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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

When he’s not climbing the country music charts, Wyoming’s Ned LeDoux paints wildlife skulls. Dan Patrick, host of “The Dan Patrick Show,” liked one LeDoux sent him so much he showed it off on national television.

TV Host Dan Patrick Shows Off Colorful Cow Skull Painted By Wyoming’s Ned LeDoux

When he’s not climbing the country music charts, Wyoming’s Ned LeDoux paints wildlife skulls. Dan Patrick, host of “The Dan Patrick Show,” liked one LeDoux sent him so much he showed it off on national television.

Renée JeanApril 18, 2026

A letter mailed to Lisa in Alabama was instead delivered to Roger in Torrington, Wyoming, in what Postal Service called a “rare” error. It was a head-scratcher for Roger who said the name and address on the envelope were both clear and legible.

Postal Ping Pong: Letter Addressed To Woman In Alabama Gets Sent To Man In Wyoming

A letter mailed to Lisa in Alabama was instead delivered to Roger in Torrington, Wyoming, in what Postal Service called a “rare” error. It was a head-scratcher for Roger who said the name and address on the envelope were both clear and legible. 

Renée JeanApril 18, 2026

John L. Blair of Shell, Wyoming, is a master saddlemaker who commands more than $45,000 for a saddle, $15,000 for a leather bowl or $8,500 for a custom purse. He works listening to Mozart, one virtuoso inspiring another to create stunning leather art.

Meet John L. Blair: Wyoming’s Mozart Of Saddlemaking And Virtuoso With Leather

John L. Blair of Shell, Wyoming, is a master saddlemaker who commands more than $45,000 for a saddle, $15,000 for a leather bowl or $8,500 for a custom purse. He works listening to Mozart, one virtuoso inspiring another to create stunning leather art.

Renée JeanApril 18, 2026

An MC-130J Commando II takes off of Highway 287 during Exercise Agile Chariot, April 30, 2023, honing capabilities linked to Agile Combat Employment. Instead of relying on large, fixed bases and infrastructure, ACE uses smaller, more dispersed locations and teams to rapidly move and support aircraft, pilots, and other personnel to wherever they are needed.

War Games On Wyoming Highway Helped Prepare For Daring Iran U.S. Pilot Rescue

A high-risk special forces rescue of a U.S. fighter pilot in Iran earlier this month echoed war games held in Wyoming in 2023, when the military turned a remote, windswept stretch of highway near Rawlins into a simulated rescue mission for a downed pilot.

Renée JeanApril 18, 2026

Two manums of Chateau Lafite 1870 hit the auction block at Sotheby's on Friday, April 17, 2026, sending a buzz round the wine world. Both could go for more than $50,000, says Sydney Werry, sommolier at the Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga. They're part of a stash from Glamis Castle in Scottland considered the best in the world. Also in the auction is a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1865, far left, which isn't expected to fetch quite as much.

Brush Creek Ranch Sommelier: Ultra-Rare 1870 Wine Will Get More Than $50K At Auction

The sommelier at Wyoming’s 5-star Brush Creek Ranch says the Friday auction of two bottles of ultra-rare 1870 Chateau Lafite discovered in an ancient castle should get more than $50,000 each. “This wine is in the category of never-to-be-seen-again," she said.

Renée JeanApril 16, 2026

The first fully assembled Sentinel missile is show, along with one of the sites for the old Minuteman III missiles the Sentinel will replace.

$140.9 Billion Sentinel Missile Program Pushed To Make Up Time For Delays

The $140.9 billion Sentinel missile program is racing to catch up after cost overruns triggered a Congressional review and delays. Officials say the stakes are high for national defense, and Wyoming and F.E. Warren Air Force Base sit at the heart of the push.

Renée JeanApril 14, 2026

Microsoft announced Tuesday that it will buy 3,200 more acres in Cheyenne to build data centers, tripling its footprint in Wyoming's capital city while promising to limit impacts on power rates, water and housing. Above is Microsoft's data center in the Cheyenne Business Parkway business park in east Cheyenne.

