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; The charge of reckless use of a firearm causing property damage isan aggravated misdemeanor and could carry a sentence of up to two years if convicted. font-weight: 300; } People have also expressed concern that legislation recently passed is creating an "unwelcoming" environment in Iowa. 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." U.S. Congress | Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller. .inner_percentage.Libertarian { 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. 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. | She was valedictorian of her class and earned music and academic scholarships to Valparaiso University but her father refused to let her attend. Nexstar has maintained that Heitshusen's firing was a matter of reducing its staff. Heitshusen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. } clear: both; .leg-hnt-leadership-title { ", "No one was hurt and no property was damaged other than my own," Heitshusen said in her statement. font-weight: bold; Former TV anchor charged with reckless discharge of a firearm - KCCI State and local courts | 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Heitshusen entered what is called an Alford plea, meaning she maintained her innocence but conceded the state had sufficient evidence to convict her and wished to take advantage of the plea deal. Women are relevant after the age of 50. background-color: red; In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. } 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. justify-content: center; position: absolute; Ten years after treatment, my mother and father were the proud parents of six children. column-count: auto; Sonya Heitshusen defeated Tom Walton in the Democratic primary for Iowa House of Representatives District 28 on June 7, 2022. Heitshusen, 54, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday,. Iowa House candidate Sonya Heitshusen charged with reckless use of firearm 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. She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1992. Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. } I will support our educators and appropriate the necessary funds to keep quality teachers in Iowa and attract new educators to the state. Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news font-size: 0.9em; } If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. No crime was committed. .inner_percentage.Green { 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. I vow to listen. I assisted on 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. Heitshusen pled not guilty, claiming that the prosecution against her was politically motivated. [1], .votebox { .votebox-scroll-container { } } background-color: #f4f4f4; Ballotpedia features 408,503 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. text-align: center; (WHO-TV/Polk County Sheriff's Office) An award-winning news anchor was arrested for. Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news width: 100% !important; She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a cultural shift in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. Iowa was once number one in education in the nation. I also believe elected officials need to be courageous. 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. 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. 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. 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. Ex-candidate, TV anchor Sonya Heitshusen ordered to take safety class .votebox_bp_logo { $('.showResponses').hide(); While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," Heitshusen told AP last week. 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. You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week. Her conviction resulted in her becoming the first woman to serve as President of the local school board. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. margin: auto; } She is the recipient of numerous Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Eric Sevareid awards. display: table; $('.showResponses').show(); Heitshusen recounted. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. .leg-hnt-flex-column { font-weight: bold; Irecently forgot that I have a neck. Contact our sales team. column-width: 175px; overflow-y: hidden; 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. .non_result_row div { Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? } document.getElementById('leg-hnt-toggle6450bb2a28ea0').addEventListener('click', event => { We cannot allow this to continue. by Luke Martz | Oct 19, 2022 | Campaigns, Legislature, State Government. "The only thing that signaled to me was that it's my appearance.". No injuries were reported but, on Tuesday, the West Des Moines Democrat was arrested on a charge of reckless use of a firearm. background-color: #003388; .leg-hnt-hide { margin-bottom: 1px; All rights reserved. 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 and Tom Walton are competing for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28. . top: 0px; Friday was Sonya Heitshusens final day at WHO 13. Police Report: Sonya Heitshusen Recklessly - Iowa Field Report 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. color: white; 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. Elected officials are public servants. .inner_percentage.CrossFiled { 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. width: 50%; Following the 2022 redistricting, the new District 28 encompasses southeast Dallas County, including Van Meter, Adel, Boone and parts of West Des Moines. She admitted, though, that she fired the gun into the door but claims she shouldnt be held responsible. width: 100%; } .inner_percentage.Republican { $(".collapse-all").on('click', () => { width: 100%; background-color: grey; font-size: 1.25em; .widget-row.heading { event.srcElement.innerText = '[show]'; .leg-hnt-flex-row { Heitshusen has pleaded not guilty. The news was first published on the conservative website Iowa Field Report. According to the affidavit, the handgun involved in the incident, a black Glock 21, did . Iowa was once first in the nation in education. Offering world-class education will strengthen our families, our communities, our workforce, and our state. } In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week. 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. flex-wrap: wrap; a[aria-expanded=false] .fa-chevron-down { display: none; } Heitshusen, 54, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday,. padding-left: 0; } .race_header.democratic { The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA will host the annual Healthy Kids Day event from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 19. There were no incumbents in this race. $('#candidate-connection-email-117956').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-email'); }); Former Iowa anchor hopes her lawsuit changes TV news, PVACCINATEDEW N AT FIVE OF FORME LONG-TIME DWAYNE TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR AND REPORTER IS SUING HER FORMER STATION CLAIMING. padding-bottom: 8px; As a journalist, I know the importance of listening to all parties and the importance of using facts to find the truth. width: 100%; This saddens me. Iowa House candidate charged after accidental shooting .mw-content-ltr td.votebox-results-cell--text, SHNOWE SOUNDS A PUBLIC INFORMATIO.
