Renée Jean
Renée Jean is the business and tourism reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. Previously, Renée spent seven years covering energy and agriculture in North Dakota and Montana. She has won many writing awards over a 30-year career, and has written magazine articles for Guideposts.
Latest from Renée Jean
Champion Thoroughbred Finnegans Wake To Make Wyoming Home In Retirement
Finnegans Wake, a racehorse with world-famous bloodlines, is a champion thoroughbred thatâs making Wyoming home in retirement. Horse racing insiders say he wonât be the last, either, as the Cowboy State is attracting more industry stars.
Renée JeanFebruary 02, 2025
Nuclear Power Tech Poised To Explode As Wyomingâs Next Six-Figure âItâ Job
The wages for nuclear power techs are expected to range into the six figures, and itâs a good thing because Wyoming will soon need hundreds of these techs. Western Wyoming Community College is training people for this emerging career.
Renée JeanFebruary 01, 2025
A Wyoming Cowgirl Is Australiaâs Newest Breakaway Roping Champion
A cowgirl from Rozet, Wyoming, named Shawn Robin Chape is Australiaâs newest breakaway roping champion. She lassoed the title in a blazing fast 1.69 seconds, setting a new arena record. She credits her Wyoming roots as a huge part of her success.
Renée JeanFebruary 01, 2025
Eating Wyoming: Buffalo Bill Was The Worldâs Original Galloping Gourmet
âThe Galloping Gourmetâ on PBS had nothing on Buffalo Bill Cody, who was the original foodie of the West. He brought Mexican food to New York, popcorn to Europe and gourmet dining experiences to the masses.
Renée JeanFebruary 01, 2025
Governors, Famous Author Fans Of 2025 BIG WYO Winner Diane Shober
Diane Shober is 2025âs BIG WYO winner after 21 years as the Wyoming Office of Tourism director. That had a long line of people, including governors and New York Times best-selling author C.J. Box saluting her drive to promote Wyoming.
Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2025
Even At Nearly $5B A Year, Wyoming Tourism Not Close To Potential, Industry Says
At nearly $5 billion a year, tourism is Wyomingâs second-leading economic driver. Even so, the stateâs tourism industry says itâs just scratching the surface of Cowboy State tourismâs true potential.
Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2025
Bill Would Bolster Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes And Other Wyoming Agritourism
More Wyoming farmers and ranchers are turning to pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other agrotourism to bolster their bottom lines. The state Legislature is considering a bill that would extend tourism liability coverage for these attractions.
Renée JeanJanuary 28, 2025
Tourism Industry Is Gearing Up To Take On A New LegislatureÂ
With 28 lawmakers who are either new or in new roles, tourism is gearing up for a charm offensive. It started with a show of force at the Capitol on Monday, but the lobbying effort is going to continue throughout the year.
Renée JeanJanuary 28, 2025
Lummis To Lead Digital Asset Subcommittee, Will Work With Trump On Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has been named the nation's first chair of the Digital Asset Subcommittee. Known for her expertise in cryptocurrency, one of her first priorities is the passage of a bill to create a strategic bitcoin reserve.
Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2025
Can Bowling Become Cool Again? Cheyenne's Derby Lane Says "Absolutely."
Bowling has been in a decline since the â80s, but a high-tech video-game approach is changing that. The new style is what the recently opened Derby Lanes in Cheyenne is all about.
Renée JeanJanuary 26, 2025
How To Sell Jackson Hole Real Estate To Billionaires
If youâve ever wondered what it takes to sell exclusive multimillion-dollar Jackson Hole properties to billionaires, Latham Jenkins can tell you. Itâs next-level effort that goes far beyond just walking potential buyers through a building.
Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2025
âAmerican Primevalâ A Netflix Hit That Gets A Lot Of Wyoming History Wrong
Wyomingâs historic Fort Bridger is taking calls from âAmerican Primevalâ fans looking for its hanging spot. But there isnât one, never has been. Thatâs just one of many things historians say âAmerican Primevalâ gets completely wrong.
Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2025
Sheridanâs Le Reve Makes Exclusive James Beard List Of Best New Restaurants
What happens when you hire filmmaker George Lucas' chef for your brand new restaurant? You get noticed. After just four months in operation, Le Reve Restaurant and Raw Bar in Sheridan has made the exclusive list of James Beard Award semifinalists for best new restaurant in the nation.
Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2025
Kemmerer Officials Hope TerraPower Deal Could Attract AI Data Center
As Bill Gates-backed TerraPower continues building a first-of-its-kind nuclear plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, it has struck a deal with the nationâs largest independent data center provider. Local officials hope that could lead to an AI data center there.
Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2025
Wyoming Industries Applaud Trumpâs âNational Energy Emergencyâ Declaration
Wyomingâs energy industry is applauding President Donald Trump declaring a ânational energy emergency.â Theyâre calling on Wyomingâs BLM office to immediately approve delayed permits and deferred lease sales.
Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2025
End Of USPS-UPS Deal Could Mean Faster Rural Delivery, But More Expensive
Rural packages are likely to get to where theyâre going faster now that contract negotiations between the U.S. Postal Service and UPS have fallen apart for last-mile service. But itâs also likely to be more expensive.
Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2025
Committee Advances Measure To Ban Foreign Adversaries Owning Wyoming Property
The House Agriculture committee gave a thumbs up to a constitutional measure that will ban foreign adversaries from owning Wyoming property. Deciding who those foreign adversaries are will be debated on the House floor.
Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2025
State Caught 3 North Korean Companies Trying Set Up In Wyoming Last Year
The state caught three North Korean companies last year filing fraudulent paperwork to set up in Wyoming to raise money for weapons of mass destruction. A House committee passed a bill Monday that aims to keep foreign adversaries out of Wyoming.
Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025
Despite Opposition, Anti-ESG Bill Sails Through Committee After Changes
An anti-ESG Bill sailed over a wall of opposition from Wyoming investment fund managers and the state treasurer. It passed out of committee Monday after significant changes to address the criticism.
Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025
Historic One-Of-A-Kind Property For Sale Near Sunrise Once Home To Early Pioneer
A five-bedroom house near the abandoned company mining town of Sunrise, Wyoming, in the Hartville area is chock-full of history â and for sale, listing for $809,000. It was home to an early pioneer, and the sale includes the Guernsey Cabin.
Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2025
Drinking Wyoming: Absinthe, Spirit Of Murder And Madness, Is Back In Wyoming
Absinthe was illegal for nearly a century, branded by the wine industry as a spirit of murder and madness. But itâs making a comeback, and a handful of Wyoming venues serve this once-forbidden liquor.
Renée JeanJanuary 18, 2025