Business & Tourism | Cowboy State Daily

Ranchers Rush Hay To Wyoming Cattle Left Without Critical Grazing By Wildfires

Ranchers throughout Wyoming and Nebraska are rallying to rush emergency hay to those impacted by wildfires tearing through critical cattle grazing lands. The University of Wyoming has launched an online effort to connect donated hay with ranchers.

Jackson WalkerAugust 27, 2025

Opening Up Logging Could Be Too Little, Too Late For Wyoming’s Timber Industry

Recent steps by the Trump administration and Wyoming are a lifeline for Wyoming’s shrinking timber industry. But they may be too little, too late for what remains of the state’s family-owned businesses.

Renée JeanAugust 27, 2025

The National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships was held last weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wyoming was represented by several drivers including Jessica Smith of Shoshoni. The competition is intense and drivers amp up their skills as the prepare to show off their truck driving savvy.

Wyoming Truck Drivers Among The Best In The Nation

A team of Wyoming commercial truck drivers showed why they’re among the best in the nation over the weekend at the National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championship in Minnesota.

Jackie DorothyAugust 26, 2025

Wyoming Ranchers On Guard Following Human Screwworm Case In Maryland

The nation’s first human case of screwworm was confirmed in Maryland on Sunday in a Central American traveler and it’s heightening vigilance among Wyoming ranchers. The flesh-eating parasite, which are known to infest cattle, could cost American ranchers billions if another outbreak occurs.

Renée JeanAugust 25, 2025

The historic Wagon Box in Story, Wyoming.

Wagon Box Owner Seeks Partner For Restaurant So He Can Focus On Retreats

Wagon Box owner Paul McNiel hopes to find a partner or investor to take over the restaurant side of his business. That way he can focus on the retreat side of his business at the historic Story, Wyoming location.

Renée JeanAugust 24, 2025

TerraPower has begun construction on portions of its Kemmerer nuclear facility that don't require approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Nuclear Training Center In Kemmerer To Finish Three Years Ahead Of New Plant

Turning on a nuclear plant is a little more complicated than flipping a few switches. That’s why TerraPower’s flagship training center — which will be in Kemmerer where its first small nuclear reactor is being built — is going to be finished a full three years before the plant, by the end of 2026.

Renée JeanAugust 24, 2025

Cattle are detained in the pens of the Chihuahua Regional Livestock Union at the Jeronimo-Santa Teresa border crossing in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Nov. 27, 2024. The United States stops imports of Mexican cattle due to the presence of screwworm. After a case of screwworm was identified in the town of Catazaja, in Chiapas, the United States chose to temporarily suspend imports of live Mexican cattle.

Wyoming Rancher Still Has Nightmares About Flesh-Eating Screwworm As U.S. On Alert

As the threat of a nasty flesh-eating screwworm grows, cattle ranchers across the United States are on high alert. One rancher in Crook County, Wyoming, saw screwworms feast on her family’s cattle decades ago, and says it’s the stuff of nightmares.

Zakary SonntagAugust 23, 2025

Hilton Next To War Memorial Stadium To Become UW-Branded Grad Hotel

The Hilton Garden Inn on the University of Wyoming campus, across the road from War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, is getting a facelift. It’s being remodeled into a UW-branded “Graduate Hotel.”

Dale KillingbeckAugust 23, 2025

As rural museums tighten their belts during federal cutbacks, one tiny Wyoming museum says it’s saving big money. The new solar panels on the roof of the Meeteetse Museum has already saved enough to help pay for repairs to the building’s HVAC system.

Meeteetse Museums Say Its New Solar Roof Saves Big Money

As rural museums tighten their belts during federal cutbacks, one Wyoming museum says it’s saving big money. The new solar panels on the roof of the Meeteetse Museums has already saved enough to help pay for repairs to the building’s HVAC system.

Renée JeanAugust 22, 2025

Wyoming’s Office of Tourism Director Diane Shober has been named 2025 State Tourism Director of the Year. She says showing off how great Wyoming is makes it easy.

