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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

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

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.

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 reclusive A-list stars who love their privacy. 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

Pushroot Brewing Company offers space for sitting indoors and out. The outside is dog and bike friendly, too.

Drinking Wyoming: At Lander’s Pushroot Brewing, It’s All About The Foam

Pushroot Brewing Company in Lander brings unique Czech pours to Wyoming that put a luxurious twist on beer. It’s all about big heads, and even a beer pour that’s all foam.

Renée JeanApril 19, 2025

Located 45 minutes from Yellowstone’s north entrance, the entire town of Pray, Montana, is for sale for $2.6 million. That includes its 100-year-old general store, post office, home and cabins.

A Whole Town Near Yellowstone Is For Sale For Less Than $3 Million

Located 45 minutes from Yellowstone’s north entrance, the entire town of Pray, Montana, is for sale for $2.6 million. That includes its 100-year-old general store, post office, home and cabins.

Renée JeanApril 19, 2025

Jurassic Fireworks is one of two Colorado-owned fireworks stands just north of the Wyoming-Colorado border in a dispute with Laramie County.

‘Obnoxious’ Fireworks Outlets Near Cheyenne Can Reopen, But Dad Has To Stay Away

The Laramie County Commission has finally approved fireworks permits for a pair of businesses near the Colorado border it had said were too “obnoxious.” But the owner’s father has to stay away from her businesses as part of the agreement.

Renée JeanApril 17, 2025

Snow King Mountain Resort Hotel in Jackson.

Jackson’s Snow King Hotel Sale A Boost For Ski Hill’s Revival

The Snow King Mountain Resort’s ongoing revival is getting a boost with Trailborn’s recent purchase of the Snow King Resort Hotel at the base of the ski hill.

Renée JeanApril 17, 2025

Naughton coal-fired plant along Highway 189 in Kemmerer, operated by Rockuy Mountain Power.

Another Double-Digit Rocky Mountain Power Rate Hike Approved, More Likely Ahead

Wyoming Public Service Commissioners reluctantly approved another double-digit rate increase for Rocky Mountain Power on Tuesday. That means another $14 a month on an average residential customer’s bill, and more rate increases are likely ahead.

Renée JeanApril 16, 2025

The prolonged closure of the Star Plunge hot springs venue is starting to impact the tourism industry in and around Thermopolis. There are fewer people staying in local hotels with the busy summer tourism season on the horizon.

Star Plunge Closure Hits Three Months, And Visitors Are Steering Clear

The Star Plunge hot springs venue has been closed for three months, which is starting to impact the tourism industry in and around Thermopolis. There are fewer people staying in local hotels with the busy summer tourism season on the horizon.

Renée JeanApril 15, 2025

Wyoming’s Ian Munsick is a rising country music star who’s about to find a huge audience. On Tuesday, he’ll perform his latest song, “God Bless the West,” on national television on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Rising Wyoming Country Star Ian Munsick To Be On ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show'

Wyoming’s Ian Munsick is a rising country music star who’s about to find a huge audience. On Tuesday, he’ll perform his latest song, “God Bless the West,” on national television on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Renée JeanApril 15, 2025

Other Authors

Tabatha Coffey, center, poses with Cosmetology students at Central Wyoming College. Students from left are Lexi Baumann, Ashley Gomez, Karina Frederick and Grayce Fike.

Riverton Students Get Dose Of Tough Love From Celebrity Stylist Tabatha Coffey

Central Wyoming College students got a dose of celebrity stylist Tabatha Coffey’s signature tough love Thursday. Her non-nonsense style drove home that it takes more than dreaming big to make it big.

Renée JeanApril 13, 2025

West of Dubois, 17 Rocking Chair Ranch has all the amenities of a ranch with thousands of acres, but it sits on just 22. That makes it a more affordable Western retreat for prospective buyers.

Dubois Property Offers Big Ranch Amenities In A Small Package For $3.5 Million

West of Dubois, 17 Rocking Chair Ranch has all the amenities of a ranch with thousands of acres, but it sits on just 22. That makes it a rare affordable Western retreat for prospective buyers at $3.5 million.

Renée JeanApril 12, 2025

Mike Wandler, President of L&H Industrial, Inc., in Gillette, talked about what he's been doing with AI to boost productivity at his company during the Central Wyoming College's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference.

Wyoming And AI: L&H Chief Says Business Must Get Onboard Now Or Get Left Behind

Mike Wandler, president of Gillette-based L&H Industrial, says now is the time for Wyoming businesses to get onboard with artificial intelligence. If they don’t, they’ll get left behind.

Renée JeanApril 12, 2025

Alex Springs trims meat at his Chug Springs Butchery. At left is a selection of dishes made with offal, or innards, from top: Tripe with chickpeas, fried pork innards and chicken large intestine.

Eating Wyoming: Innards Are ‘In’ With Foodies, Homesteaders And Health Nuts

What many consider throw-away cuts of meat like tongues, tails and innards are becoming “in” in a big way. Foodies, homesteaders and health nuts are driving a trend that’s helping small Wyoming butcheries and bringing more unusual cuts to dinner plates.

Renée JeanApril 12, 2025

Timber from a U.S. Forest Service sale in Wyoming in this file photo.

Opening More U.S. Logging May Not Save Wyoming’s Last Two Large Lumber Mills

The USDA wants to open 59% more forest area to logging in the United States. It may not come fast enough to save one of Wyoming’s two remaining large lumber mills.

Renée JeanApril 12, 2025

Longhorn cattle graze a pasture near Devils Tower in northeast Wyoming.

Australia Sells $29B In Beef In America, Won’t Allow ‘One Hamburger’ In From U.S.

A recent dust-up in the U.S. Senate over Australian tariffs opens a discussion about unfair trade practices. Sen. John Barrasso says that while $29 billion of Australian beef has been sold in the U.S., “not one hamburger” from America is allowed there.

Renée JeanApril 11, 2025

A rendering of what Prometheus Hyperscale's Wyoming campus could look like at build-out.

Member Of Legacy Ranch Family Plans Huge 1-Gigawatt AI Data Center Near Evanston

Trenton Thornock’s family has been ranching in southwest Wyoming for six generations. Now he plans another use for the land — a huge 1-gigawatt AI data center near Evanston.

Renée JeanApril 09, 2025

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Wyoming Man Flies Around On Motorized Paraglider Dropping Toys To Kids

Adam Roadcap lives in Burns, Wyoming, and flies a motorized paraglider. Sometimes he drops parachute toys to surprised children below.

Renée JeanApril 06, 2025

Paul Hughes started work in coal-burning industry as a teenager in Ohio in the late 1970s. That eventually brought him to Wyoming, which has turned into nearly 50 years working in and around the coal industry in the East and West.

From Ohio To Wyoming, Nearly 50 Years Of Working In And Around U.S. Coal

Paul Hughes started work in coal-burning industry as a teenager in Ohio in the late 1970s. That eventually brought him to Wyoming, which has turned into nearly 50 years working in and around the coal industry in the East and West.

Renée JeanApril 06, 2025

When he wasn’t breaking the law, Butch Cassidy was always up for a drink, and was even cited for public drunkenness in Sheridan. Despite that, not many places have laid claim to a rather obvious marketing ploy: Butch Cassidy drank here.

Drinking Wyoming: Drinking Like Butch Cassidy, From Rock Springs To Sheridan

When he wasn’t breaking the law, Butch Cassidy was always up for a drink, and was even cited for public drunkenness in Sheridan. Despite that, not many places have laid claim to a rather obvious marketing ploy: Butch Cassidy drank here.

Renée JeanApril 06, 2025

Generation Z has grown up digital, and many aren’t choosing traditional colleges. They’re packing Wyoming’s trade schools, lured by shorter, cheaper programs and better job prospects. It’s earned these Gen Z’ers the nickname The Toolbelt Generation.

Wyoming Trade Schools Packed With Gen Z Students, AKA The Toolbelt Generation

Generation Z has grown up digital, and many aren’t choosing traditional colleges. They’re packing Wyoming’s trade schools, lured by shorter, cheaper programs and better job prospects. It’s earned these Gen Z’ers the nickname The Toolbelt Generation.

Renée JeanApril 05, 2025

Eatons’ Ranch in the Wyoming Bighorn Range is the nation’s oldest dude ranch, cowboying with folks since 1879. Now it’s also been named America’s No. 1 dude ranch in USA Today’s annual rankings.

Wyoming’s Eatons’ Ranch Is America’s Oldest — And No. 1-Ranked — Dude Ranch

Eatons’ Ranch in the Wyoming Bighorn Range is the nation’s oldest dude ranch, cowboying with folks since 1879. Now it’s also been named America’s No. 1 dude ranch in USA Today’s annual rankings.

Renée JeanApril 05, 2025

Eli Jerrigan uses a flash card system to study words for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland.

It’s No Accident Kemmerer Eighth Grader Is Wyoming’s Two-Time Best Speller

It’s not an accident that Kemmerer eighth grader Eli Jernigan is Wyoming’s two-time state spelling bee champion. He studies the 4,000-word list constantly, and doesn’t care if he’s an underdog at next month’s nationals.

Renée JeanApril 05, 2025

The Wildcat Creek Fire southeast of Wright, Wyoming, has burned thousands of acres last summer.

Last Summer’s Wildfires Still Devastating For Wyoming Ranchers

Wildfires burned up huge amounts of hay and forage for Wyoming ranches last year, and the aftermath is nearly as dire. Ranchers start a new season still devastated by the fires.

Renée JeanApril 04, 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.

Cheyenne Primed For More Huge Data Centers As Artificial Intelligence Explodes

A large data center logistics company is touting Cheyenne as the ideal home for the nation’s next major data center. That could position the city for an explosion of Artificial Intelligence and data centers.

Renée JeanApril 04, 2025

Tyrrell Chevrolet, located in Cheyenne, has seen an influx of customers due to auto tariffs that went into effect Wednesday.

Wyoming Auto Dealers Say Rush On To Buy Cars Ahead Of Price Jumps From Tariffs

Tariffs on cars and parts made in Canada and Mexico went into effect Wednesday, leaving a vanishing window to beat price jumps. Wyoming auto dealers say buyers are traveling across multiple states to find what they want now.

Renée JeanApril 02, 2025

David Belus is hoping for rain to help heal his ranch after 50,000 acres of it went up in smoke in Johnson County.

Wyoming Farmers Fear Potential For Devastation From Drought

Drought is hurting farmers in southeast and central Wyoming, and the USDA is offering emergency loans. Many farmers are hoping that more rain is ahead and that they won’t need the assistance.

Renée JeanApril 01, 2025

Plenty Unlimited is bankrupt, and its huge vertical farming research lab in Laramie is on hold. The company will keep a smaller, existing research station in Laramie. Most of the $20 million it was awarded in grant money will revert back to the state.

60,000-Square-Foot Vertical Farming Lab In Laramie On Hold Amid Bankruptcy

Plenty Unlimited is bankrupt, and its huge vertical farming research lab in Laramie is on hold. The company will keep a smaller, existing research station in Laramie. Most of the $20 million it was awarded in grant money will revert back to the state.

Renée JeanMarch 31, 2025

Mountain man Jim Baker’s 152-year-old cabin in Savery, Wyoming, is rotting and giving in to the ravages of time. But a cavalry of sorts is on the way, as a national preservation group races to save the historic cabin of the West’s last true mountain man.

Race On To Save Mountain Man Jim Baker’s Rotting 152-Year-Old Wyoming Cabin

Mountain man Jim Baker’s 152-year-old cabin in Savery, Wyoming, is rotting and giving in to the ravages of time. But a cavalry of sorts is on the way, as a national preservation group races to save the historic cabin of the West’s last true mountain man.

Renée JeanMarch 30, 2025

Cheyenne resident Hannah Snitko and her fiance both took DNA tests with 23andMe.

Wyomingites Who Gave DNA To 23andMe Left In Limbo With Company’s Bankruptcy

Wyoming 23andMe users are scrambling to delete their DNA data in the wake of the company announcing bankruptcy. Others say they hope a future buyer will use their genetic information to help develop medical cures.

Renée JeanMarch 30, 2025

Chugwater Soda Fountain is already famous for being Wyoming’s oldest operating soda fountain. Now it’s becoming known for its upscale Supper at the Fountain — and people drive hours for a spot at a table.

Why People Drive Hours For Chugwater Soda Fountain’s Upscale Supper

Chugwater Soda Fountain is already famous for being Wyoming’s oldest operating soda fountain. Now it’s becoming known for its upscale Supper at the Fountain — and people drive hours for a spot at a table.

Renée JeanMarch 29, 2025

A Colorado-owned fireworks business at the border south of Cheyenne has again been denied a permit because county commissioners say it’s “obnoxious.” The manager says he’s “never going to stop” fighting.

‘Obnoxious’ Cheyenne Fireworks Warehouse Again Denied Permit

A fireworks business at the Wyoming-Colorado border south of Cheyenne has again been denied a permit because county commissioners say it’s “obnoxious.” The manager says he’s “never going to stop” fighting.

Renée JeanMarch 27, 2025

Wyoming-based Custodia Bank, working with a Texas bank, has successfully sent U.S. dollars from an account into the digital realm and back again. The transaction is the first of its kind, says Caitlin Long, Custodia CEO.

Wyoming-Based Custodia Bank Is First To Send, Receive Digital U.S. Dollars

Wyoming-based Custodia Bank, working with a Texas bank, has successfully sent tokenized digital U.S. dollars from an account into the digital realm and back again. The transaction is the first of its kind.

Renée JeanMarch 26, 2025

A long line of people waits for service at the Cheyenne U.S. Post Office annex.

Starting April 1, Wyoming Post Offices May Lose Afternoon Mail Pickup

It's still not clear if afternoon pickup for Wyoming wyoming mail will be impacted under the Delivering for America plan, which starts April 1. It could mean Wyoming post offices will lose it.

Renée JeanMarch 25, 2025

Wyoming’s wild mustangs and many military veterans have something in common — they suffer from PTSD. A couple near Lusk is putting them together to help ease each others’ pain in a program called Operation Remount. Some of them form very strong bonds, like veteran Jerry and his mustang Chisum.

Wyoming's Wild Horses And Military Veterans Ease Each Others’ PTSD

Wyoming’s wild mustangs and many military veterans have something in common — they can suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A couple near Lusk is putting them together to help ease each others’ pain in a program called Operation Remount.

Renée JeanMarch 23, 2025

This Aladdin Readi-Cut kit mail-order house was bought in 1919 and built on a lot in Wheatland, Wyoming. It's still there more than 100 years later.

Mail-Order Homes Used To Be All The Rage, Like This One From 1919 In Wheatland

Mail-order homes, also called kit houses, were all the rage in the early 1900s as people moved West. In Wyoming, Aladdin kit homes were more popular than Sears & Roebuck homes like this one in Wheatland, built in 1919.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2025

Left, Chris LeDoux performs in Nashville in 1993. Right, his son Ned LeDoux points to heaven while performing on stage at the 2021 Watershed music fesival in Washington state.

Chris LeDoux Days Is Ending: After 15 Years Festival Will Hold Finale In June 2025

Chris LeDoux Days in Kaycee, Wyoming, is ending, and going out with a bang this year for its 15th and final run. Entertainer Kip Attaway and country band Sawyer Brown will play for final June festival.

Renée JeanMarch 16, 2025

CleanSpark is standing up a new Bitcoin mining facility on Venture Drive in Cheyenne. The site is in addition to the one the company is building at a site near F.E. Warren Air Force Base that was previously owned by a Chinese company.

Rural Cheyenne Residents Have A Noisy New Neighbor — A Bitcoin Miner

A noisy new bitcoin mining operation is disturbing its rural Cheyenne area neighbors who moved outside the city for peace and quiet. The company says it’s working on mitigating the issue.

Renée JeanMarch 16, 2025

Rocky mountain power 10 3 23

Consumer Advocates Warn More Rate Increases Ahead For Rocky Mountain Power Customers

Both of Wyoming’s consumer advocate groups foresee more rate increases ahead for Rocky Mountain Power customers. If commissioners approve the latest rate increase, the overall rate increase in the past two years totals 30.4%.

Renée JeanMarch 13, 2025

Rocky Mountain Power says wildfires are a driving force behind its most recent request for a double-digit rate increase. The Elk Fire was one of the worst from last season, buring nearly 100,000 acres across the eastern face of the Bighorn Mountains, threatening the small town of Dayton.

Wildfires Big Driver Behind Rocky Mountain Power’s Double-Digit Rate Hike

Wyoming’s wildfires have spurred higher insurance costs so much, Rocky Mountain Power says it's proposing another double-digit rate increase. It’s also considering self-insurance.

Renée JeanMarch 12, 2025

The Wyoming Public Service Commission meets in Cheyenne on March 11, 2025, to hear testimony about a proposed electricity rate hike from Rocky Mountain Power.

