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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

Gillette-based L&H Industrial built some of the massive hardware that helped the Artemis II rocket blast off Wednesday taking astronauts to the moon for the first time in 50 years. It’s not the first time the company has built components for NASA.

Wyoming Company Helping US Astronauts Reach The Moon For First Time In 50 Years

Gillette-based L&H Industrial built some of the massive hardware that helped the Artemis II rocket blast off Wednesday taking astronauts to the moon for the first time in 50 years. It’s not the first time the company has built components for NASA.

Renée JeanApril 02, 2026

American Rare Earths is weighing building a processing facility for hard-to-find heavy rare earth metals at its Halleck Creek mine near Wheatland. It’s a move that could boost Wyoming jobs as it helps cut U.S. dependence on China for critical minerals.

Wheatland Rare Earth Project Could Include Processing Hard-To-Find Heavy Metals

American Rare Earths is weighing building a processing facility for hard-to-find heavy rare earth metals at its Halleck Creek mine near Wheatland. It’s a move that could boost Wyoming jobs as it helps cut U.S. dependence on China for critical minerals.

Renée JeanApril 02, 2026

Former BP chief Bernard Looney has been named CEO of Wyoming startup Prometheus Hyperscale, which plans two AI data centers totaling $30 billion. Looney says Wyoming’s energy edge makes it the right place for the buildout.

Former BP CEO To Lead Prometheus Hyperscale’s $30B Wyoming Data Center Buildout

Former BP chief Bernard Looney has been named CEO of Wyoming startup Prometheus Hyperscale, which plans two AI data centers totaling $30 billion. Looney says Wyoming’s energy edge makes it the right place for the buildout.

Renée JeanApril 01, 2026

Little America Wyoming presents a classic American facade that sets a tone for more than a hotel, it's a small city of its own, complete with a ZIP code.

End Of An Era: Little America Hotel Near Green River Being Torn Down

After decades as a popular oasis on I-80 in southwest Wyoming, the Little America hotel near Green River is being torn down. It needed "so many repairs that it’s not cost-effective," the general manager said. The business is shifting to an RV Park.

Renée JeanMarch 31, 2026

Big Boy arrives in Medicine Bow after leaving Cheyenne on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Big Boy 4014 Thunders Out Of Cheyenne To Start Historic Coast-To-Coast Tour

Union Pacific’s legendary steam locomotive Big Boy 4014 began its first coast-to-coast tour on Sunday. The huge steam locomotive is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with stops from Wyoming to both coasts.

Renée JeanMarch 31, 2026

Richard C0y0te Parks Sr. is Senior State Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard Riders. He brought seven other veterans with him from Casper for Wyoming's Welcome Home Day held at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois.

Decades Late, Vietnam Veterans Finally Get A Wyoming Welcome Home

Decades after being shunned and spat upon, Vietnam veterans packed the National Museum of Military Vehicles for Wyoming Welcome Home Day on Sunday. “We have a chance to help veterans heal and give them the honor and recognition they didn’t get,” the Dubois museum owner said.

Renée JeanMarch 30, 2026

A Glenrock couple out rockhounding last month found a mysterious Cheyenne Frontier Days coin along the bank of the North Platte River. It’s a rare “Frontier Buck," once used like currency at the Daddy of 'Em All rodeo and events.

Glenrock Couple Unearths Mystery Cheyenne Frontier Days Coin Along Riverbank

A Glenrock couple out rockhounding last month found a mysterious Cheyenne Frontier Days coin along the bank of the North Platte River. It’s a rare “Frontier Buck," once used like currency at the Daddy of 'Em All rodeo and events.

Renée JeanMarch 29, 2026

Wyoming has become a top retirement destination, outpacing even Florida and Arizona. Affordability, open spaces, and friendly faces are among the attractions. Walter and Sharon Merschat are retired in Casper. They've salvaged a former notorious drug house in the city, moved it and turned it into an attractive Airbnb. Now it's providing supplemental retirement income for the couple.

Wyoming Ranked Number One Retirement Destination Due To Affordability, Open Spaces

Wyoming has become the top retirement destination in the country, according to a recent census study. Wyoming has 76% more retirees moving to the state than No. 2 South Carolina and 105% more than No. 3 Idaho. “The state’s been wonderful," one retiree said.

Renée JeanMarch 29, 2026

Atlantic City was a Wyoming gold rush boom town that drew fortune-seekers from all over. Deadly winters and dangerous work made for a tough life that raised generations of even tougher kids — a legacy that still defines the town.

Growing Up In Atlantic City, The Wyoming Gold Rush Town That Had No Mercy

Growing up in Wyoming's Atlantic City was tough. Childhood ended as soon as a kid could swing an axe. This was no Victorian picture-book village. This was a mining town clinging to a dusty slope in the high country where survival was a daily challenge.

Renée JeanMarch 29, 2026

Cowfish outside eating 3 28 26

Eating Wyoming: Lander's Cowfish Gets National Nod As ‘Best In Wyoming'

Lander’s Cowfish restaurant has earned a national nod from Tasting Table, which named it Wyoming’s best small-town restaurant. Not a stranger to national recognition, it received a James Beard nomination earlier for the restaurant’s chef, Chris McDonald.

Renée JeanMarch 28, 2026

Buffalo Navy veteran Lonnie Frericks thought his dream of being a farmer was past. Then he came to Buffalo, Wyoming, where the veteran and a tiny runt goat named Tenacity crossed paths. “If you live, I’ll take care of you,” he promised.