Wyoming’s Diane Shober Named Best Tourism Director In The Nation

Wyoming Office of Tourism Director Diane Shober has been named the national State Tourism Director of the Year for 2025. She says showing off how great Wyoming is makes it easy.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2025

In Blockbuster $15.4 Billion Deal, Black Hills Energy To Merge With NorthWestern

Black Hills Energy announced a blockbuster $15.4 billion merger Tuesday with NorthWestern Energy in a deal the companies say will help them compete with larger utilities. Rates won’t go down, they say, but they won’t go up as much or as fast.

Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2025

Zipline has a remote testing site in Wyoming, where the tech company is working out what drones need to fly in Wyoming’s unfriendly winter and windy skies. That could bring Walmart drone deliveries to the state sooner than you might think.

Delivery Drones Could Be Flying Wyoming’s Windy Skies Sooner Than You Think

A company named Zipline has a remote testing site in Wyoming where the tech company is working out how drones can fly in the state's harsh winters and windy skies. That could bring Walmart drone deliveries to the state sooner than you might think.

Renée JeanAugust 17, 2025

Drinking Wyoming: The Buckhorn Bar On The Northeastern Edge Of The Cowboy State

The walls of The Buckhorn, on the northeastern edge of Wyoming near the South Dakota Border, is 100% a classic dive bar. It’s lined with dollar bills, 1970s green shag carpet and longtime patrons say it hasn't changed in 50 years.

Renée JeanAugust 16, 2025

Scott Martin, from California, was initially thinking he'd go into WyoTech's ranching program. When it was canceled, he switched to diesel mechanics. He's already got multiple job offers, even though he's only about half-way through his program.

Diesel Mechanic Students To Benefit From WyoTech Partnership With Kenworth Trucks

A new collaboration gives WyoTech students in Laramie hands-on experience with a $2 million lineup of custom-built Kenworth Trucks. Working on them will prepare students for high-demand diesel mechanic jobs that can earn them six figures within two years.

Renée JeanAugust 16, 2025

The Road 12 Farm Stand outside of Worland, Wyoming, has been open a year now and relies on the honor system.

Honor System Works: A Year Of Success For Roadside Honor Farm Stand In Worland

Who says you can't trust people? It's been a year since the Road 12 Farm Stand outside of Worland was started. The stand, stocked full of vegetables, baked goods, desserts, eggs, and flowers, is largely unmanned and relies on the honor system. It's attracted a huge following.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 16, 2025

Why Do People Still Care About The Farmer's Almanac?

The Farmer’s Almanac and the Old Farmer’s Almanac just came out with their annual mid-August forecasts for the coming winter. But why, with satellite technology and computer-based forecasting models, do people still care about these booklets?

David MadisonAugust 16, 2025

Dyno Nobel is known for making explosives for Wyoming’s mining industry, and now it may be shipping right to your door. The company announced Friday it’s building a new plant in Cheyenne and a partnership to turn its waste CO2 into food cooling packs.

Cheyenne’s Dyno Nobel Wants To Turn Explosives Waste Into Food Cooling Packs

Dyno Nobel is known for making explosives for Wyoming’s mining industry, and it may soon be shipping right to your door. The company announced Friday it’s building a new plant in Cheyenne and a partnership to turn its waste CO2 into food cooling packs.

David MadisonAugust 15, 2025

Mountain Health Co-Op, One Of State’s Few Major Insurers, Pulling Out Of Wyoming

Mountain Health Co-Op told its members Wednesday that it won’t cover Wyoming residents anymore after the end of the year. The move follows the sunset of health care tax credits and leaves Wyoming with just two major providers.

Renée JeanAugust 14, 2025

After 56 Years, Taco John’s Says Adios To Its Cheyenne Corporate Headquarters

Taco John’s was born in Cheyenne and, for 56 years, was Wyoming-based with its headquarters here. Now the chain has said adios to Cheyenne, completing a move of its home base to Minnesota. It’s an emotional break for many, former execs say.

David MadisonAugust 14, 2025

Another huge Wyoming ranch is for sale. At 1.1 million acres, Midland Ranch is more than five times bigger than New York City and larger than the state of Delaware.

Another Huge Wyoming Ranch For Sale; More Than 5 Times Bigger Than New York City

Another huge Wyoming ranch is for sale, larger than the 900,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches that recently made international headlines. At 1.1 million acres, Midland Ranch is more than five times bigger than New York City and larger than the state of Delaware.

