", More in September 2020:Another senior TV newswoman in Iowa, April Samp, cites gender bias in her firing, this time by WOI. As a journalist, I know the importance of listening to all parties and the importance of using facts to find the truth. .inner_percentage.Democratic { } break-inside: avoid-column; The lawsuit claims she was "thrown out to pasture" because she was deemed no longer fit to appear on camera while male anchors at the station got higher pay, among other better treatment. I will listen to people with opposing viewpoints and to people from opposing parties. overflow-y: hidden; Read More 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. In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. height: 50px; display: inline-block; word-wrap: break-word; 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. })(); See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection. I also believe elected officials need to be courageous. text-align: center; Judge Erica Crisp granted Heitshusen a deferred judgment, ordering her to serve one year of probation and pay a $105 penalty. }) We are now middle of the pack because lawmakers have not fully funded public schools. This is not the first time Nexstar has been issued lawsuits by female anchors and reporters. } background-color: #f4f4f4; How to run for office | She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. I thought, Im good enough to work here but Im not good enough to be on camera? left: 0; I'm running to build a better Iowa for future generations. padding-top: 8px; height: 56px; .leg-hnt-border-top { The Dallas County Attorneys Office has asked Judge Virginia Cobb to recuse herself from the criminal case against Sonya Heitshusen for reckless use of a firearm because the judges niece is a volunteer for Heitshusens campaign. State lawmakers approved redistricting maps in 2021 that mean much of current House District 19, which is now . font-size: 12px; "The only thing that signaled to me was that it's my appearance.". She will face Republican David Young, a former U.S. representative, in the Nov.8 general election. padding: 2px 0; 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. Court records show Heitshusen on Thursday pleaded to a reduced charge of reckless use of firearm with no injury or property damage, a simple misdemeanor. It has to change. } .leg-hnt-leadership > div { } overflow-x: scroll; "Ms. Heitshusen maintains her innocence. Numerous people in my District have told me they're concerned about education in Iowa. .race_header { $(".expand-all").on('click', () => { Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? display: flex; Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. The book details her time in the concentration camp but it's ultimately about forgiveness, healing, and transformation.
, Iowa House of Representatives District 28. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; .leg-hnt-container { Like the time she advocated for a boy with autism whose insurer refused to cover his ABA therapy. vertical-align: top; letter-spacing: .03em; Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, as this is a matter of pending litigation.. The seasoned reporter said she was told the company might find her a lower-paying digital job but nothing on television. Ballotpedia features 408,503 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. display: block; That includes investments in affordable housing, reliable internet access, and student loan forgiveness for healthcare providers who commit to residing in underserved communities for a specified period. She admitted, though, that she fired the gun into the door but claims she shouldnt be held responsible. No one person or party has all the answers. width: 57%; 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. .inner_percentage, .inner_percentage.Nonpartisan, .inner_percentage.Independent, .inner_percentage.Constitution, .inner_percentage.unknown { } No crime was committed. margin-right: 12px; border-radius: 50%; The bullet went through the glass of Heitshusen's sliding glass door, police said. background-color: #ccc; 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. 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. .percentage_number { The company has denied wrongdoing and the case is scheduled for trial in July. .results_row td:first-child { Ballot measures, Who represents me? 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. column-gap: 1em; Following the 2022 redistricting, the new District 28 encompasses southeast Dallas County, including Van Meter, Adel, Boone and parts of West Des Moines. } We must also provide incentives to attract healthcare providers to underserved areas in our state. } margin-bottom: 0; width: 100% !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. Cities | by Luke Martz | Oct 19, 2022 | Campaigns, Legislature, State Government. In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. 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. Most of that area is currently part of District 19 . .key-messages li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0px;} .leg-hnt-leadership-title { column-rule: 1px solid #aaa; height: 22px; } font-weight: 200; font-weight: bold; } } But a judge in January denied that motion, ruling that based on her statements to police, a jury could find she had intentionally pulled the trigger. 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.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.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.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. Friday was Sonya Heitshusen's final day at WHO 13. She sought treatment for infertility in the 1950s when options for women were few and far between. z-index:1; EXCLUSIVE: Iowa-Based Organization Launches Six Figure Ad Buy in Support of School Choice. