A female journalist who worked at the Weather Channel for 16 years before being fired is suing the Atlanta network for age discrimination.

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Marny Stanier Midkiff, 41, handled on-air duties and supervision and says in her Atlanta discrimination lawsuit the network wanted to get rid of on-air talent over 40 in favor of younger meteorologists, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

"They wanted younger women on camera," said her lawyer, adding the channel has spent the past two years going after a "sexier look" and wanted "top buttons open in the blouse."

The suit, filed last week, says the network's programming chief, Terry Connelly, hired an image consultant to help female anchors appear younger and sexier.

The cable network, a unit of closely held Landmark Communications, did not respond to the lawsuit.