Rocky Mountain Power Makes Case For Rate Hike, Says Large Users Will Pay More

At a Tuesday public hearing for Rocky Mountain Power’s latest double-digit rate increase request, the company said residential customers won’t pay as much. Large power users like data centers would pay more.

Renée JeanMarch 12, 2025

Laramie County residents Sandra Merrill and Alex Kelly are both restricting their egg purchases to once a month. Merrill said she sometimes skips breakfast altogether these days, in part due to the high cost of everything and in part because she's never been big on breakfast anyway.

Wyoming Egg-Eaters Say Investigation Into High Prices Can’t Come Soon Enough

Wyoming senior citizens say they’re giving up on eggs for breakfast, or in some cases skipping breakfast altogether. They say an investigation into what’s happening with egg prices can’t come soon enough.

Renée JeanMarch 11, 2025

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Rocky Mountain Power Wants Another Double-Digit Rate Increase

The Wyoming Public Service Commission has a hearing Tuesday for another double-digit rate increase request for Rocky Mountain Power. If approved, RMP rates will have increased more than 30% since 2024.

Renée JeanMarch 11, 2025

Wyoming’s congressional delegation questions a USPS plan that would have Wyoming mail handled in four other states. The outgoing postmaster general appears set to roll it out despite advisories it will hurt rural areas, they say.

Delegation Questions USPS Plan, With Wyoming Mail Handled In 4 Other States

Wyoming’s congressional delegation questions a USPS plan that would have Wyoming mail handled in four other states. The outgoing postmaster general appears set to roll it out despite advisories it will hurt rural areas, they say.

Renée JeanMarch 10, 2025

Sometimes the hands start flying during sparring matches at Historical European Martial Arts classes in Cheyenne.

Cheyenne Medieval Weapons Club Trains With Swords

Members of a Cheyenne medieval weapons club aren’t just hobbyists, they seriously train with period-appropriate swords. “It’s about more than just sword fighting and being a nerd,” claims one member.

Renée JeanMarch 09, 2025

On "Utensil Tuesdays," author Craig Johnson shares photos of obscure utensil's from his mother-in-law's collection, asking what the heck they are. Most of the time, his Facebook followers come through.

Another Craig Johnson Mystery — What The Heck Are These Obscure Utensils?

Wyoming New York Times best-selling author Craig Johnson has another mystery — what the heck are these obscure and weird-looking utensils in his mother-in-law’s collection? He shares one a week on Facebook and asks followers to ID them.

Renée JeanMarch 09, 2025

Wyoming’s most remote spaces have become sites of illegal dumping, everything from jet fuel to appliances, cars and boats. It’s costing taxpayers thousands of dollars to clean up.

Illegal Dumps Cropping Up All Over In Some Of Wyoming’s Most Remote Places

Four drums of jet fuel found tucked away inside a crack in a rock face near Jeffrey City will cost taxpayers more than $35,000 to clean up. It's not an isolated case. Discarded cars, boats, appliances, and other junk are getting littered in remote places across the state.

Renée JeanMarch 09, 2025

Chad Madsen rides a horse named Doc as he sorts animals from his 2,500-head herd in Afton, Wyoming.

Chad Madsen Of Afton Owns Wyoming's Largest Horse Herd — And Knows Them All By Name

Chad Madsen runs a herd of 2,500 horses, the largest in Wyoming, on ranches in Pavilion and Afton. The horses end up at outfitters and dude ranches across the state as rentals for tourists and hunters. And Madsen says he knows them all by name.

Renée JeanMarch 08, 2025

The handicap-accessible walkway beckons visitors to come in out of winter and explore Wyoming's only year-round tropical paradise.

No Exaggeration: Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Is Tropical Oasis In Middle Of Winter

Although it sounds like hyperbole, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens really is a tropical oasis. There are lychee trees and mango, pineapple and banana, papaya, sugar cane, coffee, and cacao trees. They come from all over the world.

Renée JeanMarch 08, 2025

Uranium Energy Corp. has hit a milestone, producing its first batch of Wyoming yellowcake uranium. It’s a huge step for the company as it ramps up to 8.1 million tons of production capacity in the Cowboy State. Here, crews drill for water at the company's Christensen Ranch project.

Uranium Energy Corp. Produces Its First Batch Of Wyoming Yellowcake Uranium

Uranium Energy Corp. has hit a milestone, producing its first batch of Wyoming yellowcake uranium. It’s a huge step for the company as it ramps up to 8.1 million pounds of production capacity in the Cowboy State.

Renée JeanMarch 08, 2025

About 600 people showed up in Franklin, Indiana, for Wyoming author C.J. Box and the release of his new Joe Pickett novel "Battle Mountain," which is No. 1 on The New York Times list of bestsellers.

Wyoming Author C.J. Box’s New Novel Is No. 1 On New York Times Bestsellers List

“Battle Mountain,” the latest novel in Wyoming author C.J. Box’s popular Joe Pickett series, debuts as No. 1 on The New York Times bestsellers list.

Renée JeanMarch 07, 2025

Wyoming's own Ian Munsick will headline the first night show of the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days lineup. He'll perform July 18, along with Travis Tritt.

Night Show Lineup: Wyoming’s Ian Munsick To Headline At Cheyenne Frontier Days

Sheridan’s Ian Munsick will be the first Wyoming native to headline a night show at Cheyenne Frontier Days, it was announced Thursday. Chancey Williams also returns, along with country stars Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Travis Tritt.

Renée JeanMarch 07, 2025

Craig Johnson has won the Owen Wister award the American West's highest writing honor.

Longmire Author Craig Johnson Wins Wister Award, Highest Western Writing Honor

Wyoming's Craig Johnson, author of the "Longmire" series, is the 2025 winner of the Owen Wister Award. It's the highest honor given by Western Writers of America in recognition of lifetime contributions to the genre.

Renée JeanMarch 06, 2025

In an effort to export Wyoming coal to the Pacific Rim, Treasurer Curt Meier and Secretary of State Chuck Gray believe purchasing land in Washington state could give Wyoming the legal standing to make it happen.

Meier, Gray Believe Land Purchase In Washington Could Open Way For Coal Exports

In an effort to export Wyoming coal to the Pacific Rim, Treasurer Curt Meier and Secretary of State Chuck Gray believe purchasing land in Washington state could give Wyoming the legal standing to make it happen.

Renée JeanMarch 05, 2025

President Donald Trump said Monday, March 3, 2025, there’s no more delaying 25% tariffs that will go into effect on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday. That’s expected to impact Wyoming, which does more business with Canada than any other foreign country.

Wyoming Businesses Wait To See Impact Of Tariffs, Going Into Effect Tuesday

President Trump on Monday said there’s no more delaying 25% tariffs that will go into effect on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday. That’s expected to impact Wyoming, which does more business with Canada than any other foreign country.

Renée JeanMarch 04, 2025

London-based WE Soda has bought Genesis Alkali’s two trona mines in southwest Wyoming for $1.4 billion. It makes We Soda the No. 1 producer of natural trona in the world.

Two Wyoming Trona Mines Bought For $1.4B To Create World’s Largest Producer

London-based WE Soda has bought Genesis Alkali’s two trona mines in southwest Wyoming for $1.4 billion. It makes WE Soda the No. 1 producer of natural trona in the world.

Renée JeanMarch 03, 2025

At sunset, this boot by Catherine Johnson Morris starts to look a lot like a giant boot made of real leather, even though it's really made of sand.

The Woman Behind The Gigantic Sand Sculptures At Glendo

A Casper woman’s addiction to building intricate sand sculptures takes her all over America. But she practices in her home state at Glendo, where she built a 6-foot-tall cowboy boot (which is still standing). She says Wyoming sand is the best.

Renée JeanMarch 02, 2025

Frosty's Bar & Grill in Casper.

Drinking Wyoming: Frosty’s, A True Casper Dive Bar Proudly Serving Horrible Liquor

Frosty’s in Casper, is a typical dive bar in many ways — and proud to serve one of the most terrible tasting liquors. It’s one of the few places outside Chicago with Jeppson’s Malort, a rite-of-passage drink people say tastes like old socks.

Renée JeanMarch 01, 2025

Angelcyn Heall during the summer in Happy Valley near Cheyenne. It's built as a historic English mead hall.

Cheyenne Man Builds His Dream House: Throwback Medieval English Mead Hall

Cyning Meadowcroft built his dream home in Happy Valley near Cheyenne using a near-extinct construction method called a "cruck" to build it. The former Brit built the medieval English mead hall home by himself and trucked two old-growth oak trees 2,000 miles round-trip to begin the project.

Renée JeanMarch 01, 2025

A Cyclone Drilling crew working Rig 38 hit 6,000 feet in 24 hours, a new record at the time in July 2017.

Why Wyoming’s Oil And Gas Industry Isn’t Yet “Drill Baby Drilling”

Optimism is high in Wyoming’s oil and gas sector with President Donald Trump's promise to "drill, baby, drill." But there’s also uncertainty about how more drilling will impact prices.

Renée JeanMarch 01, 2025

Wyoming’s lumber industry isn’t huge, but is heartened to hear Trump say America doesn’t need lumber from Canada. But the industry needs more than tariffs to save it — like changes to forest management. Here, logging trucks collect usable timber harvested while fighting the Elk Fire in the Bighorn National Forest in fall 2024.

Trump Says US Doesn’t Need Canada’s Timber, And Wyoming’s Lumber Industry Agrees

Wyoming’s lumber industry isn’t huge, but was heartened to hear President Trump say America doesn’t need timber from Canada. The industry says it needs more than tariffs to save it — like changes to forest management.

Renée JeanFebruary 28, 2025

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Trump Says US Needs To Double Or Triple ‘Electrical Capacity,’ Wyoming Says It’s Ready

President Donald Trump held his first cabinet meeting Wednesday and suggested the country must double or triple its “electrical capacity.” Wyoming energy officials say they are ready to help make that happen.

Renée JeanFebruary 27, 2025

Wyoming Rare (USA) Inc. is reporting even better returns at its Halleck Creek rare earth mining site. That helps grow Wyoming’s lead in the race for domestic production — and processing — of critical rare earth minerals.

Wyoming Grows Lead In Race For Rare Earths Thanks To Bigger Haul From Huge Deposit

Wyoming Rare (USA) Inc. is reporting even better returns at its Halleck Creek rare earth mining site. That helps grow Wyoming’s lead in the race for domestic production — and processing — of critical rare earth minerals.

Renée JeanFebruary 26, 2025

The Aladdin General Store in Aladdin, Wyoming, is the state's oldest operating general store. It's also had a U.S. Post Office for the past 127 years, until recently.

Wyoming’s Oldest General Store In Aladdin Loses Its 127-Year-Old Post Office

The tiny outpost of Aladdin in northeast Wyoming is home to the state’s oldest general store, which has also served as a local post office since 1898. But no more. The Postal Service has discontinued its contract with the Aladdin General Store.

Renée JeanFebruary 25, 2025

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman says she doesn’t trust the U.S. Postal Service’s latest promise to back off its controversial Delivering for America plan and not take away as much mail processing from the Cheyenne and Casper post offices.

Hageman Doesn’t Trust USPS, Wants More Protection For Rural Post Offices

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman doesn’t trust the U.S. Postal Service’s latest promise to not take away as much mail processing from the Cheyenne and Casper post offices. She’s filed a bill that would protect rural post offices.

Renée JeanFebruary 25, 2025

Dones have been reported flying over the Jim Bridger Power Plant, usually at about 2 or 3 a.m.

Bill That Attempts To Stop Mystery Drones From Flying Over Sensitive Areas Moves Forward

A bill that would attempt to stop mystery drones from flying over sensitive areas around Wyoming is nearing the finish line. Meanwhile, a state House committee heard Monday that giant SUV-sized drones are still being spotted.

Renée JeanFebruary 24, 2025

The crew at Industrial Screen and Maintenance, a fabrication shop in Casper, were having fun with a Texas red chili made from brisket. Owner Lindsey Robinson was among those helping serve the chili, at far right.

Texas Red Chili Wins Popular Casper Chili Cook-Off For Fifth Time

A Texas red chili was voted No. 1 at the popular API Chili Cook-Off in Casper on Saturday. It’s the fifth time Norman Jackson’s secret recipe has won, as thousands of people packed the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper for the 32nd annual event.

Renée JeanFebruary 24, 2025

Rooftop systems are less prone to breaking than ground-based systems, according to Creative Energies out of Lander a company thats been in Wyoming since 2001.

Not All Solar Panel Systems Are Nightmares For Their Owners

Several Cowboy State Daily readers wrote in to talk about their experiences with solar panels after a Happy Valley family living near Cheyenne shared their nightmare experience. They also shared tips on how to select the right system.

Renée JeanFebruary 23, 2025

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Six Degrees And Snowing At 7:30 p.m. And Nate Ditto Is Cutting Down A 50-Foot Tree

Arborist Nate Ditto was trying to beat the clock by cutting down a 50-foot tree before a snowstorm hit Cheyenne last week. To make things more interesting, it was six-degrees and snowing at 7:30 p.m. and he was still at it. He says he likes the adrenaline he gets from his job.

Renée JeanFebruary 23, 2025

Lela Emmons of tiny Savery, Wyoming, stumbled on an unusual artistic fence in the 1990s and took photos of it. But she forgot where it was and hasn’t been able to find it again in about 30 years. She hopes someone in Wyoming can solve the mystery.

Where The Heck In Wyoming Is This One-Of-A-Kind Western Iron Art Fence?

Lela Emmons of tiny Savery, Wyoming, stumbled on an unusual artistic fence in the 1990s and took photos of it. But she forgot where it was and hasn’t been able to find it again in about 30 years. She hopes someone in Wyoming can solve the mystery.

Renée JeanFebruary 23, 2025

All of the drinks - Starting from left, the Rusty Nail (scotch and Drambuie), Where there's Willow There's a Way ( willowbank tea and brandy), Gin and Tonic with lime, and Revival Root (sarsaparilla tea, Makers Mark, and cream).

Drinking Wyoming: Whiskey Was The Go-To Medicinal Remedy Of The Wild West

Survival in Wild West Wyoming depended on treating illnesses without the help of modern medicine. Whiskey figured in a lot of treatments for all sorts of medical problems — some good and some quite insane.

Renée JeanFebruary 22, 2025

A line of people wait at the Cheyenne Post Office while other customers access their P.O. boxes in the background.

USPS Does About-Face, Now Won’t Move Mail Processing Out Of Cheyenne, Casper

The U.S. Post Office did an about-face Friday on its controversial plan to move local mail processing out of Wyoming’s main hubs. Cheyenne and Casper now won’t ship local mail to other states.

Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2025

With tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid parking tickets, Cheyenne started using the high-tech windshield Barnacle device on cars. Less than three years later, that’s been abandoned because too many Wyoming windshields are chipped or cracked.

Why Cheyenne Had To Give Up Putting Windshield Barnacles On Cars

With tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid parking tickets, Cheyenne started using the high-tech windshield Barnacle device on cars. Less than three years later, that’s been abandoned because too many Wyoming windshields are chipped or cracked.

Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2025

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Clock Ticking Again For Small Businesses To Report Ownership

Small business owners now have until March 21 to file forms disclosing their ownership. But even the federal agency in charge isn’t firm on that deadline with legislation and a court case pending.

Renée JeanFebruary 20, 2025

Casper native Reid Rasner has put together a $47.45 billion bid to bring the popular social media app TikTok to Wyoming, which he said would keep the app away from China and boost the state’s economy.

Wyoming Native Reid Rasner Puts Together $47.45 Billion Offer To Buy TikTok

Casper native Reid Rasner has put together a $47.45 billion bid to bring the popular social media app TikTok to Wyoming, which he said would keep the app away from China and boost the state’s economy.

Renée JeanFebruary 20, 2025

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Virginia Company Scouting Wyoming For Spot To Build Uranium Fuel Plant

Virginia-based BWX Technologies is not just looking to deploy small micro nuclear reactors in Wyoming. It’s scouting the state for possible sites to build a uranium fuel plant.

Renée JeanFebruary 19, 2025

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy gave himself an “A” for the controversial Delivery For America plan that gutted rural delivery. Now he says he’s quitting, sparking hope from many in Wyoming that the plan goes with him.

Postmaster General, Who Gave Himself An “A” For Gutting Rural Mail Delivery, Is Quitting

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who gave himself an “A” for the controversial Delivery For America plan that gutted rural delivery, announced on Monday he is quitting. Wyoming leaders are thrilled.

Renée JeanFebruary 18, 2025

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association voted last week to buy bitcoin, which has exploded by 400% over the last five years. The association is the first law enforcement group in the United States to invest in bitcoin.

WHP Association May Be First Law Enforcement Group In Nation To Buy Into Bitcoin

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association voted last week to buy bitcoin, which has exploded by 400% over the last five years. The association says it may be the first law enforcement group in the United States to invest in bitcoin.

Renée JeanFebruary 18, 2025

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Why Are These Three Turkeys Endlessly Circling A Gravestone?

