Business & Tourism

The big blue slide at Hellie's TePee Pools in Thermopolis has been dismatled after 34 years. It was removed to make way for a yet-to-be-announced water feature.

After 34 Years, Thermopolis' Big Blue Water Slide Comes Down

The big blue water slide at Hellie’s Tepee Pools in Hot Springs State Park has been dismantled and given away after 34 years of summer fun. A new water feature is on hold while the future of Thermopolis' hot spring facilities is tied up in court.

Andrew RossiJanuary 13, 2026

The prime rib buffet at Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel & Restaurant in Cody, Wyoming.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Are Back In Wyoming And Across The U.S.

Buffets are back in a big way after the COVID pandemic put a huge hurt on dining out around Wyoming and across the U.S. At Cody’s Irma Hotel and Restaurant, a record 13,000 people loaded up their plates in 2025.

Anna-Louise JacksonJanuary 12, 2026

Utah’s worst drunk drivers who want to skirt a new law that bans them from buying alcohol shouldn’t cross into Wyoming to get their booze. That’s the message from bars and liquor stores in Evanston just across the border, like Border Beverage.

Evanston To Utah’s ‘Extreme’ Drunk Drivers: Don’t Try To Buy Your Booze Here

Utahns who are banned from buying alcohol due to “extreme” DUIs won’t find sympathetic liquor dealers in Wyoming. “If Utah says you can’t buy alcohol because you’re too bad of a drunk driver, then we’re not going to sell to you either,” one dealer said.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 11, 2026

The Atlas Theatre in Cheyenne has been closed for structural repairs. It's hoped it will be ready for a Valentine's Day reopening.

Cheyenne's Atlas Theatre Hopes For Valentine’s Reopening After $700,000 Structural Repair

Cheyenne’s historic 139-year-old Atlas Theatre hopes to reopen by Valentine's Day. It had been sagging in on itself before $700,000 worth of extensive structural repairs began. Work on the downtown centerpiece is almost completed.

Renée JeanJanuary 11, 2026

A Barosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Camarasaurus in the lobby of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. These three dinosaurs were all found in the Waugh Quary and each might be the first of its kind every displayed in any museum.

Giant Wyoming Dinosaurs Are The Stars Of New Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum

The first thing visitors see when they enter the newly opened Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi are four massive long-necked dinosaurs. Three of these one-of-a-kind giants, and several other fossils in the world-class museum, are from Wyoming.

Andrew RossiJanuary 11, 2026

A proposed New York City law pushed by animal rights groups would ban calf roping, flanks, and electric prods — effectively banning all rodeo in the city. Misinformation that promotes anti-rodeo laws threatens the sport, Wyoming rodeo defenders say. Rodeo is a big part of Wyoming's cowboy culture, including the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, knowns as the "Daddy of 'em All" and the largest outdoor rodeo in the world.

Wyoming Rodeo Defenders Say Proposed New York City Law Threatens Cowboy Culture

An anti-rodeo law that would all but ban the sport in New York City represents a trend Wyoming rodeo defenders hate to see and they hope will not spread. They say even though New York is 2,000 miles away, the misinformation threatens cowboy culture.

Renée JeanJanuary 10, 2026

Flo the cattle dog was just coming into her own when she was hit by a tourist passing through Sublette County. Across Wyoming, working dogs are part of the fabric of ranch life.

Wyoming Ranchers Push For Protections After Working Ranch Dog Killed By Tourist

Sublette County ranch hand Rachel Misiewicz was heartbroken when a Texas tourist ran over a working border collie during a cattle drive last fall. That's led her to push for a law that would mandate drivers slow to 25 mph near livestock drives.

David MadisonJanuary 10, 2026

Construction is well underway in south Cheyenne on Meta's mega data center called Project Cosmo. An agreement announced in January 2026 between TerraPower and Meta for up to eight advanced nuclear reactors across the U.S. has put Cheyenne in position to become home to a dual-unit Natrium nuclear plant, a TerraPower executive told Cowboy State Daily.

