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Dave Belote, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, is one of Airloom Energy's national advisors and has been helping the company ensure it's specs are in line for military service.

Laramie-Based Airloom Energy Gets Pentagon Thumbs Up For Innovative Turbine Tech

Laramie, Wyoming-based Airloom Energy already counts Bill Gates as an investor and believer in its innovative horizontal wind turbine technology. Now it also has an endorsement from the Trump administration’s Pentagon for military use.

Renée JeanJune 26, 2025

The Weatherby firearms company in Sheridan hopes that its new Model 307 Alpine hunting rifle will help reinvigorate slumping gun sales.

One Reason For Firearms Sales Lag Could Be That ‘Everybody Who Wanted One Has One’

While the firearms industry is cyclical, the current slump in gun and ammo sales might defy the usual explanations. The owner of a Riverton tactical shooters training company says AR-15 sales could be down because “everybody who wanted one has one.”

Mark HeinzJune 25, 2025

CEO and Kraken mural Idler 6 23 25

Crypto Whale Kraken Moves Headquarters To Wyoming From California

Kraken, a nearly $3 billion cryptocurrency exchange, announced that it has moved its headquarters to Cheyenne. The CEO told Cowboy State Daily they picked Wyoming because of its commitment to individual liberty, regulatory clarity and innovation.

Renée JeanJune 24, 2025

Wyoming exports 15 times more energy than it consumes but is falling behind in providing power for its own economic development, like data centers.

Wyoming Exports 15 Times More Power Than It Uses, But Is Struggling With In-State Needs

Wyoming has long been one of the nation’s largest energy producers, exporting 15 times more power than it consumes. But the state is struggling to provide power for its own economic development.

Renée JeanJune 22, 2025

The Cody Theatre on June 20, 2025, after its sagging marquee was raised over a foot and set in place by a new steel support structure inside the existing marquee that has been floating on the front of the theatre since it opened in 1937.

Historic Cody Theatre Marquee Was Falling Off Building Until It Was Saved Last Week

The 88-year-old marquee of the historic Cody Theatre had been sagging downward for decades and threatened to fall off the building. The owners said it would have been far easier to get rid of it and replace it with a modern sign but they couldn't let that happen.

Andrew RossiJune 22, 2025

Honeybee operations in Wyoming have been scrambling to get ready for the honey to flow with unusually large colony losses earlier this year. The Honey House in Dubois says it’s ready — just barely — for a new tourism season.

Huge Honeybee Losses Have Wyoming Beekeepers Scrambling As Season Starts

It’s been a difficult year for the Honey House in Dubois. The bee farm that supports the store, located in Crowheart, lost 67% of its colonies this year. The loss was part of a wave of unusually large-scale honeybee losses throughout the Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions.

Renée JeanJune 22, 2025

The Certified Angus Beef program was the first of its kind, and when Wyoming rancher Jack Schmidt first heard the idea over a highball, he thought it was silly. Then he watched the industry turn upside down as Black Angus became the breed of choice.

Wyoming Rancher Was At The Birth Of Certified Angus Beef — Drinking Highballs

The Certified Angus Beef program was the first of its kind, and when Wyoming rancher Jack Schmidt first heard the idea over a highball, he thought it was silly. Then he watched the industry turn upside down as Black Angus became the breed of choice.

Jackie DorothyJune 21, 2025

Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen digs for dinosaur bones near the small Wyoming town.

Kemmerer Mayor Digs For Dinosaur Bones While Town Waits For Housing Boom

The mayor of Kemmerer — aka Fossil Town USA — is closely watching the local real estate market. He thinks the current housing stock meets today's needs but warned that won't last long. A housing explosion is expected as TerraPower makes Kemmerer a nuclear boom town.

David MadisonJune 21, 2025

Jerry Tam is talking about getting out of a family business that's made Butte, Montana, home to the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. Pekin Noodle Parlor is an institution, but Tam now is thinking about retiring.

