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

25,000 Sturgis Rally Bikers Make Pit Stop In Hulett For Famous Ham And Jam

About 25,000 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally bikers made a pit stop in tiny Hulett, Wyoming, on Wednesday for the town’s famous Ham and Jam street party. Free barbecue and revving engines through the main drag are traditions some bikers have kept going for decades.

Renée JeanAugust 06, 2025

Shantel Mysliwiec and her children enjoy living in Wyoming despite the sagebrush they're allergic to.

Can’t Stop Sneezing? You’re Not Alone — Wyoming Among Worst Allergy States

Wyoming is not an easy state for allergy sufferers, and there’s a reason for that. Sagebrush is a huge contributor to the state’s overall pollen counts, which are the sixth highest in the nation.

Renée JeanAugust 05, 2025

Jackson caps habitable space on a given property at 8,000 square feet. But at $40 million, Riva Ridge Reserve far exceeds that. Grandfathered entitlements mean its 18,378 square feet of living space are something you couldn’t build today.

$40 Million Will Buy A Unique Estate At Foot Of The Tetons You Couldn’t Build Today

Teton County caps habitable space on a given property at 8,000 square feet. But at $40 million, Riva Ridge Reserve far exceeds that. Grandfathered entitlements mean its 18,378 square feet of living space are something you couldn’t build today.

Renée JeanAugust 03, 2025

Forward inertia is about to throw this rider off of this bucking bronco during a miniature roughstock rodeo in Newcastle during the Weston County Fair.

Growing Up Rodeo In Wyoming Means Riding In Miniature Roughstock Events

Generations of Wyoming kids have been raised by the Cowboy Code and a rodeo lifestyle. They’re also cutting their teeth competing in miniature roughstock rodeo — like the one this past week at the Weston County Fair in Newcastle.

Renée JeanAugust 03, 2025

Tim Kellog, Wyoming's cowboy chocolatier, shows a cacao pod to a customer in his shop, Meeteetse Chocolatier, in Meeteetse, Wyoming.

Wyoming Cowboy Wanted To Buy A Saddle, And Became A World-Class Chocolatier

Tim Kellogg, aka the Meeteetse Chocolatier, got his start trying to earn money to buy a saddle. Now he’s a master at his craft, traveling the world to source unique, high-quality ingredients and techniques. His world-class chocolates sell out in minutes.

Renée JeanAugust 03, 2025

A small cloud of motorcycles had found downtown Newcastle Friday afternoon, and were looking for adventures on Wyomingn's Black Hills side.

Newcastle Welcomes Bikers As Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Begins

Newcastle doesn’t go all out like some towns that are on the road to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. But it still gets plenty of motorcycle riders on their “hogs” exploring Wyoming’s Black Hills on their way to the rally.

Renée JeanAugust 02, 2025

Cheyenne artist Jordan Dean is painting two giant 60-to-70-foot horses as the centerpiece of a stunning mural on a prominent water tank. It takes two giant booms, a projector and $400 a gallon paint.

Cheyenne Artist Uses 2 Booms, $400-A-Gallon Paint To Paint 80-Foot Water Tank Murals

Cheyenne artist Jordan Dean is painting giant 60-to-70-foot horses as the centerpiece of stunning murals on two water tank north of town. It takes two giant boom lifts, a projector and $400-a-gallon paint.

Renée JeanAugust 02, 2025

Texas-based Crusoe is teaming up with Wyoming-based Tallgrass to build a huge 1.8-giggawatt data center in Cheyenne. Pictured is a Crusoe data center in Abeline, Texas, that's expanding to 1.2 gigawatts.

Cheyenne To Get Massive AI Data Center Powered By Gas And Carbon Capture

Cheyenne is about to get its largest artificial intelligence data center yet, at 1.8 gigawatts. Wyoming company Tallgrass and Texas-based Crusoe say the center will be powered by Wyoming natural gas, along with carbon capture technology.

Renée JeanJuly 29, 2025

Cheyenne Man Pulls 9 Gs With Thunderbirds, Then Takes A Nap

Cheyenne’s Bryan “Alf” Grzegorczyk had planned a celebratory drink following his once-in-a-lifetime Thunderbirds flight to salute everyone who nominated him for the honor. But after flying at 9 Gs, all Alf could manage was a celebratory nap.

Renée JeanJuly 28, 2025

Dan Starks, left, and Iwo Jima Association Executive Director Shayne Jarosz at the memorial to the flag raising on the island earlier in 2025. Starks got a rare opportunity to visit Iwo Jima 80 years after his father fought in the World War II battle.

