Investigative reporter. Sonya Heitshusen is running for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28, along with Tom Walton. .race_header.libertarian { She said she was bringing the lawsuit to help spur a "cultural shift" in the industry that makes discrimination no longer acceptable. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

   .contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} I recently read the book "The Choice" by Dr. Edith Eger. 	background-color: grey; We will miss you, Sonya! Following the 2022 redistricting, the new District 28 encompasses southeast Dallas County, including Van Meter, Adel, Boone and parts of West Des Moines. 	width: 150px; The only thing that signaled to me was that its my appearance.. 		display: inline-block; 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. 		column-count: auto; 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. They are hard workers and can make a difference.. 		background-color: #ccc; 	font-weight: bold; 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. A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. 		position: relative; Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. 	width: 43%; I will also fight to close the gender pay gap. Heitshusen, now public information officer for the Iowa State Auditor, got emotional recounting how the firing ended her award-winning journalism career. I'm running to build a better Iowa for future generations. 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'm most concerned about education, providing opportunities for working families, keeping and attracting workers, and our environment. Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. 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. We are now middle of the pack because lawmakers have not fully funded public schools.  You don't see women on TV with gray hair and wrinkles," Heitshusen told AP last week.  	vertical-align: top; 	} Company statistics show that nearly 80% of its managers last year were men. Prominent reporter and anchor Sonya Heitshusen leaves WHO-TV, I immediately thought it must be the way I look, Sonya Heitshusen says of leaving WHO, WOI-TV denies sex, age discrimination against former news director in federal court, Another senior TV newswoman in Iowa, April Samp, cites gender bias in her firing, this time by WOI, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Both men feel less welcome because of their sexual orientation. 	.votebox-results-cell--number { A company spokesman didnt immediately return a message seeking comment. People once moved to Iowa because it offered excellent schools. The bullet went through the glass of Heitshusen's sliding glass door, police said. Friday was Sonya Heitshusens final day at WHO 13. For nearly three decades, Iowans allowed me into their living rooms to deliver the news. 		font-size: 16px; Now, people are leaving the state in search of better schools and a more welcoming environment. font-size: .9em; 		font-style: italic; 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 firearm after police said she accidently fired a shot through a sliding glass door in her home. For more than 17 years, Sonya has dedicated herself to serving the community and being a friend to all of us. 		.votebox { 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.    .contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} .widget-row.Libertarian { 	} Iowa was once first in the nation in education. } .expand-all:hover, .collapse-all:hover {cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;} 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. Elected officials are public servants. 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. Nexstar spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment, "as this is a matter of pending litigation.". Is there a story that youve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? var nTimer = setInterval(function() { 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. 		text-align: center; }, 100); Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? 		letter-spacing: .04em; In addition to the firearm charge, Heitshusen also is the plaintiff in a long-running civil case against WHO-TV owner Nexstar Media Group Inc. Heitshusen sued the station for age and gender discrimination in 2021, alleging WHO fired her due to widespread bias against placing older women in on-air positions. 		background-color: #003388; "I thought, 'I'm good enough to work here but I'm not good enough to be on camera?'" While seemingly a joke, the comment reflected a deeper truth that her age was a concern to management, it alleges. .widget-value { 	} 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. 		padding-bottom: 5px; 		margin: 0; 	} 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. For subscribers:Gun safety taught at Iowa schools? Former TV news anchor Sonya Heitshusen running for Iowa House  WHO-TV is one of Iowa's biggest local television stations where Heitshusen was known for doggedly investigating injustices and holding the powerful accountable. We must also commit to cleaning up our waterways. 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. 		border: 1px solid #aaa; 		padding-bottom: 8px; (WHO-TV/Polk County Sheriff's Office) An award-winning news anchor was arrested for. Sonya Heitshusen and Tom Walton are competing for the Democratic nomination for Iowa House District 28. . Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news 	background-color: #f9f9f9; 	.race_footer { 	} 	} According to court records, she also must complete an online gun safety course as a condition of her probation. In farewell segments, the NBC affiliate did not mention any reason for her departure. They're moving out of the state because one man is a teacher, who feels his profession is under attack. 	} 		position: absolute; div.oneoff-scrollbox.regular {  height:400px;  overflow:scroll;  margin:20px;  padding:10px;  border:1px solid gray; } 		font-weight: 300; We will miss you, Sonya! 	} In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. 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. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. Ex-Iowa anchor hopes her age bias lawsuit changes TV news She lost  in the general election on November 8, 2022. $('.hideResponses').hide();        .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}   A company spokesman didnt immediately return a message seeking comment.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 any legislation to further restrict access to abortion. 	} (function() { 	} a[aria-expanded=true] .fa-chevron-right { display: none; } According to. 		position: relative; "Where are all the women who are in TV broadcasting over 50? 		padding: 2px 0; Lack of childcare is preventing women in particular from joining the workforce. Sonya Heitshusen (@newzgirl) / Twitter Heitshusen, 54, filed a . In addition to Nexstar, the lawsuit names Peterson and general manager Bobby Totsch as defendants. The lawsuit also alleges that male anchors received more vacation time and more on-air recognition for journalism awards and that they were not judged by their appearances. 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. 	.leg-hnt-leadership > div { This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. .widget-row { 	} She quickly established herself as a fact-driven, truth-seeking anchor and investigative reporter devoted to giving a voice to the voiceless and uncovering injustices. 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.democratic { "No crime was committed and Ms. Heitshusen will be exonerated, ultimately. 				max-height: 580px; 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. 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.