Meteorologist Wren Clair Sues KSTP Over Sexual Harassment, Retaliation Claims

ST. PAUL, MN — Former KSTP meteorologist Wren Clair has filed a lawsuit accusing the Twin Cities station of years of sexual harassment and retaliation, saying management tolerated a culture of sexualized comments, flirting, and misconduct before her "abrupt" firing in February.

Clair, whose legal name is Renee Fox, worked at KSTP from June 2018 until February 2025.

The 30-page complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court claims former chief meteorologist Dave Dahl repeatedly commented on Clair's body, once telling her she had a "swimmer’s body" and looked "slim," and often shared graphic details about his sex life, including how "turned on" he was by a girlfriend’s lack of sexual experience.

The lawsuit claims he also complimented the breasts of an underage waitress, engaged in public sex acts with a date at a company Christmas party, and showed male colleagues photos of a woman’s breasts at work.

The lawsuit claims that KSTP news director Kirk Varner made repeated remarks about her appearance, clothing, birth control use, and he doubted whether viewers would "accept a lead female in a scientist role," and referred to certain reduced-hour arrangements as "mommy contracts."

The complaint describes his management style as reflecting "the norms of a bygone era when the sexual objectification and second-class status of female professionals was accepted as commonplace."

When she complained to human resources in 2024, the lawsuit states that no investigation was launched, and the female HR director responded, "You think that’s bad? I used to work for a trucking company."

The lawsuit states that during a 2023 Minnesota State Fair live assignment, Clair was groped by fairgoers and that the station ignored her warnings about inadequate security for the 2024 fair, making no changes to protect staff.

The lawsuit states that clair was demoted in October 2024, had vacation days docked without permission, and was fired on Feb. 12, 2025, for what the station called "unsatisfactory performance."

The complaint calls that reason "pretextual," citing positive reviews, strong ratings, and the fact that a less qualified male replaced her with a history of performance issues.

"For years, Ms. Fox put up with sexist double standards and offensive conduct at KSTP," according to Clair's attorney, Paul Schinner.

"When she finally reported it to Human Resources, she was quickly demoted and then abruptly fired. KSTP’s vague allegations about Ms. Fox’s ‘performance’ are bogus, raised only after Ms. Fox started opposing discrimination and harassment."

KSTP denied the allegations and said Clair was fired for poor performance, the Star Tribune reported.

Clair now works as a meteorologist at KARE 11

A Hopkins native, Clair previously worked in Boston and northern Wisconsin, and holds degrees in meteorology, chemistry, and cultural anthropology, along with a master’s in environmental science and policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Patch has reached out to KSTP for comment.