If you walk into a graveyard and see three turkeys endlessly circling one headstone, it could be offsetting -- even spooky. That was the scene at a cemetery in North Dakota last week. Although it may seem bizarre, turkey growers say it's no big deal.

Renée JeanFebruary 17, 2025

Casper has had a Cupid of sorts for the past 10 years in Joe Eason, a former heavy metal drummer who does singing telegrams as a side gig. Valentine’s Day especially he delivers up to 35 of the most embarrassing singing telegrams he can muster.

Former Metal Drummer Turned Singing Cupid Delivers Love — And Embarrassment

Casper has had a Cupid of sorts for the past 10 years in Joe Eason, a former heavy metal drummer who does singing telegrams as a side gig. On Valentine’s Day, he delivers up to 35 of the most embarrassing singing telegrams he can muster.

Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025

Earthsky.org editor Marcy Curran is celebrating 40 years as founder of the Cheyenne Astronomy Society. She's always loved bringing the stars down to earth for others.

Cheyenne Stargazers Love Space So Much They Built Their Own Observatory

Cheyenne’s Marcy Curran, the cofounder of the Cheyenne Astronomy Society and an editor of a major astronomy publication, has spent 40 years studying the sky. She and her husband recently built their own observatory.

Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025

Monument Geyser Basin is one of the most unique areas of Yellowstone National Park. It’s ancient undersea wasteland at 7,300 feet above sea level features formerly underwater cones that are still active.

Yellowstone Has An Active Ancient Undersea Wasteland 7,300 Feet Above Sea Level

Monument Geyser Basin is one of the most unique areas of Yellowstone National Park. Its ancient undersea wasteland at 7,300 feet above sea level features formerly underwater cones that are still active.

Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025

Wyoming’s first human case of bird flu was caused by an infected poultry flock in Platte Valley. The person is hospitalized in another state, and is the nation’s third hospitalization.

Wyoming Confirms First Human Case Of Bird Flu, 3rd Hospitalization In U.S.

Wyoming’s first human case of bird flu was caused by an infected poultry flock in Platte County. The person is hospitalized in another state, and is the nation’s third hospitalization.

Renée JeanFebruary 16, 2025

Willie Banks preparfes eggs on the grill at Diamond Horseshoe Cafe in Cheyenne.

Egg Prices Have Restaurants Scrambling When It Comes To Breakfast

Wyoming restaurants are facing higher and higher egg prices amid an outbreak of the bird flu. Because of the huge increase in prices, some Wyoming restaurants say they are closing down temporarily.

Renée JeanFebruary 15, 2025

A long line of people waits for service at the Cheyenne U.S. Post Office annex.

Hageman’s Postal Service Investigations Find Denver Mail Being Processed In Cheyenne

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman has been investigating the U.S. Postal Service and found that Denver mail is being processed in Cheyenne. The Denver centers are so overwhelmed, they can’t keep up, yet plans are to transfer Wyoming mail there.

Renée JeanFebruary 13, 2025

Google tapped Wyoming outdoor wildlife guide Adam Lackner for its Super Bowl ad campaign, showcasing all 50 states. The Cowboy State’s ad shows off wild Wyoming, as well as one of the state’s leading outdoor guide businesses.

Google Hired Yellowstone, Grand Teton Wildlife Guide For Super Bowl Ad

Google tapped a Wyoming outdoor wildlife guide for its Super Bowl ad campaign, showcasing all 50 states. The Cowboy State’s ad shows off wild Wyoming, as well as one of the state’s leading outdoor guide businesses.

Renée JeanFebruary 12, 2025

This office building used by Registered Agents Inc. in Sheridan is the official address for about 120,000 LLCs registered in Wyoming, Fremont County Assessor Tara Berg estimates.

Already No. 1 For LLCs, Can Wyoming Attract The Huge Companies Leaving Delaware?

Tesla, Meta, Dropbox are a few of the huge tech companies leaving Delaware for other states like Texas and Nevada. Why not Wyoming, which has surpassed Delaware for No. 1 in business incorporations per capita?

Renée JeanFebruary 11, 2025

A postal customer mails Christmas buckeyes to family and friends Monday at the U.S. Postal Service office on Capitol Avenue in Cheyenne.

Postal Regulatory Commission Says Rural Populations Will Suffer Under ‘Delivering For America’ Plan

The Postal Regulatory Commission has issued an advisory opinion that is very critical of the Delivering for America Plan. Rural populations, in particular, won’t be receiving first-class mail for six or more days under the plan, the commission says.

Renée JeanFebruary 10, 2025

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The Cabin That’s Almost A Mansion On Last Chance Road In Jackson Hole

For a mere $11.5 million, resort-style life awaits in a cabin that’s almost a mansion in Jackson Hole. With a 720 credit rating and a $2.7 million downpayment, financial calculators put your monthly payments at just $54,000, for a 30-year loan.

Renée JeanFebruary 10, 2025

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Special Op Is Being Planned To Rescue An 1893 Tree That’s Part Of Wyoming History

Deep in the most remote area of the Shoshone National Forest is a unique piece of 1893 history, inscribed on a beetle-killed tree and it's is in danger of being lost. A rescue mission is being attempted, but some money might be needed for a helicopter to sling the artifact out.

Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

Wind turbines in Carbon County, Wyoming.

Despite Chilly Climate, It’s Business As Usual For Wind, Solar Energy In Wyoming

Wind and solar energy projects in Wyoming are moving ahead with their projects, despite the recent chill from both federal and state lawmakers. Most of the projects are on private property, project managers say, which helps de-risk the projects.

Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

Cavalryman Steakhouse in Laramie.

After 100 Years, Cavalryman Steakhouse Closes, Moves To Special Events Model

If you've spent any time in Laramie, you know the Cavalryman Steakhouse. It just celebrated its 100th anniversary and is moving to a special events model. The historic restaurant will only be open for special occasions like holidays, weddings, football games and the like.

Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

Christine Meadowcroft and her children posing with their new solar panels

Wyoming Family Learns Solar Panels Aren’t For The Faint Of Heart

A Happy Valley family who lives near Cheyenne found out the hard way that solar panels aren’t for the faint of heart. They do work, and they do defray energy costs, but there are a lot of headaches that go along with it. It helps if you have the patience of a saint.

Renée JeanFebruary 09, 2025

Pete Bass talks about his life with Cowboy State Daily at his coffee shop in Evanston, For Pete's Sake, where he likes to say he serves good coffee and bad puns.

The Coffee Comes With Redemption At Pete’s Sake In Evanston

"For Pete's Sake" coffee shop in Evanston serves more than just coffee. For owner Pete Bass, it's a mission. That mission is to tell his story of redemption to anyone who feels like they need a second chance. Prison, he says, was God’s way of offering him another chance -- every time.

Renée JeanFebruary 08, 2025

State Rep. Cody Wylie, R-Rock Springs, has proposed significant changes to Wyoming's license plate rules.

Wyoming License Plates Would Be Mailed, Not Redone Every 8 Years Under Proposal

State legislators are considering a bill that would not require a redesign of license plates every eight years. That means you can keep your plates until they wear out. Also, people would get them via mail, not their county treasurers.

Renée JeanFebruary 05, 2025

Bill Gates was in Kemmerer in June 2024 for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the TerraPower Natrium nuclear plant.

TerraPower Nuclear Training Center In Kemmerer Will Be One-Of-A-Kind In The World

The 35,000-square-foot nuclear training center TerraPower is building in Kemmerer, Wyoming, will be the only one of its kind in the world. Plans are for it to train all the company’s nuclear techs wherever in the world their Natrium reactors are.

Renée JeanFebruary 04, 2025

Semitrucks cross the Peace Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. After Canada agreed to implement border security measures, President Donald Trump paused his proposed tariffs for 30 days.

Tariff Trade War On Hold With Mexico, Canada; Wyoming Lawmakers Declare Victory

Monday was a tumultuous day for the stock market, but Trump walked away with some big concessions from Canada and Mexico — just as Wyoming lawmakers predicted he would.

Renée JeanFebruary 04, 2025

Kevin Kolenda is accused of scamming the Saratoga Ice Fishing Derby in 2018. He sold an insurance policy against the derby’s $10,000 prize, and when someone won, didn’t pay out.

Law Catches Up To Man Accused Of Scamming Saratoga’s $10,000 Ice Fishing Derby

The law has caught up to a man accused of scamming the Saratoga Ice Fishing Derby in 2018. He sold an insurance policy against the derby’s $10,000 prize, and when someone won, didn’t pay out. He’s accused of defrauding others of nearly $1 million.

Renée JeanFebruary 03, 2025

Dr. Joe McGinley has climbed the tallest mountains on six of seven continents and invents medical devices. But before that, he had a passion for motocross, giving it for medical school. Now he’s back in the sport in a big way.

Casper Doctor Now Official Orthopedic Partner, Provider For Pro Motocross Racing

Dr. Joe McGinley has climbed the tallest mountains on six of seven continents and invents medical devices. But before that, he had a passion for motocross, giving it up for medical school. Now the Casper doctor is back as the official orthopedic partner and provider for Pro Motocross racing.

Renée JeanFebruary 02, 2025

Finnegans Wake (5), with Victor Espinoza riding, wins the 29th running of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2015.

Champion Thoroughbred Finnegans Wake To Make Wyoming Home In Retirement

Finnegans Wake, a racehorse with world-famous bloodlines, is a champion thoroughbred that’s making Wyoming home in retirement. Horse racing insiders say he won’t be the last, either, as the Cowboy State is attracting more industry stars.

Renée JeanFebruary 02, 2025

Students in the Manufacturing Industrial and Technology Department at Western Wyoming Community College.

Nuclear Power Tech Poised To Explode As Wyoming’s Next Six-Figure “It” Job

The wages for nuclear power techs are expected to range into the six figures, and it’s a good thing because Wyoming will soon need hundreds of these techs. Western Wyoming Community College is training people for this emerging career.

Renée JeanFebruary 01, 2025

Shawn Robin Chape, originally from Rozet, Wyoming, roping a calf in the first round in 1.9 seconds flat to win the 2024 Australian breakaway roping title.

A Wyoming Cowgirl Is Australia’s Newest Breakaway Roping Champion

A cowgirl from Rozet, Wyoming, named Shawn Robin Chape is Australia’s newest breakaway roping champion. She lassoed the title in a blazing fast 1.69 seconds, setting a new arena record. She credits her Wyoming roots as a huge part of her success.

Renée JeanFebruary 01, 2025

“The Galloping Gourmet” on PBS had nothing on Buffalo Bill Cody, who was the OG foodie of the West. He brought tamales to New York, popcorn to Europe, and gourmet dining experiences to the masses.

Eating Wyoming: Buffalo Bill Was The World’s Original Galloping Gourmet

“The Galloping Gourmet” on PBS had nothing on Buffalo Bill Cody, who was the original foodie of the West. He brought Mexican food to New York, popcorn to Europe and gourmet dining experiences to the masses.

Renée JeanFebruary 01, 2025

Diane Shober is 2025’s BIG WYO winner after 21 years as the Wyoming Office of Tourism director.

Governors, Famous Author Fans Of 2025 BIG WYO Winner Diane Shober

Diane Shober is 2025’s BIG WYO winner after 21 years as the Wyoming Office of Tourism director. That had a long line of people, including governors and New York Times best-selling author C.J. Box saluting her drive to promote Wyoming.

Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2025

Along the Interstate 90 corridor to and fron Sturgis, South Dakota, Devils Tower is a busy place during the annual motorcycle rally.

Even At Nearly $5B A Year, Wyoming Tourism Not Close To Potential, Industry Says

At nearly $5 billion a year, tourism is Wyoming’s second-leading economic driver. Even so, the state’s tourism industry says it’s just scratching the surface of Cowboy State tourism’s true potential.

Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2025

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Bill Would Bolster Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes And Other Wyoming Agritourism

More Wyoming farmers and ranchers are turning to pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other agrotourism to bolster their bottom lines. The state Legislature is considering a bill that would extend tourism liability coverage for these attractions.

Renée JeanJanuary 28, 2025

The Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition is introduced in the state Senate on Monday, where all four balconies were stacked with people representing Wyoming's tourism industry.

Tourism Industry Is Gearing Up To Take On A New Legislature 

With 28 lawmakers who are either new or in new roles, tourism is gearing up for a charm offensive. It started with a show of force at the Capitol on Monday, but the lobbying effort is going to continue throughout the year.

Renée JeanJanuary 28, 2025

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Lummis To Lead Digital Asset Subcommittee, Will Work With Trump On Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has been named the nation's first chair of the Digital Asset Subcommittee. Known for her expertise in cryptocurrency, one of her first priorities is the passage of a bill to create a strategic bitcoin reserve.

Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2025

Bowling is making a comeback in a big way thanks to a high-tech video game-style makeover.

Can Bowling Become Cool Again? Cheyenne's Derby Lane Says "Absolutely."

Bowling has been in a decline since the ‘80s, but a high-tech video-game approach is changing that. The new style is what the recently opened Derby Lanes in Cheyenne is all about.

Renée JeanJanuary 26, 2025

It takes some next-level marketing and effort to sell exclusive multimillion-dollar Jackson Hole properties to billionaires.

How To Sell Jackson Hole Real Estate To Billionaires

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to sell exclusive multimillion-dollar Jackson Hole properties to billionaires, Latham Jenkins can tell you. It’s next-level effort that goes far beyond just walking potential buyers through a building.

Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2025

Wyoming’s historic Fort Bridger is taking calls from “American Primeval” fans looking for its hanging spot. But there isn’t one, never has been. That’s just one of many things historians say “American Primeval” gets completely wrong.

“American Primeval” A Netflix Hit That Gets A Lot Of Wyoming History Wrong

Wyoming’s historic Fort Bridger is taking calls from “American Primeval” fans looking for its hanging spot. But there isn’t one, never has been. That’s just one of many things historians say “American Primeval” gets completely wrong.

Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2025

Chef Zoilan Ruiz is a huge reason why Le Reve Restaurant and Raw Bar in Sheridan, Wyoming, has been named a semifinalist for a James Beard Award for best new restaurant.

Sheridan’s Le Reve Makes Exclusive James Beard List Of Best New Restaurants

What happens when you hire filmmaker George Lucas' chef for your brand new restaurant? You get noticed. After just four months in operation, Le Reve Restaurant and Raw Bar in Sheridan has made the exclusive list of James Beard Award semifinalists for best new restaurant in the nation.

Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2025

Bill Gates was in Kemmerer in June 2024 for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the TerraPower Natrium nuclear plant.

Kemmerer Officials Hope TerraPower Deal Could Attract AI Data Center

As Bill Gates-backed TerraPower continues building a first-of-its-kind nuclear plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, it has struck a deal with the nation’s largest independent data center provider. Local officials hope that could lead to an AI data center there.

Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2025

Among the executive orders President Donald Trump singed on his first day in office Jan. 20, 2025, was declaring a "National Energy Emergency."

Wyoming Industries Applaud Trump’s “National Energy Emergency” Declaration

Wyoming’s energy industry is applauding President Donald Trump declaring a “national energy emergency.” They’re calling on Wyoming’s BLM office to immediately approve delayed permits and deferred lease sales.

Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2025

A line of people wait at the Cheyenne Post Office while other customers access their P.O. boxes in the background.

End Of USPS-UPS Deal Could Mean Faster Rural Delivery, But More Expensive

Rural packages are likely to get to where they’re going faster now that contract negotiations between the U.S. Postal Service and UPS have fallen apart for last-mile service. But it’s also likely to be more expensive.

Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2025

A bitcoin mining facility near F.E. Warren Air Force Base just west of Cheyenne. Its Chinese ownership was forced to sell by the Biden administration.

Committee Advances Measure To Ban Foreign Adversaries Owning Wyoming Property

The House Agriculture committee gave a thumbs up to a constitutional measure that will ban foreign adversaries from owning Wyoming property. Deciding who those foreign adversaries are will be debated on the House floor.

Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2025

Wyoming Secretary of State's Office in Cheyenne.

State Caught 3 North Korean Companies Trying Set Up In Wyoming Last Year

The state caught three North Korean companies last year filing fraudulent paperwork to set up in Wyoming to raise money for weapons of mass destruction. A House committee passed a bill Monday that aims to keep foreign adversaries out of Wyoming.

Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025

The House Minerals Business and Economic Development CommitteeHouse Minerals Business and Economic Development Committee discusses an anti-ESG bill Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Despite Opposition, Anti-ESG Bill Sails Through Committee After Changes

An anti-ESG Bill sailed over a wall of opposition from Wyoming investment fund managers and the state treasurer. It passed out of committee Monday after significant changes to address the criticism.

Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025

A five-bedroom house near the abandoned company mining town of Sunrise, Wyoming, in the Hartville area is chock-full of history — and for sale, listing for $809,000. It was home to an early pioneer, and the sale includes the Guernsey Cabin.

Historic One-Of-A-Kind Property For Sale Near Sunrise Once Home To Early Pioneer

A five-bedroom house near the abandoned company mining town of Sunrise, Wyoming, in the Hartville area is chock-full of history — and for sale, listing for $809,000. It was home to an early pioneer, and the sale includes the Guernsey Cabin.

Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025

The bartender at Le Reve Restaurant and Raw Bar adjusts the flow of water from an ornate fountain, part of the ritual involved in serving a glass of absinthe.

Drinking Wyoming: Absinthe, Spirit Of Murder And Madness, Is Back In Wyoming

Absinthe was illegal for nearly a century, branded by the wine industry as a spirit of murder and madness. But it’s making a comeback, and a handful of Wyoming venues serve this once-forbidden liquor.

Renée JeanJanuary 18, 2025

Fire air operations drop fire retardant on flames from the Palisades Fire along Mandeville Canyon in the Brentwood community of Los Angeles, Calif.

Why California Wildfires Could Spike Already-High Wyoming Insurance Rates

The wildfires devastating residential areas of Southern California aren’t only going to impact those homeowners. Wyoming residents also can expect to see a spike in their already-high insurance rates.

Renée JeanJanuary 18, 2025

State Rep. Christopher Knapp, R-Gillette, testifies for the House Minerals Business and Economic Development Committee on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Anti-ESG Bill Hits Wall Of Opposition, Debate Will Continue Monday

An anti-ESG bill that would block investment into companies that go against Wyoming’s oil and gas industries hit a wall of opposition Friday. That includes state Treasurer Curt Meier, who said half his staff could walk out if the bill passes.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2025

A Chinese bitcoin mining facility near F.E. Warren Air Force Base just west of Cheyenne was shut down by the Biden administration as a potential national security threat.

Bill Banning Foreign Adversaries Setting Up Shop Near Critical Areas Advances

The Senate Appropriations Committee gave a unanimous thumbs up Thursday to a bill that would ban foreign adversaries from setting up near critical infrastructure in Wyoming.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2025

Wyoming Stock Growers Assocition Executive Vice President Jim Magagna testifies against an eminent domain bill for the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. Inset, committee member Rep. John Eklund, R-Cheyenne.

Controversial Eminent Domain Bill Passes Over Protests From Ag, Energy Industries

Wyoming legislators passed a controversial eminent domain bill Thursday that would ban anyone except public utilities from using eminent domain to take land for electrical systems. Both the state’s ag and energy industries argued against it.

Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2025

The Granite Creek Ranch, which was listed for nearly $9 million in Jackson, Wyoming, has been bought by billionare Joe Ricketts.

Billionaire Joe Ricketts Plans Luxury Resort With Teton County Ranch He Bought

Billionaire Joe Ricketts has announced his plans for the Granite Ranch in Teton County, which he bought last fall. It will be a swanky luxury resort, echoing many of the same themes as his abandoned Homestead Resort project in Bondurant.

Renée JeanJanuary 15, 2025

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Wyoming Doubles Down On Wind Blade Disposal In Coal Mines, Tabling Alternative

Wyoming legislators tabled a bill Wednesday that would have created landfill deposits at wind farm sites to dispose of their worn-out turbine blades. State agencies say coal mine disposal — just approved by federal government — is better.

Renée JeanJanuary 15, 2025

Star Plunge water park and hot springs in Thermopolis closed Tuesday, a day earlier than expected as a dispute continues between the state and the facility's owners/operators. Here, Roland Luehne turns away Joy Erickson, son Dayton Yaple and Annette Withinton, Lander customers who misunderstood that the pool was closed.

Soakers Show Up To Find World Famous Star Plunge Closed Sooner Than Expected

The world famous Star Plunge pool and hot springs in Thermopolis, Wyoming, has been on a legal collision course with the state. It had been expected to close Wednesday, but soakers showed up Tuesday to find it suddenly closed earlier.

Renée JeanJanuary 14, 2025

Gillette, Wyoming-based Cycline Drilling operates a rig in the Powder River Basin.

Wyoming's Powder River Basin Sitting On Untapped Oil And Gas Potential

The oil and gas industry has been talking up the potential of the Powder River Basin for 20 years. Even so, Wyoming’s busiest play still only has about 11 rigs running. It’s going to take more than an oil-friendly administration to increase production.

Renée JeanJanuary 14, 2025

A field of discarded wind turbine blades.

Feds OK Wyoming Idea To Use Old Wind Turbines To Fill In Coal Mines

Wyoming’s innovative plan to allow coal mines to accept wind turbine blades as fill material has cleared the Biden administration, almost four years after the state approved it.

Renée JeanJanuary 14, 2025

The 30th annual Pedigree Stage Stop sled dog race across Wyoming begins Feb. 1. The sixth stage is in Lander.

Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race Returns To Dubois After 20-Year Hiatus

Dubois will once again host a leg of the world-famous Pedigree Stage Stop Dog Race after a 20-year hiatus. The town is planning an over-the-top weekend as the final stage for the event’s 30th year.

Renée JeanJanuary 12, 2025

Java Moon owner Megan Cook makes a specialty coffee drink at her Sheridan cafe.

Inside Sheridan's Java Moon Coffee Shop Where Mooncakes Are King

Somewhere over the Java Moon in Sheridan is where you’ll find Megan Cook. The former financial accountant took a moonshot leap of faith from a comfortable job to owning her own business. It’s been a roller coaster, but she has no regrets.

Renée JeanJanuary 12, 2025

Blue Federal Credit Union location at East 7th Street and Warren Avenue in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

No, Jimmy Carter’s Funeral Didn’t Delay Workers From Getting Their Paychecks

Some Blue Federal Credit Union customers in Cheyenne woke up Friday to shock that their paychecks hadn’t been deposited. Although told it was because the Federal Reserve was closed for Jimmy Carter’s funeral, it was an electronic transfer glitch.

Renée JeanJanuary 12, 2025

A Nebraska company has developed a pioneering robot called a Grain Weevil that can do everything in a grain bin a human with a shovel might need to do. It’s a dramatic step up in safety for farmers, one that Wyoming farmers say is game-changing.

Grain Weevil Robot Aims To Keep Farmers From Risking Their Lives In Grain Bins

A Nebraska company has developed a pioneering robot called a Grain Weevil that can do everything in a grain bin a human with a shovel might need to do. Wyoming farmers say it could be a revolutionary development for safety.

Renée JeanJanuary 11, 2025

Since September, thousands of rural ZIP codes have been paying a surcharge on packages that has been quietly put into U.S. Postal Service merchant agreements with companies like eBay.

Wyomingites Pay More For Rural Postal Service Deliveries Through Sneaky Surcharge

The U.S. Postal Service has quietly initiated a surcharge on package deliveries to rural areas, which includes much of Wyoming. The up-charges have been quietly slipped into Postal Service agreements with merchants like eBay.

Renée JeanJanuary 10, 2025

A Laramie County property north of Cheyenne city limits with multiple cars. It could be one that is impacted by proposed zoning regulation changes.

Laramie County Residents Angry Over Proposed “Land Grab” Zoning Regs

Some Laramie County residents are angry over proposed zoning laws they call a local government “land grab.” Commissioners say tightening some rules is needed to help neighbors upset with businesses and other operations setting up in neighborhoods.

Renée JeanJanuary 09, 2025

A worker observes while a coworker finishes taking out the stump of a cottonwood tree at Holiday Park in Cheyenne that shows some signs of compromise. But residents are questioning the removal of some other trees, which they say were younger and healthier.

Cheyenne Cutting Down More Cottonwood Trees But Locals Say There's Nothing Wrong With Them

The City of Cheyenne is at it again -- cutting down more of its Cottonwood trees. The city says they’ve been identified as “a hazard to the public,” but locals say there was nothing wrong with them.

Renée JeanJanuary 08, 2025

South Dakota-based Aerostar is testing high-altitude balloons with NASA and the U.S. Forest Service for supporting wildland firefighting efforts by giving cellphone service and other observations and data.

Those Aren't Chinese Balloons Over Wyoming, They're Helping Firefighters And More

Some of the balloons people see floating over Wyoming aren’t Chinese spy efforts, they’re from South Dakota. One balloon was a floating cellphone tower for a demonstration project that could dramatically improve logistics for wildland firefighters.

Renée JeanJanuary 07, 2025

Along with a main house, there are a handful of other homes and residences on the Antlers Ranch.

Two Multimillion-Dollar Wyoming Properties Are In Top 5 Most-Viewed Luxury Listings

Two multimillion-dollar Wyoming properties have made Mansion Global’s annual list of top five viewed luxury listings for 2024. The $9 million Granite Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole is No. 1, while the $85 million Antlers Ranch near Meeteetse is No. 4.

Renée JeanJanuary 06, 2025

Craig Johnson loaded up and motorcycling through the Rock Springs and Red Desert areas of southwest Wyoming while researching his latest Walt Longmire novel, "Return to Sender."

Craig Johnson’s Next Novel Drops May 27, Was Inspired By Cowboy State Daily Story

Craig Johnson’s newest novel “Return to Sender” will drop May 27. The Ucross, Wyoming, writer said his latest mystery was inspired by a story he read in Cowboy State Daily about the mail carrier who has the most remote route in the United States.

Renée JeanJanuary 06, 2025

Even when it's 20 degrees and snowy outside, the business in Mort's Bagels in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming, is brisk on a Sunday morning, Jan. 5, 2025.

Bagels Are Temperamental, But That Hasn't Stopped Couple From Running Bagel Shop

Any cook who’s ever tried to make bagels can tell you just how temperamental they can be. A Cheyenne couple who purchased Mort's Bagels found that out the hard way. But they've learned that lesson and love running their own business.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2025

The Schell family of Wyoming poses in front of Concord Waterfall on the island of Granada. After that, they went to the Jouvay chocolate factory and then explored a forest reserve where wild Mona monkeys roam.

Wyoming Couple Sells Home To Sail Around The World Over Next 10 Years

Jim Bob and Marlie Schell have have traded their home in Hoback Junction for a sailboat. They're not only going to sail around the world over the next 10 years but they're homeschooling their son on the high seas.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2025

"Can I take your order?" Margaret Lovato asks with a smile at Diamond Horseshoe Cafe in Cheyenne, where she has worked for almost 50 years.

Margaret Lovato Has Been Serving Customers For 50 Years At Cheyenne's Diamond Horseshoe

Regulars at the Diamond Horseshoe Cafe describe it as Cheyenne’s Cheers, a place where everyone knows your name. At the center of that is Margaret Lovato, who’s been serving customers there for almost 50 years.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2025

City National Pawn's coin master Joe Bohlinger looks at the tail feathers of a 2000-P Sacagawea coin, to see if it is a "Cheerios" coin. It wasn't, but if it had been, it would have been worth around $6,600 if in mint condition.

Pocket Change Can Be Worth Big Money If You Know What to Look For

While many of the most valuable coins aren’t in circulation anymore, there are still millions of coins changing hands every day. A Wyoming coin dealer says there’s big money in pocket change if you know what to look for.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2025

Billy Bob Thornton plays the lead character of Tommy Norris in the new Paramount+ series "Landman." Real Wyoming landmen say the show isn't always realistic, but gets as lot of the details right.

“Landman” Not Always Realistic, But New Hit Taylor Sheridan Show Gets A Lot Right

Real-life Wyoming landmen say Taylor Sheridan’s new hit TV show “Landman” isn't always realistic, but the show does get a lot of the fundamentals right.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2025

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Embattled Star Plunge Park Remains Open Ahead Of Jan. 14 Deadline

While many media outlets reported the historic Star Plunge would close Dec. 31, it remains open. While its lease expired then, the facility has an extension through Jan. 14 while negotiations for its sale and a court case continue.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2025

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Industry: Court Ruling BLM Illegally Halted Oil And Gas Lease Sales Is Too Late

A judge ruled Tuesday that the BLM illegally suspended a 2022 Wyoming oil and gas lease. While pleased with the decision, the governor and industry officials said Friday it’s too little, too late to reverse the damage done by the Biden administration.

Renée JeanJanuary 03, 2025

When billionaire Joe Ricketts bought White Pine Ski & Summer Resort near Pinedale, Wyoming, people speculated the goal was to turn it into an upscale Jackson Hole-like resort. So far, fans of the ski area say it hasn’t changed yet.

Fans Say White Pine Unchanged So Far In First Season Under Billionaire Ricketts

When billionaire Joe Ricketts bought White Pine Resort near Pinedale, Wyoming, people speculated the goal was to turn it into an upscale Jackson Hole-like resort. So far, fans of the ski area say it hasn’t changed yet.

Renée JeanDecember 30, 2024

John Haggerty in front of the car he used as a medical courier, even when I-80 was closed.

Even When I-80 Is Closed, Medical Couriers Still Allowed To Go Through

Interstate 80 is notorious for being impossible to get through at times during the winter. But even when closed, medical couriers are still allowed to go through. Lives depend on it.

Renée JeanDecember 29, 2024

A group of monks in the mountains near Meeteetse, Wyoming, are building a Gothic monastery using cutting-edge technology. They’ve adapted CNC machines to carve stone that looks like it could’ve been sculpted 1,000 years ago.

Carmelite Monks Near Meeteetse Use Modern Tech To Build Gothic Monastery

A group of Carmelite monks in the mountains near Meeteetse, Wyoming, are building a Gothic monastery using cutting-edge technology. They’ve adapted high-tech computerized machines to carve stone that looks like it could’ve been sculpted 1,000 years ago.

Renée JeanDecember 29, 2024

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Wyoming Businesses Don’t Have To Disclose Owners After Whiplash Court Ruling

The on-again, off-again mandate for small businesses to disclose their ownership is off again after a Thursday whiplash ruling by a federal court. It halts the Corporate Transparency Act, which calls for jail time, $10,000 fines for noncompliance.

Renée JeanDecember 27, 2024

Lines were long at the U.S. Postal Service office at Capitol Avenue in Cheyenne in this file photo.

Wyoming Mail Goes Hundreds Of Extra Miles Before Delivery

Wyoming mail is getting ping-ponged around the region, traveling hundreds of extra miles before finally being delivered. Tracking packages online is leaving customers beyond frustrated. Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Service says it will look into the issue.

Renée JeanDecember 27, 2024

Small businesses make up the backbone of Cheyenne's downtown district.

Wyoming Business Owners Could Get Jail, $10,000 Fine For Not Disclosing Ownership

Small business owners face jail time and fines of up to $10,000 for not reporting who their owners are. They have until Jan 13, but Chuck Gray wants Wyoming to fight the rule in court.

Renée JeanDecember 26, 2024

Grammy Award-winning Christian rock duo for King + Country filmed the music video for its emotional version of "The Little Drummer Boy" in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains.

Popular Version Of “The Little Drummer Boy” Has A Silent Star — The Bighorns

The popular Christian rock duo for King + Country uses Wyoming as the backdrop for the music video of their remake of the Christmas classic “The Little Drummer Boy.” The majesty of the Bighorn Mountains helps make the video magical.

Renée JeanDecember 24, 2024

Eula Wulfjen Kendrick, played by Barbara Cavanagh, talks about newspaper clippings in her scrapbooks with her two guests, Matatie Wulfjen Williams (Michelle King) and Madge Eggleston (Kathy Pavatt).

Party Like It’s Christmas 1924 At The Kendrick Mansion In Sheridan

The Kendrick Mansion in Sheridan comes to life for the holidays. The setting serves as the backdrop for a day in the life of the Kendricks at Christmas -- an intimate and cozy trip back into time.

Renée JeanDecember 24, 2024

This porch pirate was caught on a doorbell camera taking a 5-year-old Cheyenne boy's Christmas gift.

Cheyenne Porch Pirate Caught On Camera Grinching A 5-Year-Old’s Christmas

Porch pirates just seem to keep getting more and more bold. But people are fighting back with door cameras, drop boxes and pranks like putting old junk in new boxes. That didn't stop one Grinch from stealing a Cheyenne 5-year-old's Christmas.

Renée JeanDecember 24, 2024

A house in a subdivision about 15 miles west of Cheyenne that had attracted squatters and drug activity, and had terrorized neighbors for years, has finally been raided and torn down.

How Neighbors Teamed Up With Wyoming Sheriff To Get Drug House Demolished

Residents in a Laramie County subdivision said they felt terrorized by squatters who had moved into an abandoned home and turned it into a drug house. It took months of collaboration with local officials but got it successfully torn down.

Renée JeanDecember 23, 2024

Brian Bartow’s fire truck Christmas light display on Dec. 19, 2024, at 550 Essex Road in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Antique Firetrucks Decked Out For Christmas Draw Crowds In Cheyenne

Christmas is all about Santa and firetrucks at the Bartow family home in Cheyenne. His holiday decorations are centered two antique firetrucks -- a 1942 American LaFrance and a 1938 Studebaker.

Renée JeanDecember 22, 2024

Chef Juan Coronado, co-owner of Railspur, demonstrates how to prepare the classic holiday dish beef Wellington.

Think Beef Wellington Is Too Hard To Make? Think Again, Says Wyoming Chef

There’s a reason Gordon Ramsay’s famous beef Wellington costs $119 dollars per person. it’s a complex dish that marries high-quality ingredients in a visually stunning way. But Wyoming chef Juan Coronado says with a few smart changes, it doesn’t really have to be such a chore.

