 2020 when the stations news director, Rod Peterson, informed her that the station was exercising a clause in her contract to fire her without cause as a business decision. She said she was told the company valued her and might be able to find her a lower-paying digital position, but nothing on the air. Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. Click here to read the survey answers. margin-bottom: 4px; The lawsuit alleges Heitshusen, 54, was thrown out to pasture because she was no longer seen as camera-worthy, after years in which she saw her male colleagues receive better treatment from management. background-color: #db0000; } .widget-row { All rights reserved. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? A company spokesman didnt immediately return a message seeking comment.The lawsuit seeks orders requiring Nexstar to pay Heitshusen unspecified damages and to take remedial actions, including training for management on gender and age stereotypes and an analysis of how female employees have been treated. NEXT DOOR SAYS HI SUSANS FIRING SWA A REDUCTION IN WORKFORCE. Heitshusen filed an age and gender discrimination lawsuit Tuesday against WHO-TVs parent company, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., which calls itself Americas largest local television and media company, with 199 stations. Sonya Heitshusen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. padding-left: 10px; I will work tirelessly for my constituents. .votebox-covid-disclaimer { margin-right: 12px; } As a result, Iowans wont know until next year what Heitshusen said to the police or what other admissions she made when they interviewed her. While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. } max-width: 75px; You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," she told The Associated Press last week. position: absolute; It happened as I backed out of a grocery store parking space. padding-bottom: 5px; While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges.The lawsuit also alleges that male anchors received higher pay, more vacation time and more on-air recognition for journalism awards, and that they were not judged by their appearances.Meanwhile, the suit claims that managers told Heitshusen she could not negotiate for more time off, that one once commented to her and another female anchor about losing weight, and that managers gave her more support for pursuing softer feature stories than investigative news, it claims.In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. I thought, Im good enough to work here but Im not good enough to be on camera? recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the stations history. .widget-row.value-only.white { Suggest a Correction Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. IOWA CITY As a prominent reporter and anchor at one of Iowas biggest local television stations, Sonya Heitshusen was known for doggedly investigating injustices and holding the powerful accountable. U.S. Congress | . Most of that area is currently part of District 19 . I highly recommend it. padding-bottom: 3px; div.oneoff-scrollbox.short { height:250px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } width: 100%; I believe this is due in large part to . SCOTUS Now Just Another Congressional Committee, Trump Ramps up Attacks on DeSantis: 'Dropping Like a Rock', Russian Strikes on Pavlohrad Aim to Hamper Ukraine's Counteroffensive, Greg Abbott Criticized for Response to Texas Shooting: 'A New Low', Democrat Sold First Republic Stock, Bought JP Morgan Before Collapse, Conservative Influencers Struggle With Countering Biden's Messaging. ", "No one was hurt and no property was damaged other than my own," Heitshusen said in her statement. display: none; What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? font-size: 12px; Poverty in America estimates the livable wage in Iowa is $23.88 per hour. Now, people are leaving the state in search of better schools and a more welcoming environment. } Why is Woke Big Tech secretly trying to change Iowas electric grid? The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. } Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men.Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. Friday was Sonya Heitshusens final day at WHO 13. background-color: #dac113; padding-bottom: 0px; Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. Heitshusen works as the communications director for the Iowa State Auditor's office. color: #6db24f; .leg-hnt-border-top { .leg-hnt-district-container { } font-style: italic; .hideResponses { display: none;} document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content6450bb2a28ea0').classList.add('leg-hnt-hide'); Heitshusen pled not guilty, claiming that the prosecution against her was politically motivated. display: inline-block; max-height: 580px; The report notes that Heitshusen had been drinking. letter-spacing: 0.03em; text-align: center; } .election_results_text { .leg-hnt-title { margin-right: 10px; A year after WHO-TV in Des Moines abruptly let her go, she is turning those skills on her former employer with a lawsuit challenging what she calls a widespread practice of removing older, female staffers from the air because of their looks. background-color: red; .electionsectionheading { How a bipartisan bill could make it happen, I immediately thought it must be the way I look, Sonya Heitshusen says of leaving WHO, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. SHNOWE SOUNDS A PUBLIC INFORMATIO. Ive listened to disabled Iowans who cant find caregivers to help them out of bed or make their meals. While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. color: #888; Federal courts | background-color: #6db24f; The lawsuit alleges that Heitshusen faced numerous micro-aggressions over the years, as her bosses treated male anchors more favorably and her age ultimately became seen as a liability. Women are relevant after the age of 50. color: white; "I thought, 'I'm good enough to work here but I'm not good enough to be on camera?'" .inner_percentage.Democratic { ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. } The lawsuit recounts an incident in which Peterson told the newsroom that Heitshusen had a reaction to the shingles vaccine but that others need not worry because only her "advanced age" caused her to need the shot in the first place. display: block; .results_table_container { The lawsuit seeks orders requiring Nexstar to pay Heitshusen unspecified damages and to take remedial actions, including training for management on gender and age stereotypes and an analysis of how female employees have been treated. This is not the first time Nexstar has been issued lawsuits by female anchors and reporters. whotv. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. Heitshusen previously worked as a news anchor and reporter at WHO 13 and WOI in the Des Moines metro. You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," Heitshusen told AP last week. .large-date { text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600;} (function() { }) display: inline-block; Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? I will work with anyone who has the best interests of Iowans at heart. It's hard for me to say which book is my favorite. We cannot allow this to continue. background-color: grey; font-weight: 300; She said she was told the company valued her and might be able to find her a lower-paying digital position, but nothing on the air. Growing up on a family farm and completing three Ironman races, I know the meaning of hard work. } Seven-year-old Dorrith Oppenheim arrived in July 1939. .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { padding-left: 8px; Sonya Heitshusen; 0 Comments ; Sonya Heitshusen: It's time to turn the page on bitter, divisive politics and usher in a new era of civility, courage, and common sense. I truly believe that by working hard and working together, almost anything is possible. For more than 17 years, Sonya has dedicated herself to serving the community and being a friend to all of us. .panel-heading:hover { cursor: pointer;} vertical-align: middle; A year after she was let go, she is turning those skills on her former employer with the lawsuit challenging what she calls a widespread practice of removing older, female staffers from the air because of their looks. Heitshusen is represented by Des Moines civil rights attorneys Tom Newkirk and Jill Zwagerman, who specialize in showing how implicit biases can impact the workplace and have won landmark cases in the past. Irecently forgot that I have a neck. $(".expand-all").on('click', () => { Anchor the 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM newscasts at WHO-TV. The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.Heitshusen is represented by Des Moines civil rights attorneys Tom Newkirk and Jill Zwagerman, who specialize in showing how implicit biases can impact the workplace and have won landmark cases in the past.The lawsuit alleges that Heitshusen faced numerous micro-aggressions over the years, as her bosses treated male anchors more favorably and her age ultimately became seen as a liability.The lawsuit recounts an incident in which Peterson told the newsroom that Heitshusen had a reaction to the shingles vaccine but that others need not worry because only her advanced age caused her to need the shot in the first place. .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} background-color: green; } Analysis: Golden Knights need a little more than, Knights say theyre resilient group, vow to be better, New selfie studio experience in Las Vegas promises, Understanding visceral fat with Fast Fit Body Sculpting, Buying or selling a home in the current market with, CinemaCon 2023: A Preview Of This Years Biggest, 8-year-old Las Vegas boy recovering from rare brain, Red Rock Search and Rescue offer hiking safety tips, Nevada gets $251 million boost from strong economy;, Nursing mothers offered more protection in workforce, Deadly rollover crash blocks multiple lanes of traffic, Some charges cut in Vegas Hells Angels freeway gunfire, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Anything less will endanger the lives of women and harm already marginalized families and communities. I'm running to build a better Iowa for future generations. Source. In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. Meanwhile, the suit claims that managers told Heitshusen she could not negotiate for more time off, that one once commented to her and another female anchor about losing weight, and that managers gave her more support for pursuing "softer" feature stories than investigative news, it claims. We need to invest in our teachers, our public schools and most importantly our kids. .results_table { column-rule: 1px solid #aaa; She is the recipient of numerous Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Eric Sevareid awards. Great Jones Cookware Review: Is It Worth Buying? max-width: 600px; .non_result_row th { padding-top: 8px; "I thought, 'I'm good enough to work here but I'm not good enough to be on camera?'" if (document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content6450bb2a28ea0').classList.contains('leg-hnt-hide')) { width: 90%; It has to change. Sonya Heitshusen was born in Marengo, Iowa. Traditionally, Iowa has been one of the most progressive states in the country. "Ms. Heitshusen maintains her innocence. .votebox_bp_logo { In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. } margin-bottom: 0px; letter-spacing: .03em; Now, he has sanctioned a Chicago lawyer to "write and produce a training video in which" she, or a partner in her firm, "addresses the impropriety of unspecified 'form' objections, witness coaching, and excessive interruptions." . break-inside: avoid-column; Heitshusen left WHO-TV last summer after what the station called a remarkable 17-year stint in which she was a hard-hitting news reporter and an anchor also known for softer segments on fitness. 