Business & Tourism
News

USDA Reports 15,000 Small Farms Closed or Consolidated Last Year In The U.S.
The U.S. lost 15,000 small farms in 2025 due to being sold or consolidated. Although Wyoming has avoided major losses, Farm Bureau president Todd Fornstrom said, "When you get rid of so many small farms, you’re taking rural people out of rural America."
Andrew RossiFebruary 25, 2026

Wyoming Governor's Tourism Convention 2026: New Tourism Chief Outlines Vision
Wyoming's new tourism chief Dominic Bravo on Monday said the very idea that tourism is a "soft industry" doesn't work for him. Those are fighting words, he says. Tourism is the state’s No. 2 industry, generating nearly $5 billion in economic impact.
Renée JeanFebruary 24, 2026

Horseracing Is Sparking An Equine Economic Boom In Evanston
Uinta County rancher Jack Sims says there are new signs of life in Evanston thanks to the horse racing industry. “There’s over 300 brood mares in the Wyoming breeding program around Evanston,” Sims said. “And it’s bringing a lot of money to this county.”
Renée JeanFebruary 23, 2026

Laramie Mini-Mansion, Former Home For UW Presidents, Hits The Market For $1 Million
Laramie’s 1937 Hitchcock House was once home to presidents at the University of Wyoming. Not quite a mansion, the nearly 5,000-square-foot house has hit the market, listing at $1.03 million.
Renée JeanFebruary 22, 2026

Rock Springs Company Makes Giant Sequin Displays For The NFL, Disney, Coca-Cola
When the NFL, Disney and Coca-Cola want to make a dazzling "old school" impression, they call a Rock Springs number. That's where Radiant Manufacturing is located. The world's best known brands contract with Radiant for its patented sequin panel displays.
Andrew RossiFebruary 22, 2026

Ranchers Are Putting Flashing Lights On Cattle And Sheep To Keep Predators Away
Seeking a cheap and effective way to protect livestock from predators, Utah researchers think they have an answer — put flashing lights on sheep and cattle to scare them off. Critics say predators will get used to them and go back to killing livestock.
Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Billings Animal Shelter Has New Home After PD Burned 200 Pounds Of Meth In Crematorium
The Billings animal shelter finally has a new home months after police flooded it with smoke from 200 pounds of meth burned in a shared crematorium. There still hasn’t been an answer to why the PD burned meth in a crematorium typically used for animals.
Anna-Louise JacksonFebruary 22, 2026

Why The Same Milk Is Dated To Last A Week Longer In Wyoming Than Montana
The same milk sold in both Wyoming and Montana are sometimes tagged with different “sell by” and “best buy” dates, with Wyoming’s being a week longer. The Wyoming Department of Agriculture says It’s all about the bureaucracy of milk.
Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2026

Snowmobilers Cheer: Iconic Albany Lodge West Of Laramie Reopening Under New Name
Snowmobilers were disappointed when the iconic Albany Lodge west of Laramie closed in June. But to their delight, it’s set to reopen under new ownership and a new name. “Come in for cold beer, good food and a great time,” the new owners said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2026

Four Seasons Resort In Jackson Sells For An Estimated $350 Million
A private investment firm, backed by Michael Dell, has purchased the Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Jackson Hole for an estimated $350 million. Realtor David Yoder says it's among the largest, single real estate transactions in Jackson Hole history.
Renée JeanFebruary 20, 2026

‘Too Good To Be True:’ Wyoming Rancher Not Surprised By $200M Cattle Fraud
Wyoming hasn’t yet been linked to a $200 million cattle fraud case that’s hit 14 other states, but its cattle industry has been aware of the company, Agridime, for years. A Sublette County rancher said he never trusted the claims, calling them “too good to be true."
Kate MeadowsFebruary 18, 2026

Arborists Say It's Vital To Water Trees, Fields In Unseasonably Warm Weather
As unseasonably warm weather, dry winds and a lack of snow continue to plague most regions of Wyoming, arborists say it's vital to water trees and fields as if it was spring or summer.
Jackie DorothyFebruary 16, 2026

