It happened fast. One day she was there, and the next, her bio was gone. If you’ve spent any time watching Twin Cities news over the last few years, you probably noticed the sudden absence of meteorologist Wren Clair from the KSTP 5 Eyewitness News weather desk. It wasn't just a vacation.
The story behind wren clair leaving kstp is a lot messier than the typical "moving on to new opportunities" press release. Honestly, it turned into a full-blown legal battle that pulled back the curtain on what was allegedly happening behind the scenes at one of Minnesota’s legacy stations.
The Abrupt Exit and the Lawsuit That Followed
Back in February 2025, Wren Clair—whose legal name is Renee Fox—was fired from KSTP. It was a shocker. She had been with the station since 2018 and had climbed the ranks to the prime-time weekday evening slots. Viewers liked her. Her ratings were high. Yet, she was out.
The station claimed it was about "poor performance." They said she’d been coached. But Clair’s legal team, led by Paul Schinner of Halunen Law, told a completely different story. In August 2025, she filed a massive lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
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She basically alleged that the newsroom culture was stuck in a "bygone era." The lawsuit named some big names, including former news director Kirk Varner and retired chief meteorologist Dave Dahl. According to the complaint, there were constant comments about her body—specifically her "swimmer's body"—and pressure to wear tighter clothes or keep her hair blonde instead of her natural brown.
What was in the complaint?
- Appearance Pressure: Claims that management dictated her wardrobe to a degree that felt like sexual objectification.
- State Fair Incident: Clair alleged she was groped by fairgoers at the Minnesota State Fair in 2023 and that KSTP didn't do enough to protect her after she reported it.
- On-Air Sabotage: The suit claimed male colleagues tried to undermine her, including a 2021 incident where a fellow meteorologist allegedly wouldn't let her speak for ten minutes during a severe weather broadcast.
The Settlement and What Happened Next
KSTP and Hubbard Broadcasting denied everything. They stood by the "performance" narrative. But by late 2025, things took a turn toward the quiet. In December 2025, a judge dismissed the lawsuit after both parties reached a settlement.
We don't know the dollar amount. Settlements like these are usually locked behind ironclad non-disclosure agreements. What we do know is that it was dismissed "with prejudice," meaning it's over for good in the eyes of the court.
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Meanwhile, Clair didn't stay off the air for long. She jumped over to KARE 11 in May 2025, which felt like a massive win for her fans. But that stint was incredibly short. By September 2025, she was leaving KARE 11 too.
Where is Wren Clair now?
If you're looking for her on your TV screen today, you won't find her. When she left KARE 11, she made it pretty clear that she was stepping away from the broadcast world entirely. She mentioned wanting to focus on her personal life and—this is the interesting part—pursuing scientific careers outside of television.
She’s got the credentials for it. She holds degrees in chemistry and anthropology from the University of Minnesota, a meteorology degree from Mississippi State, and a master’s from Johns Hopkins. Basically, she’s overqualified for just reading a green screen.
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Why this matters for local news
The wren clair leaving kstp saga isn't just about one person. It sparked a lot of conversation in the industry about "appearance clauses" in contracts. KSTP argued that Varner’s comments were just "standard for on-air talent." That’s a gray area that a lot of women in news have been fighting against for years.
It also highlighted the massive turnover happening in Twin Cities media. Around the same time, news director Kirk Varner left the station, and other long-time staples like Joe Schmit retired. The landscape is shifting.
What you can do next:
If you’re a fan of local meteorology and want to stay updated on the science side of things, keep an eye on professional networks like LinkedIn rather than the evening news. Many former broadcasters are transitioning into climate advocacy or private sector environmental consulting. If you're interested in the legal side of workplace culture, following the Minnesota Human Rights Act updates can provide context on how these "appearance clauses" might be regulated in the future.