Renée Jean
Renée Jean is the business and tourism reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. Previously, Renée spent seven years covering energy and agriculture in North Dakota and Montana. She has won many writing awards over a 30-year career, and has written magazine articles for Guideposts.
Latest from Renée Jean
Downtown Cheyenne Parking Garage A Nightmare, Nearby Business Owners Say
Cheyenne has taken steps to improve a problem downtown parking garage and make it safer. But business owners say there continue to be nightly noise violations, as well as vandalism.
Renée JeanApril 22, 2025
Wyoming National Guard Base To Be Home For Fleet Of C-130J Tankers
The Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne is the latest base awarded top-flight C-130J air tankers. Starting in 2028, it will be home for a fleet of eight C-130Js, which will be a huge boost for fighting wildfires.
Renée JeanApril 22, 2025
Cheyenne Celebrity Chef Is Part Of Martha Stewart’s New Cooking Competition
Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart came within one vote of beating Food Network star Bobby Flay on his hit cooking competition show. Now she’ll try to do the same against 12 other chefs on Martha Stewart’s new show on NBC, “Yes, Chef!”
Renée JeanApril 21, 2025
Wyoming Girl Gets Her Ranch Chores Done Before Winning Gymnastics Titles
Raelee Warner was up early doing her usual daily chores feeding chicks and driving cattle April 12. Then the seventh grader went to the state gymnastics meet and won two events. All in a day’s work for a true Wyoming cowgirl.
Renée JeanApril 21, 2025
Mega Millions Makes Odds Better, But They’re Still Not As Good As Winning WyoLotto
The multistate Mega Millions lottery is charging more to play, but promises bigger jackpots with better odds of winning. But state lotteries like WyoLotto still offer better chances.
Renée JeanApril 20, 2025
Man Promises To Pay Fines On Wyoming Library Book He Checked Out 31 Years Ago
Josiah Harlow checked out a Robin Hood novel from the Cheyenne Central High School library 31 years ago, and never returned it. It’s still a treasured part of his collection, and he promises to “swing by to pay my overdue fees” the next time he’s in town.
Renée JeanApril 20, 2025
Wyoming Man Starts Treasure Hunt Similar To One Now Featured On Netflix
A Douglas man is still searching for a missing emerald from Forest Fenn’s treasure chest that was found in Wyoming and is featured in a Netflix documentary. If found, he plans to add it to his own treasure chest.
Renée JeanApril 20, 2025
Wyoming Company Builds Tough-As-Tank Security Gates For A-List Stars
Picasso Gate in Cheyenne may not be a household name, but its tough-as-a-tank security gates are coveted by A-list stars like Tom Cruise and Kevin Costner. It’s owned by a father-son duo who love Wyoming.
Renée JeanApril 20, 2025
Wyoming Students Turn Shipping Container Into High-Tech Greenhouse
Central Wyoming College has engineered a shipping container into a high-tech greenhouse that’s like something out of “The Jetsons." It creates its own sunshine and rain to grow all kinds of produce.
Renée JeanApril 19, 2025
Drinking Wyoming: At Lander’s Pushroot Brewing, It’s All About The Foam
Pushroot Brewing Company in Lander brings unique Czech pours to Wyoming that put a luxurious twist on beer. It’s all about big heads, and even a beer pour that’s all foam.
Renée JeanApril 19, 2025
A Whole Town Near Yellowstone Is For Sale For Less Than $3 Million
Located 45 minutes from Yellowstone’s north entrance, the entire town of Pray, Montana, is for sale for $2.6 million. That includes its 100-year-old general store, post office, home and cabins.
Renée JeanApril 19, 2025
‘Obnoxious’ Fireworks Outlets Near Cheyenne Can Reopen, But Dad Has To Stay Away
The Laramie County Commission has finally approved fireworks permits for a pair of businesses near the Colorado border it had said were too “obnoxious.” But the owner’s father has to stay away from her businesses as part of the agreement.
Renée JeanApril 17, 2025
Jackson’s Snow King Hotel Sale A Boost For Ski Hill’s Revival
The Snow King Mountain Resort’s ongoing revival is getting a boost with Trailborn’s recent purchase of the Snow King Resort Hotel at the base of the ski hill.
Renée JeanApril 17, 2025
Another Double-Digit Rocky Mountain Power Rate Hike Approved, More Likely Ahead
Wyoming Public Service Commissioners reluctantly approved another double-digit rate increase for Rocky Mountain Power on Tuesday. That means another $14 a month on an average residential customer’s bill, and more rate increases are likely ahead.
Renée JeanApril 16, 2025
Star Plunge Closure Hits Three Months, And Visitors Are Steering Clear
The Star Plunge hot springs venue has been closed for three months, which is starting to impact the tourism industry in and around Thermopolis. There are fewer people staying in local hotels with the busy summer tourism season on the horizon.
Renée JeanApril 15, 2025
Rising Wyoming Country Star Ian Munsick To Be On ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show'
Wyoming’s Ian Munsick is a rising country music star who’s about to find a huge audience. On Tuesday, he’ll perform his latest song, “God Bless the West,” on national television on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Renée JeanApril 15, 2025
Riverton Students Get Dose Of Tough Love From Celebrity Stylist Tabatha Coffey
Central Wyoming College students got a dose of celebrity stylist Tabatha Coffey’s signature tough love Thursday. Her non-nonsense style drove home that it takes more than dreaming big to make it big.
Renée JeanApril 13, 2025
Dubois Property Offers Big Ranch Amenities In A Small Package For $3.5 Million
West of Dubois, 17 Rocking Chair Ranch has all the amenities of a ranch with thousands of acres, but it sits on just 22. That makes it a rare affordable Western retreat for prospective buyers at $3.5 million.
Renée JeanApril 12, 2025
Wyoming And AI: L&H Chief Says Business Must Get Onboard Now Or Get Left Behind
Mike Wandler, president of Gillette-based L&H Industrial, says now is the time for Wyoming businesses to get onboard with artificial intelligence. If they don’t, they’ll get left behind.
Renée JeanApril 12, 2025
Eating Wyoming: Innards Are ‘In’ With Foodies, Homesteaders And Health Nuts
What many consider throw-away cuts of meat like tongues, tails and innards are becoming “in” in a big way. Foodies, homesteaders and health nuts are driving a trend that’s helping small Wyoming butcheries and bringing more unusual cuts to dinner plates.
Renée JeanApril 12, 2025
Opening More U.S. Logging May Not Save Wyoming’s Last Two Large Lumber Mills
The USDA wants to open 59% more forest area to logging in the United States. It may not come fast enough to save one of Wyoming’s two remaining large lumber mills.
Renée JeanApril 12, 2025