Business and Tourism Reporter

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.

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Latest from Renée Jean

A worker connects each cow to milk tubes. In one turn around the carousel, each cow will give an average 3.5 gallons of milk.

Wyoming Ranch Family Builds A 6,200-Cow Mega-Dairy On Eastern Plains

The Burnett family has built a 6,200-cow mega dairy in Carpenter on Wyoming’s eastern plains that helps supply Pizza Hut’s cheese maker. The dairy says it’s pioneering innovations that could change the industry.

Renée JeanSeptember 14, 2025

Train enthusiast and vintage railcar expert Michael Pannell has rescued a 113-year-old boxcar from oblivion in Cheyenne. Inside, the car has signatures of workers, something Pannell intends to preserve.

Cheyenne Man Restoring 113-Year-Old Union Pacific Boxcar

Cheyenne train enthusiast Michael Pannell is restoring a 113-year-old Union Pacific boxcar. Although passersby may think the train car is ready for the junk heap, to Pannell, it can be a museum -- complete with signatures and dates from railroad workers.

Renée JeanSeptember 14, 2025

Former Wyoming Gov. Ed Hershcler's recipe for brown elk had quirky food blogger Bennett Rea skeptical, but he admitted it's "pretty tasty." I starts with a bath in 7Up and is finished with a package of brown mushroom gravy mix.

Internet Chef Unearths Wyoming Gov Ed Herschler’s Brown Elk In Beer Recipe

A quirky chef who has an Internet series called “Cookin' With Congress" has unearthed former Wyoming Gov. Ed Herschler’s brown elk recipe, made with beer and 7Up. He questioned putting powdered gravy on an expensive cut of elk, but admits it’s “pretty tasty.”

Renée JeanSeptember 13, 2025

Tons of timber cut fighting last year’s Elk Fire will be sold for lumber and firewood instead of being wasted, helping local contractors. The fire burned nearly 100,000 acres across the eastern face of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains.

Wyoming Timber Cut While Fighting 100,000-Acre Elk Fire Won’t Go To Waste

Tons of timber cut fighting last year’s Elk Fire won't be left to rot as it typically would. The timber left from battling the nearly 100,000-acre blaze across the eastern face of Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains will be sold for lumber and firewood instead.

Renée JeanSeptember 13, 2025

Shortage Of Wyoming’s New License Plates Has Counties Scrambling

Staffing shortages and equipment failure have created a shortage of Wyoming’s new license plate design. It’s causing counties to scramble, while some Wyomingites, who don’t like the new design, are happy for a delay.

Renée JeanSeptember 12, 2025

Judge Rules Wyoming Customers Owe Rocky Mountain Power $23.5 Million

A judge has ruled that Wyoming customers owe up to $23.5 million to Rocky Mountain Power. How much each will have to pay and when remains uncertain.

Renée JeanSeptember 11, 2025

A Visionary Broadband technician climbs a communications tower in Wyoming.

Wyoming Set For $348M Broadband Expansion, But Some Aren’t Sold They’ll Get It

Count the Parkman Bar and Grill in northern Wyoming among those who aren't sold that a $348 million federal broadband expansion will actually reach rural areas like theirs. That’s OK for some, who say they’re fine without it.

Renée JeanSeptember 09, 2025

As Rural Hospitals Close Across America, Riverton’s Building A New $57 Million One

Rural hospitals across America are closing, but not in Riverton, Wyoming. Fed up with what they say is inadequate health care, a grassroots group of locals are building a new 71,000-square-foot, $57 million hospital.

Renée JeanSeptember 08, 2025

Liberty Belle Lodge in Aladdin has new owners who hope to breathe new life into it. The owners are a couple who moved away from the state of Washington to escape city life.

Couple Has Ambitious Plan To Restore Liberty Belle Lodge In Tiny Aladdin, Wyoming

If Kyle Meade and Julia Okitsu are successful in restoring the Liberty Bell Lodge in Aladdin, Wyoming, (pop. 15), it will double the number of businesses on the town's main drag (Wyoming Highway 24), raising it from one to two.

Renée JeanSeptember 07, 2025

Danny Warner talks about a recent comp he did at WyoTech. He graduates in two weeks with a job at a Ferarri dealership in Denver.

Like Star Athletes, WyoTech Grads Recruited For Jobs All Over The Country

Like star athletes, WyoTech graduates are in high demand, recruited to fill high-paying jobs across the country. One grad says the Wyoming school will help him realize a dream of being a mechanic for Ferrari.

