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A looming wave of huge Wyoming data centers, a nuclear plant and military upgrades is colliding with an already severe plumber shortage, driving wages sky-high. The crunch comes with new “earn while you learn” jobs.

Wyoming’s Plumber Shortage Collides With Massive Data Center Boom

Wyoming's plumber shortage is about to get worse. Already short on plumbers and pipefitters, creating delays for homeowners and businesses, a huge wave of data centers and mega-projects are sweeping into the state, which will require thousands more.

Renée JeanFebruary 28, 2026

Teton County has again been named the richest in the nation with the No.1 per capita income. That’s a huge turnaround for a county that once was listed as one of the nation’s neediest.

Teton County Continues As The Nation's Richest (And It's Not Even Close)

Teton County has again been named the richest county in the nation with a per capita income of $532,903. Not only is it six times greater than the national average of $73,204 but beats the second-highest county by more than $250,000.

Renée JeanFebruary 28, 2026

The Thunder Plains mile-long horse racing track will be located 10 miles east of Cheyenne.

Bally’s Corp. Eyes Regional Circuit With Thunder Plains, Wyoming’s First 1-Mile Track

International Bally’s Corporation is taking a majority ownership of Wyoming’s new 1-mile track, Thunder Plains, and aims to open this fall near Cheyenne with a $1.6 million racing purse. Long-term, their vision includes a regional horse-racing circuit.

Renée JeanFebruary 27, 2026

Dozens of whistle stops have been revealed for the western leg of Big Boy’s historic coast-to-coast tour. In Wyoming, that includes: Laramie, Medicine Bow, Wamsutter, Rock Springs, and Green River.

Dozens Of Wyoming Stops Announced For New Big Boy Train Western Tour

Dozens of whistle stops have been announced for the western leg of Big Boy’s historic coast-to-coast tour in 2026. In Wyoming, that includes: Laramie, Medicine Bow, Wamsutter, Rock Springs, and Green River.

Renée JeanFebruary 26, 2026

Debbie Pommel speaks with Gov. Mark Gordon after winning the BigWYO award.

From Hawaii Ranch To Wyoming Range: Casper’s Debbie Pummel Is Tourism Award Winner

Hawaii native Debbie Pummel, a Casper resident for 33 years, won Wyoming’s 2026 BigWYO tourism award for her three decades of leadership in the state’s hospitality industry and her dedication to mentoring future tourism professionals.

Renée JeanFebruary 25, 2026

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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's new tourism chief Dominic Bravo lays out his vision for the Cowboy State's No. 2 industry during his first major public address in a forum moderated by Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition Executive Director Chris Brown.

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

Uinta County rancherJack Sims is seeing signs of new life in Evanston. New restaurants have opened, new businesses have opened, and he believes that is thanks, in no small part, to the growing role of the horse racing industry. 

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’s 1937 Hitchcock House was once home to University of Wyoming presidents. Not quite a mansion, the nearly 5,000-square-foot house has hit the market, listing at $1.03 million.

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

Radiant Manufacturing of Rock Springs is the industry leader in giant sequin displays. In an increasingly digital world, its "old-school" sequin designs stand out with three-dimensional textures and dazzling movement.

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

To ward off coyotes and other predators, some ranchers are attaching flashing ear tags to their livestock.

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

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 an oven typically used for animals.

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

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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

The Albany Lodge west of Laramie was an iconic destination for snowmobilers and ATV riders until it closed in June. It’s reopening under new owners, with a new name, Trailshead Lodge.

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 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

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

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‘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

As unseasonably warm weather, dry winds and a lack of snow continue to plague most regions of Wyoming, people are watering their trees and fields as if it was spring or summer. Experts say it is vital to water in winter when temps soar above 40.

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

Silver Stream Farm grew by 850% in 2025, from serving 63 direct customers in 2024 to more than 280 in 2025. The western Wyoming operation has 25,000 square feet growing produce at 8,000 feet elevation.

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

The Preferred Service snow removal crew was busy in Cheyenne in March 2021, after the largest two-day snowfall on record. This year, they’ve had almost no work.

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

Trenton Thornock, Founder and CEO of Prometheus Hyperscale and Brady Thornock on their family’s ranch in Uinta County. In the background is Meta's huge data center under construction in Cheyenne.

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 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.

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

The taste test arrives. One bowl are tallow fries, and one vegetable oil fries. A chocolate malt is on standby for the taste test, as well as a ranch-raised, grass-fed burger from the Chugwater Soda Fountain.

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 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.

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

Members of Team Wyoming were on hand to support the PRCA and Wyoming during a legislative reception hosted by Cheyenne LEADS. From left, 10X PRCA bull fighter Dusty Tuckness, veteran saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson, World Champion Team Roper and PRCA Hall of Famer Bobby Harris, and University of Wyoming Rodeo Coach, Seth Glause.

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

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