Renée JeanAugust 13, 2025

The owner of the company chosen by the state to operate the Star Plunge in Thermopolis — former Alaska U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, left — drew heat from locals Monday as the historic hot springs remains closed. In the meantime, the former operator and state remain embroiled in litigation.

New Operator Who Wants To Reopen Star Plunge Draws Heat From Locals

The owner of the company chosen by the state to operate the Star Plunge in Thermopolis drew heat from locals Monday as the historic hot springs remains closed. In the meantime, the former operator and state remain embroiled in litigation.

Renée JeanAugust 13, 2025

Evanston has worked on creating an attractive downtown to draw tourists from Utah. They're also drawing retirees, who decide they don't just want to visit, they want to live there.

Retirees From Utah Are Moving To Evanston Because Of Home Prices, Tax Advantages

Retirees from Utah are moving to Evanston, Wyoming, because of low home prices, tax advantages, and plenty of recreation. One broker said home prices in Salt Lake City are nearly double that of Evanston.

Renée JeanAugust 12, 2025

Grand Hotel Planned As Part Of Revival Of Casper’s Old Yellowstone District

Casper’s Old Yellowstone District used to be the life of the party in the 1950s, but its heyday is long past. Another may be on the horizon as the area is revitalized, with a grand hotel planned for the distressed district.

Renée JeanAugust 11, 2025

Kratom products are sold in a variety of gas station and convenience stores. They are not regulated, however, and quality can vary dramatically.

Kratom Or ‘Gas Station Heroin’ A Growing Concern For Wyoming Law Enforcement

Some people call it gas station heroin, others street-legal morphine. Regardless of such nicknames, the supplement known as kratom is a growing concern for law enforcement officers in Wyoming.

Renée JeanAugust 11, 2025

Dan Hodnett feeds some angel fish at his business Dan's Fish.

Sheridan Man Creates Tropical Fish Oasis In Landlocked Wyoming

Dan Hodnett has turned his passionate hobby into a growing business, one that’s unique for landlocked Wyoming. He filters a nearby creek to create an oasis in Sheridan and sells easy-to-care-for tropical fish that thrive in freshwater.

Renée JeanAugust 10, 2025

Bikers, Journalists and even cops — everyone gets red at One Eyed Jack’s Saloon during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The only thing that kills the buzz is some guy named “Insufficient Funds.”

Drinking Sturgis : One Eyed Jack's Saloon Makes Everyone Blush

The main level of One Eyed Jack's is a vast, open-air layout with a dozen separate island bars. It feels kind of like a junior high cafeteria. That is, if in this junior high cafeteria women wear thongs, bartenders paddle patrons on the derriere and random dudes invite you to pet a 30-pound boa constrictor.

Zakary SonntagAugust 10, 2025

From left, Tucker Alger and Luis Elizondo talk about their new cocktail lounge in Buffalo.

New World War II-Themed Buffalo Bar Is A Throwback To A Vintage Officers Club

Owners of the new World War II-themed Bombshells American Cantina in Buffalo say it will feel like a vintage officers club because of all the military artifacts they plan to display. “I have stuff that’s absolute museum-quality, one-of-a-kind," said Luis Elizondo.

Renée JeanAugust 10, 2025

Staff at the Platte County Record-Times and Guensey Gazette spent part of Friday retrieving the bound newspaper archives in the wake of their parent company shutting the papers down.

Potential Buyers Emerge For Closed Wyoming Newspapers

In the wake of the shutdown of eight Wyoming newspapers, potential buyers are emerging for at least some of them. The former Pinedale Roundup editor says she’s already secured money to buy the paper, and there’s reportedly interest in at least two others.

Greg JohnsonAugust 08, 2025

Wyoming’s expansive Pathfinder Ranches comes in at nearly 1 million acres — bigger than Rhode Island. And it’s on the market for $79.5 million.

Wyoming Ranch Bigger Than Rhode Island Lists For $79.5 Million

Wyoming’s expansive Pathfinder Ranches come in at nearly 1 million acres — bigger than the state of Rhode Island. And it’s on the market for $79.5 million.

Renée JeanAugust 08, 2025

The parent company of eight Wyoming hometown newspapers closed them with no notice Wednesday after a deal to sell fell through. That’s no excuse for the “unconscionable” way employees were suddenly fired, longtime journalism industry leaders say.

