Former Weather Channel meteorologist alleges age bias

<p>The Weather Channel is being sued by a former reporter who says she was dismissed because she got old and the network wanted younger, sexier forecasters.</p><p>Marny Stanier Midkiff, 42, claims the Atlanta-based network purged older employees, especially women. She was taken off the air in 2003.</p><p>Midkiff's lawyers sent reporters excerpts of a training video made by General Manager Terry Connelly in a talk with female meteorologists. The video was made months before Midkiff was taken off the air.</p><p>"You're in the television business and you should understand, it should be very clear _ you will be picked apart far more than a male," Connelly said in the video.</p><p>Connelly also said viewers described the network's female broadcasters as "matronly, dowdy, school-teacher-like."</p><p>Midkiff's lawsuit, filed last month in federal court in Atlanta, seeks back pay and benefits, plus unspecified damages, for age and sex discrimination.</p><p>The Weather Channel did not immediately return phone calls for comment Friday.</p>