TerraPower-Meta Deal Could Bring Advanced Nuclear Plant To Cheyenne

An agreement announced Friday between TerraPower and Meta for up to eight advanced nuclear reactors across the U.S. has put Cheyenne in position to become home to a dual-unit Natrium nuclear plant, a TerraPower executive told Cowboy State Daily.

David MadisonJanuary 09, 2026

A herd of cows lingers around a watering hole in Albany County.

Wyoming Cattle Ranchers Cheer New Protein-First National Dietary Guidelines

Wyoming cattle ranchers are applauding the new federal dietary guidelines that prioritize protein like red meat and real foods over processed options. “We’ve been vindicated,” Wyoming cattle rancher Mark Eisele said. “We raise a wholesome, non-processed product.”

Kate MeadowsJanuary 08, 2026

Cheyenne has approved Project Jade, a Tallgrass–Crusoe AI data center using up to 2.7 GW of mostly self-generated power, nearly triple the entire state’s power demand. That’s 50% larger than the 1.8 GW the companies announced in August.

Huge Cheyenne Data Center Grows To 2.7 Gigawatts — Nearly Triple State Power Use

Cheyenne has approved Project Jade, a Tallgrass–Crusoe AI data center using up to 2.7 GW of self-generated power, nearly triple the entire state’s power demand. That’s 50% larger than the 1.8 GW the companies announced in August.

Renée JeanJanuary 08, 2026

Judge Reverses Denial Of Leases For Controversial Casper Mountain Gravel Mine

A Natrona County District Court judge on Tuesday reversed the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners’ denial of leases for a controversial gravel mining operation at the base of Casper Mountain. Opponents say they’ll keep fighting the plan.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 07, 2026

How Sheridan Couple Invented An Automated 'Smart' Coop For Backyard Chickens

A Sheridan couple has invented a smart-home system that automates coop care for people who keep backyard chickens. Their Hen Hub recently won $50,000 in a start-up challenge for seed money to bring their invention to market.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

Billionaire Joe Ricketts’ white bison herd thrives at Jackson Fork Ranch in Wyoming’s Upper Hoback Valley. Started in 2004, the 17-head herd roam the property and can be seen by guests.

17 White Bison Thrive At Billionaire Joe Ricketts’ Jackson Fork Ranch

Billionaire Joe Ricketts’ herd of 17 white bison thrive at Jackson Fork Ranch in Wyoming’s Upper Hoback Valley. To him, the white bison represent a piece of American West history, a spiritual connection to the land and a feature he's proud to share with guests

Kate MeadowsJanuary 03, 2026

Sixty of 88 books written by Michael and Kathleen Gear had been illegally downloaded and used by Anthropic to train their AI program how to write using the authors’ personal voices. While the couple received a settlement for the illegal use of their books, Anthropic can still legally scan and use their books to train their robots to think like them.

Wyoming Authors Win Against AI Stealing Their Work, But May Ultimately Lose

Best-selling authors Michael and Kathleen Gear had 60 of their books illegally downloaded and used as training tools for an artificial intelligence company. A judge ruled that their books were stolen, but that it's OK to use legally bought books to train AI platforms.

Jackie DorothyJanuary 03, 2026

The Wild Mustang Restaurant in Rock Springs has been searching for the source of a putrid odor for the last year. They finally found and fixed it this week and are excited to start a new year without that old smell.

After A Year, Rock Springs Restaurant Finds Source Of Mysterious Putrid Odor

The Wild Mustang Restaurant in Rock Springs is celebrating because they found the source of a horrible odor that has stunk up the place for the last year. “We found the source of the unwanted smell and fixed it once and for all," the manager said.

Andrew RossiJanuary 02, 2026

Sublette County opened its first hospital in September, a $73.8 million complex, in September and has been “burning” through cash since. It hopes to get some of the $205 million in federal health care money Wyoming was given this week.

Sublette County’s New Hospital Hopes To Get Some Of $205 Million From Feds

Sublette County opened its first hospital, a $73.8 million complex, in September and has been “burning” through cash since. It hopes to get some of the $205 million in federal health care money Wyoming was given this week.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 01, 2026

Microsoft built Cheyenne’s first data center.

