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RJ
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

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Laramie County Residents Get 5 Hours' Notice Of Emergency Power Shut-Off

Residents in neighborhoods west of Cheyenne got five hours' notice Monday afternoon of an emergency power shut-off. Black Hills Energy says high winds and dry conditions prompted the response.

Renée JeanNovember 11, 2025

Record beef prices are reshaping the ranching landscape as aging ranchers weigh cashing out and selling off their herds. Others are holding on for another profitable year, creating the tightest ranch real estate market in decades.

Wyoming Ranchers Cheer Trump’s Meat Packer Probe, Say Don’t Stop There

Wyoming ranchers have been calling for investigations of large meat packers for decades, and are cheering President Trump's move to do that. But they say don't stop there, because the system is broken and Congress needs to change the laws.

Renée JeanNovember 10, 2025

The nearly 24,000 raw and real images created by Encampment photographer Lora Webb Nichols is creating a global buzz — 63 years after her death. Lifelong friend Nancy Anderson has devoted decades to preserving Nichols' huge library of photos and house.

Through A Woman’s Lens: Encampment Photographs Offer New Look At Wild West

Nancy Anderson devoted decades to preserving thousands of pioneer photographs taken by Lora Webb Nichols of Encampment. The 24,000 photos offer a female vantage point, at a time when the West was making itself into a gritty, mostly male, thing of legend.

Renée JeanNovember 09, 2025

L&H Industrial uses the latest technology for precision machining, like this large plasma cutter.

How Wyoming Is Trying To Become A Player In America’s Manufacturing Comeback

Wyoming business leaders say the effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. is an existential crisis for America and the world. Gillette businessman Mike Wandler, whose company makes components for NASA, says restoring the balance of power is critical.

Renée JeanNovember 09, 2025

A Casper couple is restoring the historic 115-year-old Mercer House right across from Natrona County High School. They couldn’t find what they were looking for in the local housing market, so they’re giving the old home a complete makeover.

Casper Couple Giving 115-Year-Old Mercer House A Complete Makeover

A Casper couple is restoring the historic 115-year-old Mercer House right across from Natrona County High School. They couldn’t find what they were looking for in the local housing market, so they’re giving the old home a complete makeover.

Renée JeanNovember 08, 2025

One of the key metrics holding Powder River Basin oil and gas back is the cost of producing a barrel of oil. But longer laterals in the play have driven the average cost down to $55 per barrel and closer to $50, which would unlock more production.

Powder River Basin Inches Closer To $50 A Barrel Oil, Unlocking New Potential

One of the key metrics holding Powder River Basin oil and gas back is the cost of producing a barrel of oil. But longer laterals in the play have driven the average cost down to $55 per barrel and closer to $50, which would unlock more production.

Renée JeanNovember 07, 2025

Skyrocketing power demand from data and AI centers is reviving calls for more coal-fired electricity and fuels debate about the role of Wyoming coal in the nation’s energy future. Experts say the market has shifted in ways that might still undercut coal. Above is the Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant near Glenrock.

Power-Hungry AI Fuels Debate On Wyoming Coal’s Role In U.S. Energy Future

Skyrocketing power demand from data and AI centers is reviving calls for more coal-fired electricity and fuels debate about the role of Wyoming coal in the nation’s energy future. Experts say the market has shifted in ways that might still undercut coal.

Renée JeanNovember 06, 2025

A yellow-orange tabby stray in Platte County, Wyoming, has earned the name Lucky. Despite long odds, he survived being impaled by a blow dart and shot in the shoulder.

Miracle Cat Survives Being Impaled By Blow Dart And Shot With Gun

A yellow-orange tabby stray in Platte County, Wyoming, has earned the name Lucky. Despite long odds, he survived being impaled by a blow dart and shot in the shoulder.

Renée JeanNovember 05, 2025

The Rockefeller family has owned a remote retreat with unparalleled Grand Teton views for going on a half-century. The property has just hit the market for $12.9 million.

One-Of-A-Kind Rockefeller Family Retreat In Jackson Hole Lists For $12.9M

The Rockefeller family has owned a remote retreat with unparalleled Grand Teton views for going on a half-century. The property has just hit the market for $12.9 million.

Renée JeanNovember 05, 2025

Rawlins gas station clerk Teresa Wood tries Dubai chocolate for the first time, and she's not a fan.

Why Are People Paying $25 For Chocolate Bars In Wyoming Gas Stations?

Dubai chocolate bars are all the rage, selling for $25 to $40 at stores at Wyoming gas stations and retail stores. Are they worth it? Fans say those convenience store knockoffs aren’t, but the real deal from Dubai is.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2025

Vahé Alaverdan checks on one of his birds right before a presentation about them.

Wyoming Falconer Has 40 Birds That Can Nosedive 240 MPH, As Fast As A Ferrari

A Wyoming falconer says supercar drivers can have their Ferraris, he’ll take his 40 falcons. They’re faster, too, dive-bombing more than 240 mph. He also consults with author C.J. Box to give authenticity to Joe Pickett sidekick and falconer Nate Romanowski.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2025

An image from an aerial tour of the Belvoir Ranch.

