As a prominent reporter and anchor at one of Iowa's biggest local television stations, Sonya Heitshusen was known for doggedly investigating injustices and holding the powerful accountable. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Heitshusen's responses. recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the station's history. According to Heitshusens filings, the defendant [Heitshusen] mistakenly suggested November 3, 2022, but meant to request the following Thursday, November 10, 2022. top: 0px; Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30. Sonya went to bat for him, eventually securing the treatment he needed and legally deserved. 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. 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. Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. } Ten years after treatment, my mother and father were the proud parents of six children. } Judge in Sonya Heitshusen case asked to recuse herself because of I also oppose vouchers for private schools. Eger is a survivor of Auschwitz. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. break-inside: avoid-column; For nearly three decades, Iowans allowed me into their living rooms to deliver the news. Take a look back at her remarkable career 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. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. 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. $('.showResponses').on('click', () => { He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. } She handed me my high school diploma. .race_header.democratic { Anything less will endanger the lives of women and harm already marginalized families and communities. 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. } 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. 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). 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. overflow-x: scroll; This is not the first time Nexstar has been issued lawsuits by female anchors and reporters. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. p.survey-response {white-space: pre-line;} "It's Hard to be Essentially Forced Out" FTVLive 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. We must hold the owners of long-term care facilities accountable. We need to ensure women maintain reproductive rights. 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. .race_header, .results_text, .results_table_container, .votebox_legend { Heitshusen recounted. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. font-style: italic; } font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 16px; We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I think I was good at it. font-size: 1.25em; margin-bottom: -2px !important; "The only thing that signaled to me was that it's my appearance.". The news was first published on the conservative website Iowa Field Report. Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, as this is a matter of pending litigation.. font-size: 12px; Education is the foundation for every childs future. .votebox-scroll-container { word-wrap: break-word; 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. margin: 3px 0; Sonya Heitshusen was born in Marengo, Iowa. I'm also a good listener. The seasoned reporter said she was told the company might find her a lower-paying digital job but nothing on television. By following the money, she also exposed the states failure to track the tax dollars given to that organization. Please, Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2022. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. 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. There were no incumbents in this race. .inner_percentage.CrossFiled { In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. 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. document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content6450bb2a28ea0').classList.remove('leg-hnt-hide'); 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. In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. margin-bottom: .75em; } Counties | p.survey-question {font-weight:bold;} $(".collapse-all").on('click', () => { max-width: 600px; display: block; The views and content on this page are the Sonya Heitshusen | Des Moines IA I also believe elected officials need to be courageous. font-weight: 100; Doing so would be a good first step to cleaning up our waterways, which in turn would attract more people to our state. 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." . margin: 0px 10px; $('.hideResponses').on('click', () => { background-color: #6db24f; 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. height: 100%; Heitshusen, 54, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday,. Take a look back at her remarkable career at WHO 13. 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." Poverty in America estimates the livable wage in Iowa is $23.88 per hour. 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. clearInterval(nTimer); ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } } They have a lot of great ideas. font-weight: bold; They need to be accessible and listen to the concerns of their constituents. } # Sonya Heitshusen - Bleeding Heartland If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. color: #888; whotv. display: block; padding-left: 10px; Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, "as this is a matter of pending litigation.". column-gap: 1em; }. } What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news } 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. $('.showResponses').show(); height: 56px; | .leg-hnt-leadership-title { Iowa has plummeted in education rankings. 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. We need to stand up for what is right, defend democracy, and do the right thing, even when that might not be politically advantageous. Numerous people in my District have told me they're concerned about education in Iowa. You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," Heitshusen told AP last week. Heitshusen said she was blindsided in April of 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." State executives | .election_results_text { padding-left: 10px; Iowa House candidate charged after accidental shooting 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. According to. 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. It has to change. Sonya Heitshusen, former WHO 13 anchor, announces run for Iowa House Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. font-weight: 200; A statement from Heitshusen's attorney Grant Woodard said, "The charges are baseless. 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. I will also fight to close the gender pay gap. They have a lot of great ideas. .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h5.votebox-header-election-type { } Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? .non_result_row div { $('.hideResponses').show(); She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a cultural shift in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. padding-bottom: 5px; U.S. President | } Iowa was once number one in education in the nation. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it. .widget-row.Green { 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. if (typeof $ != 'undefined') { Nexstar has maintained that Heitshusen's firing was a matter of reducing its staff. .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} display: block; } Both men feel less welcome because of their sexual orientation. } We also need to find innovative solutions to the childcare crisis. He also said his sister would not return to Iowa because of the policies that undermine public schools. display: inline-block; z-index:1;
.contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} background-color: #f4f4f4; 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. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," she told The Associated Press last week. font-size: 90%; 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. They're moving out of the state because one man is a teacher, who feels his profession is under attack. Whose example would you like to follow, and why? flex: 0 0 175px; div.survey-scrollbox { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } 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. Because of that, and because her partner is a police officer "there are firearms in our home for personal protection," she said. 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. Nexstar calls itself "America's largest local television and media company," with 199 stations. Ex-TV Anchor Files Age Discrimination Suit Against Nexstar Media 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. We're now middle of the pack. display: flex; } ", More in September 2020:Another senior TV newswoman in Iowa, April Samp, cites gender bias in her firing, this time by WOI. We must finally put money into the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor
.inner_percentage.Green { .results_row.winner { 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. Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news overflow-y: hidden; ap photo I assisted on
As a journalist, I know the importance of listening to all parties and the importance of using facts to find the truth. 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. They are hard workers and can make a difference.". Iowa Democrat Sonya Heitshusen on June 7 primary ballot for - KCCI Sonya believes in giving back to the community, serving on the Boards of Directors for the Alzheimers Association and the Ankeny YMCA, and being active in numerous philanthropic organizations, such as the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Team Run Free, and One Iowa to name a few. Recreation Fund, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2010. Who do you look up to? The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA will host the annual Healthy Kids Day event from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 19. border:1px solid #FFB81F; } document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. width: 100% .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { 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. Her career experience includes working as a communications director for the Iowa Auditor of State and a television anchor and investigative reporter. The book details her time in the concentration camp but it's ultimately about forgiveness, healing, and transformation. .widget-row.value-only.white { .contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;} overflow-y: hidden; border-top: 1px solid #aaa; No injuries were reported but, on Tuesday, the West Des Moines Democrat was arrested on a charge of reckless use of a firearm. font-style: italic; event.srcElement.innerText = '[show]'; We need to address systemic biases holding women back . In that report, police said Heitshusen "admitted to having a couple drinks prior to the incident. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. text-align: center; 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.
How Long Does Meredith Goats Cheese Last After Opening,
Best Paying Hospitals In Chicago For Nurses,
Joancee Contact Number,
Jesse Lewis Sandy Hook,
Ffxiv Tail Mod,
Articles W