} $(".expand-all").on('click', () => { No crime was committed. .external_links_table { width: auto !important; } top: -1px; font-weight: bold; .votebox-scroll-container { 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 will also fight to close the gender pay gap. Sonya Heitshusen is running for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28, along with Tom Walton. 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. Photo courtesy Sonya Heitshusen via AP WHO-TV longtime Investigative Reporter and Anchor Sonya Heitshusen says that she was dumped by the Nexstar station and she says she thinks it was the station saw her as too old to be a woman on TV. .contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;} .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h3.votebox-header-office-name { . We cannot allow this to continue. They are hard workers and can make a difference.". font-weight: bold; .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? He also said his sister would not return to Iowa because of the policies that undermine public schools. I will support our educators and appropriate the necessary funds to keep quality teachers in Iowa and attract new educators to the state. They are hard workers and can make a difference.". They should not be allowed to amass huge profits, largely from our tax dollars, while jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of residents. background-color: #db0000; border:1px solid #FFB81F; Heitshusen, 54, filed a . 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. Whose example would you like to follow, and why? margin-bottom: -2px !important; .results_row td { font-size: 12px; "I loved my job. .results_table { If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. overflow-x: auto; position: relative; This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. } .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Democratic Iowa House candidate charged with recklessly firing handgun, Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, Iowa primary elections: Sonya Heitshusen wins House District 28 Democratic primary, will face Republican David Young, Democratic Iowa House candidate charged with recklessly firing handgun. According to Heitshusens filings, the defendant [Heitshusen] mistakenly suggested November 3, 2022, but meant to request the following Thursday, November 10, 2022. .votebox_legend .non_result_row { Sonya is now the Director of Communications for the Auditor of State Office and assists on performance and investigative reports conducted by the Auditors Office. Heitshusen works as the communications director for the Iowa State Auditor's office. }) width: 250px; margin: 0; We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I read a book many years ago and one theme from the book stayed with me: Setting good public policy is the best thing someone can do for future generations. Heitshusen, a former WHO-TV news anchor, said in a statement that she has received a variety of threats over the years due to her role as a journalist and now a candidate for office. 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. .leg-hnt-flex-item { "Knowing my partner was leaving town for an extended period of time, I checked one of the firearms, and while checking it, an accidental discharge of the firearm occurred.". color: #888; Heitshusen, 54, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, against the station's parent company, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., alleging she was removed from the air because of her age and . Source. Most of that area is currently part of District 19 . text-align: center; 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. 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. They have a lot of great ideas. document.getElementById('leg-hnt-toggle6450bb2a28ea0').addEventListener('click', event => { .widget-key { 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. font-size: 110%; I truly believe that by working hard and working together, almost anything is possible. 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. .clearfix { padding:7px 8px 8px; I will work tirelessly for my constituents. Cities | We need to invest in our teachers, our public schools and most importantly our kids. font-weight: 500; Public policy. Iowa has plummeted in education rankings. She said she was devastated last August when she realized she could not report on the derecho, the powerful wind storm that ripped across the state. 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. Sonya Heitshusen and Tom Walton are competing for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28. . recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the station's history. 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. width: 50px; While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges.
float:right; .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { display: block; In that report, police said Heitshusen "admitted to having a couple drinks prior to the incident. ", More in September 2020:Another senior TV newswoman in Iowa, April Samp, cites gender bias in her firing, this time by WOI. Sonya Heitshusen, an Emmy Award-winning journalist for WHO-TV, was arrested for drunken driving on Saturday. Rob Sand, who continues to employ Heitshusen as his public information officer, has not commented on Heitshusens arrest. 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. Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. color: white; How a bipartisan bill could make it happen. } .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} 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." . Women are relevant after the age of 50. "Ive received ongoing threatening messages on social media," she said in the statement. 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. People once moved to Iowa because it offered excellent schools. margin: 0px 10px; Nexstar's company statistics show that nearly 80 percent of its managers last year were men. .survey-result {padding:10px;} .votebox-results-cell--check { Friday was Sonya Heitshusen's final day at WHO 13. } 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. } font-weight: 300; } margin: 3px 0; The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. It has to change. 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. U.S. Congress | padding-left: 8px; I have many. padding: 2px 0; 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). Heitshusen, now public information officer for the . background-color: #003388; IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) 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. Judge Erica Crisp granted Heitshusen a deferred judgment, ordering her to serve one year of probation and pay a $105 penalty. } max-height: 580px; who challenged Republican Rep. David Young, Gun safety taught at Iowa schools? In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure.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. She said she was devastated last August when she realized she could not report on the derecho, the powerful wind storm that ripped across the state. .widget-row.Democratic { We must finally put money into the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor