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. Iowa voters established the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund in 2010 but lawmakers haven't figured out a way to fund it. padding-left: 10px; position: absolute; Eger is a survivor of Auschwitz. padding-bottom: 3px; My mother is my first role model. Heitshusen left WHO-TV 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. position: relative; .votebox_bp_logo { .inner_percentage { 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. Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? float: left; Public money should stay in public schools. ' recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the stations history. In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. They have a lot of great ideas. background-color: #003388; Suggest a Correction Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. color: #0645ad; According to the affidavit, the handgun involved in the incident, a black Glock 21, did . background-color: #f9f9f9; We will lead them by telling them the truth and entrusting them with it. display: table; .widget-row.Libertarian { Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, "as this is a matter of pending litigation.". 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. 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. background-color: #f9d334; .panel-heading:hover { cursor: pointer;} This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. } else { 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. $('.pastResponses').hide(); display: block; I also oppose vouchers for private schools. }. 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. The attorneys have therefore asked Judge Cobb to remove herself from the case, but Heitshusen is fighting to keep her on. Federal courts | SHE WAS LET GO BECAUSE OF HER GENDER AND A SGEONYA HEITZEN WAS FIRED FROM WHO TV LAST YEAR. Whose example would you like to follow, and why? } $('.hideResponses').show(); .widget-row.value-only.white { 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. } William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. font-weight: 100; was arrested this summer after she fired a handgun into her sliding glass door, sending the bullet across a busy city road. } color: white; clear: both; } display: block; } 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. left: 0px; margin: 5px auto; color: white; 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. We must raise the bar, and we can do that by adequately paying healthcare providers for the essential services they deliver to people in their homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. font-weight: bold; } } } $('#candidate-connection-twitter-117956').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-twitter'); }); Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Sonya Heitshusen, 55, of West Des Moines is running for Iowa House District 28, which includes parts of West Des Moines, Van Meter and Adel. The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. While Iowa women currently have a constitutional right to an abortion, Republicans have started the process of passing a constitutional amendment that would take away that right. } According to court records, there are recordings of Heitshusen discussing the incident, but those are being kept confidential until the trial. border: 1px solid #aaa; .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper .image-candidate-thumbnail { .expand-all:hover, .collapse-all:hover {cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;} Sonya was also instrumental in shutting down an organization that mistreated and neglected individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. He also said his sister would not return to Iowa because of the policies that undermine public schools. margin-bottom: -2px !important; } 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. $('.showResponses').show(); .widget-row.value-only.black { padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0; 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. font-style: italic; .race_header, .results_text, .results_table_container, .votebox_legend { vertical-align: middle; Lack of childcare is preventing women in particular from joining the workforce. color: white; We need to invest in our teachers, our public schools and most importantly our kids. While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. 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. margin-bottom: 1px; .race_header.libertarian { padding: 2px 0; flex: 0 0 150px; text-align: center; Its time to turn the page on bitter, divisive politics and usher in a new era of civility, courage, and common sense. 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. Recreation Fund, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2010. Who do you look up to? } } div.survey-scrollbox { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } .widget-value { margin-bottom: 4px; Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the . "No crime was committed and Ms. Heitshusen will be exonerated, ultimately. This is hard work but Im up for the challenge. 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. People have also expressed concern that legislation recently passed is creating an "unwelcoming" environment in Iowa. 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. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. I will work tirelessly for my constituents. Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content6450bb2a28ea0').classList.remove('leg-hnt-hide'); Trump's latest attack addresses DeSantis' overseas trips to the U.K., Israel, Florida's Covid-19 record, and polling support for the 2024 Presidential race.