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

The ExxonMobil plant in La Barge, Wyoming, not only is a world leader in carbon capture, it also produces about 20% of the world's helium.

Second Major Helium Plant Planned For Southwest Wyoming

Wyoming already produces 20% of the world’s Grade A helium supply from one plant east of Kemmerer. Now it’s about to get another major helium plant in southwest Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 12, 2025

A ramp was built for the annual Sundance Burnout in Crook County during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. It places riders up higher so the crowd could better see them.

More Tourists Discovering Small, Rural Wyoming Counties

Wyoming has long had a goal of encouraging tourism in other parts of the state other Teton County. In 2024, more tourists discovered small, rural Wyoming areas, with Crook and Sublette counties showing the biggest boost.

Renée JeanMay 11, 2025

Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.

Federal Cuts Have Wyoming Museums Scrambling At Start Of Busy Summer Season

Several Wyoming museums say they were caught by surprise when federal grants were cut. That’s left some on the hook for thousands of dollars as they scramble at the start of the busy summer season.

Renée JeanMay 11, 2025

Emily Steele survived a bout with what she belives was food-borne illness. She got sick dspite of not being the one who ate anything spoiled.

Can You Catch ‘Food Poisoning?’ It’s Not Common, But, Yes, And Here’s How

Food-borne illnesses are among the most common in America, sickening more than 48 million each year. But can it be passed on to others? The answer is yes -- as a Cheyenne couple recently found out.

Renée JeanMay 10, 2025

Cheyenne Gunslingers has its own stage setup on 15 Street and Pioneer Avenue. But it will likely need a new home as the 15th Street Rail Experience is taking its location.

Famous Cheyenne Gunslingers To Be Homeless, Have To Move From Downtown Spot

The famous Cheyenne Gunslingers will have to find a new spot for its Wild West shootouts. The city has approved another historical attraction to take over their location and now the Gunslingers, who delight crowds every summer by shooting each other, have to find a new home.

Renée JeanMay 10, 2025

The Carissa Gold Mine in South Pass City.

Canadian Company Says There’s Still Plenty Of Gold Near Former Boom Town

"Thar's gold in them thar hills!" That's what a Canadian company is saying about the area near the old Carissa Mine near South Pass City. Thousands of miners went there in 1867 but never found the mother lode. This company says they have the technology to find it.

Renée JeanMay 10, 2025

A pair of the major U.S. players in nuclear power — Uranium Energy Corp. and Radiant Energy — announce a partnership to develop the industry across America — and Wyoming could be ground zero.

Wyoming Could Capture Bigger Piece Of US Nuclear Power Than Just Mining Uranium

A pair of the major U.S. players in nuclear power announce a partnership to develop the industry across America — and Wyoming could be ground zero. There's potential for the state do more than just mine uranium.

Renée JeanMay 07, 2025

Wyoming’s outdoor tourism is booming, and is now a $2.2 billion industry drawing adventure-seekers to all corners. It’s also stressing some smaller communities to provide amenities to support those visitors.

Wyoming’s Booming $2.2 Billion Outdoor Rec Tourism Stressing Some Communities

Pinedale is poised to double in size by 2040, growth that Town Councilman Scott Kosiba believes is due in no small part to the strength of a rapidly growing outdoor recreation economy. Call it a new economic model for boom towns, one driven in part by wealthy remote workers who can locate where they like to play, instead of just where they work.

Renée JeanMay 04, 2025

Lummis Behind Bill To Force U.S. Mint To Stop Making Pennies

With a $36 trillion national debt, wasteful government spending has to stop, says U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis. She said that’s why she’s behind a bill to make the U.S. Mint stop making pennies, which cost more than 3 cents per penny to make.

Renée JeanMay 04, 2025

It’s Taken 2 Years, But Revival Of Vintage Greybull K-Bar Motel Nearly Finished

Two years after starting a monumental DYI effort to restore and revive the vintage K-Bar Motel in Greybull, Amanda McGrew is nearly finished. And the kitschy vibe is already turning heads.