Renée JeanDecember 22, 2024

The Halleck Creek site in Wyoming, now called the Cowboy State Mine site.

Wyoming Project Gets Boost In Race To Be First For U.S. Rare Earths Production

What could be one of the world’s richest rare earths deposits announced Friday a partnership for a Wyoming pilot plant. It’s a boost for Wyoming to be first in the U.S. to help stand up domestic rare earths production sooner.

Renée JeanDecember 21, 2024

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Outrage Over Daniel Wolf Abuse Didn’t Impact Wyoming Tourism In 2024

Global outrage and calls to boycott Wyoming over the abuse and killing of a wolf in Daniel in February didn’t impact Cowboy State tourism in 2024. Lodging tax collections are up almost across the board.

Renée JeanDecember 20, 2024

A novel wind power design by Wyoming-based Airloom Energy uses short blades that are pushed by wind around a track to produce power. Airloom Energy says it's more efficient and has a much lower profile that traditional wind turbines.

Innovative Short Wind Turbines Are In For A Tough Test — Wyoming Winter

Airloom Energy will test its innovative wind turbines in winter — the perfect shakedown for an 80- to 100-foot-tall invention born in Wyoming. The novel Bill Gates-backed concept could make today’s 500-foot-tall wind towers obsolete.

Renée JeanDecember 18, 2024

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BNSF Railway To Eliminate Dozens Of Jobs Dec. 27

BNSF has pushed through an agreement in arbitration with its unions that will eliminate dozens of jobs on Dec. 27. As more people are cut, union reps say they worry for the safety of the workers who remain.

Renée JeanDecember 17, 2024

Workers at the Casper Amazon Flex location sort packages for delivery.

Amazon Opens Wyoming’s First Delivery Centers In Gillette And Casper

Amazon has opened its first Wyoming distribution centers in Gillette and Casper. That’s great for people within 60 miles of them, but delivery problems continue for many other rural areas.

Renée JeanDecember 16, 2024

Mike Aumiller picks up a DoorDash order at the Lincolway Arby's outlet in Cheyenne on Sunday. Aumiller said his wife delivers DoorDash during the week, and he does it on weekends to make some extra money.

Get Cussed Out, Belittled And Stiffed On Tips — Welcome To DoorDashing

Being a DoorDasher isn’t the cushy, easy job for lazy basement dwellers some imagine it to be. DoorDashers beat up their cars in the worst Wyoming weather and sometimes get cussed out, belittled and stiffed on tips.

Renée JeanDecember 15, 2024

Colorado-based Fading West makes modular homes and delivers them on site for quick setup. The company thinks it can help with an expected housing crunch in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Modular Home Company That Helped Maui After Wildfires Could Ease Kemmerer Housing Crunch

A modular home company that stepped up to help Hawaii residents after devastating wildfires is looking to bring in homes to help with Kemmerer's housing crunch. Up to 6,000 new workers on their way to the southwest Wyoming community.

Renée JeanDecember 15, 2024

Economists say it's not necessary to hoard goods, especially toilet paper, ahead of possible tariffs.

What Are Economists Stocking Up On Ahead Of Possible Tariffs? Not Toilet Paper

Wyoming economists are not panicking about the potential for Trump’s promised tariffs. They also don’t think people need to hoard stuff ahead of time — especially toilet paper.

Renée JeanDecember 15, 2024

Chef Petrina Peart reacts after finding a beautiful Brussel sprout tree for an upcoming holiday gathering she's working on.

Cheyenne Celebrity Chef Puts Sprouts, Wyoming’s Newest Grocer, To The Test

Sprouts Farmers Market, the supermarket chain which focuses on natural and organic foods, has an ambitious growth plan and just opened its first store in Wyoming. Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart was among the first to put the market to the test.

Renée JeanDecember 14, 2024

The commute over Teton Pass this winter will be a lot steeper and curvier for drivers this winter.

Teton Pass Commuters Have To Navigate A Steeper, Curvier Drive This Winter

A steeper grade and sharper turns have some rethinking driving over Teton Pass between Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming, this winter. But most regulars say they feel the fix is good enough and they’re ready when the road turns icy.

Renée JeanDecember 13, 2024

Customers line up in the U.S. Post Office on Converse Avenue in Cheyenne.

Postmaster General Gives Himself An “A” For Gutting Wyoming Mail Delivery

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is giving himself an “A” for his controversial plan that will gut Wyoming’s large mail processing centers and lengthen delivery times. While he’s proud of the plan, Harriet Hageman gives it and DeJoy an “F.”

Renée JeanDecember 12, 2024

Albertsons grocery store at 3355 E. Pershing Blvd. in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Albertson’s Breaks Off $25B Grocery Merger, Now Wants Billions From Kroger

After two judges blocked a $25 billion merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, Albertsons has called it off. It's also pointing fingers at Kroger for the merger’s failure and wants billions of dollars in compensation.

Renée JeanDecember 11, 2024

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Judges in Two States Block $25 Billion Kroger-Albertsons Merger

Judges in Washington and Oregon blocked the huge $25 billion Kroger-Albertsons grocery merger Tuesday. That bodes well for a lawsuit the Federal Trade Commission and Wyoming have against the merger.

Renée JeanDecember 11, 2024

Doug Theis, owner of Big Paws Christmas Trees in Cheyenne, says he's been selling trees for 14 years, and has held prices without an increase for the last two years.

Buying A Live Christmas Tree In Wyoming Won’t Cost Much More Despite Demand

Lower shipping costs have helped take the edge off a supply crunch for live Christmas trees in Wyoming, keeping prices lower than they might have been. That’s despite increased demand and Hurricane Helene devastating a huge supply of trees.

Renée JeanDecember 10, 2024

Uranium Energy Corp. has bought Rio Tino's Wyoming assets, which includes its uranium production facility in Sweetwater County. Above is a view of the control room.

Uranium Energy Corp. Finalizes $175M Buyout Of Wyoming Processing Plant

Uranium Energy Corp. has finalized a $175 million buyout of Rio Tinto’s Wyoming assets, which includes its Sweetwater County processing plant. The sale gives Uranium Energy the nation’s largest production capacity of uranium.

Renée JeanDecember 09, 2024

The Mint Bar's iconic neon cowboy lights up the night on Sheridan's Main Street, as does the WYO Theater, down the street from here.

Sheridan’s Famous Main Street A Bucket-List Item For Lovers Of All Things Western

Sheridan has a reputation as a Western tourism gem. And its famous Main Street has become a bucket-list destination for those who love all things Western.

Renée JeanDecember 08, 2024

Brian Deurloo with Frog Creek Partners cleans out a gutter bin that was part of a pilot program in the Denver metro area that captured 1,300 pounds of trash in six months. This one also had a $100 bill.

At First, Wyoming Businessman Thought Invitation To Speak At United Nations Was Scam

Brian Deurloo of Sheridan will be in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to address the United Nations about artificial intelligence and water security. At first, the Wyoming businessman deleted the UN’s invitation, thinking it was a scam.

Renée JeanDecember 08, 2024

Expresso Lube in Gillette, Wyoming, is much more than a place to get your oil changed. It's also a cafe that serves breakfast and lunch, and is a comfortable place to wait for your vehicle.

Get An Oil Change And Lunch At Gillette’s Expresso Lube, But Not A Beer

Expresso Lube in Gillette already has a unique business model operating an oil change shop on one side and a diner on the other. But you can’t get a beer there after its liquor license was denied this week.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2024

Tiny bone needles, about 1-3 mm wide, have been found at the La Prele Mammoth site near Douglas, Wyoming.

Tiny Bone Needles From Wyoming’s La Prele Site A Prehistoric Breakthrough

Archaeologists say Wyoming’s La Prele Mammoth site near Douglas has given up another big prehistoric find. They say the discovery of early 13,000-year-old tiny bone needles could help rewrite the history of early man.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2024

Nobody can drive around on Wyoming roads with their cars and trucks decked out in Christmas lights, the Wyoming Highway Patrol says — not even Santa.

Why It's Against The Law To Decorate Your Vehicle With Christmas Lights

Although you may be tempted to string thousands of Christmas lights on your car to show off your holiday glee, it's against the law. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says it would even ticket Santa.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2024

This office building used by Registered Agents Inc. in Sheridan is the official address for about 120,000 LLCs registered in Wyoming, Fremont County Assessor Tara Berg estimates.

Wyoming Overtakes Delaware For Most Per Capita Incorporations In The Nation

Wyoming had 45,000 new business incorporations last year, a 45% jump that allowed it to overtake Delaware in the number of new registrations per capita. It continues a 10-year spike for the state as a popular place to register a business.

Renée JeanDecember 06, 2024

The Powell Farm Store is one of five Big Horn Co-op stores set to close at the end of the year.

Big Horn Co-op Is Closing Five Stores Across Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin

Big Horn Co-op has a 101-year history in Wyoming, starting in 1923. But changes to the retail landscape have finally caught up with the cooperative, which will close five of its farm stores in small towns across the Bighorn Basin.

Renée JeanDecember 06, 2024

The hit Western "Longmire," based on the novels of Wyoming author Craig Johnson, is coming to the end of a long run on Netflix this month.

"Longmire's" Long Run On Netflix To End, Craig Johnson Wants A Network Revival

Netflix will stop its long run of the hit Western "Longmire" at the end of the month. Although it's alread been picked up by Paramount+, Wyoming author Craig Johnson hopes for a network TV revival of the series.

Renée JeanDecember 04, 2024

Rare Element Resources has already started operations at its rare earths demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming.

China’s Ban On Rare Earth Exports Good News For Huge Wyoming Projects

China issued a ban Tuesday on exporting to the U.S. critical rare earth minerals for semiconductors, infrared, fiber optics and military explosives. But representatives of Wyoming’s huge rare earths projects say the ban is good news for them.

Renée JeanDecember 04, 2024

Teton County, Wyoming, is again the nation's wealthiest, with a per capita income of more than $471,000 and median household income of $1.3 million.

Teton County Still Richest In The Nation; Wealth Hits New High

Teton County continues to be the nation’s wealthiest county with the mean household income at $1.13 miliion. The surge in wealth has contributed to a host of problems, including a lack of affordable housing.

Renée JeanDecember 03, 2024

The site about 20 miles southwest of Green River could produce 6 million tons of soda ash and sodium bicarbonate a year.

Turkish Company Offers $285 Million To Buy Interest In Huge Wyoming Trona Mine

Sisecam, a Turkish company, is offering $285 million to buy out a minority stake in one of Wyoming’s huge new trona mines.

Renée JeanDecember 02, 2024

Alea West tends bar at the Lamp Lounge in Cheyenne. She says that while she relies on tips, she thinks the "tipping culture" trend has gone too far.

Tipping In Wyoming: Even Some Bartenders Are Saying It's Out Of Control

According to one poll, 72% of U.S. adults feel that tipping is expected in a lot more places today than five years ago. And while most are fine with tipping in a sit-down restaurant or a bar, only a fraction believe tipping in a coffee shop or a fast food joint is OK.

Renée JeanNovember 30, 2024

Turkeys and livestock guard dogs follow Corinna around at Schadey's Acres as she prepares to lay down a line of grains for the birds to eat.

Life On The Farm: Raising Turkeys and Yaks In Albany County, Wyoming

When Michigan HOA rules wouldn't allow Corinna and Patrick Schade to grow at least some of their food, they moved to Wyoming. Now they've raised more than 350 heritage turkeys alongside a growing herd of yaks in Albany County.

Renée JeanNovember 30, 2024

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Drinking Wyoming: Melvin Brewing, State’s Largest Brewery, Is About To Get Bigger

A merger between Melvin and Roadhouse Brewing in Jackson in 2022 has positioned Wyoming’s largest brewery to grow even more. The brewery is already beating national sales trends, and it’s looking to add more new products and keep growing.

Renée JeanNovember 29, 2024

Janelle Jones stands in front of the new HAWK crossing at McCormick Junior High in Cheyenne installed in memory of her son, Mak. Janelle and her charity forMak helped get the new crossing built where her son Makaili “Mak” Evans, was hit by a car and killed in 2021.

Cheyenne Mom Has Turned Tragedy Into A Crusade For Safer Streets

Janelle Jones lost her son Mak when a distracted driver hit him in a Cheyenne crosswalk. Janelle has since been on a crusade for safer streets and stricter penalties for distracted drivers.

Renée JeanNovember 28, 2024

Not long ago, Ayden Skillman of Greybull, Wyoming, was in the hospital recovering from a heart transplant. Now he's finally home.

Wyoming Boy Born Without Complete Heart Finally Home After Successful Transplant

Ayden Skillman of Greybull was born without a complete heart and has spent much of his young life in hospitals. Now the 18-year-old is back home after a successful heart transplant and doctors say he's doing extremely well.

Renée JeanNovember 28, 2024

Basketball coaches for Cheyenne’s East, South and Central schools had their players work together on a Thanksgiving food drive, bringing a dozen truckloads of food to ther Comea House and Resource Center.

Rival Cheyenne Basketball Teams Donate 12 Truckloads Of Food To Local Shelter

The basketball coaches and players for Cheyenne East, South and Central high schools are rivals on the court. Off it, they teamed up to collect enough Thanksgiving food for a local shelter to fill 12 trucks.

Renée JeanNovember 27, 2024

Coal trains leaving the Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming full and returning empty.

BLM Outlaws Coal In Powder River Basin; Gordon Says Prepare For A Fight

The BLM has made it official Tuesday — it’s ending new coal leases in the Powder River Basin, with an eye to producing no more coal after 2041. Gov. Mark Gordon says those are fighting words.

Renée JeanNovember 27, 2024

Charles Hoskinson talks about Wyoming's process for bidding vendors for its new stable token.

Wyoming-Based Crypto Founder Slams State Over Stable Token Bid Process

Wyoming rancher Charles Hoskinson has one of the top 10 cryptocurrency platforms in the nation, but he’s not eligible to bid to be a vendor for Wyoming’s stable token. He’s blasting the state over its bidding process, calling it unfair.

Renée JeanNovember 26, 2024

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower and the nuclear plant its building in southwest Wyoming have secured another potential source of uranium. It’s struck a deal to get laser-enriched uranium.

Bill Gates-Backed TerraPower Strikes Deal To Get Laser-Enriched Uranium

Bill Gates-backed TerraPower and the nuclear plant it's building in southwest Wyoming have secured another potential source of uranium. It’s struck a deal to get laser-enriched uranium.

Renée JeanNovember 24, 2024

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F.E. Warren Air Force Base Exploring Geothermal Power To Boost Resiliency Against Catastrophe

Cheyenne’s F.E. Warren Air Force Base, which houses the nation’s nuclear missiles, is exploring geothermal energy to build up the military base’s resiliency. Geothermal power could ensure the base is functional, even if the overall power grid goes down.

Renée JeanNovember 23, 2024

Cheyenne resident Dr. Karen Meister-Emerich loves her new Cybertruck because it reminds her of a Delorean and it's packed with technology. The 75-year-old grandma breaks the mold of the typical Tesla owner.

Meet The Baby Boomer Wyoming Grandma Who Breaks The Mold Of A Cybertruck Owner

The typical Tesla owner is an upper-middle-class man in his 50s. 75-year-old Karen Meister-Emerich, a grandma from Cheyenne, doesn't fit that demographic but loves her Cybertruck, which she bought because she missed out on buying a DeLorean.

Renée JeanNovember 23, 2024

A crew works on the site of the CK Gold Project near Curt Gowdy State Park in southern Wyoming.

Wyoming’s Only Gold Mine Gets Green Light From State

Wyoming’s only gold mine near Curt Gowdy State Park has gotten a green light from state regulators. It’s a step closer to actually pulling gold out of the ground. US Gold believes the site could hold 1 million ounces of gold.

Renée JeanNovember 20, 2024

Bryan Clay, 2008 Olympic gold madalist in the decathlon, talks about his playbook for becoming a champion. It's a playbook that works for anyone who wants to achieve greatness and their goals in life.

Olympic Gold Medalist Bryan Clay Shares Playbook For Being A Champion In Life

Bryan Clay won the gold medal in decathlon at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in China. He was in Wyoming this past week sharing his playbook for not only being a champion in athletics, but in life.

Renée JeanNovember 18, 2024

Call of the Wyld has become a popular destination for visitors to Jackson, Wyoming.

TikTok-Famous Jackson Dogsled Business Started With A Dog And A Dream

Call of the Wyld dogsled tours has become a popular destination for Jackson visitors, driven by its popular TikTok channel. Customers say her TikTok stream made them decide to book. They've since doubled the size of its operation more than once, and they own 75 sled dogs. 

Renée JeanNovember 17, 2024

A dairy cow at Shumway Farms with the retail store in the background.