Wyoming Officials Say World Depends On America Winning AI Race With China

America’s arms race over artificial intelligence with China is about more than technology and gaining economic advantage, say Wyoming lawmakers and an industry watchdog. It’s about which nation's values will guide the rest of the world.

Greg JohnsonDecember 31, 2025

Jackson Hole buyers often have to choose between grand valley views or seclusion. This home on Trader Road is that rare exception, being secluded with views. It’s listing for $15.9 million.

Even In Jackson Hole, This $15.9 Million Home Stands Out — Secluded With Views

Jackson Hole buyers often have to choose between grand valley views or seclusion. A home on Trader Road is that rare exception, being secluded with views. It’s listing for $15.9 million.

Renée JeanDecember 31, 2025

This silver coin is a piece of eight, so-named because it could be cut into eight pieces for trading. The coin's collectible value is still worth more than its mere metal value. The silver is worth $70 or so dollars, but as a collectible, the coin is worth about $600.

Record Prices Have Wyoming Silver Owners On Alert As Global Demand Surges

With prices for silver hitting record highs as the year closes out, some in Wyoming are selling their silver. But other silver bugs are holding on, expecting prices to continue climbing.

Renée JeanDecember 30, 2025

The stuffed emperor penguin on display at the Green River Little America started its journey to Wyoming from Antarctica alive and died during transport. The plan was to keep a living penguin at the hotel, but it was doomed from the start. The bird was taxidermied and arrived stuff, and it remains on display at the first Little America.

Little America Wyoming’s Plan To Keep A Living Penguin Was Doomed From The Start

Back in the 1930s, an ill-advised plan was hatched to keep a living penguin at the Little America hotel in southwest Wyoming. The emperor penguin started its journey from Antarctica alive but died during transport. The stuffed penguin is still on display there and another at the Little America hotel in Cheyenne.

Andrew RossiDecember 28, 2025

The County Road 104 bridge over the Salt River traces its design roots to World War II.

Crumbling Bridge Near Alpine Replaced In Days With WWII ‘Erector Set’ Tech

When a crumbling bridge over the Salt River near Alpine was failing, engineers turned to an “Erector Set” concept invented during WW II. It comes together in days, and could be used more across Wyoming with nearly half the state’s bridges past their prime.

David MadisonDecember 27, 2025

The research happening at Wyoming’s supercomputer facility in Cheyenne is about much more than climate change. It’s led to fundamental breakthroughs that have made many pursuits safer, ranging from fighting wildfires to flying jets.

Researchers Fight To Keep Wyoming's NCAR Supercomputer Alive

Researchers, many of whom are Trump supporters, say the president is getting bad advice about defunding Wyoming's NCAR supercomputer. They say NCAR is responsible for breakthroughs that have made many things safer, ranging from fighting wildfires to flying jets.

Renée JeanDecember 27, 2025

Shawn Norby holds a sign explaining the Star Plunge water park and hot springs in Thermopolis was closed Jan. 14, 2025, a day earlier than expected, as a dispute continues between the state and the facility's owners/operators.

One Year Later, Star Plunge Hot Springs Still Closed As Legal Stalemate Continues

Almost a year after the popular Star Plunge at Hot Springs State Park abruptly closed, it remains shut. A legal stalemate over who will operate the attraction continues.

Renée JeanDecember 26, 2025

An investment broker is flooding Facebook with ads insinuating NVIDIA may be coming to Kemmerer and that the small Wyoming town is ground zero for minting the nation’s next millionaires. A Wyoming finance watchdog says don’t bet the farm on it.

Despite Aggressive Facebook Hype, No Evidence NVIDIA Is In Or Coming To Kemmerer

An investment broker is flooding Facebook with ads insinuating NVIDIA may be in or coming to Kemmerer and that the small Wyoming town is ground zero for minting the nation’s next millionaires. A Wyoming finance watchdog says don’t bet the farm on it.

Renée JeanDecember 24, 2025

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