80 Years After His Dad Fought On Iwo Jima, Dan Starks Makes Rare Visit To Island

National Museum of Military Vehicles owner Dan Starks took a rare trip to Iwo Jima earlier this year. He has new respect for the soldiers who fought there 80 years ago during World War II — including his own father.

Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025

Couple Steals Show With Surprise Proposal During Cheyenne Frontier Days Concert

Romance wasn’t in the air when Brandon Boyer and Shilee Calhoun met, but they fell in love anyway. That led to a surprise proposal that stole the spotlight for a moment during Ian Munsick’s Cheyenne Frontier Days concert.

Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025

Moses J. Brings Plenty gave a message of hope and unity at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Indian Village for what will be its last year in this location.

‘Yellowstone’ Actor Mo Brings Plenty Advises On New Frontier Days Indian Village

“Yellowstone” television series actor Mo Brings Plenty is helping shape the new Morning Star Indian Village, a multimillion-dollar project at Cheyenne Frontier Days set for completion in 2026.

Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025

Other Authors

A couple of shoppers stroll down the streets in downtown Cheyenne.

Cheyenne’s Rodeo Week Inspires Huge Shopping Sprees, Millions In Economic Impact

Rodeo season in Cheyenne brings a surge of shoppers and record-breaking sales. Local businesses are projected to reap millions in economic benefits during the city’s iconic Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Renée JeanJuly 25, 2025

The famous Air Force Thunderbirds have touched down in Cheyenne ahead of their Saturday Wings Over Wyoming show. Its first civilian air show was the 1953 Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Thunderbirds have been back every year since, but one.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Was First Civilian Show For Thunderbirds 72 Years Ago

The famous Air Force Thunderbirds have touched down in Cheyenne ahead of their Saturday Wings Over Wyoming show. The squad's first civilian air show was the 1953 Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Thunderbirds have been back every year since but two.

Renée JeanJuly 25, 2025

Gap Pucci with Mother Marie Wendy McMenamy at his place in Jackson Hole.

Estate Of Legendary Wyoming Spaghetti Westerner Gap Pucci To Be Bought By Nuns

Gap Pucci befriended two nuns 25 years ago after they walked in sandals with no socks in knee-deep snow to see his crosses. Now the nuns say they will buy the legendary Wyoming spaghetti Westerner’s estate with a promise it won’t become a luxury mansion.

Renée JeanJuly 24, 2025

New Warner Bros. Streaming Service Fuels Hope For ‘Longmire’ Comeback

Warner Bros. Discovery is creating its own streaming service. That’s fueling hopes among die-hard fans that that the popular “Longmire” series, which Warner Bros. owns, could make a comeback.

Renée JeanJuly 23, 2025

Moses J. Brings Plenty atop a horse named Louie, right before the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade with the Cheyenne Capitol in the background.

“Yellowstone” Star Mo Brings Plenty Back In Wyoming As Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade Grand Marshal

“Yellowstone” star Mo Brings Plenty is back again for Cheyenne Frontier Days, this time as grand marshal of the parade. Growing up, the A-lister heard many stories about CFD, and says it’s the most prestigious rodeo in the world.

Renée JeanJuly 22, 2025

Robert Taylor and Craig Johnson pose together for Cowboy State Daily after their "Two Walts" presentation during Longmire Days in Buffalo.

Longmire Star Robert Taylor Comes To Buffalo Every Year Because He Loves Wyoming

If Longmire Days had to pay Australian actor Robert Taylor to attend, it would be far out of reach. The actor doesn’t come for the money. He comes to Longmire Days in Buffalo every year for something else. He loves Wyoming.

Renée JeanJuly 21, 2025

A huge bronze installation of 70 larger-than-life longhorn steers that was cast at Eagle Bronze Foundry in Lander, Wyoming.

Famous Sculptures Placed Around The World Come From Lander's Eagle Bronze

Outside the art world, few may recognize the name of Lander’s Eagle Bronze Foundry. But sculptures created there are prominent around the world, including 70 larger-than-life 6-foot-tall longhorn steers in Dallas, the longest continuous-themed bronze sculpture collection in the U.S.

Renée JeanJuly 20, 2025

Paul Knowles shows a recently discovered photo of Jim Douglas, left, founder of Dixon, Wyoming, riding with famous mountain man Jim Baker.

