Former Iowa anchor hopes her lawsuit changes TV news - KCCI } You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," Heitshusen told AP last week. margin-top: 16px; color: #0645ad; .leg-hnt-border-top { 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. } .leg-hnt-leadership-title { U.S. President | I truly believe that by working hard and working together, almost anything is possible. Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news - WJXT clearInterval(nTimer); color: white; She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a cultural shift in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. .leg-hnt-district-container { I believe this is due in large part to . Most of that area is currently part of District 19 . Judge Erica Crisp granted Heitshusen a deferred judgment, ordering her to serve one year of probation and pay a $105 penalty. We need to invest in our teachers, our public schools and most importantly our kids. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022. Iowa was once first in the nation in education. 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. I will be forever grateful to my mother for instilling in me the values of public service, hard work, courage, and strength. Suggest a Correction Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. We must finally put money into the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor 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. Women are relevant after the age of 50. } margin: 8px auto; } background-color: #f9f9f9; } display: inline-block; }, 100); font-size: 110%; I will support our educators and appropriate the necessary funds to keep quality teachers in Iowa and attract new educators to the state. This is also affecting our workforce. border-top: 1px solid #aaa; background-color: green; 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. Click here to read the survey answers. Iowa House candidate Sonya Heitshusen charged with reckless use of a padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. | Iowa House candidate Sonya Heitshusen was checking on a gun in her home after receiving ongoing threatening messages through social media when it accidentally discharged last week, she said in a media statement Wednesday. We have a chance now to show people everywhere, that Republicans and Democrats can work constructively together for the broad interests of our state, Ray said. While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. } 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. Friday was Sonya Heitshusen's final day at WHO 13. Counties | .results_table { } padding-left: 16px; They are hard workers and can make a difference.. The minimum wage in our state remains $7.25 per hour the lowest of any neighboring state while Illinois's minimum wage is $12 per hour and Minnesota's is $10 per hour. .results_row td { .widget-row.Republican { Whose example would you like to follow, and why? .widget-row.Libertarian { .inner_percentage, .inner_percentage.Nonpartisan, .inner_percentage.Independent, .inner_percentage.Constitution, .inner_percentage.unknown { Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. 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. } All rights reserved. Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? font-size: 0.9em; $('.pastResponses').show(); Following the 2022 redistricting, the new District 28 encompasses southeast Dallas County, including Van Meter, Adel, Boone and parts of West Des Moines. } Her conviction resulted in her becoming the first woman to serve as President of the local school board. 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. document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content6450bb2a28ea0').classList.add('leg-hnt-hide'); .votebox_legend { How to run for office | recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the station's history. } color: black; Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Iowa has plummeted in education rankings. We need to ensure women maintain reproductive rights. Heitshusen recounted. display: flex; } All rights reserved. . .results_row { if (typeof $ != 'undefined') { Sonya Heitshusen. I also believe elected officials need to be courageous. Two Iowa TV news anchors arrested for drunk driving within one day of We shouldnt skimp on it. $('.hideResponses').show(); "I thought, 'I'm good enough to work here but I'm not good enough to be on camera?'" I'm running to build a better Iowa for future generations. .leg-hnt-flex-column { "The only thing that signaled to me was that it's my appearance.". .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { height: 50px; 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. $('.showResponses').hide(); letter-spacing: .03em; color: #888; Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Trial delayed for teen accused of killing 2 at Des, House Republicans advance bill that would kill Democratic, Iowa Republican leadership reach agreement on bipartisan, 7 bodies found in search for two missing OK teens, Biden administration announces new immigration rules, Drake and Iowa State to meet in NCAA Tourney, Andy Fales: Caitlin Clark reminds us of hypocrisies, Murphys Law: why Jack Trice matters so much, Faceoff: Cy-Hawk series, Van Lith to LSU, Rodgers, Mr. Soundoff Says: NFL Draft is just plain cool, Le Creuset just launched a dreamy new color for spring, Our fitness expert weighs in on this years top spring, Picnic-planning ideas for the spring season, Multiple dead after IL dust storm causes pileup, Fort Dodge Baptist missionary convicted of child, Chicago mayor implores Abbott to stop sending migrants, Trump returning to Iowa for rally in Des Moines, Rising Mississippi River tests Iowa, Illinois flood, Iowa students honored as part of Governors Scholar, Montana legislator sues House speaker over censure, Huxley restaurant named Iowas Best Burger winner, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Best Mothers Day Gifts for moms obsessed with books, 7 bodies found during search for missing Oklahoma, Iowa lawmakers OK new deer hunting season and allow, Police locate body, tentatively identified as missing, Guac talk to get the most out of avocados, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. border:1px solid #FFB81F; 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 { display: flex; 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.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. Ms. Heitshusen will be . Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it. background-color: grey; I would raise the minimum wage to help struggling families, boost wages for all workers, and help combat the workforce crisis our state is facing. 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. "That said, she is pleased that this matter is now behind her.". width: 43%; color: black; 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. word-wrap: break-word; Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. .race_header.democratic { They are hard workers and can make a difference.. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169.