Food Freedom Act Saved Star Valley’s Last Remaining ‘Little Switzerland’ Dairy

Jody Shumway had grit, stubbornness and creativity. But it ultimately took the Food Freedom Act to save Star Valley’s last "Little Switzerland" dairy. Shumway Farms now sells premium products direct to consumer, saving their 5th-generation farm.

Renée JeanNovember 17, 2024

A still shot from a Fading West video showing a modular housing unit being placed on a pad.

Modular Homes Could Be An Answer To Busting Wyoming’s Housing Crunch

One estimate shows Wyoming needs more than 38,000 homes. Economic developers say it's hampering efforts to attract new businesses and workforce to the state. Modular homes could be the solution if the stigma can be overcome.

Renée JeanNovember 16, 2024

On the floor of a natural gas drilling rig, roughnecks move 25-ton blocks over a section of drilling pipe 8 miles north of Evanston, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Wyoming Has Lost 10,000 Mining, Oil And Gas Jobs Over Past Decade

Wyoming has lost 10,000 jobs in the natural resources and mining sector over the past decade, UW economist Anne Alexander said. Other job categories have stayed close to the same, or increased, but the mining category -- which includes oil and gas jobs — has dropped precipitously.

Renée JeanNovember 16, 2024

A group of southeast Wyoming ranchers are exploring a plan to store carbon dioxide emissions underneath their land.

Carbon Storage Planned Under Wyoming’s Historic C.B. Irwin Ranch, And Others

A group of Wyoming ranchers, including the historic C.B. Irwin Ranch where Steamboat once lived, have joined forces to attract companies to store carbon dioxide emissions under their ranches. Collectively, they have 102,000 acres available.

Renée JeanNovember 13, 2024

Custodia Bank CEO Caitln Long, left, and President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump Presidency Gives Hope To Crypto Community In Wyoming

Wyoming’s digital asset laws have been praised as innovative and ground-breaking, but have faced difficulties under the Biden Administration. President-elect Donald Trump has promised to be friendlier to digital assets.

Renée JeanNovember 12, 2024

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Enhanced Oil Recovery Is Coming To Wyoming To Unlock Trapped Oil and Gas

Oil and gas wells typically leave behind 85% or so of available resources. Enhanced oil and gas recovery is key to more economical wells, and several companies are eyeing field tests in Wyoming for that.

Renée JeanNovember 12, 2024

Grant Ujifusa helped persuade President Ronald Reagan to support reparations for Japanese Americans interned at camps like Heart Mountain during World War II. Ujifusa, who grew up in Wyoming, has died and will be buried in Worland. He was 82.

Worland’s Grant Ujifusa, Who Changed Reagan’s Mind And Was Knighted By Japan, Dies

Grant Ujifusa helped persuade President Ronald Reagan to support reparations for Japanese Americans interned at camps like Heart Mountain during World War II. Ujifusa, who grew up in Wyoming, has died and will be buried in Worland. He was 82.

Renée JeanNovember 11, 2024

The new-look Wheels Motel in Greybull, Wyoming.

Wheels Motel In Greybull Gets Modern Update For A New Generation Of Visitors

Since taking over his parents’ motel in Greybull, Chris Harwood and his wife Roxana have turned the Wheels Motel into a homey, modern stop. The young couple didn't think they would ever live in Greybull but now can't think of a better place to raise their family.

Renée JeanNovember 10, 2024

Frackeltons Frackeltons front 11 10 24

Drinking Wyoming: Sheridan’s Frackelton’s Is Back— Again — With Elevated Cocktails

Frackelton’s has struggled to find a footing in an ever-tighter market, but the Sheridan favorite appears to be well and truly back now. And its bar scene is stronger than ever with elevated cocktails.

Renée JeanNovember 10, 2024

The night sky is the perfect backdrop for The Mint Bar's iconic sign, setting it off like a gemstone in a jewelry box.

Drinking Wyoming: The Mint Bar Has Come To Life Every Night For 117 Years

If there's one bar in the Cowboy State that says "Wyoming," it might just be The Mint. The legendary neon bucking horse and cowboy has lit up Sheridan's Main Street since 1938 and has been a fixture in the state since 1907.

Renée JeanNovember 09, 2024

A formerly Chinese-owned cryptocurrency mining operation that was built about a mile from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. In May 2024, President Joe Biden by executive order forced the Chinese-owned company to sell it.

Following Wyoming Example, Feds Limit Foreign Crypto Mines Near Military Bases

The U.S. Department of Treasury has moved to limit businesses like foreign-owned crypto mines near sensitive locations. The change follows the forced closure of a Chinese-owned crypto mine near F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

Renée JeanNovember 08, 2024

Mesa Solutions FB 11 7 24

$9M For Mesa Solutions Expansion Could Unlock $20M Annual Impact For Casper Area

A $9 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council will allow Mesa Solutions to expand its footprint in the energy sector. It also could unlock a $20 million annual impact for the Casper area.

Renée JeanNovember 07, 2024

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More Details Emerge About Blockbuster Anschutz PRB Oil And Gas Deal

Occidental Petroleum has offered more details to Cowboy State Daily about the blockbuster oil and gas deal that has Anschutz acquiring Oxy/Anadarko assets in the PPB. Occidental says it’s keeping 150,000 acres it considers “core."

Renée JeanNovember 07, 2024

Former President, and now President-Elect Donald Trump said he plans to make good on his campaign promise to "drill, baby, drill."

Trump Signals Huge Support For Oil & Gas During Victory Speech, Wyoming Industry Leaders Thrilled

It didn’t take long for former President Donald Trump to hype up America's oil and gas industry after he won the 2024 presidential election Tuesday. Wyoming industry leaders say Trump's victory is also a win for U.S. oil and gas.

Renée JeanNovember 06, 2024

John Eklund

House District 10: Eklund, R, Rolls To Easy Win To Retain Seat In Legislature

John Eklund, R-Cheyenne, won reelection to his House District 10 seat Tuesday with a huge margin of nearly 2,000 votes over his challenger, Timothy Forbis.

Renée JeanNovember 06, 2024

Bob Nicholas

House District 7: Republican Incumbent Bob Nicholas Cruises To Win

Rep. Bob Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, easily won reelection to House District 7 in Tuesday’s general election.

Renée JeanNovember 06, 2024

Oil well fare 11 29 22

Blockbuster Deal Has Anschutz Getting Oxy/Anadarko Oil And Gas Interests In PRB

The Powder River Basin’s largest private oil and gas operator is getting a lot bigger. In a blockbuster deal, Anschutz has sent notices to Powder River Basin operators that it’s acquired the working interests in Oxy/Anadarko in the PRB.

Renée JeanNovember 05, 2024

The Crystal Castle 23 miles west of Cheyenne near Crystal Lake was built in the 1960s by a man named Harry Widholm, who used 30,000 glass embalming fluid bottles to create a lake cabin — his castle away from home.

Wyoming’s Crystal Castle, Made Of Embalming Fluid Bottles, Is For Sale For $325K

Vicki Launer has decided to sell Wyoming’s Crystal Castle near Crystal Lake and Curt Gowdy State Park for $325,000. The one-bedroom, one-bath home was made using embalming fluid bottles as bricks.

Renée JeanNovember 04, 2024

The Black Hills region of northeast Wyoming is starting to take off as a place where homebuyers can get more luxury for less. This 5,765-square-foot home features five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a lot of tech, like a robot lawnmower and self-cleaning pool.

$2.5 Million Black Hills Mansion In Northeast Wyoming Filled With Tech

Real Estate in the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming has started taking off, with people realizing that they can get more luxury for less. A $2.5 million five-bedroom, five-bath mansion is the latest example, filled with tech like a robot lawnmower and self-cleaning pool.

Renée JeanNovember 04, 2024

Members of the Elk Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Team assess the damage left by the wildfire and what will need to be done to repair or mitigate damages or other threats, like potential for invasive weeds, mudslides and debris flows.

Scientists Map Out How Badly Elk Fire Damaged The 98,000 Acres It Ravaged

With the Elk Fire 88% contained and growing cooler, the problems are just beginning for the 98,000 acres of land ravaged by the wildfire. Scientists are now mapping out how badly the fire damaged the land and how to repair it.

Renée JeanNovember 03, 2024

Sheridan has a hot new French-Western fusion upscale dining spot called Le Reve, French for “The Dream.”

Eating Wyoming: Sheridan’s Le Reve Brings French Fusion To Historic Western Spot

Sheridan has a hot new upscale dining spot called Le Reve, French for “The Dream.” It’s a one-of-a-kind journey of the senses, bringing French-Western fusion to one of Sheridan’s most historic buildings.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2024

Dodgers 11 2 24

Deal To Move Dodgers From Brooklyn To LA Was Signed During Wyoming Antelope Hunt

The Los Angeles Dodgers are riding high off its World Series win over the Yankees this week. But the storied franchise has a secret Wyoming connection. The deal to move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to L.A. was signed during a Wyoming antelope hunt.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2024

Rare Element Resources has already started operations at its rare earths demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming.

Upton’s China-Busting Rare Earths Demonstration Plant Is Officially Underway

Rare Element Resources has already started operations at its rare earths demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming, with what’s known as a “shakedown.” The real shakedown will be perfecting a process that could help break China’s stranglehold on rare earths.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2024

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Wyoming Customers Getting Rate Fatigue Over Repeated RMP Increase Requests

Wyoming customers are getting rate fatigue over repeated Rocky Mountain Power increase requests. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says the company wants Wyoming to "foot the bill" for the "radical left-wing environmental policies of other states."

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2024

Retaining Wyoming talent to work in state after attending the University of Wyoming, and beyond, is the idea behind a new jobs board that identifies opportunities to work in or remotely from Wyoming.

Wyoming Has A New Jobs Board With Higher Than Average Salaries And Unusual Opportunities

The Wyoming Venture Capital jobs board lists some unusual positions, like Generative AI Product Manager and Machine Learning Engineer. The jobs are part of a new stream of startups setting up shop in the Cowboy State.

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2024

Bill Gates was in Kemmerer in June 2024 for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the TerraPower Natrium nuclear plant.

TerraPower Strikes Deal With South African Company For Steady Uranium Source

A stable source of uranium has been a big question mark for the TerraPower nuclear plant in Kemmerer. The company appears to have answered that question with a new agreement with a South African company.

Renée JeanOctober 31, 2024

Marty Perez had an unsettling experience the first year he did a paranormal investigation of this hallway at the CFD Museum of the West. The hallway was quiet this time.

Haunted Wyoming: Even Skeptics Admit Strange Things Happen At CFD Museum

Flying hats, explosive glass and dolls that just won’t leave the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum in Cheyenne. These are just a few of the strange things even skeptics admit they can’t quite explain.

Renée JeanOctober 30, 2024

Lukis Hill points out on Google Maps the location where he and his dad tried to pick up a Chinese woman who looked like she needed help. She screamed at them instead, and disappeared before their eyes.

Haunted Wyoming: Ghost Of China Mary Haunts Evanston Road Named For Her

The ghost of China Mary still haunts the road named after her in Evanston, Wyoming. But talking about her has been a taboo subject, and not many people know the real history behind Ah Yuen, who became known as China Mary.

Renée JeanOctober 30, 2024

A drilling rig near Pinedale, Wyoming, in this file photo.

$80 Million Bet Says Wyoming Can Unlock Secret To Getting More Oil From "Tight Rocks"

ThermoFisher Scientific is laying a $40 million bet, matched by $40 million from the Legislature, that Wyoming can get more oil from so-called "tight rocks." Squeezing even 1% more from those rocks is worth billions of dollars.

Renée JeanOctober 29, 2024

A home for sale in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Home Sales Strong Despite National Trend Approaching 30-Year Low

Wyoming overall is bucking a national trend that’s approaching a 30-year low for home sales. Casper and Jackson continue to see strong sales data, while cities like Cheyenne and Sheridan have seen some cooling in the marketplace.

Renée JeanOctober 28, 2024

Mike Hennessy during a trip to Cheyenne, left, and the old storefront that used to be home to his great-great-granfather's grocery store.

History Come Alive: San Diego Man Discovers Documents About 140-Year-Old Cheyenne Building

A San Diego Man found a treasure trove of documents about a 140-year-old Cheyenne building. His great-great-grandfather ran a grocery store there that's now Bohemian Metals.

Renée JeanOctober 27, 2024

Weatherman Daryl Orr experiencing high winds in a live shot on Denver's Channel 7

Cheyenne Man’s Midlife Career Change: From TV Reporter To Truck Driver

When longtime Denver TV reporter Daryl Orr lost his job unexpectedly in midlife, he wasn’t worried — until everyone kept telling him he was overqualified. So the Cheyenne man decided to do something completely different: become a truck driver (and he loves it).

Renée JeanOctober 27, 2024

With a huge wildfire season in Wyoming this year, one question people ask is why isn't cloud seeding used to induce rain and snow to fall on the fires. The simple answer is you have to have clouds to do that.

Why Couldn't Wyoming Wildfires Be Put Out By Cloud Seeding?

With almost a million acres of land burned up in Wyoming this year by wildfire, why not use cloud seeding to help? For cloud seeding to even have a chance, a cloud is needed -- something Wyoming hasn't had much of lately.

Renée JeanOctober 27, 2024

Logan Wilson is a starting linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL.

NFL Star Logan Wilson Is Still A Casper Boy, Promoting His Hometown And Wyoming

Logan Wilson may be an NFL star, but he remains a Casper boy at heart, and isn’t shy about telling the world about it. He is partnering with Visit Casper to actively promote his hometown and the state of Wyoming.

Renée JeanOctober 26, 2024

The VTEM Plus AEM system from Geotech Ltd. is an example of a helicopter doing a aeromagnetic survey. Helicopters are used over mountainous terrain and fixed-wing aircraft for flat land.

Aerial Scans Happening For First Time In Wyoming To Find Valuable Minerals

They can do that? Scanning the earth’s crust 3,300 feet below ground from the air looking for minerals might sound far-fetched, but the science is real, and being used for the first time in Wyoming.

Renée JeanOctober 25, 2024

Wyoming Whiskey in Kirby, Wyoming.

Wyoming Whiskey Hits No. 2 On USA Today List Of The Nation’s Best Whiskey

Wyoming Whiskey has hit No. 2 on USA Today’s annual list of the nation’s best whiskey. It’s a huge leap from its “horrible” first batch, in the words of its co-founder, to now selling $500 bottles of limited-edition whiskey to connoisseurs.

Renée JeanOctober 23, 2024

Billionaire Bill Gates took his turn at shoveling up some dirt in a groundbreaking ceremony for TerraPower’s nuclear reactor project in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Construction Underway On Testing Facility At TerraPower’s Wyoming Nuclear Plant Site

Construction is happening in Kemmerer at the site of the future TerraPower nuclear plant site. But it’s not the actual plant that’s being built, it’s a test and fill facility, the first step of many before the plant finally opens in 2030.

Renée JeanOctober 22, 2024

In Teton County, Wyoming, people expect their homes to feature stunning views. And they pay stunning prices for those views.

Want A View Of The Tetons? Vacant Lot In Jackson Hole Will Cost You $5.5 Million

In 1992, a 1.5 acre vacant lot with a view of the Tetons in Jackson Hole cost $70,000. Today, the average price tag for single-family lots valley-wide is a whopping $5.57 million.

Renée JeanOctober 21, 2024

Improvements being made at the Rare Element Resources site in Upton, Wyoming. The company is waiting on one more federal OK to open its nearly completed $53 million rare earths processing plant.

Wyoming Rare Earths Producer Close To Completing $53 Million Processing Plant

Rare Element Resources needs one more thumbs-up from a federal agency to complete its $53 million rare earth demonstration plant in Upton. The rare earth refinery is billed as a game-changer not just for Wyoming, but America.

Renée JeanOctober 21, 2024

Extra tables had to be pulled from storage to expand the eating area at the Let it Rain Concert in Parkman, even as smoke from the nearby Elk Fire continues to linger in the air.

Parkman Bar Holds ‘Let It Rain’ Concert To Say 'Thank You' To Firefighters

Around 500 people showed up for the Parkman Bar and Grill’s “Let it Rain” concert Saturday to say thank you from the community to the firefighters battling the Elk Fire. Cars lined the highway for a couple of miles before and after the bar but attendees said it was worth the walk.

Renée JeanOctober 21, 2024

The Texas Fire Relief effort has helped Wyoming ranchers impacted by a number of huge and devastating wildfires this season.

Thank you Texas! Texas Ranchers Hauling Hay To Wyoming

When wildfires devastated ranches in Texas in 2022, Wyomingites were quick to haul trucks of hay for livestock there. Now ranchers there are returning the favor after fires have burned more than 810,000 acres across Wyoming.

Renée JeanOctober 20, 2024

Employees at Suds Bros. Brewery in Evanston claim the bar has at least three ghosts.

Drinking Wyoming: Ghosts Might Join You For A Drink At Suds Bros. In Evanston

Patrons and employees report ghostly experiences at Suds Bros. Brewery in Evanston. It’s in a historic building built in 1890 that was America’s second JCPenney store and, at one time, tied into Evanston’s underground tunnels.

