5 Shocking Details Behind The Firing Of KSTP Anchor Wren Clair And The Dismissed Harassment Lawsuit

The firing of a KSTP news personality often sparks intense public curiosity, but few departures have generated the level of controversy and legal drama as the case of meteorologist Wren Clair. As of today, December 12, 2025, the most recent and significant update revolves around the stunning dismissal of her high-profile lawsuit against the station, which had alleged years of sexual harassment and illegal retaliation.

The core of the dispute centered on two starkly different narratives: KSTP’s claim of poor job performance versus Clair’s accusation that she was terminated in February 2024 for reporting misconduct. This article breaks down the full timeline, the serious allegations, and the surprising resolution that brought the legal battle to an end.

Wren Clair: Biography and Career Profile

Wren Clair, whose legal name is Renee Fox, became a prominent figure in Twin Cities broadcasting, known for her engaging on-air presence and meteorological expertise. Her career trajectory and personal background are key to understanding the context of the KSTP controversy.

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• Legal Name: Renee Fox
• Hometown: Hopkins, Minnesota, U.S.
• Education: Holds a degree in Meteorology.
• Early Career: Began her professional meteorology career at WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, where she gained significant experience covering severe winter weather and snowstorms.
• KSTP-TV Tenure: Joined KSTP-TV (5 Eyewitness News) in Minneapolis–St. Paul in 2018. She quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming one of the station’s key evening-weather anchors.
• Departure from KSTP: Abruptly terminated in February 2024.
• Post-KSTP Career: Briefly joined KARE 11's weather team after her departure from KSTP, but later also left that position.
• Key Controversy: Filed a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against KSTP and its parent company, Hubbard Broadcasting.

The Two Sides: Poor Performance vs. Retaliation Claim

The dispute over Wren Clair’s dismissal was a classic media battle of "he said, she said," with the station and the former meteorologist presenting diametrically opposed reasons for her termination. This legal and public fight put a spotlight on the internal culture of the Twin Cities news industry.

KSTP’s Official Rationale: “Poor Performance”

KSTP-TV, owned by the influential Hubbard family, maintained that Clair's firing was strictly a professional decision. The station asserted that she was terminated due to a documented history of poor performance, including issues with her on-air delivery and work product. They argued that she had been repeatedly coached on these issues and denied any allegations of a retaliatory motive. According to the station, the dismissal was a necessary measure to maintain the high standards of their news operation.

Wren Clair’s Allegations: Sexual Harassment and Retaliation

In her lawsuit, Clair countered the station’s claim, alleging that her firing was an illegal act of retaliation. She claimed that the termination came shortly after she reported a pattern of sexual harassment and discrimination within the workplace.

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• Appearance Comments: Clair alleged that KSTP News Director Kirk Varner repeatedly made inappropriate comments about her physical appearance.
• Demand for Tighter Clothes: A specific and damaging allegation was that Varner told her she should wear "tighter fitting clothes" on air, suggesting a focus on her body over her professional skills.
• Complaint Dismissal: She stated that her concerns about this conduct were dismissed by management and Human Resources, leading to a hostile work environment.
• The Demotion: Prior to her firing, Clair was reportedly demoted from her main evening meteorologist role to a less prominent assignment, which she viewed as the beginning of a retaliatory campaign.

The Lawsuit’s Shocking Dismissal: What Happened Next?

The most crucial and recent development in this case is the formal dismissal of Wren Clair's sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit. This outcome, which occurred in late 2024, brought the public legal battle to an abrupt close and is the current, fresh information surrounding the "KSTP news anchor fired" topic.

Joint Filing and Settlement

A judge granted a request for dismissal after both parties—Wren Clair and KSTP-TV—filed a joint stipulation to end the case. While the terms of the dismissal were not publicly disclosed, a joint filing of this nature almost always indicates that a confidential settlement was reached between the parties. This means that KSTP and the former meteorologist came to an agreement outside of court, preventing the case from going to trial and avoiding a public jury verdict.

The Aftermath of the Dismissal

The dismissal means that the serious allegations of sexual harassment and the station's defense of poor performance will not be tested in a public courtroom. For KSTP, the settlement allows the station to close the book on a major public relations crisis and a costly legal entanglement. For Wren Clair, the settlement presumably provides financial compensation, though it leaves the underlying question of the alleged misconduct without a public judicial resolution.

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The Broader Context of KSTP and Twin Cities Media Controversies

Wren Clair's case is not the only time KSTP has been at the center of a controversial firing or workplace dispute, highlighting a pattern of high-stakes personnel issues in the Twin Cities media market. These related incidents contribute to the topical authority of this issue.

• The Mark Saxenmeyer Incident: Years prior, openly gay KSTP reporter Mark Saxenmeyer was fired after making an off-color joke about a gay man, which he later explained and apologized for, sparking a different kind of public debate about workplace conduct.
• The Bill Lunn Investigation: Former KSTP anchor Bill Lunn also drew media attention after he was investigated by police in Louisiana following an alleged sting operation by an external group.
• Crystal Bui’s Accusations: Former KSTP reporter Crystal Bui published a book, "More to Tell," in which she accused the station of sexism and unsafe work practices, further underscoring a climate of internal workplace issues.

The dismissal of the Wren Clair lawsuit closes a chapter on one of the most significant recent controversies for KSTP. While the public may never know the full details of the settlement, the case serves as a powerful reminder of the complex and often contentious issues surrounding workplace culture, performance reviews, and the difficult line between professional conduct and alleged retaliation in the competitive world of broadcast news.