Women are relevant after the age of 50. margin-bottom:0px; } } text-align: left !important; 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. } .outer_percentage { Contact our sales team. Anything less will endanger the lives of women and harm already marginalized families and communities. We must make it a priority. } background-color: #003388; Sonya Heitshusen is pictured in 2020 in Des Moines, on one of her last days as a reporter and anchor for WHO-TV, an NBC affiliate. The incident occurred on Monday, June 27th, around 11:20 pm. .leg-hnt-leadership > div { } background-color: #ccc; background-color: #f9d334; 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. (function() { } DES MOINES, Iowa Former TV anchor and reporter Sonya Heitshusen is running to represent Iowa House District 28, she announced Thursday. background-color: green; break-inside: avoid-column; "The only thing that signaled to me was that it's my appearance. } Sonya graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Journalism. .widget-value { Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. font-weight: bold; Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Poverty in America estimates the livable wage in Iowa is $23.88 per hour. border: 1px solid #aaa; ", The police complaint states that Heitshusen told law enforcement officers "that as she was placing the handgun onto the kitchen table, she pulled the trigger, discharging it. display: block; padding-bottom: 7px; Roughly 700 waterways in Iowa are deemed impaired to the point they cannot be used for sources of drinking water or for recreation. Ballot measures, Who represents me? }) margin-top: 16px; Sonya grew up on a family farm in eastern Iowa near the Amana Colonies in Iowa County. According to the County Attorneys Office, the nieces role in the Heitshusen campaign creates a conflict of interest for which the judges impartiality might be reasonably questioned. The bullet went through the glass of Heitshusen's sliding glass door, police said. padding-left: 10px; Sonya Heitshusen was born in Marengo, Iowa. 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. } letter-spacing: 0.03em; She said she was devastated last August when she realized she could not report on the derecho, the powerful wind storm that ripped across the state. } .widget-row.Green { She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022. } To view Heitshusen's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here. column-count: auto; color: #fff; Heitshusen has pleaded not guilty. Take a look back at her remarkable career at WHO 13. Thats for a family of four with both adults working. } The attorneys have therefore asked Judge Cobb to remove herself from the case, but Heitshusen is fighting to keep her on. A statement from Heitshusen's attorney Grant Woodard said, "The charges are baseless. She quickly established herself as a fact-driven, truth-seeking anchor and investigative reporter devoted to giving a voice to the voiceless and uncovering injustices. .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper { 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. Sonya Heitshusen is pictured on July 29, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa, on one of her last days as a reporter and anchor for WHO-TV, an NBC affiliate. background-color: #ccf; She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. .widget-img { Heitshusen, 54, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday,. .results_table_container { margin-right: 12px; background-color: grey; I will give a voice to the voiceless and fight to ensure every Iowan has equal opportunities to thrive. font-size: 20px; Will the Las Vegas MLB team be called the As? was arrested this summer after she fired a handgun into her sliding glass door, sending the bullet across a busy city road. Our teachers are resigning in near record numbers because they are underpaid and under attack by a far right national movement sweeping the country. .key-messages li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0px;} 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. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. margin-bottom: 1px; 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. Her career experience includes working as a communications director for the Iowa Auditor of State and a television anchor and investigative reporter. Sonya is most proud of her investigative work that resulted in real change for Iowans. ap photo Sonya Heitshusen is pictured in 2020 in Des Moines, on one of her last days as a reporter and anchor for WHO-TV, an NBC affiliate. .infobox { Recreation Fund, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2010. Who do you look up to? .leg-hnt-section-title { You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," she told The Associated Press last week. Heitshusen has been affiliated with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Team Run Free, the Central Iowa Shelter and Services, One Iowa, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Ankeny YMCA, and the Alzheimers Association. } } For more than 17 years, Sonya has dedicated herself to serving the community and being a friend to all of us. Like the time she advocated for a boy with autism whose insurer refused to cover his ABA therapy. Prominent reporter and anchor Sonya Heitshusen leaves WHO-TV, I immediately thought it must be the way I look, Sonya Heitshusen says of leaving WHO, WOI-TV denies sex, age discrimination against former news director in federal court, Another senior TV newswoman in Iowa, April Samp, cites gender bias in her firing, this time by WOI, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? How to run for office | font-size: 12px; For nearly three decades, Iowans allowed me into their living rooms to deliver the news. } .leg-hnt-toggle-text { ap photo background-color: #f9f9f9; Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. She will face Republican David Young, a former U.S. representative, in the Nov.8 general election. .votebox-results-metadata { This is hard work but Im up for the challenge. You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week. "Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? .race_header.libertarian { A Democratic Iowa House candidate has been charged with reckless use of a firearm after police say she shot a gun through a sliding glass door in her home last week. 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. WHO-TV is one of Iowa's biggest local television stations where Heitshusen was known for doggedly investigating injustices and holding the powerful accountable.
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