Microsoft To Triple Its Cheyenne Data Center Footprint With 3,200-Acre Land Buy

Microsoft announced Tuesday that it will buy 3,200 more acres in Cheyenne to build data centers, tripling its footprint in Wyoming's capital city while promising to limit impacts on power rates, water and housing.

Renée JeanApril 14, 2026

Independent-minded families and entrepreneurs across Wyoming are fighting back against uncomfortably high grocery store prices. People are turning to their discount stores and co-ops to cut grocery bills.

Discount Grocers, Co-Ops Help Wyoming Families Fight Soaring Food Costs

Families and entrepreneurs in Wyoming are fighting back against high grocery store prices by starting discount stores and co-ops. Brad Ruckert, who owns Down Home Discount in Powell and Cody, tries to sell goods at 20% below Walmart & 50% below when possible.

Renée JeanApril 13, 2026

Helen LaRose poses with a newborn baby and its happy family just after the baby was born.

Lander Midwife Has Delivered More Than 3,000 Babies Over 20 Years

Helen LaRose delivered more than 3,000 babies over a 20-year career as a certified nurse midwife and a self-proclaimed “baby catcher.” Something she learned is babies come when they want, even that time “I delivered that baby shoeless with one glove on."

Renée JeanApril 12, 2026

Wyoming travelers say they prefer smaller airports. The lines are shorter and parking a lot cheaper, and in some cases free. At the Cheyenne Regional Airport, the terminal is easy to navigate.

Short Lines, Free Parking: Why Wyoming Travelers Say They Prefer Smaller Airports

Small airports have huge fans in Wyoming travelers, who say they prefer them to big-city hubs and will avoid the drive to a large airport to depart from home. Small airports have big advantages: shorter lines, fewer crowds, and in many cases free parking.

Renée JeanApril 12, 2026

The Sturgis Mansion has a new owner, a Colorado couple who have renovated the interior in keeping with its historical nature for a one-of-a-kind craft retreat.

New Lease On Life: Cheyenne’s Historic 130-Year-Old Sturgis House Has New Owners

It’s one of the oldest mansions still standing in Wyoming and now it's turning a page. Cheyenne’s historic 130-year-old Sturgis House, once the home of cattle baron William Sturgis, has new owners. They've turned it into craft retreat and it's 90% booked.

Renée JeanApril 12, 2026

The Hell's Half Acre restaurant sign as it once appeared before the rsetaurant closed.

Casper Native Restoring Hell’s Half Acre Sign To Display In Wyoming Valley, Pa.

It took Casper native Casey Gillum a long time to get the Hell's Half Acre restaurant sign but once he had the opportunity, he grabbed it. He's now restoring the sign and will display it where he lives -- in Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley.

Renée JeanApril 11, 2026

Other Authors

Chugwater butcher Alex Springs has turned an old school bus into a mobile meat shop to bring Wyoming beef to small towns. It’s a creative solution to get local meat to rural customers in a state with a whole lot of nowhere between towns.

Chugwater Butcher Turns School Bus Into Mobile Meat Wagon To Serve Small Towns

A butcher in Chugwater has turned an old school bus into a mobile meat shop to bring Wyoming beef to small towns. It’s a creative solution to get local meat to rural customers in a state with a whole lot of nowhere between towns.

Renée JeanApril 11, 2026

Decades after “Lord of the Winds” mountaineer Finis Mitchell roamed the Wind River Range, hikers still stumble on his handwritten notes. Star Valley photographer Ammon Jeffs is one of those lucky hikers, finding a Mitchell note while hiking on Sheep's Mountain.

Famed Mountaineer's Hidden Notes Still Being Found In Wyoming Wind River Range

Decades after “Lord of The Winds” mountaineer Finis Mitchell roamed the Wind River Range, hikers still find his handwritten notes in small plastic tubes. Star Valley photographer Ammon Jeffs found a Mitchell note while hiking on Sheep's Mountain.