Meet Tenacity, The Tiny Runt Goat Helping 20-Year Buffalo Navy Veteran Heal

A Navy veteran thought his dream of being a farmer was past. Then he moved to Buffalo, Wyoming, where the veteran and a tiny runt goat named Tenacity crossed paths. “If you live, I’ll take care of you,” he promised.

Renée JeanMarch 28, 2026

David Brockman, owner of The Coin Shop in Cheyenne, still has about 100 complete state quarters sets. He's been spending them, because he doesn't believe they will ever be worth much more than face value. However, if you happen across a rare "pooping horse" Wyoming quarter, that's worth much more.

Wyoming’s Rare ‘Pooping Horse’ Quarter Could Be Worth A Lot More Than 25 Cents

A die break on Wyoming’s 2007-P state quarter created an infamous error that makes the bucking bronco seem to be “pooping." As most state quarters remain worth face value, a “pooping horse” could be worth up to $100 and maybe more.

Renée JeanMarch 28, 2026

Other Authors

In the same family since 1895, the Antlers Ranch has huge swaths of pristine Wyoming woodland with trophy fishing streams and lots of room to roam.

Historic Antlers Ranch In Meeteetse Sells After 131 Years With Same Family

After 131 years in the May family, Meeteetse’s Antlers Ranch has new owners. Those close to the deal say the new owners want to preserve this storied landscape where bison herds still roam and has been in the same family for five generations.

Renée JeanMarch 27, 2026

Michael Punke talks to Laramie County Community College students about his book, "The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge." HIs book, which inspired the Oscar-winning movie, The Revenant, weaves a lot of Wyoming into it. That's because Punke was born in Lovell and grew up in Torrington.

The Untold Wyoming Story Behind The Oscar-Winning Movie, ‘The Revenant’

The Oscar-winning movie, “The Revenant,” has a lot of Wyoming woven into it. That’s because the book that inspired it was written by Lovell-born and Torrington-raised author Michael Punke. “I’m very much a product of Wyoming public schools,” he said.

Renée JeanMarch 26, 2026

Wyoming is processing rare earths for the first time at a new Upton plant, marking a major step toward a U.S. supply chain independent of China. The site could pave the way for hundreds of high-tech jobs and national security gains.

Wyoming Begins Processing Rare Earths For The First Time

Wyoming is processing rare earths for the first time at a new Upton plant, marking a major step toward a U.S. supply chain independent of China. The site could pave the way for hundreds of high-tech jobs and national security gains.

Renée JeanMarch 25, 2026

A western tiger salamander takes its chances on a Laramie road, on its way to LaBonte Park. Inset: Mel Torres poses with salamanders during last year's spring migration

Tiny Travelers: Laramie’s Nighttime Salamander Migration Marks Spring’s Return

Each spring, western tiger salamanders emerge from their burrows in Laramie’s neighborhoods, braving cars and cold to reach LaBonte Park’s pond in one of Wyoming’s least-known migrations. For salamanders, this is an epic and dangerous journey. 

Renée JeanMarch 24, 2026

America’s first extreme sport has roots going back 300 to 400 years. Called Indian Relay, the sport is moving its championship to Cheyenne Frontier Days’ Park. CEO Tom Hirsig said, "You will not be disappointed in the excitement of Indian Relay races.”

Hirsig Thrilled That Indian Relay Coming To Cheyenne Frontier Days

America’s first extreme sport has roots going back 300 to 400 years. Called Indian Relay, the sport is moving its championship to Cheyenne Frontier Days’ Park. CEO Tom Hirsig said, "You will not be disappointed in the excitement of Indian Relay races.”

Renée JeanMarch 23, 2026

Wyoming singer Ned LeDoux duets with the late Dan Seals on “God Must Be a Cowboy,” performs at Red Rocks, and makes his film debut. It's been a milestone year for the rising star, celebrating his roots and father Chris LeDoux’s legacy.

A Big Year For Ned LeDoux: Film Debut, Red Rocks, And A Duet With Dan Seals

The past year has been big for Wyoming singer Ned LeDoux including a duet with the late Dan Seals. LeDoux doesn’t know why the Seals estate chose him for the new version of “God Must Be a Cowboy,” but it’s his favorite of all Seals’ many great hits.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

Banana Ball was born out of the idea of making baseball more fast-paced, entertaining, and fun.

Casper Couple Bets Big On Bringing Banana Ball To Wyoming

Casper Spuds baseball team owners are leading a creative campaign to bring an entertaining Banana Ball game to Casper by 2027. Banana Ball was pioneered by the Savannah Bananas, often called the Harlem Globetrotters of Baseball.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

A VisitAfton reel plays off viral Ohio memes to draw a few laughs — and 83,000-plus viewers — to show off Afton’s small-town charm.

Social Media Strategy Of Promoting Afton In Ohio May Be Odd But They Say It Works

If you live in Ohio, you may get served a video on social media that says, "If you’re ever in Ohio, we recommend seeing Afton, Wyoming, which is only 1,629 miles away.” Although it may seem quirky, tourism officials in Afton say it's working very well.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

Cheyenne railroad enthusiast Michael Pannell is rescuing remnants of the abandoned Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line in Wyoming before time and landowners have erased them for good.

Cheyenne Railroad Historian Rushing To Save Abandoned Rail Line Before It Disappears

Cheyenne railroad historian Michael Pannell is walking the defunct Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail line in Wyoming to rescue remnants of it before time and landowners have erased them for good. "It was a rural, slow, quiet little railway," he says.

Renée JeanMarch 22, 2026

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