Wyoming History: New Photos Of Legendary Mountain Man Jim Baker Discovered

In what Western historians call an “extremely exciting” discovery, a trunk containing new photographs of the famous mountain man Jim Baker has been found. It also holds letters written to a lawman by Wild Bunch informants.

Renée JeanJuly 20, 2025

Terry Anderson looks for gold flakes during Gold Rush Days at South Pass City. He was one of several Wyoming Prospector Association members at the event, helping newcomers learn to pan for gold.

There’s An Art To Panning For Gold That’s Part Patience, Part Recklessness

Six tiny flakes of gold in one pan of pay dirt are a nice haul. Panning for gold takes patience and a bit of reckless abandon — then rinse and repeat. Finding those flakes sparks an annual Wyoming gold rush to South Pass City.

Renée JeanJuly 19, 2025

Ian Munsick performs at Cheyenne Frontier Days as the first Wyoming native to headline the CFD stage.

Ian Munsick Makes History As First Wyoming Native To Headline Cheyenne Frontier Days

Friday was an huge night for Sheridan's Ian Munsick, who fulfilled a dream by headlining Cheyenne Frontier Days. An emotional Munsick called being the first Wyoming native to headline CFD the biggest stage of his career so far.

Renée JeanJuly 19, 2025

Artist Chris Navarro, center, at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Western Art Show. In the foreground, his sculpture, Chasing Rainbows, one of four pieces he brought to this premier Western art show. Navarro said it's one of his favorite shows, one he doesn't miss.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Isn’t All Rodeo, There’s Also World-Class Western Art

One thing to know about the celebrated Western Art Show at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is that it’s not a stereotypical stuffy art show. In fact, it’s considered by many as the signature social event of the Daddy of ’em All.

Renée JeanJuly 18, 2025

Wyoming Company Helps Develop Tech-Driven Early Alzheimer’s Detection Tool

Wyoming technology company Lunavi has helped develop a tech-driven digital tool to detect Alzheimer’s disease before most other tests can. It will make the tests inexpensive and available to anyone with an internet connection.

Renée JeanJuly 18, 2025

Riders taking off for Sinks Canyon, a couple of them with cowboy hat bike helmets they purchased online.

Cyclists Say Exclusive Tour De Wyoming One Of Best Bike Tours In The Nation

The Tour de Wyoming rolled out for a loop trail around Sinks Canyon at about 6 a.m. Tuesday as the cyclists hit the event’s halfway point. Camped in Lander, riders in the exclusive 250-bike event say it’s one of the best in the nation.

Renée JeanJuly 15, 2025

Avianna Frady demonstrates how the Domeco can be used to train for rock climbing during the International Climbers' Festival in Lander.

One Weekend A Year, Lander’s The Center Of The Rock Climbing World

Lander, Wyoming, is an international destination for rock climbers. This past weekend was the 32nd International Climbers’ Festival, which makes Lander the center of the rock-climbing world, drawing hundreds of rock climbers.

Renée JeanJuly 14, 2025

Harvey Deselms, and his dog Dot, with one of the bronze sculptures for the Capital Avenue Bronze Project

Cheyenne’s Capitol Avenue Bronze Project Closes In On 100 Sculptures

For Cheyenne art dealer Harvey Deselms, dreams really do come true. He dreamed of bronze sculptures lining every corner of Capitol Avenue, and now the Capitol Avenue Bronze Project is closing in on its 100th installation.

Renée JeanJuly 14, 2025

A giant 15-foot buffalo skull made by Vic Lemmon from fiberglass forms the entry of the Laundromat and Carwash in Dubois, Wyoming. It will also be a temporary art gallery when it hosts a unique exhibit.

Fluff And Fold With Culture: Dubois Buffalo Skull Laundromat To Host Art Exhibit

A pair of artists in Dubois are planning an art show in an unusual space. Instead of a gallery, their show is going inside the town’s famous laundromat, the one with the giant buffalo skull entrance.

Renée JeanJuly 13, 2025

Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore was the resident chef at the historic UXU Ranch near Yellowstone and loves all things Wyoming and the West. Especially food. He’s bringing that to a national audience as host of a new show, “Cookin’ With Cowboys.”

Wyoming Ranch Chef Brings Cowboy Cookin’ To National Audience With New TV Show

Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore, creator of the award-winning cooking shows “The Wiseguy Kitchen” and “Coast to Coast,” is coming to Cody to highlight cowboy cuisine for a new show he’s hosting this fall on Roku called “Cookin’ With Cowboys.”