, See also:Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2022. .votebox-results-metadata-p { padding:7px 8px 8px; Sonya Heitshusen is running for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28, along with Tom Walton. .votebox-covid-disclaimer { width: 350px; text-align: center; I believe this is due in large part to . Investigative reporter. .results_table_container {float:right; p.survey-question {font-weight:bold;} Roughly 700 waterways in Iowa are deemed impaired to the point they cannot be used for sources of drinking water or for recreation. background-color: #6db24f; background-color: #dac113; 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. Elections in 2023 | .non_result_row { .leg-hnt-leadership > div { .results_row.winner { 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%; The views and content on this page are the Sonya Heitshusen | Des Moines IA They are hard workers and can make a difference.". I've also heard from teachers who feel overworked and under attack. School districts | Its time to turn the page on bitter, divisive politics and usher in a new era of civility, courage, and common sense. It has to change. .widget-value { Sonya Heitshusen, a former WHO-TV anchor who now works as the public information officer for Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, and Tom Walton, who works as director of legal services and general counsel for Delta Dental of Iowa. Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, "as this is a matter of pending litigation.". .results_table { They're moving out of the state because one man is a teacher, who feels his profession is under attack. .contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} }); What's on my ballot? Take a look back at her remarkable career at WHO 13. font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top; Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The report notes that Heitshusen had been drinking. margin: 0px 10px; Click here to read the survey answers. if (document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content6450bb2a28ea0').classList.contains('leg-hnt-hide')) { padding-left: 16px; } 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. The incident occurred on Monday, June 27th, around 11:20 pm. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. } 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. font-style: italic; overflow-x: auto; margin-top: 0px; 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. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news } 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. } I'm not just running to make Iowa better today. In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. width: 250px; Suggest a Correction Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. } background-color: #ccc; background-color: green; ' recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the stations history. display: block; width: 100%; .widget-row.Green { } Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. I will work tirelessly for my constituents. top: 2px; They have a lot of great ideas. padding-left: 10px; .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper .image-candidate-thumbnail { color: white; Sonya Heitshusen was born in Marengo, Iowa. .large-date { text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600;} .election_results_text { 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. color: white; The strikes left 34 people injured, including three children, and caused widespread damage. $('.hideResponses').hide(); According to court records, she also must complete an online gun safety course as a condition of her probation. Her attorney, Grant Woodard, said she would vigorously defend herself in court. Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, as this is a matter of pending litigation.. text-align: center; } 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. .votebox_legend { color: #6db24f; } Please, Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2022. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. SHEED FIL THE LAWSUIT TODAY AGAINST THE STAONTI AND ITS OWNER THE NEXT STAR MEDIA GROUP. Former Iowa anchor hopes her lawsuit changes TV news - KCCI display: inline-block; ", 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. She is now the Public Information Officer for the Iowa State Auditor's Office. } While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. word-wrap: break-word; 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. } max-height: 580px; .votebox-scroll-container { U.S. President | You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week. In that report, police said Heitshusen "admitted to having a couple drinks prior to the incident. Ballot measures, Who represents me? } In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. padding: 2px; She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. 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 | margin: 0 5px; .race_header { width: 100%; 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. .race_header, .results_text, .results_table_container, .votebox_legend { Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? This is not the first time Nexstar has been issued lawsuits by female anchors and reporters. 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. font-weight: bold; In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. David Young defeated Sonya Heitshusen in the general election for Iowa House of Representatives District 28 on November 8, 2022. . width: 50px; According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa dropped to 40th in the country in pay equity in 2020. 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. border-radius: 50%; It has to change. I strongly believe compromise is necessary. 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. 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.
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