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.
Latest from Renée Jean
Drinking Wyoming: At Vintages, Italian Master Vintner Customizes Wine To Taste
Vintages, in Cheyenne, doesn’t sell wine by the bottle or glass. Instead, an Italian master vintner creates bespoke wines by the case for customers. The bottles don’t cost an arm and a leg either. They’re around $15 a bottle.
Renée JeanJuly 06, 2024
Before The Hitching Post, The Rollins House Was Wyoming's Unofficial 2nd Capitol
Before the Hitching Post became Cheyenne’s unofficial second state capitol — where most legislators would hobnob over drinks and dinner, sometimes working out their differences at all hours — there was the Rollins House on present-day 16th Street.
Renée JeanJuly 06, 2024
Traveling Wyoming: Western Spirit Is Still Alive At Cody’s Legendary Irma Hotel
When Buffalo Bill Cody built the Irma Hotel in 1902, it was considered the grandest of accommodations in the Rockies, and it filled up immediately with those seeking adventure in the wild American West. Today, it is still full of people seeking out Western adventure...
Renée JeanJuly 06, 2024
Anchor Dam: After A Decade And Millions Spent, It Literally Never Held Water
When it was conceived in the 1950s, Anchor Dam in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin was going to be an oasis. But a decade of building and millions of dollars later, the project was plagued with so many flaws it was abandoned. Also, it literally never held water.
Renée JeanJuly 06, 2024
In Brief: Heavy Hitters File Briefs In Custodia Bank’s Precedent-Setting Fight With Feds
The former solicitors general for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have filed briefs that could help Wyoming-based Custodia Bank in its potentially precedent-setting appeal of the Federal Reserve’s denial of a master account.
Renée JeanJuly 05, 2024
With 30 Tanks And Military Vehicles, Dubois 4th Of July Is An American Classic
Dubois is one of the only towns in America that can field 30 military tanks and vehicles in its Fourth of July Parade. That's because Dubois is home to the world's largest private collection of fully restored military vehicles.
Renée JeanJuly 05, 2024
Weekend In Wyoming: Central Wyoming Fair, Gold Rush Days, And More
The Central Wyoming Fair is back with its outrageous poultry costume contest, carnival and monster truck rides. Or pan for gold at Gold Rush Days in South Pass City. Or celebrate all things western at Laramie Jubilee Days....
Renée JeanJuly 04, 2024
In Brief: Cheyenne Frontier Days Bags Bucking Horse Roundup
A Cheyenne Frontier Days tradition has bitten the dust. The bucking horse roundup, which had replaced the cattle drive as the unofficial start to CFD, has been abruptly cancelled -- despite being on the official schedule for 2024.
Renée JeanJuly 03, 2024
Origin Of Famous Baby-Switching Prank In ‘The Virginian’ May Be Unraveled — Again
Many Wyoming communities have claimed they inspired the baby-switching prank pulled by The Virginian in Owen Wister’s famous novel of the same name. A historian, however, says the location really is Thermopolis.
Renée JeanJune 30, 2024
Lovell’s Horseshoe Bend Motel Neon Sign To Get Restored From American Express
The iconic sign at the Horseshoe Bend Model in Lovell was immortalized at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York back in 1973. Now, thanks to a grant from American Express, the sign will get professionally restored.
Renée JeanJune 30, 2024
Drinking Wyoming: Speed Goat Put Ten Sleep Brewing Co. On The Map
The stunning backdrop at Ten Sleep Brewing Co. will have you feeling like you’re sitting in a painting while drinking a cold one. It’s also the home of one of Wyoming’s most popular beers, Speed Goat.
Renée JeanJune 30, 2024
We Tried The Huitlacoche (Corn Smut) And It Was Fantastic
Many readers were repulsed when we introduced them to Huitlacoche, aka “corn smut,” two weeks ago. So we asked Wyoming celebrity chef Petrina Peart to prepare it and she proved looks can be deceiving. It was fantastic.
Renée JeanJune 29, 2024
Stroke Of Luck Saves Cheyenne Frontier Days Cowgirl Sculpture From Devastating Fire
A new sculpture honoring cowgirls called “How ’Bout Them Cowgirls,” at Cheyenne Frontier Days was dedicated Friday at Frontier Park, but it almost didn’t happen. A stroke of luck saved it from a devastating fire.
Renée JeanJune 29, 2024
This Weekend In Wyoming: Big Boy On The Rails Again And Cody Stampede
Summer really gets rolling this weekend with some premiere Wyoming events: The Cody Stampede, a huge rodeo that leads up to July 4, and Big Boy No. 4014 hitting the rails for its big summer tour.
Renée JeanJune 28, 2024
‘Obnoxious’ Cheyenne Fireworks Business Open Again After Court Order
A court has ordered Jurassic Fireworks and Artillery World can open again after Laramie County commissioners pulled their business permits because they said they were too “obnoxious.”
Renée JeanJune 28, 2024
$18 Million Wyoming Legacy Ranch Surrounded By Elk Refuge Sells Immediately
The 40-acre Wapiti View Ranch in northwest Wyoming is surrounded by stunning views of the Tetons and the 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge. It had barely hit the market at nearly $18 million before it was snatched up.
Renée JeanJune 26, 2024
Finally, The Wyoming Segments Of Guy Fieri's "All-American Road Trip” Are Airing
Guy Fieri dropped in on several spots in Cody and Buffalo as part of his "All-American Road Trip" last summer, including a "chaotic" stop at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West -- complete with lots of tequila. Those episodes have begun airing.
Renée JeanJune 24, 2024
Growing Up In Gebo: Resident Recalls Ghost Town From Nearly 90 Years Ago
Carol Trusheim Waters came back for the 70th annual History Trek at the ghost town of Gebo, Wyoming, over the weekend. She recalled going to first grade there nearly 90 years ago and being told she had to learn English in three months (which she did).
Renée JeanJune 24, 2024
The Wyoming Historian Who Unraveled The Mysteries Of 115-Year-Old Spring Creek Raid
Finding the exact locations of the Spring Creek Raid near Ten Sleep and filling out the rest of the story took a lifetime of detective work by Wyoming historian Clay Gibbons, as well as a little bit of what he believes was divine intervention.
Renée JeanJune 23, 2024
After Playing Red Rocks, Ian Munsick Says Ultimate Dream Is Cheyenne Frontier Days
After selling out Red Rocks earlier this month, rising Wyoming country music star Ian Munsick says his ultimate dream is to headline Cheyenne Frontier Days. "That's where my heart will always be," he said.
Renée JeanJune 23, 2024
Drinking Wyoming: Bin22 An Affordable Wine And Tapas Bar In Jackson
Bin22, a wine and tapas bar in Jackson, has more than 2,000 bottles of wine from all over the globe which they pair with the kitchen's small, sharable plates. And they're sold at retail prices with no restaurant markup or corkage fees.
Renée JeanJune 22, 2024