Montana Owner Of Oldest Chinese Restaurant In America Considers Closing

You might think the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. would be in San Francisco or New York. Actually, it's in Butte, Montana. Jerry Tam is the owner of the Pekin Noodle Parlor and is the great, great grandson of the first owner.

David MadisonJune 21, 2025

Wyoming is No. 1 in the nation when it comes to sound money policy, a movement to return gold and silver as legal currency. Wyomingites also don’t have to pay sales tax when buying the precious metals.

Wyoming Closer To Using Gold And Silver As Legal Currency

Wyoming is No. 1 in the nation when it comes to sound money policy, a movement to return gold and silver as legal currency. Wyomingites also don’t have to pay sales tax when buying or selling the precious metals.

Renée JeanJune 20, 2025

Thunder Plains just south of Cheyenne had planned to open Wyoming’s first privately-owned horse racing track in the fall. A backlog in getting electricity to the site, and a soggy spring, have delayed that opening timeline.

Wyoming’s First Private 1-Mile Horse Racing Track Faces Delays

Thunder Plains just east of Cheyenne had planned to open Wyoming’s first privately-owned horse racing track in the fall. A backlog in getting electricity to the site, and a soggy spring, have delayed that opening timeline.

Renée JeanJune 18, 2025

Jackson Town Council on Monday approved the town’s largest ever hotel and condo complex, a massive 244,000-square-foot development by Mogul Capital. It’s a third smaller than the company’s original proposal and will take up a city block.

Jackson Council OKs 244,000-Square-Foot Hotel Complex, Largest Ever For Town

Jackson Town Council on Monday approved the town’s largest ever hotel and condo complex, a massive 244,000-square-foot development by Mogul Capital. It’s a third smaller than the company’s original proposal and will take up a city block.

Renée JeanJune 17, 2025

Two of Wyoming’s top three industries — agriculture and hospitality — have long had a reputation for relying on undocumented workers. President Trump may soften his immigration crackdown for those industries.

Trump May Soften ICE Crackdown For Two Of Wyoming’s Top Industries

Two of Wyoming’s top three industries — agriculture and hospitality — have long had national reputations for relying on undocumented workers. President Trump may soften his immigration crackdown for those industries.

Renée JeanJune 16, 2025

Devils Tower National Monument in northeast Wyoming is one of the state's busiest places during the summer tourism season.

International Tourism To Wyoming Drops But Domestic Visitors Are Up

While there are reports of fewer international tourists scattered across Wyoming than previous years, domestic visitors are flocking to the state — earlier than usual. Tourism officials believe they could help make up the difference.

Renée JeanJune 15, 2025

A Japanese Black cow with zebra stripes painted onto its body as part of a Japanese study. The cow might look ridiculous, but scientists found that the stripes were a significant deterrent to biting flies, which led to the cows displaying fewer defensive behaviors when painted.

Should Wyoming Ranchers Paint Zebra Stripes On Their Cows? Science Says Yes

A team of scientists has shown that painting zebra stripes on cattle reduces the biting flies landing on them by more than 50%. Should Wyoming ranchers start painting their cows? The science says it would work, but ranchers see it as a last resort.

Andrew RossiJune 13, 2025

A train carrying six Boeing 737 fuselages derailed July 4, 2014, sending three of the huge passenger jet plane bodies into the river below. It wasn't the worst Western derailment, but it was one of the most unusual and costly.

That Time A Load Of 737 Fuselages Ended Up In A Montana River On The Fourth Of July

A train carrying six Boeing 737 fuselages derailed July 4, 2014, sending three of the huge passenger jet plane bodies into the Clark Fork River near Missoula, Montana. It wasn't the worst Western derailment, but it was one of the most unusual and costly.

Andrew RossiJune 08, 2025

Branding experts say there’s a reason you’re more likely to see Montana-named products on store shelves than other Western states like Wyoming or Colorado. The Montana High Country is one of Keystone's top fifth-wheel brands.