Shutdown Of Wyoming Newspapers Triggered By Missed Deadline To Sell Company

The parent company of eight Wyoming hometown newspapers shut them down with no notice Wednesday after a deal to sell them fell through. Industry leaders say that’s no excuse for the “unconscionable” way employees were treated.

Greg JohnsonAugust 08, 2025

Controversy that’s blown up over American Eagle denim ads, stating that actress Sydney Sweeney has “great jeans.” Dubois-area resident and outdoorsman Cade Cole spoofed it with his own “good jeans” social media post, posing with a revolver and his dog, Magnum.

Wyoming Outdoorsman Spoofs Controversial Sydney Sweeney Jeans Ads

Heads have been exploding over the controversial “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” American Eagle denim ads. A Wyoming outdoorsman decided to spoof it with his own, saying he has great jeans, too.

Mark HeinzAugust 06, 2025

Blindsided: 8 Wyoming Towns Lose Their Newspapers After Abrupt Shutdown

Eight rural communities across Wyoming are without their legacy hometown newspapers after parent company News Media Corp. abruptly closed them without notice Wednesday morning. Employees said they were blindsided and call the move “devastating.”

Greg JohnsonAugust 06, 2025

UW Athletics Debuts Its Own Branded Whisky Ahead Of Football Opener

University of Wyoming Athletics is joining a growing list of college programs with their own branded liquors. Pretty Good Horse bourbon, made by Casper-based Backwards Distilling, will debut before the Cowboys football season opener.

Jackson WalkerAugust 04, 2025

Jackson caps habitable space on a given property at 8,000 square feet. But at $40 million, Riva Ridge Reserve far exceeds that. Grandfathered entitlements mean its 18,378 square feet of living space are something you couldn’t build today.

$40 Million Will Buy A Unique Estate At Foot Of The Tetons You Couldn’t Build Today

Teton County caps habitable space on a given property at 8,000 square feet. But at $40 million, Riva Ridge Reserve far exceeds that. Grandfathered entitlements mean its 18,378 square feet of living space are something you couldn’t build today.

Renée JeanAugust 03, 2025

Tim Kellog, Wyoming's cowboy chocolatier, shows a cacao pod to a customer in his shop, Meeteetse Chocolatier, in Meeteetse, Wyoming.

Wyoming Cowboy Wanted To Buy A Saddle, And Became A World-Class Chocolatier

Tim Kellogg, aka the Meeteetse Chocolatier, got his start trying to earn money to buy a saddle. Now he’s a master at his craft, traveling the world to source unique, high-quality ingredients and techniques. His world-class chocolates sell out in minutes.

Renée JeanAugust 03, 2025

Record Beef Prices Has Aging Ranchers Selling Off Herds And Cashing Out

Record beef prices are reshaping the ranching landscape as aging ranchers weigh cashing out and selling off their herds. Others are holding on for another profitable year, creating the tightest ranch real estate market in decades.

David MadisonAugust 02, 2025

Turbulence Over Wyoming Forces Delta Jet To Divert; 25 Hospitalized

Passengers described a terrifying midair ordeal as severe turbulence over Wyoming injured dozens Wednesday aboard a Delta flight bound for Amsterdam, forcing an emergency landing in Minneapolis. Upon landing, 25 were sent to hospitals for evaluation.

Justin GeorgeJuly 31, 2025

Texas-based Crusoe is teaming up with Wyoming-based Tallgrass to build a huge 1.8-giggawatt data center in Cheyenne. Pictured is a Crusoe data center in Abeline, Texas, that's expanding to 1.2 gigawatts.

Cheyenne To Get Massive AI Data Center Powered By Gas And Carbon Capture

Cheyenne is about to get its largest artificial intelligence data center yet, at 1.8 gigawatts. Wyoming company Tallgrass and Texas-based Crusoe say the center will be powered by Wyoming natural gas, along with carbon capture technology.

Renée JeanJuly 29, 2025

Casper-based mining tech company DISA Technologies uses nozzles, similar to the one held here by Chief Operating Officer John Lee, to blast two jets of mineral-rich slurry at each other to separate critical minerals from ore.

