A well-known Minnesota TV meteorologist claims her boss made her wear tight-fitting clothes and scolded her for changing her hair color before she was fired, according to a new lawsuit.
Wren Clair, whose real name is Renee Fox, filed a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against ABC affiliate KSTP-TV in St. Paul. The suit names news director Kirk Varner for the alleged behavior.
According to the complaint, which was filed Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court, starting in 2021, Varner often commented on Fox’s body and appearance.
Fox says Varner “voiced his preference for tighter fitting outfits, complained when she wore ‘pants’ instead of a dress … and complained about her decision to switch from blonde to her natural hair color.”
Fox claims she was moved from the evening news to a daytime schedule last year after she reported the issue to the station’s human resources department. She was fired in February after seven years at KSTP-TV.
Paul Schinner, Fox’s lawyer, told The Post, “In Minnesota, when your boss openly wonders what it would be like to sleep with you or makes repeated comments about your appearance — that’s illegal.”
Varner, who joined the station in 2019, left KSTP in March. Mike Garber, who replaced him, told The Post, “KSTP does not comment on personnel matters or active litigation.”
In court, KSTP denied the sexual harassment claims. The station said Fox was fired because of “poor performance, on which she was repeatedly coached.” KSTP also said Varner’s comments about her appearance were “standard for on-air talent.”
The station added that Varner “emphasized the importance of clothing fit, informed (Fox) that wearing certain pants, such as joggers, on-air was unprofessional, and addressed (Fox’s) abrupt hair color change from blonde to brunette by referencing the appearance clause in her employment agreement.”
Fox claims Varner treated her harsher than male colleagues, gave her worse hours and assignments, and limited her chances for promotion. KSTP denied this and said Fox “could not be trusted with severe weather coverage” and blamed others for mistakes.
Fox became the primetime weekday meteorologist in 2020 after chief weatherperson Dave Dahl retired. Before his retirement, Dahl had commented on Fox’s appearance, telling her she looked “great” and “slim.” Fox said she reported these comments to Varner, who dismissed them in a gender-based way. KSTP said Dahl apologized.
Fox also said Dahl made assumptions about her wanting to have a baby, even though she had never mentioned it. She claims such sex-based presumptions were common at the station.
Before Fox took the primetime role, Varner allegedly doubted that viewers could accept a female lead in a scientific role. Fox holds degrees in chemistry and meteorology. KSTP said Varner had coached her to use simpler language in weather reports to make them easier for viewers to understand.
After Dahl retired, Fox claims some male colleagues treated her disrespectfully, leading her to make formal complaints to HR. KSTP said she complained only once and her move to daytime was not a demotion. The station said she received ongoing performance coaching but was not formally disciplined.
Fox was fired with two years left on her contract. She is now seeking back pay, attorney fees, and other damages to be decided by a jury.