Why So Many Brands Name Products For Montana, But Not So Much Wyoming Or Colorado

Branding experts say there’s a reason you’re more likely to see Montana-named products on store shelves than other Western states like Wyoming or Colorado.

Anna-Louise JacksonJune 08, 2025

In the late 2010s, golf was on a downswing. But post-pandemic, golf has boomed to become a $147 billion real estate bonanza that’s creating a new real estate niche in Wyoming.

Catering To Golfing Lifestyles A Growing Real Estate Niche In Wyoming

In the late 2010s, golf was on a downswing. But post-pandemic, golf has boomed into a $147 billion real estate bonanza that’s become a growing real estate niche in Wyoming.

Renée JeanJune 08, 2025

A new glamping experience at Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga is among the most expensive tent stays in Wyoming at $4,500 a night. It’s being marketed as a more affordable price point for the high-end resort.

Brush Creek Ranch’s Glamping Tents Cost $4,500 A Night And Include A Private Chef

Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga has an international reputation for high-end luxury and adventure. A new glamping experience there starts at a whopping $4,500 per night, complete with a private chef. They say it's marketed as a more affordable price point for the high-end resort.

Renée JeanJune 08, 2025

If you're looking for a fun place to grab drinks and mingle on a Saturday night in Wamsutter, Wyoming, population 193, here are two words for you: Good luck. There’s one option, the Desert Bar.

Drinking Wyoming: At The Desert Bar In Wamsutter, You’re On Your Own

If you're looking for a fun place to grab drinks and mingle on a Saturday night in Wamsutter, population 193, here are two words for you: Good luck. There’s one option, the Desert Bar.

Zakary SonntagJune 08, 2025

Sgt. Phil Johnson with the Park County Sheriff's Office, center, takes a victorious photo with the French tourists outside their broken-down bus in Meeteetse. The Cody Trolley Co. got them to Cody, Bubba's B-B-Que gave them a hot dinner, and CoveredGround Tours got them to Gardiner, Montana, so they could continue their tour of northwest Wyoming.

Cody Rallies To Rescue Bus Load Of French Tourists Stranded Near Meeteetse

Marquis de Lafayette and King Louis XVI of France sent soldiers and ships to help the American Colonies in their revolution. Nearly 250 years later, the generosity of the Cody businesses rallied to rescue 45 French tourists after their bus broke down.

Andrew RossiJune 07, 2025

Sean Patrick Higgins, right, and his partner at Story House Montana, James Brown III.

Wyoming Filmmaker Building 47-Acre Studio In Montana, Will Produce First Film This Year

Sheridan resident Sean Patrick Higgins is building a 47-acre film studio in Missoula, Montana, with a schedule to produce its first film this year. Higgins said because there are no tax incentives in Wyoming, he moved his film production operations to Montana.

David MadisonJune 07, 2025

It’s been more than three years since Cromwell Island on the west side of Flathead Lake in northwest Montana went on the market. Will anyone buy their own private island for the $72 million asking price?

Will Anyone Buy This $72 Million Private Island In Montana?

If you want your own private island that’s accessible year-round on Montana’s Flathead Lake, you’ll need $72 million. It’s been more than three years since the 350-acre island with a huge unfinished, 45,000-square-foot French-style villa was first put on the market.

Anna-Louise JacksonJune 07, 2025

The historic Sheridan Inn is considered one of Wyoming's most haunted hotels. Now that may have some science behind the claim, as it's part of a study of five of the state's most haunted hotels.

How A Huge Hail Mary Saved The Sheridan Inn From Caving In

Now a Wyoming showpiece, the historic Sheridan Inn was six months from caving in about 20 years ago. It took unusual resolve and a huge Hail Mary to save it — and some help from its ghosts.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2025

Wyoming’s historic Spear Ranch is where Ernest Hemingway found the solitude and seclusion he needed to finish “A Farewell to Arms.” It’s also near Wyoming’s oldest polo field, and can be had for $29 million.