Wyoming Mining Tech Company Sells Its First 100-Ton-Per-Hour Separation System

Casper-based DISA Technologies has made the first sale of its mineral separation system, which can handle 100 tons of ore an hour. In development for years, the proprietary system can extract minerals as well as be used to clean up abandoned uranium mines.

David MadisonJuly 29, 2025

The locals around Twin Bridges call it Charles Kurault’s infamous “Mistress Cabin,” and it’s now just off the fairway at a new golf course on the banks of the Big Hole River.

Wyoming Landowner Builds Golf Course Around Charles Kuralt’s ‘Mistress Cabin’

Buzz Warner, a former Wyoming Landowner of the Year, is close to opening his new golf course in Montana. It’s a monument to conservation that’s built around former owner Charles Kuralt’s infamous “Mistress Cabin.”

David MadisonJuly 27, 2025

The Vic Payne Studio and Gallery along Wyoming Highway 120 in Meeteetse. Payne is offering his professional guidance and expertise to Justin and Tiffani Gerlach as they plan and build their new bronze foundry, which already has work waiting, as it will help Payne and his son, Dusty, fulfill commissions for their bronze sculptures.

Artists Team Up To Build New Foundry In Meeteetse After Cody Foundry Burned Down

Bronze sculptor Vic Payne lost nearly $8 million and eight years of work when the Caleco Bronze Foundry in Cody burned down last year. Now he and a pair of artists are working to fill that void by building a new foundry in Meeteetse.

Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2025

A couple of shoppers stroll down the streets in downtown Cheyenne.

Cheyenne’s Rodeo Week Inspires Huge Shopping Sprees, Millions In Economic Impact

Rodeo season in Cheyenne brings a surge of shoppers and record-breaking sales. Local businesses are projected to reap millions in economic benefits during the city’s iconic Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Renée JeanJuly 25, 2025

Crypto Test Shows Wyoming’s System Can Get People Instant Payment During Disasters

A test of Wyoming’s digital currency system last week shows paying government contractors can take seconds instead of weeks, as it does now. That could be a game-changer during disasters, when people and local responders can get payments almost instantly.

Justin GeorgeJuly 23, 2025

KelTec Gun Factory In Rock Springs Aims To Churn Out 1,000 Pistols Per Week

The KelTec firearms factory in Rock Springs is up and running, producing unusual PR57 pistols the company hopes will grab a big share of the self-defense market. It aims to make 1,000 pistols a week.

Mark HeinzJuly 21, 2025

Amber Sessock, center, has worked at the Cowboy Cafe since she was 14. She was the lucky waitress who received a nearly $1,500 in a tip from two best friends from Iowa, Brandi Macumber and Tamara Bane, who are on a tipping mission to celebrate servers.

Dubois Café Worker Brought To Tears With $1,500 Tip

Two Iowa women on an annual road trip are on a mission to leave huge tips for local servers across the nation. They were in Dubois on Friday and brought their server to tears with a $1,500 tip.

Jackie DorothyJuly 20, 2025

A huge bronze installation of 70 larger-than-life longhorn steers that was cast at Eagle Bronze Foundry in Lander, Wyoming.

Famous Sculptures Placed Around The World Come From Lander's Eagle Bronze

Outside the art world, few may recognize the name of Lander’s Eagle Bronze Foundry. But sculptures created there are prominent around the world, including 70 larger-than-life 6-foot-tall longhorn steers in Dallas, the longest continuous-themed bronze sculpture collection in the U.S.

Renée JeanJuly 20, 2025

Wyoming Company Helps Develop Tech-Driven Early Alzheimer’s Detection Tool

Wyoming technology company Lunavi has helped develop a tech-driven digital tool to detect Alzheimer’s disease before most other tests can. It will make the tests inexpensive and available to anyone with an internet connection.

Renée JeanJuly 18, 2025

North Bridger Bison tries to make use of every part of the animal — bleached skulls for collectors and florists who use them in arrangements.

Bearded Bison Advocate Started His Own Buffalo Ranch North Of Yellowstone

Matt Skoglund is a bearded bison advocate who left a law career in Chicago for a Western ag lifestyle. Now his bison ranch north of Yellowstone has become a model of natural ranching that serves customers in Montana, Wyoming and as far away as Florida.

David MadisonJuly 13, 2025