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2025

National Museum of Military Vehicles owner Dan Starks.

Visitors Can’t Find Rooms In Dubois, So Military Museum Owner Is Building A Motel

Despite a number of mom-and-pop motels and 90-some Airbnbs in the area, Dubois is often out of rooms for tourists in the summer. It was impacting growth for the National Museum of Military Vehicles, so owner Dan Starks is building a new 70-bed motel.

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2025

A luxury Jackson, Wyoming, home built for an avid golfer and once frequented by Payton Manning, has hit the market for $9.95 million.

$9.95M Jackson Home Once Frequented By Peyton Manning Is Perfect For Golfers

A luxury Jackson, Wyoming, home perfect for an avid golfer and once frequented by Peyton Manning has hit the market for $9.95 million.

Renée JeanJuly 11, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon talks about the restoration of Wyoming's Liberty Bell. All 50 states have Liberty Bells, but not every state kept theirs. Wyoming's required significant restoration to save it for future generations.

Liberty Bell Rings Again In Wyoming Ahead of Nation’s 250th Anniversary

Wyoming rang its Liberty Bell and unveiled an amped-up tour of the restored state Capitol on Thursday. It was all part of a kickoff to the nation’s 250th anniversary next year — on the 135th for Wyoming statehood.

Renée JeanJuly 11, 2025

Wyoming Data Center Hires Public Service Commissioner Mary Throne

Prometheus Hyperscale, a new data center project in western Wyoming, has hired Wyoming Public Service Commissioner Mary Throne to help it navigate the regulatory environment. Throne starts Aug. 1 and will step down from her role at the PSC.

Renée JeanJuly 10, 2025

Broken Water fires at a target that is a thin silver chain, swinging in the wind.

You Can Walk In Jim Bridger’s Footsteps At 1838 Rendezvous In Riverton

The 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous in Riverton isn’t just held near a historic rendezvous site, it’s the actual site. It's where Jim Bridger and Kit Carson walked when they met in 1838 for the annual end-of-season blowout.

Renée JeanJuly 06, 2025

Shoshoni’s former Town Hall is at one of Wyoming’s busiest crossroads for travelers, now it’s for sale to spur economic development. A cardiology clinic wants to buy the property for an operation that can serve a wide region of the state.

Town Of Shoshoni In Talks For State-Of-The-Art Cardiology Clinic

The town of Shoshoni has a population of less than 500 people but its town hall sits on one of the state's busiest crossroads. To attract economic development, the city offered it for sale. A cardiology clinic has proposed building a 7,620-square-foot clinic there.

Renée JeanJuly 06, 2025

Surging demand for electricians is filling up programs to train them, like this one at the Business, Agriculture and Tech Department of Laramie County Community College.

Employment Boom: Wyoming Unions Say Thousands Of Electricians Needed

Jerry Payne with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 322 told Cowboy State Daily he has a project in Kemmerer that will need 540 electricians. His counterpart with Local IBEW 415, Truett Thompson, needs another 400 to 500 electricians. That's just the tip of the iceberg, they say.

Renée JeanJuly 06, 2025

Chef Petrina Peart talks about her journey on the "Yes Chef!" reality cooking series which featured Chef Jose Andres and Martha Stewart, during a Monday night watch party at Brownie's Tasting Bar in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Chef Petrina Peart Celebrates ‘Yes, Chef!’ Finale With Celebrity Chef T

Chef Petrina Peart celebrated the end of her “Yes, Chef!” television culinary competition with fellow contestant and celebrity, Chef T. The collaborative cook-off featuring Martha Stewart showcased Appalachian and Wyoming foods.

Renée JeanJuly 05, 2025

This yellow tank is a tiger tank, used in the Korean War, playing off of superstitions about such powerful symbols.

Dubois Cheers As 24 Vintage Military Tanks Rumble Through On The Fourth Of July

Dubois triples in size for the Fourth of July as thousands fill the tiny Wyoming town to celebrate. The main attraction is 24 vintage military tanks that rumble through, anchoring the annual parade as monuments to freedom in America.

Renée JeanJuly 05, 2025

Ian Munsick’s Line Of Western Accessories Sells Out In Nashville

Wyoming native Ian Munsick is one of country music’s fastest rising stars. He’ll headline Cheyenne Frontier Days for the first time this summer, and his new line of buckles, bolos and other Western accessories has sold out in Nashville.

Renée JeanJuly 04, 2025