Historic Spear Ranch, Where Hemingway Finished ‘A Farewell To Arms,’ Lists For $29 Million

Wyoming’s historic Spear Ranch is where Ernest Hemingway found the solitude and seclusion he needed to finish “A Farewell to Arms.” The Big Horn property is also near Wyoming’s oldest polo field, and can be had for $29 million.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2025

Despite widespread distaste for lab-grown meat in Wyoming, ranchers see problems with bans like the ones instituted in Montana and Nebraska. What they want instead are clear labels.

Why Wyoming Isn’t Joining The Ban On Lab-Grown Meat

Despite widespread distaste in Wyoming for lab-grown meat, ranchers see problems with bans like the ones instituted in Montana and Nebraska. Rancher Tyler Lindholm said of the ban, "It’s authoritarian as hell.” What they want instead are clear labels.

Renée JeanJune 06, 2025

Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner says he’s optimistic his $47.45 billion bid to buy TikTok will be successful. The countdown is on, with two weeks left before a deadline for the Chinese-owned platform sell to a U.S. buyer or go dark.

Wyoming Entrepreneur In Final Push Of $47.45B Bid To Buy TikTok Before Deadline

Wyoming entrepreneur Reid Rasner says he’s optimistic his $47.45 billion bid to buy TikTok will be successful. The countdown is on, with two weeks left before a deadline for the Chinese-owned platform sell to a U.S. buyer or go dark.

Greg JohnsonJune 05, 2025

Nick Orsillo and his wife next to their 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera. They just purchased this rare Porsche from its original and only owner, with the promise they'd use it as a rally car in events like the Ramshorn Rally.

Three Dozen Vintage Porsches Cruise Through Cody For Ramshorn Rally 

Over 30 vintage air-cooled Porsches cruised through Cody on Thursday for the ninth annual Ramshorn Rally. For vintage Porsche owners, driving along the most scenic routes in the American West is one of the highlights of their year.

Andrew RossiJune 05, 2025

Montana-Dakota Utilities Company is asking for a rate increase

Natural Gas Bills For Residential Customers In Northern Wyoming Could Go Up 15%

Montana-Dakota Utilities, the utility serving Sheridan, Powell and other Wyoming cities, is asking for a rate increase on natural gas. Residential customers could see an increase of 15% while while large commercial users face just a 3.87% increase.

David MadisonJune 04, 2025

Cows and bison with Devils Tower in distance.

Wyoming Rancher Says His Cows Mysteriously Fell Over Dead, Like Cows On Colorado Ranch

A Crook County rancher said the baffling deaths of 15 Colorado cattle is eerily familiar. He never did figure out what killed more than 40 of his cows years ago. “It killed them instantly, whatever it was. They just dropped,” Clint Snook said. 

Mark HeinzJune 03, 2025

Bear warning signs in Wyoming

Great American Road Trip Summer 2025: Hotels Will Be More Expensive But Gas Will Be Cheaper

Thanks to the increased demand among people seeking the Great American Road Trip this summer, booking hotels will be more expensive for those road trippers but gas will be the cheapest in many years.

Anna-Louise JacksonJune 01, 2025

Wyoming-based Airloom Energy has developed novel wind energy technology that uses a "clothesline" model turbine to generate power. It's an example of a high-growth startup.

Figuring Out Why So Many High-Growth Business Startups Fail In Wyoming

Wyoming has an enviable overall success rate of up to 77% for startup businesses that are still active after one year. But that stat hides a big problem — high-impact, growth-oriented companies have a success rate that’s much lower 

Renée JeanJune 01, 2025

Big Blue Technologies and Garrison Minerals are partnered in a venture at this location at Swan Ranch Industrial Park in Cheyenne, where they hope to revive the U.S. magnesium metals industry.

