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

Ian Munsick performs for a jam-packed crowd at the Cowboy Saloon & Dance Hall in Laramie to promote his most recent album, The Mountain Goat. It's his fourth studio album, but the first under his independent label, West to the Rest Records, in partnership with Triple Tigers Records.

Wyoming’s Ian Munsick Releases 4th Album — And First Under His Own Record Label

Wyoming country music star Ian Munsick has released his fourth studio album — and the first under his own label, West to the Rest Records. He took over a sold-out Cowboy Saloon in Laramie to introduce his new album, "The Mountain Goat."

Renée JeanSeptember 07, 2026

The historic Snake River Lodge in Teton Village has reopened as Faraway Jackson Hole.

Jackson Hole's Snake River Lodge Gets A New Name And Ultra-Luxury Makeover

A northwest Wyoming destination for 26 years, Snake River Lodge has a new name — Faraway Jackson Hole — and has been given an ultra-luxury makeover. The parent company's renovation somewhat echoes how Faraway Martha’s Vineyard was developed.

Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2026

Engines are being assembled at this station, and will be moved into place as the engine further down the line is moved onto the assembly line.

New $70 Million Evansville Plant Making Generators To Meet Surging Need For Power

A new $70 million, 220,000-square-foot facility has opened in Evansville, Wyoming, making generators as America’s need for more power is surging. Mesa Power Solutions plans to build up to 6,000 generators a year.

Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2026

Wyoming Couple Fell In Love At Laramie’s Cowboy Saloon — Then Bought The Place

Trevor and Trinity Thatcher had their first date at Laramie’s iconic Cowboy Saloon and Dance Hall. Now the Wyoming couple has bought the country honkey-tonk where they fell in love. “We still get goosebumps every time walking in the door," Trinity said.

Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2026

Bryce Robinett works on preparing a pizza order while a customer looks on at L'Osteria Mondello in Cheyenne. Robinett is part of a small army of teenagers working at the pizzeria, which has a waiting list of 17 youths who want to work there.

While Other Businesses Can't Find Employees, Cheyenne Pizzaria Has A Waiting List

Cheyenne's L'Osteria Mondello pizzeria has 17 teens on a hiring waiting list at a time when businesses across Wyoming struggle to find help. The difference, the owner said, is that it's a family business in more than name only.

Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2026

After saving Pinedale's Stockman’s Steakhouse and Saloon from the wrecking ball and restoring its historic charm over a past decade, the owner is ready to retire. The 6,180-square-foot landmark is for sale for $4.85 million.

Pinedale Man Who Saved Landmark Stockman’s Steakhouse & Saloon Selling For $4.85M

After saving Pinedale's Stockman’s Steakhouse and Saloon from the wrecking ball and restoring its historic charm, the owner is ready to retire. The 6,180-square-foot landmark is for sale for $4.85 million.

Renée JeanSeptember 05, 2026

Amanda McGraw resurrected Greybull’s K-Bar Motel and has taken on a new challenge — renovating an unlivable home in Basin. She’s using sweat equity, YouTube and Facebook Marketplace to transform it into a showpiece.

After Resurrecting Greybull Motel, Wyoming Woman Tackles The Worst "Unlivable" Homes

A Wyoming woman who resurrected Greybull’s K-Bar Motel has a new challenge — renovating the worst "unlivable" homes she can find. “I don’t know if this makes me completely insane, but it’s definitely the most fun,” the Shell woman said.

Renée JeanSeptember 05, 2026

Genesis Alkali workers underground in its Wyoming trona mine. Inset: A handful of soda ash just as it's coming off the line

Wyoming’s Trona Industry Is Fighting Headwinds From Chinese Market Flooding

Wyoming’s trona industry is trying to fight back against China’s cheap synthetic soda ash flooding world markets, but leaders don't see immediate help. “The only reason China can compete with us is their government gives them subsidies,” one insider said.

Renée JeanSeptember 02, 2026

Maria Vargas styles hair at her salon on North Cache in Jackson. Vargas had to move out Monday because of a new hotel and residences project.

Jackson Hair Stylist Gets Booted For Gigantic 309,000-Square-Foot Hotel Project

Maria Vargas was exhausted and crying as she dismantled her hair salon stations in downtown Jackson on Monday. She was among a handful of remaining business owners who had a deadline to move out for an incoming 309,000 square-foot hotel project.

Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2026

The finish line is in place for what will be Wyoming's first 1-mile, horse racetrack.

Wyoming’s First 1-Mile Horse Track Sprinting Toward October Opening In Cheyenne

Crews are working around-the-clock to meet a Tuesday deadline that will determine whether Wyoming’s first 1-mile oval track will be up and running for an October debut at Cheyenne Park. The 16-day horse racing season could have $100,000 purses per day.