Renée JeanMay 03, 2025

How Will UPS Cutting 20,000 Jobs Impact Already Slow Wyoming Deliveries?

UPS is laying off 20,000 workers and closing 73 facilities. That has rural Wyoming residents wondering if the already slow-arriving deliveries they rely on are ever going to get through.

Renée JeanMay 03, 2025

An Amtrak passenger train runs through Colorado's souther Front Range. An effort is underway to connect the Front Range and Cheyenne with passenger rail.

Colorado Congresswoman Wants To De-Fund Front Range Passenger Rail Project

Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert wants DOGE to kill funding for a Front Range passenger rail project that has a potential to extend into Wyoming. That won’t happen, because the project is state-funded, not federal.

Renée JeanApril 30, 2025

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Thunderbirds Continue 70-Plus-Year Run At Cheyenne Frontier Days On New Night

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ popular Cheyenne Frontier Days air show is moving to Saturday, July 26, so more people can see it. The aerial demonstration has been held at CFD every year but two since 1953.

Renée JeanApril 29, 2025

Dalton Jones, left, works on homework with fellow students at WyoTech in Laramie. He arrived from Washington with 2 cents in his pocket hoping to change his future. He'll finish in nine months and job ready.

WyoTech Growth Spurt Continues With $48.2 Million, 137,000-Square-Foot Expansion

WyoTech’s waiting list is out to April 2026 for some programs. The demand is fueling yet another growth spurt for the Laramie trade school — a $48.2 million, 137,000-square-foot expansion set to open in 2027.

Renée JeanApril 29, 2025

Microsoft, Cheyenne’s first data center, also received a key, business-ready matching grant from the Wyoming Business Council that helped the city build the business park where Microsoft is located.

Wyoming Is Perfect For Data Centers, So Why Do They Cluster Only In Cheyenne?

Wyoming has the right climate for data centers, and the Interstate 80 corridor could be a magnet for attracting more of them. So why do data centers cluster in Cheyenne, but hardly anywhere else in Wyoming?

Renée JeanApril 28, 2025

A backward-driving pickup that’s been turning heads in Lander was something Albert Bertagnolli did just for the heck of it. He swapped the headlights and taillights, moved the engine and looks out over the bed driving the thing. He faces looking over the bed in the turned-around cab.

Lander Man Turns Heads Driving Pickup He’s Modified To Go Backwards

Lander resident Albert Bertagnolli modified his pickup to drive backwards. He swapped the headlights and taillights, moved the engine and looks out over the bed driving the thing. When he’s driving down the street, it looks like he’s going backwards.

Renée JeanApril 27, 2025

It’s less than two months until the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the most legendary battles of the American Revolution. The musket that fired the battle’s first shot is at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois.

Wyoming Home To Musket That Fired First Shot At Bunker Hill 250 Years Ago

It’s less than two months until the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, one of the most important battles of the American Revolution. The musket that fired the battle’s first shot is at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois.

Renée JeanApril 27, 2025

he Bear Mountain Junction's malts are popular.

Drinking Wyoming: Bear Mountain Junction In La Grange Has Beer, Killer Cinnamon Rolls

Bear Mountain Junction is a tiny all-in-one stop in La Grange on U.S. Highway 85 between Cheyenne and Hawk Springs. It’s a store, gift shop and bar, where you can get a beer and killer homemade cinnamon rolls.

Renée JeanApril 26, 2025

Eating Wyoming: Lander’s Mulino Italian Bistro Is Hard To Find, But Worth It

In the heart of downtown Lander, hidden from all casual view, there’s a serious little slice of Italy, waiting to be discovered by the keenly observant. Mulino Italian Bistro is a little hard to find, but worth it.

Renée JeanApril 26, 2025

Pinedale’s World Famous Corral Bar For Sale For $1.5 Million

The World Famous Corral Bar in Pinedale may not actually be “world famous,” but it is a favorite spot for locals. The family that’s owned the bar for the last 25 years has decided it’s time to sell, listing it for about $1.5 million.

Renée JeanApril 25, 2025

A view of the terminal at the Sheridan County Airport.