Pinedale Greenhouses Grow 25,000 Square Feet Of Produce At 8,000 Feet Elevation
Those glowing greenhouses in Sublette County aren't just nice to look at. Silver Stream Farm's 25,000-square-foot operation grows fresh produce at 8,000 feet and grew rapidly last year, from serving 63 direct customers in 2024 to more than 280 in 2025.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 15, 2026

Dry Winter Leaves Wyoming Snow Removal Crews With No Work Or Doing Other Jobs
A lack of snowfall this winter has left local snow-removal businesses with almost no work and falling back on doing other jobs. “In a typical year, we’ve billed out 20-25 times for snow removal by now," one business owner said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2026

1.2-Gigawatt Data Center Near Evanston In Talks With Meta And Microsoft
Uinta County is sending letters of support to Microsoft and Meta to move into the Prometheus Hyperscale 1.2-gigawatt data center being built near Evanston. “My optimism ... is for some more good-paying jobs,” said county commission chair Mark Anderson.
Renée JeanFebruary 14, 2026

Wyoming Starts Rounding As Pennies Vanish From Cash Registers
Wyoming businesses and some city governments are phasing out pennies by rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel. Customers mostly pay electronically, businesses say, so they aren't worried about small rounding losses.
Wendy CorrFebruary 14, 2026

Chugwater Fry-Off: Are Beef Tallow French Fries Really Better?
The health debate over beef tallow and seed oil misses the most important point — which makes the most delicious french fry? It took a fry-off challenge at the historic Soda Fountain in Chugwater to find out.
Renée JeanFebruary 14, 2026

Cheyenne Leaders Say They Finally Have A Solution For Hynds Building And "The Hole"
Cheyenne LEADS CEO Betsey Hale says she has a solution for the Hynds Building, which has been empty for 40+ years, and the burnt-out area next to it known as "The Hole." Hale says she has the funding to turn the area into 69 units of workforce housing.
Renée JeanFebruary 12, 2026

Cheyenne Leaders Announce Location Of New PRCA Headquarters and Museum
The Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association's proposed new 35-acre location in Cheyenne was revealed during a legislative reception on Tuesday. PRCA CEO Tom Glause spoke publicly for the first time about his vision for the PRCA in Wyoming.
Renée JeanFebruary 11, 2026

Dozens Support Urban Farm As It Faces Forced Annexation By Cheyenne
Dozens of residents urged Cheyenne’s City Council to delay annexing WY fresh farm, fearing it would disrupt the longtime urban farm. Mayor Patrick Collins said annexation clarifies city boundaries without forcing the farm to close.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 10, 2026

Sleeping Giant Ski Area Near Cody Has A Buyer But Not One Who Wants A Ski Resort
Sleeping Giant Ski Area near Cody has a buyer but they aren't interested in re-opening it as a ski resort. The Dallas-based company said they don't believe skiing can be economically feasible but they are interested in creating a summer adventure park.
Renée JeanFebruary 10, 2026

Wyoming Cattle Ranchers Worried Over Trump Order To Import More Argentine Beef
Wyoming cattle ranchers are worried over President Trump's executive order allowing 80,000 more metric tons of beef trimmings from Argentina. They say it won’t lower grocery store prices and risks introducing diseases.
Renée JeanFebruary 10, 2026

Midwest Cold Snap Is Slowing Down The Spread Of New World Screwworm
Although it's been balmy in Wyoming, the arctic blast that hit Texas and northern Mexico is slowing the spread of the New World screwworm. While that’s good news, it doesn’t mean the strict monitoring will let up anytime soon along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 09, 2026

Idaho Farmer Giving Away Millions Of Pounds Of Potatoes To Food Banks & Charities
An Idaho farmer overwhelmed is giving away millions of pounds of potatoes to food banks and charities. “In about 20 minutes, I booked 10 semi loads of potatoes to go out over the next two weeks,” he said, including one stop in Wyoming's Star Valley.
Mark HeinzFebruary 08, 2026