Renée JeanSeptember 07, 2025

Piles of random clothing on a bed often don't have much competition for Macradee Aegerter, who is looking for vintage clothing items that were made in America, back when making things to last was still important.

Cheyenne Woman Makes More Money Thrifting Vintage Clothing Than At Her Old Job

Macradee Aegerter started thrifting in high school before vintage clothing was considered chic and in style. Now that vintage is all the rage, her one-time side hustle now brings in more money than her old job ever did.

Renée JeanSeptember 07, 2025

Wild patches of weeds poke up out of the filled-in reservoir that used to be located here, in what is actually the backside of the pumphouse.

Clock Ticking For 133-Year-Old Cheyenne Pumphouse, Which Needs $4M Restoration

Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse was built in 1892, and now stands neglected as those who want to save it are racing against the clock — and city priorities. It needs a $4 million restoration, but so far nobody seems interested.

Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2025

Other Authors

Wyoming's historic Pitchfork Ranch outside Meeteetse is for sale, listing at $67 million.

Wave of Legacy Wyoming Ranches Are Hitting Market In Historic Land Shift

Antlers, Pitchfork, PK, Midland and Pathfinder — a wave of long-held family ranches across Wyoming are hitting the market in a historic land shift. The Boomer-driven sales trend has the potential to remake the state’s rural landscapes.

Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2025

An unarmed Minuteman III missile inside a silo at F.E. Warren Air Force Base on July 9, 2025. The Air Force has announced that the first Minuteman III silo on the base has been decommission to make way for new Sentinel missiles.

First F.E. Warren Minutemen III Silo Decommissioned For New Sentinel Missiles

The Air Force has confirmed decommissioning of the first F.E. Warren Air Force Base Minutemen III silo to make way for new Sentinel missiles. It’s a huge milestone for the $141 billion nuclear modernization project, which begins in Wyoming.

Renée JeanSeptember 04, 2025

Wyoming author Craig Johnson fondly remembers actor Graham Greene, who died on Monday. Greene played a recurring villain on Johnson’s hit TV series “Longmire.”

Wyoming Author Craig Johnson Remembers Actor Graham Greene, Who Died Monday

Wyoming author Craig Johnson fondly remembered actor Graham Greene, who died on Monday. Greene played a recurring villain on Johnson’s hit TV series “Longmire.” "He was utterly charming," Johnson said.

Renée JeanSeptember 02, 2025

Rock Springs residents are used to apologizing for where they’re from when visitors came through its airport. Those days are over now that a new high-tech, $43 million terminal is operational at the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport.

Inside The New High-Tech $43 Million Airport Terminal In Rock Springs

Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Lee told Cowboy State Daily the brand-new $43 million terminal at Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport is all about showcasing what southwest Wyoming has to offer.

Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2025

Wyoming Lukewarm, So Far, On Buying Cars On Amazon

People already buy clothes, kitty litter, dog food and home appliances on Amazon, now you can add your next car to the list. Wyoming dealerships are on board, offering new Hyundai vehicles and used Hertz rental cars, but, so far, shoppers are skeptical.

Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2025

Harley Miller gives Cowboy State Daily a thumbs up. She's impressed with the Wyoming community in Cheyenne, which banded together to help her find the missing box of diapers she'd ordered for her son.

Cheyenne Couple Gets Help Solving Mystery Of Stolen Diapers

A box of diapers was stolen from a delivery order made by Friday a young mother newly moved to Cheyenne. She never expected to ever get the stolen diapers back, let alone have people rally to solve the caper.

Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2025

Eating Wyoming: Eve’s Brings Fine Dining Fusion To Rock Springs Golf Course

Eve Piza did everything in the culinary industry, then fell in love with Wyoming. Now she’s bringing fine dining fusion with a Cowboy State flair to the Rock Springs city golf course.

Renée JeanAugust 31, 2025

Kevin Meyer ropes a horse on an Idaho ranch north of Sinclair. Today, Meyer is a horse trainer in Douglas, Wyoming, on his ranch Mantz Creek Horses He got his start as a wrangler.

Wyoming Jobs: What Exactly Does A Wrangler Do?

Want a job that will put you back in the Old West? Try working on a ranch as a wrangler. You'll have to manage horses and people, both of which can be pretty ornery. There are also bears to contend with and lots of beer. That makes wrangling a job like no other.