Renée JeanOctober 19, 2024

Building their home in Story, Wyoming, was a true family affair for Steve and Bridget Snyder and their young kids. They didn’t just do the work themselves, they did it together, which gives them a deeper connection to their home.

Insurance Companies Rejecting Wyoming Homeowners In Wildfire-Threatened Areas

When Bridget and Steve Snyder’s homeowners insurance policy expired four months ago, their provider refused to renew it because of wildfire risk. Now they’re threatened by the Elk Fire with no insurance — a problem happening across the nation.

Renée JeanOctober 19, 2024

Uranium Energy Corp.'s Irigaray plant in Wyoming's Powder River Basin.

Uranium Energy Corp. To Increase Wyoming Production Capacity To 8.1 Million Pounds

Wyoming has approved a Uranium Energy Corps. application to double capacity at its plant in the Powder River Basin. That gives the company capacity to process 12.1 million pounds of uranium, 8.1 million pounds of which are in Wyoming.

Renée JeanOctober 19, 2024

This image from the Bear Lodge Resort webcam in the Wyoming Bighorns shows the arrival of much-anticipated snow. The lodge is near the Elk Fire, which has grown to about 96,000 acres.

Firefighters’ Prayers Answered With Snow Falling On Huge Wyoming Wildfires

Snow is finally falling on a pair of huge Wyoming wildfires. It’s literally the answer to the prayers of firefighters and locals living under the threat of the Elk and Pack Trail fires.

Renée JeanOctober 17, 2024

The Elk Fire remains active in northern Wyoming, putting out large plumes of smoke.

Sheridan Area Residents Cheer Forecast For 7-13 Inches Of Snow

People in Story and other communities along the Bighorns were literally cheering Wednesday when the weather forecast predicted 7-13 inches of snow. It will help, but it’s probably not a fire-killer.

Renée JeanOctober 16, 2024

The historic Wagon Box in Story, Wyoming, will close for the winter.

Story’s Historic Wagon Box Restaurant Is Suddenly Closing For Winter

The owner of the Wagon Box in Story, Wyoming, announced Tuesday that the historic eatery and campground will close for the winter. The announcement caught employees completely off guard and scrambling to find new jobs.

Renée JeanOctober 15, 2024

Portable water ponds set up at a home in the path of the Elk Fire. Dozer line and fire retardant have already been set in place to protect the home if and when the fire gets to this point. It's part of the structure protection measures put in place for homes in the area.

Massive Effort Building 7-Mile Line To Keep Elk Fire From Wyoming Towns

Firefighters have charred a 7-mile strip of ground between Big Horn and Story, starting from Goose Creek. It’s a buffer zone between Wyoming communities at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains that will act as a “catcher’s mitt” to stop the Elk Fire.

Renée JeanOctober 15, 2024

Volunteers remove debris from around Story homes to help protect them in case the Elk Fire gets too close.

Townspeople Of Story, Wyoming, Rally To Protect Homes In Path Of Huge Wildfire

It's a monumental challenge, but townspeople in the forested community of Story are rallying together to rid the area of pine needles, pine cones, and other fire fuels as the 90,000-acre Elk Fire gets closer and closer.

Renée JeanOctober 14, 2024

A large jet tanker drops a load of retardant on the Elk Fire.

13 Aircraft Maintaining An All-Out Air Assault On 90,000-Acre Elk Fire

In addition to nearly 1,000 people fighting the Elk Fire on the ground, 13 aircraft are assigned to battle. It’s more than most fires get, and they’re maintaining an all-out aerial assault on the nearly 90,000-acre fire.

Renée JeanOctober 14, 2024

Annie and Chuck Magera own Carrol's Furniture in Sheridan. They feel that Sheridan's entrepreneurial spirit stems from the very heart and soul of the community, where lifelong residents are not just willing but eager to help others succeed. It's a rising tide lifts all boats type of mentality.

Wyoming Ranked #1 Entrepreneurial State In Country, Sheridan County Tops In State

Wyoming is the No. 1 entrepreneurial state in the nation according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sheridan lies at the heart of the state’s most entrepreneurial county, where 51% of residents are self-employed.

Renée JeanOctober 13, 2024

At the Elk View Inn near Dayton, the Elk Fire appears intimidating in this file photo.

Firefighting “Spike Camp” Near Burgess Junction Tackles Elk Fire From The West

The Elk Fire has burned about 87,000 acres on the Bighorn Mountains in northern Wyoming. While most of the attention has been the fire’s relentless push southeast, a firefighting “spike camp” near Burgess Junction is fighting it from the west.

Renée JeanOctober 13, 2024

A firefighter picks up one of each type of lunch, vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

It Takes A Makeshift City To Support The Nearly 1,000 Elk Fire Firefighters

There are nearly 1,000 firefighters and support personnel assigned to the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team fighting the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming. It takes a makeshift city to support them all.

Renée JeanOctober 12, 2024

The flames may seem ominous, but they're part of a strategic burn in the southern part of the Elk Fire overnight Thursday, as seen in this stunning photo taken by Jeffrey Shanor of Sheridan.

Fiery Glow On Bighorns Overnight Was Intentional Burning To Slow Elk Fire

Another night of watching the Bighorn Mountains glow above them made some living in the shadow of the Elk Fire nervous overnight Thursday. But the huge, scary and dramatic column of fire was part of a plan to save Sheridan’s water supply, as well as slow the fire down.

Renée JeanOctober 11, 2024

Jacob Williamson discovered a wildfire burning near Sheridan. He stopped, called it in, then got busy fighting it.

Fast-Acting WYDOT Worker Spots New Wildfire, Calls 911, Then Helps Put It Out

An alert Wyoming Department of Transportation worker spotted a new wildfire taking off 7 miles north of Sheridan along I-90. He called 911, then jumped into action himself, helping to put it out before the fire became a catastrophe.

Renée JeanOctober 11, 2024

The Elk Fire has left the face of the Bighorn Mountains above Dayton, Wyoming, blackened.

Elk Fire Breaking The Rules Of Wildfires And ‘Is Behaving Like A Teenager’

The strategists in charge of battling the huge 76,000-acre Elk Fire in northern Wyoming say the stubborn blaze is breaking the rules of wildfires. One said it even seems oppositional to authority and “is behaving like a teenager.”

Renée JeanOctober 10, 2024

Warren Tritschler is a guy with a water tank and a garden hose, determined to do whatever possible to protect his home and his property. The Buckhorn Travel Center owner has started a fuel fund for other Hillbilly Hotshots, to help them with the cost of fuel for their trucks and their water pumps.

Armed With A Hose And Weed Sprayer, Wyoming Man Defends His Home From Elk Fire

Warren Tritschler defended his home in the Horseshoe subdivision near Dayton from the Elk Fire with a garden hose and a weed sprayer. He’s one of the many so-called “Hillbilly Hotshots” determined to help fight the huge wildfire.

Renée JeanOctober 09, 2024

Local residents near the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming are also helping to keep their homes and land from burning. They're affectionately called the Hillbilly Hotshots.

Rural Wyomingites — AKA Hotshot Hillbillies — Help Save 1887 Double Rafter Ranch

The Double Rafter Ranch has been a fixture in northern Wyoming since 1887. It’s still there, thanks in part to the local Hillbilly Hotshots — a group of self-appointed rancher-firefighters — who helped save it from the Elk Fire.

Renée JeanOctober 08, 2024

Jaron Fry pulls out the Wyoming flag he's displaying on his truck in North Carolina, where he's helping out by delivering fuel to the hurricane-devastated area.

Wyoming’s State Flag Is Flying In South Carolina Hurricane Relief Efforts

Jaron Fry, a truck driver from Evanston, is helping hurricane relief efforts in South Carolina. He’s easy to spot amongst the thousands of trucks down there, as he’s proudly displaying his Wyoming flag.

Renée JeanOctober 07, 2024

This MRI has the largest bore size in Wyoming at the present time, according to The McGinley Clinic. It also incorporates AI, allowing it to use a less strong magnet while getting a superior image.

McGinley Clinic’s New MRI Machine Is Largest In Wyoming, Comes With New AI Technology

The new MRI machine at the McGinley Clinic in Casper is the first in Wyoming using artificial intelligence. It produces better images faster with weaker magnets, improving patient safety. Dr. Joe McGinley says it's just the tip of the iceberg of what AI can do.

Renée JeanOctober 07, 2024

Day 4 of horse barn-stables raising.

The New Amish: Raising A Wyoming Horse Barn With Power Tools And Cellphones

Although they're Amish men raising a barn in Bear River, Wyoming, they don't exactly look or act the part. These Amish, wearing Under Armour T-shirts, use power tools, heavy machinery and cellphones. At home, however, they're more traditional.

Renée JeanOctober 06, 2024

The Inntrigue house in Laramie, Wyoming, appears as a regular home from the outside. Inside, it's filled with puzzles and challenges.

Get Your Brain Busted At The Inntrigue In Laramie, Wyoming’s Only Puzzle House

A Laramie Airbnb called the Inntrigue is unlike any other in Wyoming. A stay at this house at 1214 Sheridan St. is a brain-busting house-wide puzzle chase.

Renée JeanOctober 06, 2024

The Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria on 4th Street in downtown Laramie, Wyoming.

Drinking Wyoming: Guy Fieri Loves Food At The Alibi, But Cocktails Are Great Too

Guy Fieri made Alibi Wood Fire Pizzaria famous for its “legit” Cowboy Brisket Pizza and its “rye-tchous” Ruben. But Alibi started life as a bar, and its craft cocktails are just as great as its food.

Renée JeanOctober 06, 2024

The small, rural Wyoming town of Dayton can only watch and pray as the Elk Fire burns across the mountain face of the Bighorns above.

Ian Munsick Starts GoFundMe to Help His Hometown Communities With The Elk Fire

Although country superstar Ian Munsick is performing at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper on Saturday, his mind is on the Elk Fire -- which is threatening the communities in northern Wyoming where he grew up. Munsick's GoFundMe has already topped the $50,000 goal and is growing.

Renée JeanOctober 05, 2024

The Open Range has been open for business at the Sheridan Inn for about a year.

Eating Wyoming: Fine Dining With Ghosts At The Open Range At Sheridan Inn

Sheridan Inn’s Open Range has been open for about a year now. The meals are delicious, but sometimes they might come with an unexpected spice — a little side dish of ghosts.

Renée JeanOctober 05, 2024

Mary Grace and her dog, Marley, walk around the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed across the South due to the storm, and millions have been left without power. North Carolina has been approved for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration.

In Brief: Rocky Mountain Power Sending Wyoming Workers To Help With Hurricane Relief

Rocky Mountain Power will send 23 employees from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah to help reconnect the power grid after Hurricane Helene.

Renée JeanOctober 04, 2024

View of the Fish Creek and Pack Trail fire area from the Gros Ventre.

Wyoming’s Pack Trail, Elk Fires Are Top Wildfire Priorities In Region

The Pack Trail Fire has burned nearly 20,000 acres in the Shoshoni National Forest and is expecting high winds to continue throughout the weekend. It and the Elk Fire in Sheridan County are the No. 1 wildfire priorities in the region.

Renée JeanOctober 04, 2024

The fast-growing Pack Trail Fire just southeast of the Fish Creek Fire has grown rapidly, with firefighting crews now treating the two fires as a single Fish Creek/Pack Trail complex. Both are burning in the Shoshone National Forest and threatening Highway 26 and nearby residential areas.

At 18,000 Acres And No Containment, Reinforcements Called In For Pack Trail Fire

After blowing up to 18,000 acres with 0% containment, the Pack Trail Fire has prompted evacuations and closures. Reinforcements are on the way, with a complex incident management team on the way.

Renée JeanOctober 01, 2024

Folks at the Parkman Bar and Grill are busy making hundreds of breakfast burritos a day and other meals and treat bags for firefighters working the Elk Fire and their families.

Water, Gatorade And Breakfast Burritos — Locals Rally For Wyoming Firefighters

With their neighbors evacuated or watching for that call, dozens of others are busy donating water, Gatorade and making hundreds of breakfast burritos for crews fighting the Elk Fire. It’s burned 25,000 acres so far in northern Wyoming.

Renée JeanOctober 01, 2024

It may seem like deja vu for folks at the Brooks Lake Lodge and surroundings areas as a huge plume of smoke rises from the nearby Pack Trail Fire, which blew up to nearly 20,000 acres overnight Sunday.

Wildfire Rages To 18,000 Acres In Bridger-Teton Forest, Pulling Crews Off Nearby Fire

A lightning strike deep in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest blew up overnight Sunday to nearly 18,000 acres. It also prompted new evacuation orders for Brooks Lake and Lava Mountain Lodges, as well as ranches and the KOA campground.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2024

The Elk Fire burning in northern Wyoming has prompted evacuations and concern from people who live near the fire's path, particularly the communties of Dayton and Parkman.

More Evacuations Ordered For People In Path Of 25,000-Acre Elk Fire

Some people were evacuated over the weekend and more Monday as the 25,000-acre Elk Fire near Dayton in northern Wyoming continues to burn. The growth of the fire slowed Monday, but it's still uncontrolled and a threat to homes in its path.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2024

A host of people stopped to help Nathan Frederick when his truck caught on fire off I-25 near Casper on Sunday, Spet. 29, 2024. (Video by Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily)

When Truck Catches Fire Off I-25, Wyomingites Stop To Help

When a DoorDash driver’s truck caught fire just off Interstate 25 just east of Casper on Sunday, he had all kinds of help. Truckers and other motorists were quick to stop to help, even before emergency responders could arrive.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2024

Dave Stewart owns and operates the historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, with wife Jackie. He’s also a musician, writing “God Already Has,” which won Gospel Song of the Year at Friday’s IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Here he's posing with the award.

Owner of Buffalo’s Occidental Hotel Wins 2024 Gospel Song Of The Year

Dave Stewart owns and operates the historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, with wife Jackie. He’s also a singer/songwriter, co-writing “God Already Has,” which won Gospel Song of the Year at Friday’s International Bluegrass Music Awards.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2024

Locals in Dubois, Wyoming, still tell how Butch Cassidy, left, rode into town the winter after his infamous Telluride bank robbery. That’s when the notorious outlaw is said to run into author Owen Wister before either were famous.

Butch Cassidy In Wyoming: Notorious Outlaw Meets Owen Wister Before Either Were Famous

Locals in Dubois, Wyoming, still tell how Butch Cassidy rode into town the winter after his infamous Telluride bank robbery. That’s when the notorious outlaw is said to run into author Owen Wister before either were famous.

Renée JeanSeptember 29, 2024

Left, the designer of the Wyoming State Flag, Verna Keays Keys, maintained the bison on the flag should face away from the pole. But prominent sufferagist, UW professor and head of the DAR at the time, Grace Raymond Hebard, right, insisted it face the pole, which became the preferred way to make the flag.

Is The Wyoming Flag Bison Facing The Wrong Way? Creator’s Granddaughter Says Yes

Verna Keays Keyes designed Wyoming's unique state flag, but is the bison facing the wrong way? Her granddaughter says yes, that Keyes originally made it looking away from the pole.

Renée JeanSeptember 29, 2024

Jennifer clark goat 9 29 24

Electronic Con Artists Learned The Hard Way Not To Mess Around With "The Goat Ladies"

Electronic scams are everywhere whether it be email, social media or text messages. Con artists don't just target big business they go after the little guys too, like the Goat Ladies of Rock River. But the Goat Ladies were too smart to get conned.

Renée JeanSeptember 29, 2024

The iconic white wedding dress Geena Davis wore in her role as Barbara Maitland in the 1988 cult movie classic "Beetlejuice" is on display this weekend at the Hyart Theatre in Lovell, Wyoming. It's showing the long-awaited premired of the sequel, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice."

Lovell Theater Has Wedding Gown From Original “Beetlejuice” On Display

Geena Davis might not be in the sequel to “Beetlejuice,” but her spirit is there for moviegoers in Lovell. The historic Hyart Theatre is screening “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” this weekend, and is displaying the famous white gown Davis wore in the original campy-creepy movie.

Renée JeanSeptember 28, 2024

Wyoming Rare (USA)'s Halleck Creek Project in southeast Wyoming.

Huge Wyoming Rare Earth Project Gets $450 Million Loan From Feds

Wyoming Rare (USA) will get more than $450 million in financing for its huge Halleck Creek Project in southeast Wyoming from a federal bank. It’s a loud message that America is serious about rare earth minerals and Wyoming’s potential to supply them.

Renée JeanSeptember 27, 2024

A pronghorn with a trio of drilling rigs in the background.

Wyoming’s Tiny 80-Acre Oil And Gas Lease Sale A Bust Waiting To Happen

A miniscule 80 acres sold in Wednesday’s federal oil and gas lease sale in Wyoming. The throttling of oil and gas production has state industry officials worry it’s a bust waiting to happen.

Renée JeanSeptember 27, 2024

The JBS meat processing plant in Greeley, Colorado.