Renée JeanApril 11, 2026

Fans of the Little America hotel near Green River say its demolition is “heartbreaking.” Its cheap ice cream cones, penguin mascot and endless roadside billboards are legendary. It’s also been a lifesaving haven from Wyoming’s notorious blizzards.

Remembering Little America: Fans Of Original Hotel Call Demolition ‘Heartbreaking’

Fans of the Little America hotel near Green River say its demolition is “heartbreaking.” Its cheap ice cream cones, penguin mascot and endless roadside billboards are legendary. It’s also been a lifesaving haven from Wyoming’s notorious blizzards.

Renée JeanApril 11, 2026

Tyler Lindholm authored Wyoming’s 2015 Food Freedom Act and has come out swinging after the state seized USDA-inspected beef from a farm stand in Cheyenne and banned it from selling meat. 

Wyoming Food Freedom Act's Author Says State Is Wrong For Banning Meat Sales

Crook County rancher Tyler Lindholm, who authored Wyoming’s Food Freedom Act, is not happy after the state seized USDA-inspected beef from a farm stand in Cheyenne and banned it from selling meat. "Legislative intent is a thing and I know my intent," he said.

Renée JeanApril 10, 2026

Jackson is the hottest U.S. destination for early summer bookings, according to data from AirDNA which tracks AirBnb, VRBO, and other short-term rentals. The trend mirrors a Gen Z pivot from beach vacations to mountain escapes.

Jackson Hole Is Hottest U.S. Destination For Early Summer Bookings

The Jackson Hole area is the hottest U.S. destination for early summer bookings, according to data from AirDNA which tracks AirBnb, VRBO and other short-term rentals. The area has a 57% occupancy rate on the books for June, a 20% increase over last year.

Renée JeanApril 10, 2026

The Star Plunge hot springs in Hot Springs State Park have been temporarily closed because management let its insurance lapsed.

$3 Million State Buyout Of Star Plunge, Hotel Could End Decades Of Disputes

Wyoming lawmakers have set aside $3 million to buy the Star Plunge and Hot Springs Hotel. That could end decades of disputes, as well as an ongoing lawsuit, clearing the way for the Star Plunge to reopen after closing abruptly more than a year ago.

Renée JeanApril 06, 2026

Inside the greenhouse where Wyoming's Drea Hineman simulates zero gravity for lettuces that shes growing. Her work will help astronauts grow their own food someday on the moon.

Space Farming: Wyoming Research Is Changing How We Farm The Arid West And The Moon

In a greenhouse perched a mile above sea level, a Wyoming researcher is helping lay the groundwork for a future where astronauts don’t just visit distant worlds but farm them. Her experiments in space-based agriculture earned her a top NASA rating.

Renée JeanApril 05, 2026

At the Chinook Winds Lodge in Dubois, guests share the motel with a flock of free-range chickens that produce eggs for the guests. “If you’ve eaten farm-fresh eggs, you know they have that beautiful yolk, and they’re very nutritious," says the owner.

Traveling Wyoming: At Dubois Lodge, Guests Share Motel With Free-Range Chickens

At the Chinook Winds Lodge in Dubois, guests share the motel with a flock of free-range chickens that produce eggs for the guests. “If you’ve eaten farm-fresh eggs, you know they have that beautiful yolk, and they’re very nutritious," says the owner.

Renée JeanApril 05, 2026

Chase Fisher installs a riser for new electrical service.

Data Centers Behind Huge Pay For Electricians, As High As $260,000 In Some Parts

An explosion of data centers across the U.S. has created an explosion in the need for electricians — and their pay can reach as much as $260,000 a year in some parts. In Wyoming, big six figure salaries are available too but it comes with tradeoffs.

Renée JeanApril 05, 2026

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