"I loved my job. .inner_percentage.CrossFiled { Heitshusen recounted. padding-top: 5px; @media screen and (max-width: 350px) { color: black; They have a lot of great ideas. We must also commit to cleaning up our waterways. display: block; .leg-hnt-flex-column { .results_row { .results_row td { 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. border-bottom: 1px solid grey; People once moved to Iowa because it offered excellent schools. You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week. overflow: hidden; display: block; Now, people are leaving the state in search of better schools and a more welcoming environment. 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: #dac113; .widget-row.Democratic { text-align: center; I will also fight to close the gender pay gap. background-color: #6db24f; } $('.hideResponses').hide(); Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. According to the County Attorneys Office, the nieces role in the Heitshusen campaign creates a conflict of interest for which the judges impartiality might be reasonably questioned. No injuries were reported but, on Tuesday, the West Des Moines Democrat was arrested on a charge of reckless use of a firearm. You dont see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles, she told The Associated Press last week. As first reported by Iowa Field Report, Heitshusenwho also serves the public information office for State Auditor Rob Sand was arrested this summer after she fired a handgun into her sliding glass door, sending the bullet across a busy city road. Elections in 2023 | 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. .infobox { 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. width: 100%; Elected officials are public servants. Above, Donald Trump, as a Republican presidential candidate, speaks with moderator Dave Price of WHO-TV during a town hall meeting at Des Moines Area Community College Newton Campus on November 19, 2015, in Newton, Iowa. text-align: left; 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). .widget-row.value-only { 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. } display: inline-block; While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. She said she was devastated last August. She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. Her conviction resulted in her becoming the first woman to serve as President of the local school board. 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. Sonya Heitshusen (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Iowa House of Representatives to represent District 28. 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. By following the money, she also exposed the states failure to track the tax dollars given to that organization. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. 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. display: none; I will work with anyone who has the best interests of Iowans at heart. } .race_header.democratic { Eger is a survivor of Auschwitz. Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? display: flex; 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. Sonya Heitshusen defeated Tom Walton in the Democratic primary for Iowa House of Representatives District 28 on June 7, 2022. justify-content: center; I highly recommend it. } 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 fight to keep reproductive healthcare between a woman and her doctor. 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. background-color: red; padding-bottom: 0px; Iowa has plummeted in education rankings. font-weight: bold; She said she was devastated last August. The book details her time in the concentration camp but it's ultimately about forgiveness, healing, and transformation. 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. .widget-value { left: 0px; Take a look back at her remarkable career at WHO 13. They are hard workers and can make a difference.". Iowa was once first in the nation in education. Friday was Sonya Heitshusens final day at WHO 13. In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. 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. As a result, Iowans wont know until next year what Heitshusen said to the police or what other admissions she made when they interviewed her. .widget-key { a[aria-expanded=true] .fa-chevron-right { display: none; }

if (document.getElementById('leg-hnt-content6450bb2a28ea0').classList.contains('leg-hnt-hide')) { Sonya was also instrumental in shutting down an organization that mistreated and neglected individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. } display: inline; background-color: #db0000; z-index:1; We need to invest in our teachers, our public schools and most importantly our kids. Heitshusen, a former WHO-TV news anchor, said in a. It happened as I backed out of a grocery store parking space. A separate West Des Moines Police report said the gun belongs toHeitshusen's partner, a Des Moines police officer. I will support our educators and appropriate the necessary funds to keep quality teachers in Iowa and attract new educators to the state. In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. margin: 8px auto; I'm most concerned about education, providing opportunities for working families, keeping and attracting workers, and our environment. 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." } In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. I thought, Im good enough to work here but Im not good enough to be on camera? color: #fff; She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1992. For nearly three decades, Iowans allowed me into their living rooms to deliver the news. float: left; background-color: #ccc; text-align: center; .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h5.votebox-header-election-type { If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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." 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. .inner_percentage.Republican { William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. The late former Governor Robert Ray, a champion of these core, Iowa values, made the case for bipartisanship and hope in his inaugural address in 1975, a time when the Governor and the legislature, and much of the country were politically divided. 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. left: 0; .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. font-size: 12px; color: #888; } 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. flex-wrap: wrap; A native Iowan told me his sister would like to return to Iowa to teach but it would mean a $20,000 pay cut. }) } a.communitylink { color:black; font-weight:bold; } margin-top: 1px; by Luke Martz | Oct 19, 2022 | Campaigns, Legislature, State Government. 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. This is not the first time Nexstar has been issued lawsuits by female anchors and reporters. margin: 0; } My mother is my first role model. 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. if (typeof $ != 'undefined') { 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. According to court records, there are recordings of Heitshusen discussing the incident, but those are being kept confidential until the trial. } top: -1px; "No crime was committed and Ms. Heitshusen will be exonerated, ultimately. top: -5px; I'm running to build a better Iowa for future generations. David Young defeated Sonya Heitshusen in the general election for Iowa House of Representatives District 28 on November 8, 2022. 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. display: flex; .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { We must make it a priority. background-color: grey; 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.