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The attorneys have therefore asked Judge Cobb to remove herself from the case, but Heitshusen is fighting to keep her on. Heitshusen said she was blindsided in April 2020 when the stations news director, Rod Peterson, informed her that the station was exercising a clause in her contract to fire her without cause as a business decision. She said she was told the company valued her and might be able to find her a lower-paying digital position, but nothing on the air. .leg-hnt-toggle-text { A company spokesman didnt immediately return a message seeking comment. margin: 0 5px; "I spent 27 years of my life doing this," she said in an interview Monday. ' recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the stations history. letter-spacing: 0.03em; Whose example would you like to follow, and why? }) Her attorney, Grant Woodard, said she would vigorously defend herself in court. top: 0px; SHEED FIL THE LAWSUIT TODAY AGAINST THE STAONTI AND ITS OWNER THE NEXT STAR MEDIA GROUP. box-sizing: border-box; Heitshusen, who spent a combined total of nearly 28 years as a reporter at WOI-TV, then as a reporter and news anchor at WHO-TV, is now communications director for Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand's office. overflow-y: hidden; font-style: italic; display: block; Ms. Heitshusen will be . Numerous people in my District have told me they're concerned about education in Iowa. She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a cultural shift in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. }, 100); The lawsuit also alleges that male anchors received more vacation time and more on-air recognition for journalism awards and that they were not judged by their appearances. } left: 0; font-weight: bold; Democratic state house candidate Sonya Heitshusen recklessly discharged a handgun in her home, shattering her sliding glass door, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Iowa Feld Report. In addition to the firearm charge, Heitshusen also is the plaintiff in a long-running civil case against WHO-TV owner Nexstar Media Group Inc. Heitshusen sued the station for age and gender discrimination in 2021, alleging WHO fired her due to widespread bias against placing older women in on-air positions. I also believe elected officials need to be courageous. They are hard workers and can make a difference.She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a cultural shift in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable.Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. .votebox-results-cell--check { Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. $('.hideResponses').hide(); margin: auto; margin-bottom: 1px; event.srcElement.innerText = '[hide]'; height: 50px; The lawsuit recounts an incident in which Peterson told the newsroom that Heitshusen had a reaction to the shingles vaccine but that others need not worry because only her advanced age caused her to need the shot in the first place. We must also commit to cleaning up our waterways. clearInterval(nTimer); You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week. I will give a voice to the voiceless and fight to ensure every Iowan has equal opportunities to thrive. I've also heard from family members of teachers. } .votebox-results-metadata-p { The lawsuit alleges that Heitshusen faced numerous micro-aggressions over the years, as her bosses treated male anchors more favorably and her age ultimately became seen as a liability. I will support our educators and appropriate the necessary funds to keep quality teachers in Iowa and attract new educators to the state. display: inline-block; font-size: 20px; margin: 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 7px; I thought, Im good enough to work here but Im not good enough to be on camera? recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the stations history. Sonya Heitshusen and Tom Walton are competing for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28. . } Ballotpedia features 408,503 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. document.getElementById('leg-hnt-toggle6450bb2a28ea0').addEventListener('click', event => { display: inline-block; 352 talking about this. $(".collapse-all").on('click', () => { The lawsuit alleges that Heitshusen faced numerous micro-aggressions over the years, as her bosses treated male anchors more favorably and her age ultimately became seen as a liability. margin-bottom: .75em; font-size: 12px; .infobox { position: relative; The seasoned reporter said she was told the company might find her a lower-paying digital job but nothing on television. We have a capacity for openness and candor in this state. margin: 0; They should not be allowed to amass huge profits, largely from our tax dollars, while jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of residents. I will fight any legislation to further restrict access to abortion. This saddens me. Meanwhile, the suit claims that managers told Heitshusen she could not negotiate for more time off, that one once commented to her and another female anchor about losing weight, and that managers gave her more support for pursuing "softer" feature stories than investigative news, it claims. Her conviction resulted in her becoming the first woman to serve as President of the local school board. Amazon Has Uncanny Dupes of CB2's Popular Dining Chair for Hundreds Less. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. width: 100%; If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. For subscribers:Gun safety taught at Iowa schools? We will miss you, Sonya! Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Meanwhile, the suit claims that managers told Heitshusen she could not negotiate for more time off, that one once commented to her and another female anchor about losing weight, and that managers gave her more support for pursuing softer feature stories than investigative news, it claims. Public money should stay in public schools. margin-bottom:16px; height: 56px; Women are relevant after the age of 50. font-size: 90%; .leg-hnt-flex-item { How to vote | } I strongly believe compromise is necessary. A native Iowan told me his sister would like to return to Iowa to teach but it would mean a $20,000 pay cut. Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, "as this is a matter of pending litigation.".

} David Young advanced from the Republican primary for Iowa House of Representatives District 28 on June 7, 2022. margin-top: 5px; The lawsuit alleges Heitshusen, 54, was "thrown out to pasture" because she was no longer seen as camera-worthy, after years in which she saw her male colleagues receive better treatment from management. We must make it a priority. Heitshusen left WHO-TV last summer after what the station called a remarkable 17-year stint in which she was a hard-hitting news reporter and an anchor also known for softer segments on fitness.