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
30 Years Later: Looking Back On The Filming Of 'Starship Troopers'
30 years ago this summer, Melissa Parkinson and Tana Libolt landed the most unusual job they ever had. They were hired to be dead bodies at Hell’s Half Acre for the filming of 'Starship Troopers.' They were among 300 who answered a newspaper ad in Casper.
Renée JeanFebruary 22, 2026
If You Want To Live In A Fallout Shelter, This Cokeville 'Basement Home' Is It
If you ever wanted to live in a fallout shelter, there’s a “basement home” in Cokeville, Wyoming, that checks all the boxes. The idea behind these post-World War II 1950s starter homes was to grow upward when there was enough money to go above ground.
Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2026
Why The Same Milk Is Dated To Last A Week Longer In Wyoming Than Montana
The same milk sold in both Wyoming and Montana are sometimes tagged with different “sell by” and “best buy” dates, with Wyoming’s being a week longer. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture says It’s all about the bureaucracy of milk.
Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2026
Four Seasons Resort In Jackson Sells For An Estimated $350 Million
A private investment firm, backed by Michael Dell, has purchased the Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Jackson Hole for an estimated $350 million. Realtor David Yoder says it's among the largest, single real estate transactions in Jackson Hole history.
Renée JeanFebruary 20, 2026
Uh-Oh: Joe Pickett Shot In The Head In New C.J. Box Book "The Crossroads"
Wyoming author C.J. Box told Cowboy State Daily his new book "The Crossroads," starts off dark: Joe Pickett has been shot in the head and is clinging to life. Box's last five Pickett novels have all debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list.
Renée JeanFebruary 20, 2026
Future Of Wyoming’s Derecho Supercomputer Uncertain Amid Management Change
The future of Wyoming’s Derecho supercomputer is uncertain after the National Science Foundation announced plans to shift operations to a third party, leaving state and university leaders seeking to preserve its local role.
Renée JeanFebruary 17, 2026
Jackson Hotel Chef Picked For $1 Million Competition On CBS
Hotel Jackson’s executive chef Malyna Si has been chosen to compete for a $1 million prize on Padma Lakshmi’s celebrity chef competition "America’s Culinary Cup" on CBS. Before coming to Jackson, she led a Michelin-starred restaurant in Florida.
Renée JeanFebruary 15, 2026
Inside TerraPower’s World-First Nuclear Project Being Built Just Outside Kemmerer
Work is progressing fast just outside Kemmerer at TerraPower’s first-of-its-kind nuclear power project. Cowboy State Daily went on a tour to get an inside look at the 167-foot-tall facility that will stress-test massive Natrium reactor components.
Renée JeanFebruary 15, 2026
1.2-Gigawatt Data Center Near Evanston In Talks With Meta And Microsoft
Uinta County is sending letters of support to Microsoft and Meta to move into the Prometheus Hyperscale 1.2-gigawatt data center being built near Evanston. “My optimism ... is for some more good-paying jobs,” said county commission chair Mark Anderson.
Renée JeanFebruary 14, 2026
Chugwater Fry-Off: Are Beef Tallow French Fries Really Better?
The health debate over beef tallow and seed oil misses the most important point — which makes the most delicious french fry? It took a fry-off challenge at the historic Soda Fountain in Chugwater to find out.
Renée JeanFebruary 14, 2026
Cheyenne Leaders Say They Finally Have A Solution For Hynds Building And "The Hole"
Cheyenne LEADS CEO Betsey Hale says she has a solution for the Hynds Building, which has been empty for 40+ years, and the burnt-out area next to it known as "The Hole." Hale says she has the funding to turn the area into 69 units of workforce housing.
Renée JeanFebruary 12, 2026
Cheyenne Leaders Announce Location Of New PRCA Headquarters and Museum
The Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association's proposed new 35-acre location in Cheyenne was revealed during a legislative reception on Tuesday. PRCA CEO Tom Glause spoke publicly for the first time about his vision for the PRCA in Wyoming.
Renée JeanFebruary 11, 2026
Sleeping Giant Ski Area Near Cody Has A Buyer But Not One Who Wants A Ski Resort
Sleeping Giant Ski Area near Cody has a buyer but they aren't interested in re-opening it as a ski resort. The Dallas-based company said they don't believe skiing can be economically feasible but they are interested in creating a summer adventure park.
Renée JeanFebruary 10, 2026
Wyoming Cattle Ranchers Worried Over Trump Order To Import More Argentine Beef
Wyoming cattle ranchers are worried over President Trump's executive order allowing 80,000 more metric tons of beef trimmings from Argentina. They say it won’t lower grocery store prices and risks introducing diseases.
Renée JeanFebruary 10, 2026
Scout Motors Plans To Bypass Dealers To Sell Direct, And Buyers Are Cheering
Scout Motors says buyers are tired of dealership markups and dealing with salesmen, which is why the company wants to sell its popular SUV and truck direct. Dealerships, however, warn that’s risky when it comes to service and support.
Renée JeanFebruary 08, 2026
Evanston Company Creates Plan To Train, Hire, Staff Local Workforce For Data Centers
As Wyoming continues to attract huge data centers, finding people to build and run them is a priority. An Evanston company has put together plans to train, hire, and retain a skilled local workforce. They say the potential is the creation of tens of thousands of high-paying jobs.
Renée JeanFebruary 08, 2026
Chugwater Ranch Rehabs Million-Dollar Racehorses Once Thought Doomed
Kate Anderson didn’t start out to heal hopeless racehorses. It happened by accident when she set them free to roam on her ranch outside of Chugwater, Wyoming. Now she rehabs million-dollar Thoroughbreds once thought beyond saving.
Renée JeanFebruary 08, 2026
Hell’s Half Acre To Reopen, Showcasing Wyoming’s Otherworldly Alien Landscape
Hell’s Half Acre, an otherworldly alien landscape in a remote section of central Wyoming is reopening in May. The area was most-recently made famous by the cult classic movie "Starship Troopers," but access has been restricted since 2005.
Renée JeanFebruary 07, 2026
Cheyenne Is About To Swallow A Longtime Ranch With A Forced Annexation
WY fresh farm has been in the same location for 20 years, and a farmstead was added about four years ago. Now the couple faces a forced annexation that they say threatens not just their way of life, but their family’s business model.
Renée JeanFebruary 05, 2026
Split Ruling Keeps Star Plunge Case Alive, Lets State Proceed With Improvements
A state judge’s mixed decision on Monday will allow redevelopment to continue at Hot Springs State Park and lets the Star Plunge lawsuit proceed. That leaves the popular amenity at the park in limbo.
Renée JeanFebruary 04, 2026
Freedom Caucus Pushes Back On $15M Bid To Bring PRCA Headquarters to Cheyenne
Some Wyoming Freedom Caucus legislators question using $15 million in state lodging tax money to lure the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from Colorado to Wyoming. “Business and industry should be able to stand on their own,” Rep. Scott Heiner said.
Renée JeanFebruary 03, 2026