Union Says Huge Greeley JBS Meat Plant Trafficked 500 Immigrant Workers

Local UFCW 7 claims a huge JBS meat plant in Greeley, Colorado, trafficked 500 or more immigrant workers. The stunning allegations include packing them into rooms with putrid living conditions and charging extra “fees” for company services.

Renée JeanSeptember 25, 2024

Sleeping giant Nic Oatridge via Flckr 9 24 24

Sleeping Giant Ski Resort Near Cody Won’t Open This Winter Either

The Sleeping Giant Ski Resort in the Shoshone National Forest near Yellowstone National Park won’t open for the winter ski season. It’s the second straight winter the resort has been closed.

Renée JeanSeptember 25, 2024

A satellite plat at Uranium Energy Corp's Christensen Ranch site in Wyoming. TerraPower's new nuclear plant planned for Kemmerer could run on Wyoming uranium.

Texas-Based Uranium Energy Buys Wyoming Processing Plant For $175 Million

Texas-based Uranium Energy Corp. is making yet another acquisition in Wyoming, snapping up the state’s only conventional uranium mill for $175 million. The move sets it up to be the largest domestic producer of uranium.

Renée JeanSeptember 24, 2024

Drilling on the prairie 9 23 24

Biden’s BLM Puts Up 159 Acres For Oil And Gas Lease Sale, Record Low For Wyoming

The 159 acres available in Wednesday’s BLM oil and gas lease sale is a record low for Wyoming. Under the Biden administration, hundreds of thousands of acres have become unavailable.

Renée JeanSeptember 23, 2024

The Divide Restaurant & Lounge in Encampment, Wyoming.

Eating Wyoming: The Divide Brings Fine Dining To Rural Encampment

Fine dining in Encampment? Yes! A high-end steakhouse called The Divide Restaurant & Lounge features the former general manager of the world-renowned Brush Creek Ranch and an executive chef who previously worked with a celebrity chef off of “Hell’s Kitchen.”

Renée JeanSeptember 22, 2024

French tourists tour the Jim Gatchell Museum in Buffalo.

French Tourists Are Discovering Wyoming And The Wild West

They’ll be learning French this winter at the TA Ranch near Buffalo. It’s preparation for an expected onslaught of French tourists. There's been a 40-50% increase in the number of French tourists this year and next year, it's expected to be much larger.

Renée JeanSeptember 21, 2024

The Lamp Lounge in Cheyenne, at 101 W. 6th St.

Drinking Wyoming: Lamp Lounge Cleans Up Its Act, But Still A Cheyenne Dive Bar

The Lamp Lounge on Cheyenne’s south side has new owners and is shedding its notorious and violent reputation. But new co-owner Michael Jordan says don't worry, it's still a dive bar.

Renée JeanSeptember 21, 2024

David Belus looks out over scorched land. Fire burnt up nearly 50,000 acres of his ranch, leaving nothing but dirt and dust devils as far as the eye can see.

“This Was A Monster Fire”: 50,000-Acre Wyoming Ranch Now A Giant Black Dustbowl

Johnson County resident David Belus is one of dozens of Wyoming ranchers devastated by wildfires that have burned more than 500,000 acres. Now he’s left to rebuild 50,000 acres that have become a giant black dustbowl.

Renée JeanSeptember 21, 2024

Custodia Bank CEO Caitlin Long, left, and Wyoming Banking Association President and CEO Scott Meier.

Legislators Upset Wyoming Bankers Are Against Custodia’s Fight With Fed

Wyoming legislators are upset with the Wyoming Banking Association for supporting the Federal Reserve in its fight with Wyoming-based Custodia Bank. “I mean, talk about failing to ride for the brand,” said state Sen. Chris Rothfuss.

Renée JeanSeptember 20, 2024

Cheyenne home for sale 9 18 24

Wyoming Homebuyers Shocked, Pleased By Whopping Half-Percent Interest Rate Cut

Homebuyers and sellers in Wyoming were shocked and pleased with Wednesday’s whopping half-percent Federal Reserve interest rate cut. That means some great deals for prepared homebuyers, while many are still on the fence.

Renée JeanSeptember 18, 2024

The MineOne Chinese bitcoin operation ordered by President Joe Biden in early May to shut down and sell off is staging to clear out with large turcks and storage pods at the site, which is about a mile from F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

Former Chinese Crypto Mine Near Cheyenne Air Force Base Has New American Owner

A Chinese-owned cryptocurrency mining operation a mile from F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne was forced to sell. Now it has a new American owner, who told legislators Monday that the company has big plans for Wyoming.

Renée JeanSeptember 18, 2024

Oil well fare 9 17 24

Judge Gives Wyoming, Other States A Win Against Biden-Harris Methane Rules

A North Dakota judge has ruled for Wyoming and other states suing the BLM over its new methane rules. The Biden-Harris administration have been pushing the new rules as part of their anti-fossil fuels agenda, says Sen. John Barrasso.

Renée JeanSeptember 17, 2024

Comedian and famous gearhead Jay Leno was on the Big Boy 4014 locomotive Monday, which will be featured on his Sept. 23 episode of "Jay Leno's Garage."

Jay Leno Climbs Aboard Cheyenne’s Big Boy Locomotive For His TV Show

Big Boy No. 4014 will be featured on “Jay Leno’s Garage” show on September 23. The former “The Tonight Show” host climbed aboard Big Boy on Monday somewhere in the Missouri Valley to help drive the locomotive to Iowa.

Renée JeanSeptember 17, 2024

Pumpjack 10 28 22

Judge Puts Massive 5,000-Well Wyoming Oil And Gas Project In Limbo

A massive oil and gas project that calls for up to 5,000 wells in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin is in limbo after a Friday ruling by a federal judge. The decision doesn’t affect existing drilling permits, but blocks future ones.

Renée JeanSeptember 16, 2024

Yellowstone already is a viral tourism spot in Wyoming, and inspires many other viral moments through social media scrutiny of tourists' behavoir while at the national park.

Wyoming Ripe For the Dark Side Of Tourism Success — Suddenly Viral Over-Tourism

All it takes is one 'wow-factor' moment shared by an influencer with millions of followers to flood and overwhelm an area. It already happened in Ten Sleep and it could happen to many other places in Wyoming too.

Renée JeanSeptember 16, 2024

Karen Hostetler, owner of Mountain Meadow Wool, looks out over the floor of a business that started as a small hobby business and grew to become the West's largest wool mill.

How Two Wyoming Women Turned A Hobby Into Largest Wool Mill In The West

Two women from Buffalo turned their hobby making wool yarn and crafts into the largest wool mill in the West. Mountain Meadow Wool processes 60,000 pounds of wool annually -- that's more than 54,000 miles of wool.

Renée JeanSeptember 15, 2024

George Clark talks about the ideas he's putting into an accessible sheep wagon that can be used by someone in a wheelchair.

Wheelchair Doesn’t Limit Buffalo Man In Making His Wyoming Sheep Wagons

George Clark is Scotch-Irish stubborn. When his dad told him he couldn’t build a sheepwagon because he was in a wheelchair, his response was watch me. Now he’s got a popular business crafting custom sheep wagons in the Bighorn Mountains.

Renée JeanSeptember 15, 2024

The V Cafe eating logo 2 9 14 24

Eating Wyoming: How A Vietnamese Restaurant Helped Save The Dubois VFW

Everything about The V Cafe in Dubois is interesting. From how the owner's family were kidnapped on the high seas by pirates while fleeing communism to their journey to Wyoming to how their restaurant saved the local VFW from folding. Plus, they've got great food.

Renée JeanSeptember 15, 2024

Adina Sera is from Romania, where she's studying to be a food scientist. She helped in the Busy Bee Cafe at the Occidental, as well as at the Occidental Saloon and the hotel.

Buffalo’s Historic Occidental Hotel Draws Workers From All Over The World

For the past 20 years, the Occidental has hired students from around the world to work the summer tourist season at the historic hotel that’s also a certified museum. This year, they’ve come from Belarus, Albania, Thailand and Taiwan.

Renée JeanSeptember 14, 2024

The Granite Creek Ranch, which was listed for nearly $9 million in Jackson, Wyoming, has been bought by billionare Joe Ricketts.

Billionaire Ricketts Buys Granite Creek Ranch, Rare Jackson Wilderness Inholding

Billionaire Joe Ricketts has bought Granite Creek Ranch, a rare wilderness inholding in Teton County near Jackson. Local officials say there’s likely too many hurdles for him to realize his dream of “Little Jackson Hole” there.

Renée JeanSeptember 12, 2024

Big Lots in Cheyenne.

Big Lots Files For Chapter 11, Wyoming Will Lose At Least One Of Two Stores

The Big Lots in Cheyenne was already liquidating even before Big Lots officially announced Monday that it’s filed for bankruptcy. The Casper store is so far not listed for closure, but it’s too soon to say it’s safe.

Renée JeanSeptember 09, 2024

Cheryl Gowdy sits between two stuffed elephants, one named Curtis after her father and the other named Ophelia, representing her mother, Jerre.

Cheryl Gowdy Says 'Little House' Project Just The Beginning For Curt Gowdy State Park

Little House has had a successful two years of operation at Curt Gowdy State Park, spreading thousands of kindness wishes around. But that’s not the end of ideas Cheryl Gowdy has for her father’s namesake park.

Renée JeanSeptember 08, 2024

Andy James leans on his Pulaski in more ways than one. It's great for chopping wood or digging in the dirt. It's also a great reminder of the Big Burn in Idaho in 1910 — a cautionary tale for any firefighter who fights wildfire.

Inside The Fight To Save Brooks Lake Lodge From Fish Creek Fire

Andy James is one of nearly 450 firefighters battling the volatile Fish Creek Fire. He told Cowboy State Daily what it takes to be a firefighter on the nationally elite squad that’s helping defend Brooks Lake Lodge.

Renée JeanSeptember 08, 2024

Despite his reputation and prolific outlaw career, Butch Casside was only incarcerated once, from 1894-1896 in the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. He had been pinched for grand larceny for horse-stealing.

Butch Cassidy in Wyoming: How The Outlaw Got His Name Remains A Mystery

There are a few tales surrounding how Butch Cassidy ultimately got his outlaw name. One claims that he worked in Rock Springs as a butcher. Another that it was the result of a prank with a needle gun named Butch.

Renée JeanSeptember 08, 2024

The Sunrise "S" seen from a distance. The area where cars are parked used to be a football field for the abandoned mining town's school.

Sunrise May Be A Ghost Town, But The Giant “S” On The Hill Remains

Now abandoned, the former Wyoming mining town of Sunrise hasn’t been forgotten. Although high school football hasn't been played in the town for decades, alums -- some in their 90s -- still keep the giant “S” on the hill overlooking the field painted bright white.

Renée JeanSeptember 08, 2024

Customers use the drive-thru drop-off boxes at the U.S. Post Office annex at 4800 Converse Ave. in Cheyenne.

Wyomingites Have Lots Of Questions About USPS Rural Mail Plan, Get Few Answers

The U.S. Postal Service’s public forum on Thursday was long on questions and short on answers. Wyomingites showed up in force to complain about a proposal that likely means longer delivery times across much, if not all, of the state.

Renée JeanSeptember 05, 2024

The Fish Creek Fire continues to burn in rugged territory, consuming beetle-killed timber.

Fish Creek Fire Makes Run At Brooks Lake Lodge, Firefighters Hold Line

A stubborn Fish Creek Fire made an aggressive run at Highway 26/287, close to Brooks Lake Lodge in northwest Wyoming, but firefighters held the line. It's just a mile or two from the lodge as of Wednesday evening.

Renée JeanSeptember 05, 2024

Lines were long at the U.S. Postal Service office at Capitol Avenue in Cheyenne in this file photo.

USPS Shuts Out Wyomingites Who Want To Comment On Rural Delivery Plan

Wyoming residents trying to register for a Thursday virtual public forum to comment on the latest USPS plan to increase rural delivery times are out of luck. Registration to speak closed at noon Tuesday, but almost nobody knew about that.

Renée JeanSeptember 04, 2024

The Fish Creek Fire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest of northwest Wyoming.

Brooks Lake Lodge Evacuated As Fish Creek Fire Advances, Highway 26 Closed

An advancing Fish Creek Fire prompted an evacuation of the historic Brooks Lake Lodge and nearby subdivisions Tuesday. Smoke and unstable fire lines also have closed Highway 26/287 over Togwotee Pass.

Renée JeanSeptember 04, 2024

The Papa's Creek Ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming, has reportedly been bought by "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan for $4.95 million.

“Yellowstone” Creator Taylor Sheridan Buys Wyoming Ranch For $4.95 Million

Taylor Sheridan, creator of the hugely popular “Yellowstone” television franchise, has snapped up a Star Valley, Wyoming, ranch for $4.95 million. That has people wondering if it’ll be featured in one of his upcoming shows.

Renée JeanSeptember 03, 2024

The Fort Washakie home and studio of the late artist Richard Greeves is for sale, listing for $615,000. It's packed with the sculptor's art, but that's not included.

Wyoming Real Estate: Fort Washakie Artist Richard Greeves' House Lists For $615,000

In his Fort Washakie home and studio, the late sculptor Richard V. Greeves focused on transformational portraits of the West with a special emphasis on Native Americans and the expeditions of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery.

Renée JeanSeptember 02, 2024

Freedom's Edge Brewery, 1509 Pioneer Ave., Cheyenne.

Wyoming Craft Brewers Say Their Industry Is Nearing A Tipping Point

Wyoming’s craft beers have helped boost tourism in Wyoming, but some brewers say the field is getting crowded amid a challenging environment. They’re worried their industry is at a tipping point and could crash.

Renée JeanSeptember 02, 2024

Brandon Erdmann pours glasses of wine for a tasting flight at Blue Stem Wine House. The glasses will go into the spiral holder, along with a notecard that labels each wine in order.

Drinking Wyoming: Cheyenne’s Newest Wine House Is Fun And Flirty

The Cheyenne couple were sharing their hobby wines with friends. To acclaim. Their friends loved their wines, and told the couple they ought to open a wine house. The Blue Stem Wine House was born.

Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2024

Lusk's Carnegie Library is the only one in the state with a corner entrance.

Carnegie Library In Lusk, Wyoming, Is Worth The Visit

There were 16 Carnegie libraries built in Wyoming and only 10 remain. Just five of them still operate as libraries. Andrea Graham, the Alliance for Historic Wyoming’s Board president, says the one in Lusk is the most charming. "The detailing is just beautiful," she says.

Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2024

The Grant Hotel, built in 1915 in downtown Chugwater, Wyoming, is for sale.

Can Chugwater’s Historic 109-Year-Old Grant Hotel Be Saved?

The town of Chugwater is undergoing a revival and the owner of the 109-year-old Grant Hotel is hoping a buyer will revive this historic building. Built in same timeframe as the Occidental in Buffalo and the Virginian in Medicine Bow, "it's very stout," the owner says. "Simplistic but strong."

Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2024

As the sign says, if the horse is lopen, the 3 Sisters Truck Stop in Manville, Wyoming, is open.

"If He's Lopen, We're Open": Manville’s 3 Sisters Truck Stop Is True Wyoming

Singer songwriter Rachel Baiman noticed the eye-catching sign at 3 Sisters Truck Stop and had to check it out. Then she wrote a song about it. For those who’ve been to Manville in Niobrara County, they know 3 Sisters is as Wyoming as it gets.

Renée JeanAugust 31, 2024

Starfall is a $28.5 million dream home of a Jackson, Wyoming, tycoon that boasts killer views and oozes custom luxury amenities.

Tycoon’s Jackson Dream Home Is Loaded, And For Sale For $28.5 Million

Starfall is the name of a six-bedroom, 4.5-bath custom-built dream home for a Jackson tycoon. The 9,300-square-foot home, listed for $28.5 million, is right by an elk migration corridor and has views of the Tetons all around. "This is not some cookie-cutter subdivision," one broker said.

Renée JeanAugust 31, 2024

The Albertsons store on Pershing Boulevard in Cheyenne is one of five slated to sell if the $25 billion mega merger with Kroger goes through.

Wyoming Union Rep Says I Told You So After Kroger Admits Price Gouging

Prices for milk and eggs exceeded inflation costs, a Kroger executive admitted this week during the FTC’s lawsuit challenging its proposed $25 billion merger with Albertsons. That had Local UFCW President Kim Cordova saying I told you so.

Renée JeanAugust 30, 2024

Dozens of firefighting crews are on site at the Brooks Lake Lodge to protect the historic site as well as train for fighting the Fish Creek Fire if or when it advances close to residential areas.

Dozens Of Firefighting Crews On Site To Protect Iconic Brooks Lake Lodge

A spiderweb of waterlines are positioned around the historic structures at Brooks Lake Lodge and dozens of crews from an overall incident management team of 500 firefighters have been brought to the scene to cross-train for protecting the historic Wyoming lodge.

Renée JeanAugust 29, 2024

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