Source. "I spent 27 years of my life doing this," she said in an interview Monday. She handed me my high school diploma. .expand-all:hover, .collapse-all:hover {cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;} Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. Sonya Heitshusen, 54, was suddenly let go from NBC affiliate WHO-TV last summer after 17 years of appearing on camera and was the oldest female anchor in the station's history. width: 350px; 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. .widget-img { It has to change. The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. "It has to change. SCOTUS Now Just Another Congressional Committee, Trump Ramps up Attacks on DeSantis: 'Dropping Like a Rock', Russian Strikes on Pavlohrad Aim to Hamper Ukraine's Counteroffensive, Greg Abbott Criticized for Response to Texas Shooting: 'A New Low', Democrat Sold First Republic Stock, Bought JP Morgan Before Collapse, Conservative Influencers Struggle With Countering Biden's Messaging. According to court records, there are recordings of Heitshusen discussing the incident, but those are being kept confidential until the trial. color: #6db24f; background-color: green; font-size: 110%; She said she was devastated last August. Education is the foundation for every child's future. "That said, she is pleased that this matter is now behind her.". WEST DES MOINES, Iowa The public information officer for Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm after firing a gun from her West Des Moines home. We will lead them by telling them the truth and entrusting them with it.
Women are relevant after the age of 50. padding-left: 16px; No one person or party has all the answers. left: 0px; 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. } 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. This isnt easy. She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a cultural shift in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. margin-top: 1em; Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. width: 100%; } Heitshusen, now public information officer . padding-bottom: 0px; The seasoned reporter said she was told the company might find her a lower-paying digital job but nothing on television. While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. font-weight: 100; } height: 56px; position: relative; How a bipartisan bill could make it happen. Democratic state house candidate Sonya Heitshusen recklessly discharged a handgun in her home, shattering her sliding glass door, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Iowa Feld Report. height: 50px; background-color: #003388; .leg-hnt-section-title { Heitshusen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. } 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. EXCLUSIVE: Iowa-Based Organization Launches Six Figure Ad Buy in Support of School Choice. .widget-value { event.srcElement.innerText = '[hide]'; From 2020:I immediately thought it must be the way I look, Sonya Heitshusen says of leaving WHO. She determined all of her children would receive the best education possible. In court filings, Heitshusen had sought dismissal of the charge, arguing that an accidental discharge is not an "intentional discharge" under the relevant law. 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. background-color: #db0000; The report notes that Heitshusen had been drinking. No injuries were reported but, on Tuesday, the West Des Moines Democrat was arrested on a charge of reckless use of a firearm. } Iowa women deserve better. Sonya grew up on a family farm in eastern Iowa near the Amana Colonies in Iowa County. top: 0px; font-weight: bold; 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. overflow-y: auto; Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? $('.hideResponses').hide(); Both men feel less welcome because of their sexual orientation. height: 22px; A former television anchor for WHO-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, filed an age and gender discrimination lawsuit against the stations parent company, Nexstar Media Group Inc. } p.survey-response {margin-left:10px;} 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. .survey-result {padding:10px;} I also oppose vouchers for private schools. In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. 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. } border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; "The only thing that signaled to me was that it's my appearance. This is not the first time Nexstar has been issued lawsuits by female anchors and reporters. margin-right: 12px; } background-color: #f9f9f9; Elections in 2023 | U.S. Congress | padding-bottom: 5px; Women are relevant after the age of 50. .panel-heading:hover { cursor: pointer;} Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. padding-left: 0; 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. Roughly 700 waterways in Iowa are deemed impaired to the point they cannot be used for sources of drinking water or for recreation. Public policy. Her conviction resulted in her becoming the first woman to serve as President of the local school board. width: 250px; font-size: 2em; Nexstar's company statistics show that nearly 80 percent of its managers last year were men. 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. Contact our sales team. Because of that, and because her partner is a police officer "there are firearms in our home for personal protection," she said. We're now middle of the pack. Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. } display: block; background-color: #f9d334; "Ive received ongoing threatening messages on social media," she said in the statement. She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a cultural shift in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. 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. padding-top: 8px; She said in a statement last year she has guns in the home due to a history of threats against her as a journalist and political candidate, and that "an accidental discharge of the firearm occurred" as she was checking one of the weapons. 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. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it. .mw-content-ltr td.votebox-results-cell--text, They have a lot of great ideas. 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. 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. 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. Rob Sand, who continues to employ Heitshusen as his public information officer, has not commented on Heitshusens arrest. Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. She said she was devastated last August. .leg-hnt-flex-row { What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? } overflow: hidden; display: block; I vow to listen. 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. A native Iowan told me his sister would like to return to Iowa to teach but it would mean a $20,000 pay cut. 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. .non_result_row div { 352 talking about this. width: 250px; width: 35px !important; "I thought, 'I'm good enough to work here but I'm not good enough to be on camera?'" "Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? 2023 www.desmoinesregister.com. 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. We will miss you, Sonya! It's hard for me to say which book is my favorite. This is the official Facebook page of Sonya Heitshusen. We need to address systemic biases holding women back . Sonya Heitshusen is running for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28, along with Tom Walton. } .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { (function() { 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. ap photo Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. $('.showResponses').on('click', () => { David Young advanced from the Republican primary for Iowa House of Representatives District 28 on June 7, 2022. width: 100%; We need to fight for laws and programs that protect working families and put them first and not big corporations. overflow-x: scroll; flex: 0 0 175px; Nexstar, which has characterized Heitshusens firing as a reduction in its workforce, has faced other lawsuits in recent years from female reporters and anchors. margin-top: 5px; Like the time she advocated for a boy with autism whose insurer refused to cover his ABA therapy. She desperately wanted children and refused to give up. Federal courts | padding-left: 10px; Please, Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2022. complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. I will work with anyone who has the best interests of Iowans at heart. width: 100%; Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. Irecently forgot that I have a neck. } else { }. .votebox-covid-disclaimer { Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? padding: 2px 0;
.contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} The report notes that Heitshusen had been drinking. Its time to turn the page on bitter, divisive politics and usher in a new era of civility, courage, and common sense. clear: both; div.oneoff-scrollbox.regular { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } .outer_percentage { })(); See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection. The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. She is now the Public Information Officer for the Iowa State Auditor's Office. .election_results_text { } .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper { padding:7px 8px 8px; float: right; font-weight: 200; Heitshusen works as the communications director for the Iowa State Auditor's office. Ten years after treatment, my mother and father were the proud parents of six children. 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. } line-height: 1.5em; Hinson: Standing up for the Second Amendment, Rob Sand Kills Laura Belins Open Records Lawsuit. They have a lot of great ideas. Cities | ", "No one was hurt and no property was damaged other than my own," Heitshusen said in her statement. Her career experience includes working as a communications director for the Iowa Auditor of State and a television anchor and investigative reporter. The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} font-weight: bold; document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. .results_text { 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." Lack of childcare is preventing women in particular from joining the workforce. } We must finally put money into the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor
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