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. .leg-hnt-leadership { 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. height: 56px; Redistricting created new boundary lines that include parts of West Des Moines in . 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. width: 57%; } We will miss you, Sonya! Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news WHO-TV is one of Iowa's biggest local television stations where Heitshusen was known for doggedly investigating injustices and holding the powerful accountable. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. .inner_percentage.Green { .results_row td:first-child { Please, Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2022. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Hinson: Standing up for the Second Amendment, Rob Sand Kills Laura Belins Open Records Lawsuit. width: 100%;

, 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 { "It has to change. I assisted on Federal courts | If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. } letter-spacing: 0.03em; }) width: 100%; 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. } box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 8px; It happened as I backed out of a grocery store parking space. Its time to turn the page on bitter, divisive politics and usher in a new era of civility, courage, and common sense. Sonya Heitshusen - West Des Moines, Iowa, United States - LinkedIn font-weight: bold; Cities | ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } This is the official Facebook page of Sonya Heitshusen. She said she was devastated last August. font-size: 2em; Heitshusen said she was blindsided in April 2020 when the station's 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." .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} .electionsectionheading { She sought treatment for infertility in the 1950s when options for women were few and far between. @media (max-width:600px) { } This is unacceptable. In particular, she maintains that this was an accident and in no way intentional," defense attorney Grant Woodard said in a statement emailed to the Register. float: right; } Heitshusen filed an age and gender discrimination lawsuit Tuesday against WHO-TV's parent company, Nexstar Media Group, Inc., which calls itself "America's largest local television and media company," with 199 stations. As a journalist, I know the importance of listening to all parties and the importance of using facts to find the truth. } column-width: 175px; These two issues were underscored in a conversation with a gay couple I spoke with. City of Henderson to make decision on possible Station, Deadly car crash shuts down portion of US 95 in central, Las Vegas police search for driver after officer, Las Vegas area high school students win International, 200,000 Nevadans could lose Medicaid benefits as, Las Vegas bus rider threatened with knife questions, Las Vegas bus supervisor stabbed, suspect charged, Body found next to dumpster near Las Vegas casino:, No one can say what specific hazardous materials, Man accused of killing mother also wanted in Las, TV ads for 2024 presidential election already airing, Raiders take edge rusher Tyree Wilson at No. In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. How a bipartisan bill could make it happen. EXCLUSIVE: Iowa-Based Organization Launches Six Figure Ad Buy in Support of School Choice. You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week.

float:right; 	} 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. People have also expressed concern that legislation recently passed is creating an "unwelcoming" environment in Iowa. 	} 	padding-left: 10px; 	.election_results_text { Sonya Heitshusen was born in Marengo, Iowa. 	.votebox-covid-disclaimer { 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. 		overflow-y: hidden; 	margin-bottom: 1px; Sonya grew up on a family farm in eastern Iowa near the Amana Colonies in Iowa County. Irecently forgot that I have a neck. 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 will miss you, Sonya! . Sonya Heitshusen was born in Marengo, Iowa. Women are relevant after the age of 50. It has to change. Contact our sales team. The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. 		margin: 3px 0; Sonya Heitshusen, who previously worked at WHO 13 and WOI, announced Thursday she's running for the House district that includes part of southeast Dallas County  comprised of Van Meter, Adel, and parts of West Des Moines. $('#candidate-connection-twitter-117956').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-twitter'); }); West Des Moines police say in a criminal complaint that Heitshusen pulled the trigger of a black Glock 21 handgun while inside her home sometime around 11 p.m. on June 27. 			overflow-x: scroll; The seasoned reporter said she was told the company might find her a lower-paying digital job but nothing on television. Heitshusen works as the communications director for the Iowa State Auditor's office. https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sonya_Heitshusen&oldid=8819092, Iowa House of Representatives candidate, 2022, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. .widget-row.value-only.black { For more than 17 years, Sonya has dedicated herself to serving the community and being a friend to all of us. $('.collapse').collapse('show'); He can be contacted atwrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at@DMRMorris. 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. Sonya Heitshusen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. They should be problem solvers who can work with others to find meaningful, long-term solutions to complex problems. Heitshusen pled not guilty, claiming that the prosecution against her was politically motivated. Sonya Heitshusen (@newzgirl) / Twitter 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.  		column-gap: 1em;  Why is Woke Big Tech secretly trying to change Iowas electric grid? 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. 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.