Renée JeanAugust 31, 2025

Historic downtown districts in rural towns across America are dying. Not in tiny Meeteetse, Wyoming, which is doubling down on small-town charm to make a Main Street comeback.

As Rural Downtowns Across The U.S. Are Dying, Meeteetse Makes A Comeback

It doesn’t take long for a passerby on Wyoming Highway 120 to realize that something wonderful is happening in the tiny town of Meeteetse. Cars are parked every which way along the highway, as people casually stroll up and down the wooden boardwalks.

Renée JeanAugust 30, 2025

Opening Up Logging Could Be Too Little, Too Late For Wyoming’s Timber Industry

Recent steps by the Trump administration and Wyoming are a lifeline for Wyoming’s shrinking timber industry. But they may be too little, too late for what remains of the state’s family-owned businesses.

Renée JeanAugust 27, 2025

Paint crew members and their famlies pose in front of Cheyenne's water tank murals as they near completion.

Huge Mural Of Wild Horses On Cheyenne Water Tank Nearly Done And Turning Heads

What seems like a herd of wild horses cresting the hill over Storey Boulevard in Cheyenne is turning heads as people drive along one of the city’s major east-west roads. The huge mural on one of a pair of water tanks is nearly done.

Renée JeanAugust 26, 2025

Wyoming Ranchers On Guard Following Human Screwworm Case In Maryland

The nation’s first human case of screwworm was confirmed in Maryland on Sunday in a Central American traveler and it’s heightening vigilance among Wyoming ranchers. The flesh-eating parasite, which are known to infest cattle, could cost American ranchers billions if another outbreak occurs.

Renée JeanAugust 25, 2025

The historic Wagon Box in Story, Wyoming.

Wagon Box Owner Seeks Partner For Restaurant So He Can Focus On Retreats

Wagon Box owner Paul McNiel hopes to find a partner or investor to take over the restaurant side of his business. That way he can focus on the retreat side of his business at the historic Story, Wyoming location.

Renée JeanAugust 24, 2025

TerraPower has begun construction on portions of its Kemmerer nuclear facility that don't require approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Nuclear Training Center In Kemmerer To Finish Three Years Ahead Of New Plant

Turning on a nuclear plant is a little more complicated than flipping a few switches. That’s why TerraPower’s flagship training center — which will be in Kemmerer where its first small nuclear reactor is being built — is going to be finished a full three years before the plant, by the end of 2026.

Renée JeanAugust 24, 2025

Lt. Josh Williams, seated, listens while his crewmate Lt. Harrison Martin speaks inside the control room.

Inside An F.E. Warren Air Force Base Secret Underground Missile Bunker

Welcome to an F.E. Warren Air Force Base secret underground missile bunker, where the dry desert air tastes like old socks. It’s also where two-person teams man equipment old enough to be in a museum and are ready to press the nuclear button at any time.

Renée JeanAugust 23, 2025

As rural museums tighten their belts during federal cutbacks, one tiny Wyoming museum says it’s saving big money. The new solar panels on the roof of the Meeteetse Museum has already saved enough to help pay for repairs to the building’s HVAC system.

Meeteetse Museums Say Its New Solar Roof Saves Big Money

As rural museums tighten their belts during federal cutbacks, one Wyoming museum says it’s saving big money. The new solar panels on the roof of the Meeteetse Museums has already saved enough to help pay for repairs to the building’s HVAC system.

Renée JeanAugust 22, 2025

Wyoming’s Office of Tourism Director Diane Shober has been named 2025 State Tourism Director of the Year. She says showing off how great Wyoming is makes it easy.

Wyoming’s Diane Shober Named Best Tourism Director In The Nation

Wyoming Office of Tourism Director Diane Shober has been named the national State Tourism Director of the Year for 2025. She says showing off how great Wyoming is makes it easy.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2025

Zipline has a remote testing site in Wyoming, where the tech company is working out what drones need to fly in Wyoming’s unfriendly winter and windy skies. That could bring Walmart drone deliveries to the state sooner than you might think.

Delivery Drones Could Be Flying Wyoming’s Windy Skies Sooner Than You Think

A company named Zipline has a remote testing site in Wyoming where the tech company is working out how drones can fly in the state's harsh winters and windy skies. That could bring Walmart drone deliveries to the state sooner than you might think.

Renée JeanAugust 17, 2025