Cheyenne Companies Plan Biggest Magnesium Operation In North America

Two Cheyenne companies have their sights on building the largest magnesium operation in North America in order to supply the U.S. with the metal of choice for lightweight vehicles and aircraft. China and Russia control over 90% of the global supply of magnesium.

David MadisonJune 01, 2025

There’s a chain of Western-themed restaurants in Italy that tries to tap into the popularity of the Wild West. For Americans, it’s enough to make them mutter “mamma mia” — and there’s no whiskey.

Eating Wyoming: What Italians Think Passes For Western Food

There’s a chain of Western-themed restaurants in Italy that tries to tap into the popularity of the Wild West, complete with swinging saloon doors and tables that resemble covered wagons. Wyoming got a shoutout on the menu with the "Cheyenne Chicken."

Anna-Louise JacksonJune 01, 2025

To say the new world screwworm is a nasty parasite would be an understatement. The flesh-eating scourge that tortures cattle as it kills has been making its way toward the United States. Wyoming cattle ranchers are watching closely as the parasite gets closer to the U.S. border from Mexico.

Flesh-Eating Parasite Inches Closer To US Border And Wyoming Cattle

To say the New World Screwworm is a nasty parasite would be an understatement. The flesh-eating scourge that tortures cattle as it kills has been making its way toward the United States. Wyoming cattle ranchers are watching closely.

Zakary SonntagMay 31, 2025

The CK Gold Project about 20 miles west of Cheyenne in Laramie County is close to securing permitting, which comes at a good time with high gold prices.

At $3,300 An Ounce, Prices Prime For Southeast Wyoming’s CK Gold Project

With gold prices trading high at $3,300 an ounce, timing may be prime for the CK Gold Project in Southeast Wyoming. It’s completed most of its state permitting, with a Laramie County hearing for local permits next month.

Renée JeanMay 28, 2025

Hot Springs County is rallying to save its tourism season despite what’s become a prolonged closure of the popular Star Plunge hot springs pools. To do that, it’s putting the spotlight on attractions outside the park — fishing, new trails and more events.

Hot Springs County Rallies To Boost Tourism During Prolonged Star Plunge Closure

Hot Springs County is rallying to save its tourism season despite what’s become a prolonged closure of the popular Star Plunge hot springs pools. To do that, it’s putting the spotlight on attractions outside the park — fishing, new trails and more events.

Renée JeanMay 27, 2025

Former Sheridan broadcast pioneer and business owner Kim Love died Saturday. Friends and family recall him as outspoken, never afraid to say what was on his mind, and a stalwart economic and civic backer of Sheridan known as a “genius at” philanthropy.

Sheridan Mourns Kim Love, Broadcast Pioneer And Philanthropist

Sheridan broadcast pioneer and business owner Kim Love died Saturday. Friends and family recall him as outspoken, never afraid to say what was on his mind, and a stalwart economic and civic backer of Sheridan known as a “genius at” philanthropy.

Renée JeanMay 26, 2025

Chad Brown poses in front of a section of about 480 barrels in the backrooms of Pine Bluffs Distillery.

Pine Bluffs Distilling Wins International Award With Wyoming-Grown Whiskey

Pine Bluffs Distilling’s straight rye whiskey won a prestigious double-gold medal at an American Distilling Institute international competition. It’s a big win for a small-town craft distillery that makes whiskey with Wyoming-grown ingredients.

Renée JeanMay 26, 2025

Kevin Deneen poses outside the Eishenhower Building in Washington, D.C., before a forum on artificial intelligence with Trump White House policymakers.

Wyoming Businessman Talks Artificial Intelligence Policy With Trump White House

Jackson businessman Kevin Deneen is cofounder of Moterra Campervans. He’s one of five small business owners from across America tapped to discuss artificial intelligence policy with Vice President JD Vance and the Trump White House.