Touring The Belvoir Ranch Near Cheyenne, Now With 12 Miles Of New Public Trails

Last week, Cowboy State Daily toured the Belvoir Ranch, which offers the public 12 miles of new public trails and other outdoor rec opportunities in Laramie County. Opening next spring, the land is shared with wind turbines but they're pretty well hidden.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2025

Other Authors

A year ago, the historic Bell Building in Downtown Cheyenne was boarded up. Now the 1911 building has a new facade and is on its way to again being a capital city showpiece.

Cheyenne’s Historic Downtown Bell Building Was Boarded Up, Now It’s Becoming A Showpiece

For decades, the historic Bell Building in Downtown Cheyenne was boarded up and had little hope for a future. Now, against all odds, the 1911 building has a new facade and is on its way to again being a capital city showpiece.

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2025

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C.J. Box Looking At Afton For Possible Next Joe Pickett Wyoming Mystery

Author C.J. Box told Cowboy State Daily that Afton is one of few places left in Wyoming where Joe Pickett hasn’t yet appeared in one of his novels. So Box will be traveling there in the near future with both an “open mind and an open notebook” to do some “poking around.”

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2025

A rumor that Ukranian President Zelensky is buying the 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranch in Wyoming spread like wildfire Monday. But, it’s not true. However, an offer is pending on the $79.5 million ranch.

No, Zelenskyy Isn’t Buying 916,000-Acre Pathfinder Ranches — But Someone Is

A rumor that Ukrainian President Zelensky is buying the 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranch in Wyoming spread like wildfire Monday. But, it’s not true. However, an offer is pending on the $79.5 million ranch.

Renée JeanOctober 28, 2025

Go big at home seems to be the motto of Wyoming’s Halloween superfans, who turn neighborhoods into over-the-top scare-fest. From giant skeletons to immersive animatronic displays, they’re making Halloween great again.

Wyoming Halloween Superfans Turn Neighborhoods Into Over-The-Top Scare-Fests

Go big at home seems to be the motto of Wyoming’s Halloween superfans, who turn neighborhoods into over-the-top scare-fest. From giant skeletons to immersive animatronic displays, they’re making Halloween great again.

Renée JeanOctober 28, 2025

Big Boy 4014 makes the first stop on its 2024 summer tour in Laramie, Wyoming, on Sunday morning, June 30, 2024. Hundreds of curious people and serious train buffs waited for more than two hours to get a good viewing spot.,

Big Boy 4014 May Make Its First Coast-To-Coast Run For America’s 250th

Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena says he wants the world’s heaviest operational steam locomotive — Big Boy 4014 — to make its first coast-to-coast tour for America’s 250th anniversary next year. Big Boy has never been to the East Coast since rolling off the assembly line in 1941.

Renée JeanOctober 27, 2025

Rick King, right, was a young Wyoming game warden when the first Joe Picket novel "Open Range" came out, and has had the copy ever since. Now 26, years later, it finally has author C.J. Box's autograph.

Real Joe Picketts: Wyoming Game Wardens See Themselves In C.J. Box Novels

Real-life game wardens say author C.J. Box has elevated their profession across America, while also educating people on all the real-world issues they face. "I appreciate what he's done for the profession," says retired Wyoming Chief Game Warden Rick King.

Renée JeanOctober 25, 2025

Incoming Wyoming Office of Tourism Director Domenic Bravo strikes a pose in a fun photo taken with outgoing director Diane Shober and the Wyoming Office of Tourism staff, just after the awards ceremony for the Fall Hospitality and Tourism Summit in Riverton.

Big Hair, Suede Shoes, A Bravo Beginning — Shober’s Last Show Is Unforgettable 

Everyone had a story to tell for Wyoming Office of Tourism Director Diane Shober’s last official show, including Shober herself. But she also took time to boost her successor, Visit Cheyenne’s President Domenic Bravo. 

Renée JeanOctober 25, 2025

Wyoming ranchers are protesting President Trump’s plan to import more beef from Argentina, arguing it threatens U.S. producers. They say fixing high prices should start with cutting domestic regulations, not boosting imports.

Wyoming Ranchers Join National Outcry Against Trump’s Argentina Beef Plan

Wyoming ranchers are protesting President Trump’s plan to import more beef from Argentina, arguing it threatens U.S. producers. They say fixing high prices should start with cutting domestic regulations, not boosting imports.

Renée JeanOctober 23, 2025

A Wyoming woman who once housed killer Dale Wayne Eaton believes her family’s property may hold clues to the 28-year-old case of missing runner Amy Wroe Bechtel. She hopes police will bring cadaver dogs to search an old cabin there.

Police Believe Tip In Amy Wroe Bechtel’s Disappearance Worth Looking Into

A Wyoming woman who once housed killer Dale Wayne Eaton believes her family’s Natrona County property may hold clues to the 28-year-old case of missing runner Amy Wroe Bechtel. She hopes police will bring cadaver dogs to search an old cabin there.

Renée JeanOctober 22, 2025

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