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
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
Jerre Gowdy, Wife Of Sportscaster Curt Gowdy And Philanthropist, Dies At 101
Known for her charity work and devotion to Wyoming’s Curt Gowdy State Park, Jerre Gowdy, the wife of the late Hall of Fame sportscaster, died last week at age 101. She leaves a legacy of kindness and philanthropy.
Renée JeanFebruary 02, 2026
Robots Could Be Answer To Wyoming’s Ever-Escalating Road Repair Costs
Although robots aren't ready to fix roads now and cut down on the $400 million to $600 million shortfall Wyoming faces in the next two years, they could help in the future. Robotic road repair is on the horizon and could save big money in the long run.
Renée JeanFebruary 02, 2026
Scammers Are Draining Millions From Wyomingites Using Crypto ATMs
Law enforcement across Wyoming say criminals are exploiting Crypto ATMs in scams that have stolen more than $4.6 million in just three of Wyoming’s largest cities — $3 million of which was in Gillette alone.
Renée JeanJanuary 31, 2026
Douglas And Glenrock A ‘Bermuda Triangle’ For Disappearing Amazon Packages
People living in Douglas and Glenrock, Wyoming, are reporting that their Amazon packages are going missing, often landing in Gillette, where they are then listed as "undeliverable." Amazon says it’s looking into the problem.
Renée JeanJanuary 31, 2026
Wyoming’s Tourism Leaders View Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame As Game-Changer For State
Wyoming tourism leaders are hailing the ProRodeo Hall of Fame's vote to move from Colorado to Cheyenne as a game-changer for the industry. They are projecting a $252 million economic impact over 10 years while boosting rodeo culture statewide.
Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2026
PRCA Votes To Move Headquarters, Hall Of Fame & Museum To Cheyenne, Wyoming
The Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association on Monday voted to move its headquarters, Hall of Fame and museum to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 2029. Cheyenne Frontier Days chief Tom Hirsig said it's the rodeo equivalent of getting the NFL headquarters.
Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2026
Big Boy, World's Largest Locomotive, Leaves Cheyenne March 29 For Coast-To-Coast Tour
The tour schedule for the western leg of Big Boy's historic coast-to-coast tour was announced Monday. The world's largest locomotive, which weighs more than one million pounds, will leave Cheyenne on March 29.
Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2026
Some Of Pop Music’s Biggest Hits Written In Wyoming Getaway Cabin
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Emily Warren is behind some of the biggest pop stars on the charts, including Shakira, Lizzo, and Katy Perry. She wrote a pair of Dua Lipa’s platinum hits in her Wilson cabin getaway, which has just been listed for sale.
Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2026
Big Boy 4014, World's Largest Steam Locomotive, To Make First Coast-To-Coast Tour
Cheyenne-based Big Boy 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, will make its first ever coast-to-coast tour this year to honor America's 250th birthday. The tour could begin near the end of March, a Union Pacific official says.
Renée JeanJanuary 24, 2026
Jackson Hole Real Estate Sales Soared To Near-Record $2.17 Billion In 2025
Fueled by luxury developments like the Hoback Club, Jackson Hole’s real estate market surged 52% in 2025 to a near-record $2.17 billion. The trend shows no signs of stopping, with limited supply meeting increased demand.
Renée JeanJanuary 23, 2026
Cody Joins Bidding War For Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
Cody city leaders have invited the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to visit the "Rodeo Capital of the World" as the PRCA considers relocating its headquarters. The PRCA said it's taking the offer seriously, along with others, including one from Texas.
Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2026
Wyoming Quietly Completes $10 million Gold Buy Required By New State Law
The state of Wyoming quietly bought $10 million in gold in December as required by a new state law. Sponsors of the law hail it as a hedge against dollar devaluation while critics say there’s no good way to cash in on gold’s increasing value.
Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2026
Beef From New Rancher-Owned Packing Plant In Nebraska Hits Walmart Shelves
Trey Wasserburger, a cofounder of a new rancher-owned packing plant in western Nebraska, is celebrating as the company's prime steaks hit Walmart shelves — sourced partly from Wyoming cattle. “We hope to be in all Walmart stores fairly soon,” he said.
Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2026