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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

Wyoming chefs, like Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart, say they don't trust artificial intelligence to tell them how to cook Thanksgiving dinner. They say AI turkey recipes miss key steps like brining and resting, so they still trust human expertise for a juicy, tasty bird.

Chefs Don't Trust Artificial Intelligence To Tell Them How To Cook Thanksgiving Dinner

Wyoming chefs say they don't trust artificial intelligence to tell them how to cook Thanksgiving dinner. They say AI turkey recipes miss key steps like brining and resting, so they still trust human expertise for a juicy, tasty bird.

Renée JeanNovember 26, 2025

Jordan and Kaylin Birdwell scope out the price of a whole bird, after realizing the price for a smaller, turkey breast roast, is much more expensive per pound. Store specials are keeping the price of whole birds in check, in spite of avian flu decimating turkey flocks.

Turkey Deals Turn Costly Birds Into Thanksgiving Bargains

Wyoming grocers are selling cheap whole turkeys at losses because of the bird flu and inflation. Shoppers are using those savings to offset rising costs for other Thanksgiving staples, along with chasing specials and switching to store brands.

Renée JeanNovember 25, 2025

Wyoming ranchers say the closure of Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska, plant is a distress signal for cattlemen and consumers. Fixing things will require rewriting the Meat Inspection Act.

Wyoming Cattle Ranchers Say Nebraska Plant Closure Is A Sign Of Deeper Problems

Wyoming ranchers say the closure of Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska, plant is a distress signal for cattlemen and consumers. Fixing things will require rewriting the Meat Inspection Act.

Renée JeanNovember 24, 2025

Survival of the fittest produces resilient genetics in nature. That works on ranches too, says Wyoming's Lucky 7 Rancher Jim Jensen. He's using the extreme conditions on his Boulder ranch to grow super cows.

Wyoming Rancher Uses Extreme Weather To Redefine Cattle Genetics, Grow Super Cows

Survival of the fittest produces resilient genetics in nature. That also works on ranches, says Wyoming's Lucky 7 Rancher Jim Jensen. He's using the extreme conditions on his Boulder ranch to grow super cows.

Renée JeanNovember 24, 2025

Susan Bigelow of Sheridan caring for her mother at home.

Wyoming’s ‘Sandwich’ Generation: 106,000 Caring For Children, Aging Parents

More than 106,000 Wyomingites are unpaid caregivers for an aging parent, and many do so while also juggling full-time jobs and raising children. Some are forced into early retirement, putting their savings at risk.

Renée JeanNovember 23, 2025

The TIV2 (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) was made famous by the Discovery television series "Storm Chasers." A Colorado man now owns the Mad Max-style weather chasing tank and uses it to pursue tornadoes across Wyoming and the High Plains.

Famous Mad Max Weather Tank Chases Tornadoes Across Wyoming And High Plains

A Colorado storm chaser was in Cheyenne last week to show off his TIV2 Mad Max-style weather tank made famous by the Discovery TV show “Storm Chasers.” He said he uses it to chase tornadoes in eastern Wyoming, Nebraska and northeast Colorado.

Renée JeanNovember 22, 2025

Wild Horse Basin, a 92,000-acre working cattle ranch with 50 ponds and five creeks is just 30 minutes from Casper. It also has potential for oil and gas development, and has hit the market for $45 million.

Wild Horse Basin Ranch, 92,000 Green Acres Near Casper, Lists For $45 Million

Wild Horse Basin, a 92,000-acre working cattle ranch with 50 ponds and five creeks is just 30 minutes from Casper. It also has potential for oil and gas development, and has hit the market for $45 million.

Renée JeanNovember 21, 2025

Japan wants Wyoming’s low-carbon natural gas, and new export terminals in Mexico may provide a route for Asian delivery. Policy leaders say demand is rising, and cleaner Rocky Mountain gas could boost U.S. energy exports.

Japan Eyes Wyoming Gas As New Mexico-Mexico Route Opens Export Path

Japan wants Wyoming’s low-carbon natural gas, and new export terminals in Mexico may provide a route for Asian delivery. Policy leaders say demand is rising, and cleaner Rocky Mountain gas could boost U.S. energy exports.

