Renée Jean
Renée Jean is the business and tourism reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. Previously, Renée spent seven years covering energy and agriculture in North Dakota and Montana. She has won many writing awards over a 30-year career, and has written magazine articles for Guideposts.
Latest from Renée Jean
Cheyenne’s Iconic Downtowner Hotel Rises From Central Plaza Ashes
Balconies were falling off the Central Plaza Hotel and concrete corners crumbling away when Corey Lynn and Carter Ward bought it. But today is a new day and Cheyenne's 88-room Downtowner is a new hotel.
Renée JeanOctober 22, 2023
Western Star Ranch in Jackson Polo Club Community For Sale For $10.95 Million
The eight-acre Western Star Ranch, in an exclusive Jackson community that features a polo club, has been listed for $10.75 million. It’s not limited to horse lovers, but horse culture is at its core.
Renée JeanOctober 21, 2023
It Took High-Tech Pastry, Theatrics To Win Wyoming's Debut Cake Wars Competition
It took more than just baking a great cake to be crowned the Wyoming Cake Wars champ. Judges expected to be wowed by technology, technique and theatrics -- and they were.
Renée JeanOctober 21, 2023
Wyoming People: Desiree Ross Is Worland’s Queen Of Halloween
Desiree Ross, Worland’s Queen of Halloween, lives in the perfect place for a haunted house. Her home was Worland’s very first hospital where 3,000 babies were born.
Renée JeanOctober 21, 2023
Wyoming’s Famous Hell’s Half Acre Could Soon Re-Open To The Public
A plan is in the works to renovate and re-open Wyoming’s famous Hell’s Half Acre, an otherworldly landscape made famous in movies like the cult classic “Starship Troopers.”
Renée JeanOctober 21, 2023
Sheridan Shocked With Sudden Closure Of Popular Frackelton’s Restaurant
Frackelton's, a popular dining and social scene in downtown Sheridan with a lot of local history, closed without warning Tuesday “until further notice.”
Renée JeanOctober 20, 2023
Can Wyoming Retrieve 200 Million Barrels Of Untapped Oil?
The State of Wyoming is placing a $2.5 million bet that, working with UW, it can help industry figure out how to tap into the 200 million barrels of oil reserves in the tricky Mowry Shale of the Powder River Basin.
Renée JeanOctober 18, 2023
Sitti’s Table In Cody Latest Wyoming Joint Featured On ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’
A place that quickly became a favorite go-to spot in Cody has found its way onto the Mayor of Flavortown’s radar. Sitti’s Table will be featured on the Food Network show “Diners Drive-Ins & Dives” on Friday.
Renée JeanOctober 17, 2023
For 50 Years, Nobody In Rawlins Goes Hungry At Michael’s Big City Steakhouse
If anyone is down on their luck, restaurant owner Michael Lujan will not send them away hungry. That’s something he learned from his parents. As part of that philosophy, Lujan serves a free Thanksgiving meal for the community. Last year, he cooked 85 turkeys.
Renée JeanOctober 15, 2023
Sheridan’s Warehouse Gastropub Founded On Supper Club Concept
The idea behind Sheridan's Warehouse Gastropub supper club concept is diners get a ticket for a four or six-course dinner with a wine pairing. During dinner, there's a show with nationally-known entertainers. The next supper club is Oct 17 & 18.
Renée JeanOctober 15, 2023
Wyoming People: Alma Law, Keeper Of Riverton’s Haunted History
From reports of people seeing ghostly figures watching movies in Riverton's old historic Acme Theater to the town's famous and mysterious midnight jogger, Alma Law has become the unofficial keeper of the town's haunted history.
Renée JeanOctober 15, 2023
The $44 Million Bet To Make Upton, Wyoming Ground Zero For Rare Earth Elements
A demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming, is a $44 million bet that a process developed by Rare Earth Elements will help the U.S. become a leader in processing rare earths and loosen China’s stranglehold on a vital market sector.
Renée JeanOctober 10, 2023
Wyoming Paying Less At The Pump Even As Oil Prices Surge
The Hamas attack on Israel boosted oil prices to $86 per barrel in trading Monday. But gasoline prices in Wyoming, meanwhile, are on a downward trend that some analysts are predicting will continue through November.
Renée JeanOctober 10, 2023
On The Road With Renee: Saratoga’s Favorite Breakfast Spot Has Roots 143 Years Deep
J.W. Hugus Restaurant & Catering named for owner’s great-great-great-grandfather, who was one of Saratoga, Wyoming's, early founding businessmen who built up the town from 1870 on.
Renée JeanOctober 09, 2023
Historic Plains Hotel In Cheyenne For Sale For $5.85 Million
After sinking $3 million into Cheyenne’s historic Plains Hotel, the hotel’s owner told Cowboy State Daily she’s run out of money to convert the hotel to an extended-stay facility.
Renée JeanOctober 08, 2023
Haunted Wyoming: Cheyenne Art Gallery Home To Multiple Murders
Cheyenne art gallery owner Harvey Deselms says he has made peace with spirits whom, he believes, inhabit his building. One such ghost is filmmaker Allen Ross who was found in the basement five years after his wife murdered him, because she was convinced he was a zombie.
Renée JeanOctober 08, 2023
Wyoming Man On Mission To Restore Middle of Nowhere Mansion Of Sheep King JB Okie
The giant mansion Wyoming “Sheep King” J.B. Okie built in 1901 in the middle of nowhere was opulent and had an aviary with more than 140 exotic birds. Zane Fross’ mission is to restore the remote Cowboy State landmark.
Renée JeanOctober 08, 2023
Haunted Wyoming: Riverton Museum Keeps 'Disturbing ' Doll Hidden In Basement
Hiding away in the basement of the Riverton Museum is a 120-year-old doll with human hair named 'Amelia.' Her appearance is so unsettling some employees are reluctant to touch her because of a well-known 'supernatural' experience.
Renée JeanOctober 07, 2023
Wyoming Meteorologist Don Day Helps Set World Skydiving Record
Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day helped set a new world skydiving record last week in Roswell, New Mexico, as part of the Alpha 5 team that jumped from the world’s largest hot air balloon at 38,067 feet.
Renée JeanOctober 07, 2023
Wyoming’s Arapaho Ranch, Where American Heritage Meets Italian Villa
Located just off of Highway 170 between Thermopolis and Meeteetse, the 350,000-acre ranch is home to rich Wyoming heritage and history for the Arapaho Tribe. And, of late, it’s been undergoing a revival.
Renée JeanOctober 01, 2023
On The Road With Renee: Little Snake River Museum Is World Class
Guests, many of whom are world travelers, often tell Little Snake River Valley Museum Director Lela Emmons that the museum in tiny Savery, Wyoming, is one of the best they’ve ever been to.
Renée JeanOctober 01, 2023