Renée JeanAugust 30, 2026

A Stargazer’s Retreat With Two Geodesic Domes Lists Near Hartville For $3.5 Million

Cedar Lights Retreat is a three-story, five-bedroom, four-bath almost-mansion tucked into 446 private acres bordering Guernsey State Park. The property, which comes with three of Wyoming’s top-rated Airbnbs (including two geodesic domes), is on the market for $3.499 million.

Renée JeanAugust 28, 2026

Tymber Cozzens races downfield during a Little Snake River 6-Man game last year.

From Baggs To Canada: Wyoming 6-Man Champs Fly To Saskatchewan For Season Opener

The Little Snake River Valley Rattlers raised thousands of dollars in the Baggs community to send its 6-Man football team to Canada for a preseason matchup Friday. It's only the second time a Wyoming high school team will play north of the border.

Renée JeanAugust 28, 2026

Other Authors

400 Southwest Wyoming Trona Mining Jobs On Hold As China Floods Soda Ash Market

About 400 jobs are on hold as Pacific Soda seeks to push back the start of its proposed $6 billion Dry Creek Trona Project in southwest Wyoming a year. The company is blaming China's flooding of the soda ash market and permit delays.

Renée JeanAugust 27, 2026

Ranch Eats owner Troy Strand said filling up his food truck Wednesday morning cost upwards of $265.

High Rates And $265 Fill-Ups: What Wyoming Businesses Want New Fed Chair To Know

As central bank bigwigs gather beneath the Tetons for their annual economy summit, Wyoming business owners want the new Fed chair to understand the economic tug-of-war they're facing amid $265 fill-ups for food trucks and inflated housing costs.

Renée JeanAugust 26, 2026

Trenton Thornock answers questions from a packed house in Evanston, where Prometheus Hyperscale held a meeting to answer the public's questions about a data center he's proposed on his family's ranch land

Prometheus Pushes Ahead On $32B Wyoming Data Centers As Legal Challenge Fades

Prometheus Hyperscale is pressing ahead with a massive data center near Evanston after a judge tossed opponents’ bid for an administrative review. Company officials say the $32 billion investment could boost county tax revenues by about 70%.

Renée JeanAugust 25, 2026

Needs Inc. Executive Director Kristen-Erin Balderas was happy to see the 42,700 pounds of potatoes they were delivered disappearing quickly into the hands of the community. There were no stipulations or donations required to take the potatoes. Just a willingness to ensure no food goes to waste.

What A Mountain Of Free Potatoes Says About The Economy

A 42,700-pound pile of free Idaho potatoes outside a Cheyenne food pantry drew retirees, union workers, young families and Good Samaritans. It offered a snapshot of how inflation is squeezing almost everyone.

Renée JeanAugust 24, 2026

One of six hot springs pools for soaking at Astoria Hot Springs Park in Jackson Hole.

Jackson's Astoria Hot Springs Offers Soak And Million-Dollar Views For Under $30

The collective charms of Astoria Hot Springs Park include milky turquoise water, wildlife sightings, and million-dollar mountain views along the Snake River. And because it's run by a nonprofit, the fee is less than $30, a bargain for Jackson Hole.

Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

In America’s golden age of big bands and jazz, the tiny out-of-the-way Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain, Wyoming, drew the biggest names of the day. Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and Lawrence Welk were among the stars to play the Pavilion.

Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey Among Big Names To Play Elk Mountain’s Garden Spot

In America’s golden age of big bands, the tiny out-of-the-way Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain drew the biggest names of the day. Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and others were on regular rotation to play to raucous, alcohol-fueled crowds until 4 a.m.

Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Sarah Kelly, from Pennsylvania, and Iyonna Young, from Maryland, learned firsthand Wyoming operates on its own level after they landed in Teton County armed with a color-coded schedule aimed at diving deep into their idea of an ideal Western getaway.

Two Eastern Greenhorns Get A Crash Course In Wyoming’s Western Ways

There’s a moment when every first-time Cowboy State visitor realizes Wyoming does not operate by the same laws of physics, fashion, or hospitality as the rest of the world. That’s what a pair of Eastern greenhorns learned when they landed in Jackson Hole.

Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

The only deeded residential property on the eastern shore of Lake De Smet is for sale and priced at $7.5 million. Texaco owned the property, but it became a retreat with views of the lake, Bighorn Mountains and the legendary "Smetty" lake monster.

Only Home On Lake De Smet's Eastern Shore Is Available For $7.5 Million

The only deeded residential property on the eastern shore of Lake De Smet is for sale and priced at $7.5 million. Texaco once owned the property, but it became a retreat with views of the lake, Bighorn Mountains and the legendary "Smetty" lake monster.

Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

A power substation with wind turbines in the background in Wyoming.

Why America’s Energy Grid Has To Change — And What It Means For Wyoming

To the “tech bros,” the future is simple. Either America rebuilds its energy grid fast, or it will hand the coming AI revolution — and the billions in economic impact that comes with it — to foreign countries, some of whom aren’t America’s friends.

Renée JeanAugust 22, 2026