.expand-all:hover, .collapse-all:hover {cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;} This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. They should be problem solvers who can work with others to find meaningful, long-term solutions to complex problems. Great Jones Cookware Review: Is It Worth Buying? 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. Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men.Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. display: inline; font-weight: 300; padding-top: 5px; .votebox { Hinson: Standing up for the Second Amendment, Rob Sand Kills Laura Belins Open Records Lawsuit. font-weight: 200; } 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. a[aria-expanded=false] .fa-chevron-down { display: none; } 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, 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. We shouldnt skimp on it. .clearfix { The youngest of six children, Sonya bailed hay and tended to livestock alongside her brothers. The lawsuit claims she was "thrown out to pasture" because she was deemed no longer fit to appear on camera while male anchors at the station got higher pay, among other better treatment. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. $(".expand-all").on('click', () => { But a judge in January denied that motion, ruling that based on her statements to police, a jury could find she had intentionally pulled the trigger. Lack of childcare is preventing women in particular from joining the workforce. $('.showResponses').show(); })(); See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection. 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. "We believe that this is utterly baseless," he said. } width: 50px; document.getElementById('leg-hnt-toggle6450bb2a28ea0').addEventListener('click', event => { 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. They are hard workers and can make a difference.. } It has to change. The book details her time in the concentration camp but it's ultimately about forgiveness, healing, and transformation. This election is another opportunity for Iowans to bridge divides and support leaders who are open and honest, leaders who will do the right thing despite the political fallout, and leaders who will put in the time and effort to reach thoughtful, enduring solutions to long-standing, complex problems. padding-left: 10px; ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } Sonya is most proud of her investigative work that resulted in real change for Iowans. }
"Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? To view Heitshusen's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here. } She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. margin-bottom: .75em; Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? .contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} 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. Like the time she advocated for a boy with autism whose insurer refused to cover his ABA therapy. I'm most concerned about education, providing opportunities for working families, keeping and attracting workers, and our environment. recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the station's history. This is hard work but Im up for the challenge. .results_text { I will work with anyone who has the best interests of Iowans at heart. background-color: #db0000; Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. } 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. .non_result_row { .votebox-results-metadata-p { background-color: #6db24f; She said she was devastated last August. 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. How a bipartisan bill could make it happen. 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." .race_header.green { Women are relevant after the age of 50. left: 0px; p.survey-response {margin-left:10px;} What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade? State legislature | display: table; According to court records, there are recordings of Heitshusen discussing the incident, but those are being kept confidential until the trial. They're moving out of the state because one man is a teacher, who feels his profession is under attack. margin-bottom:0px; a[aria-expanded=true] .fa-chevron-right { display: none; } padding-bottom: 5px; Sonya Heitshusen was born in Marengo, Iowa. display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; .leg-hnt-flex-row { z-index:1; Iowa women deserve better. Her career experience includes working as a communications director for the Iowa Auditor of State and a television anchor and investigative reporter. 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The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. In that report, police said Heitshusen "admitted to having a couple drinks prior to the incident. .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h3.votebox-header-office-name { ' recounted Heitshusen, who was the oldest female anchor in the stations history. "Ms. Heitshusen maintains her innocence. font-weight: 300; You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," Heitshusen told AP last week. 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. She handed me my high school diploma. I strongly believe compromise is necessary. } margin: 5px auto; Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. overflow-x: scroll; .electionsectionheading { This saddens me. 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. } An unsuccessful state legislative candidate and former Des Moines-area TV reporter and anchor has been ordered to complete a firearm safety class after being convicted of mishandling a handgun. float: right; 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. font-weight: 100; She said she was told the company valued her. } 2023 www.desmoinesregister.com. text-align: center; We will miss you, Sonya! } She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1992. font-weight: bold; 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. In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. float: left; .votebox-covid-disclaimer { Judge Cobb has scheduled a hearing on the recusal request for October 18, but Heitshusen is asking the court to reschedule the hearing for November 10, two days after the election. .votebox-results-metadata { "It has to change. Most of that area is currently part of District 19 . Both men feel less welcome because of their sexual orientation. People have also expressed concern that legislation recently passed is creating an "unwelcoming" environment in Iowa. .votebox_legend { 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. 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. I will listen to people with opposing viewpoints and to people from opposing parties. I will work tirelessly for my constituents. } background-color: #db0000; 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. height: 50px; What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? People once moved to Iowa because it offered excellent schools. She was valedictorian of her class and earned music and academic scholarships to Valparaiso University but her father refused to let her attend. Heitshusen has pleaded not guilty. 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. 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. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. width: 50%; The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. Now, people are leaving the state in search of better schools and a more welcoming environment. Were now middle of the pack, in large part because lawmakers have underfunded education for a decade. font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 7px; 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. Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, "as this is a matter of pending litigation.". Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. We are now middle of the pack because lawmakers have not fully funded public schools. } Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. U.S. Congress | padding-top: 3px; .inner_percentage.Libertarian { We must hold the owners of long-term care facilities accountable. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022. On average, Iowa's public schools have received less than a 2.5% increase over the last decade. She earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1992. 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. "No crime was committed and Ms. Heitshusen will be exonerated, ultimately. 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.