Renée JeanMay 26, 2025

There are miles and miles of old, worn-out barbed wire on ranches across Wyoming and the West. Instead of recycling it, a Cody-area rancher Janelle Prows is balling it up to create big, spikey steel tumbleweeds and selling them for $100 a pop.

Why A Cody Rancher Is Turning Old Barbed Wire Into Big, Spikey Steel Tumbleweeds

There are miles upon miles of old, worn-out barbed wire on ranches across Wyoming and the West. Instead of recycling it, a Cody-area rancher is balling it up to create big, spikey steel tumbleweeds and selling them for $100 a pop.

Andrew RossiMay 25, 2025

An expanding greenhouse in Sublette County takes its name, Silver Stream Farm, from a Grateful Dead song written on a Wyoming ranch in Cora, just 15 miles away.

Huge Wyoming-Grown Greenhouse Embraces Grateful Dead Connection

The Grateful Dead and fresh produce might not sound like they go together, but they do at Silver Stream Farm northwest of Pinedale. The huge 25,000-square-foot greenhouse takes its name from a Grateful Dead song reportedly written in Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 25, 2025

Montana’s oldest bar, the Bale of Hay in Virginia City.

Drinking Wyoming, Montana Edition: Bale of Hay - Montana's Oldest Bar Opened In 1863

On the first Friday night of the busy season stretching from Memorial Day to Labor Day, locals eagerly unearthed “you should have been there” stories. One patron recalled dropping acid up on Boot Hill, where Virginia City’s infamous embrace of 1860s vigilante justice is memorialized by the graves of hanging victims.

David MadisonMay 25, 2025

Crazy Woman Canyon is a draw for Wyomingites and visitors to Johnson County, but it’s been unexpectedly closed for the summer. It’s a blow for tourism and locals who count the canyon as a favorite outdoors getaway.

Wyoming’s Popular Crazy Woman Canyon Unexpectedly Closed For The Summer

Crazy Woman Canyon is a draw for Wyomingites and visitors to Johnson County, but it’s been unexpectedly closed for the summer. It’s a blow for tourism and locals who count the canyon as a favorite outdoors getaway.

Renée JeanMay 25, 2025

Realtor map 5 24 25

Buying A Home In Wyoming? Industry Report Says You Need To Make $132,000 A Year

If you want to purchase a three-bedroom home in Wyoming, you should make $132,000 per year, according to Realtor.com. That's much lower than Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado. But significantly higher than states bordering Wyoming to the east.

Dale KillingbeckMay 24, 2025

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1.2-GW Wyoming Data Center To Help Pioneer New Battery Less Likely To Catch Fire

A new battery system could solve the runaway thermal problem that makes lithium batteries burst into flames. A 1.2-gigawatt data center near Evanston, Wyoming, is going to help a startup prove its new battery system.

Renée JeanMay 23, 2025

An email obtained by Cowboy State Daily confirms that Wyoming Office of Tourism Director Diane Shober plans to retire at the end of 2025. Former Gov. Dave Freudenthal says she was perfect for the job — an “unbearably happy human being.”

Longtime Wyoming Tourism Director Diane Shober To Retire After 22 Years

Longtime Wyoming Tourism Director Diane Shober announced she’s retiring at the end of 2025. Author CJ Box says she’s the best in the business and former Gov. Dave Freudenthal says she was perfect for the job — an “unbearably happy human being.”

Renée JeanMay 22, 2025

Sam, working a busy bar scene at Cheyenne's Uncle Charlie's Package Liquor, Grill & Tavern, is in wait and see mode on the No Tax on Tips bill that cleared the Senate unanimously on Tuesday.

Wyoming Service Workers Optimistic Over Senate Passage Of No Tax On Tips Bill

In a surprise move, the U.S. Senate passed the No Tax on Tips bill unanimously. The reaction from Wyoming service employees ranged from cautious optimism to elation. “The blue-collar worker, what’s left of us, needs their tips to help ends meet,” one barber said.

Renée JeanMay 22, 2025

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