Renée JeanNovember 20, 2025

Wyoming is bucking a national trend by growing its horse racing industry. But legislators want more control of the gaming terminals that support its big purses amid complaints the state is looking too much like Montana.

Wyoming Horse Racing Is Thriving, But Legislators Want More Regulation

Wyoming is bucking a national trend by growing its horse racing industry. But legislators want more control of the gaming terminals that support its big purses amid complaints the state is looking too much like Montana.

Renée JeanNovember 18, 2025

Bill Schilling accepts a plaque recognizing his lifetime achievements in Wyoming from Brent Hathaway. Schilling's signature accomplishments include helping to create the Hathaway Scholarship, named after the late Stan Hathaway, who served two terms as Governor in 1966 and 1970.

Bill Schilling Powered Wyoming’s College Revolution With The Hathaway Scholarship

Bill Schilling helped create Wyoming’s Hathaway Scholarship, opening college doors for thousands statewide. His enduring impact is felt through the opportunities the scholarship has given Wyoming students over four decades.

Renée JeanNovember 17, 2025

A home for sale in Cheyenne in this file photo.

Trump’s 50-Year Mortgage: Crazy, Or Crazy Like A Fox?

President Donald Trump has floated the idea of 50-year mortgages to help people afford to buy homes in America. Some are calling it a crazy idea, while others says it's crazy like a fox and will spark a new wave of home ownership.

Renée JeanNovember 17, 2025

A new fitness craze has made it to Wyoming. Riculous Bungee Fitness has recently opened its doors in Laramie. While on the surface, the fad looks ridiculous, it's actually a smart way to workout, because it eases stress on joints.

I Tried Ridiculous Bungee Fitness, And It Wasn’t As Ridiculous As I Thought

Fat bodies flying through the air, attached to a bungee cord. Sounds like a perfect Saturday Night Live skit. But the TikTok trend has just shown up in Wyoming, and fans say it’s a ridiculously smart way to workout.

Renée JeanNovember 16, 2025

Other Authors

Miss Frontier perpetually waves at the entrance of the Old West Museum in Frontier Park.

Life-Sized Miss Frontier Bronze Unveiled as Cheyenne’s Newest Icon at Old West Museum

A new life-size Miss Frontier bronze was unveiled last week in Cheyenne, representing 95 years of Cheyenne Frontier Days royalty. The oldest living Miss Frontier Jeanette Tyrrell Daly, who was crowned in 1958 by Gov. Milward Simpson, was honored at the ceremony.

Renée JeanNovember 15, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon talks about his economic road map for Wyoming's future during his keynote address at the Wyoming Business Alliance Annual Governor's Conference.

Wyoming's Energy Sector An Economic Wild Card, Gordon Says

Affordable and workforce housing remain challenges for Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon said Thursday during a Laramie business conference. But the energy sector is a wild card that could bring new opportunities, if the state is willing to wrestle with change.

Renée JeanNovember 14, 2025

Speaking at the Governor's annual business conference on Wednesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Utah and Wyoming should embrace the need for data centers. “What’s happening in energy is unlike anything that’s happened in my lifetime,” Cox said. Region 8 EPA Administrator Cyrus Western asks Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to talk about the rapidly changing energy landscape in the West.

Utah Gov. Tells Wyoming Audience Go, Go, Go On Data Centers

Speaking at the governor's annual business conference on Wednesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Utah and Wyoming should embrace the need for data centers. “What’s happening in energy is unlike anything that’s happened in my lifetime,” Cox said.

Renée JeanNovember 13, 2025

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and ProRodeo Hall of Fame has been headquartered in Colorado Springs for the last 46 years. Now it’s considering a move to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

ProRodeo Hall of Fame And PRCA Looking To Move To Wyoming

After 46 years in Colorado Springs, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and ProRodeo Hall of Fame are considering a move 183 miles north on Interstate 25 to Cheyenne, home of Cheyenne Frontier Days and its “Daddy of ’Em All” rodeo.

Renée JeanNovember 12, 2025

Black Hills Energy sign IMG 6958 11 10 25

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

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