Runaway Costs Have Wyoming’s Small Airports Facing Financial Turbulence

Small regional airports around Wyoming are being squeezed hard by inflation and runaway costs. Airports in Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan and Gillette in particular face a fight to keep airline service next year.

Renée JeanApril 23, 2025

Downtown Cheyenne Parking Garage A Nightmare, Nearby Business Owners Say

Cheyenne has taken steps to improve a problem downtown parking garage and make it safer. But business owners say there continue to be nightly noise violations, as well as vandalism.

Renée JeanApril 22, 2025

This U.S. Marine Corps C-130J is nicknamed "Fat Albert" and is assigned to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team.

Wyoming National Guard Base To Be Home For Fleet Of C-130J Tankers

The Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne is the latest base awarded top-flight C-130J air tankers. Starting in 2028, it will be home for a fleet of eight C-130Js, which will be a huge boost for fighting wildfires.

Renée JeanApril 22, 2025

Chef Petrina Peart, right, huddles with other chefs during the new NBC show "Yes, Chef!"

Cheyenne Celebrity Chef Is Part Of Martha Stewart’s New Cooking Competition

Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart came within one vote of beating Food Network star Bobby Flay on his hit cooking competition show. Now she’ll try to do the same against 12 other chefs on Martha Stewart’s new show on NBC, “Yes, Chef!”

Renée JeanApril 21, 2025

Raelee Warner was up early doing her usual daily chores feeding chicks and driving cattle. Then the seventh grader went to the state gymnastics meet and won two events. All in a day’s work for a true Wyoming cowgirl.

Wyoming Girl Gets Her Ranch Chores Done Before Winning Gymnastics Titles

Raelee Warner was up early doing her usual daily chores feeding chicks and driving cattle April 12. Then the seventh grader went to the state gymnastics meet and won two events. All in a day’s work for a true Wyoming cowgirl.

Renée JeanApril 21, 2025

John Horan accepts his weekly lottery tickets from Maverik Adventure's First Stop cashier Kyle Rutherford in Cheyenne.

Mega Millions Makes Odds Better, But They’re Still Not As Good As Winning WyoLotto

The multistate Mega Millions lottery is charging more to play, but promises bigger jackpots with better odds of winning. But state lotteries like WyoLotto still offer better chances.

Renée JeanApril 20, 2025

Man Promises To Pay Fines On Wyoming Library Book He Checked Out 31 Years Ago

Josiah Harlow checked out a Robin Hood novel from the Cheyenne Central High School library 31 years ago, and never returned it. It’s still a treasured part of his collection, and he promises to “swing by to pay my overdue fees” the next time he’s in town.

Renée JeanApril 20, 2025

Ronnie Gonzales of Dougas, Wyoming, is still searching for a missing emerald from Forest Fenn’s treasure chest that was found in Wyoming. If found, he plans to add it to his own treasure chest and challenge. He says it's hidden somewhere in Fremont Canyon.

Wyoming Man Starts Treasure Hunt Similar To One Now Featured On Netflix

A Douglas man is still searching for a missing emerald from Forest Fenn’s treasure chest that was found in Wyoming and is featured in a Netflix documentary. If found, he plans to add it to his own treasure chest.

Renée JeanApril 20, 2025

Alex Nichols demonstrates an automatic gate at Picasso Gate in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Company Builds Tough-As-Tank Security Gates For A-List Stars

Picasso Gate in Cheyenne may not be a household name, but its tough-as-a-tank security gates are coveted by A-list stars like Tom Cruise and Kevin Costner. It’s owned by a father-son duo who love Wyoming.

Renée JeanApril 20, 2025

Ethan Page shows off some of the kale and bib lettuces growing in Central Wyoming College's shipping container greenhouse.

Wyoming Students Turn Shipping Container Into High-Tech Greenhouse

Central Wyoming College has engineered a shipping container into a high-tech greenhouse that’s like something out of “The Jetsons." It creates its own sunshine and rain to grow all kinds of produce.

Renée JeanApril 19, 2025