Business and Tourism Reporter

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.

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Latest from Renée Jean

This home in Riverton is a little over 2,500 square feet and lists at $387,000.

Lander Real Estate Too Expensive, Essential Workers Living in Riverton Instead

Because of the real estate price different between the two communities, essential workers in Lander are choosing to live 30 minutes away in Riverton. One real estate agent says there's about a $100,000 difference between the towns.

Renée JeanJanuary 24, 2024

Average Home Price In Jackson, Wyoming, Hit Record High At $8.6 Million

The average price of a single-family home in Jackson, Wyoming, hit a record $8.625 million in 2023. Of the 58 homes for sale at the end of the year, only two were below $2 million and more than half listed for more than $5 million.

Renée JeanJanuary 23, 2024

Left, Austin Broderson, a 19-year-old Casper College student, comes out of the chute on Jack Dupp during a ride in the National Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver on Jan. 15, 2023. After finishing his 8-second ride, Broderson's rigging slipped and he was drug and trampled by the horse. He survived and is recovering in a Denver hospital. Right, Broderson gives a thumbs up from a hospital bed in Denver

Casper College Bareback Rider Recovering, Still Can't Use Arm After Wreck

The family of Austin Broderson, the 19-year-old Casper College bareback rider trampled during a horrific wreck at the National Western Stock Show rodeo last week says he’s doing better every day, but still has no use of his left arm.

Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2024

Even a polar vortex dropping temperatures to minus 30 degrees and colder can't slow Amanda McGrew and the renovation of her Best K-Bar Motel in Greybull.

Even Wyoming Winter Can’t Slow Mission To Restore Greybull's Vintage K-Bar Motel

Even during a polar vortex with temperatures plummeting to minus 30 and below, Amanda McGrew is still full-steam ahead on her renovation of the vintage Best K-Bar Motel in Greybull.

Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2024

Dozens of trucks park in a lot off Interstate 80 to wait out last weekend's polar vortex freeze that shut down much of Wyoming with temperatures hitting minus 30 and below in some places.

Truck Drivers Run Wyoming’s Infamous I-80 Gauntlet To Keep Store Shelves Stocked

Truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our modern world, keeping us all well fed while we stay home, warm and happy, through the worst snowstorms. And the worst snowstorms usually happen on I-80.

Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2024

Trey Warren stands on top of a mountain bike he bolted to the roof of the 75-foot-tall Lander Elevator.

Why Is There A Bike On Top Of The Historic Lander Grain Elevator?

Trey Warren is an unusual and outgoing person who, in his own eclectic way, saved the historic 75-foot-tall Lander grain elevator. He also bolted a mountain bike on top of it, and has even saddled up to ride it like a bull.

Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2024

Eating Wyoming: Figs Brings 5-Star Lebanese Food To Jackson

Figs Restaurant in Jackson surprises a lot of customers with an authentic 5-star Lebanese dining experience. Not only are the recipes authentic, but many of the ingredients are sourced from Lebanon, so the flavors will be as authentic as possible.

Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2024

Interest Rates Will Drop, But It Might Not Solve Wyoming’s Housing Puzzle

If the Federal Reserve drops interest rates this year, as strong signals show it will, it could bring some homebuyers back to Wyoming’s real estate market, but it may not solve the state’s puzzle — low inventory and high prices.

Renée JeanJanuary 19, 2024

Casper College bareback rider Austin Broderson gives a thumbs up from a hospital bed in Denver after suffering a horrific crash riding in the National Western Stock Show Rodeo on Jan. 15, 2023.

Casper College Bareback Rider Survives Horrific Wreck At National Western Stock Show

Austin Broderson, a 19-year-old bareback rider and sophomore at Casper College, is recovering after enduring what many rodeo insiders are calling the worst wreck they’ve ever seen at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Monday.

Renée JeanJanuary 19, 2024

Caitlin Long is CEO of Wyoming-based Custodia Bank.

Wyoming AG Says State’s Authority At Stake In Custodia Bank Case

Wyoming is going to try again to add some of its muscle to the David-and-Goliath battle between Custodia Bank and the Federal Reserve. The state is trying again to file a brief in the Custodia Bank lawsuit showing a fair and impartial process for Custodia was usurped by politics.

Renée JeanJanuary 18, 2024

Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins talks about the High Plains Arboretum during a meeting at the Wyoming State Museum on Tuesday, the night before deliberations on a bill that would make the High Plains Arboretum a state historic site.

Cheyenne Mayor Urges Legislators To Save Arboretum By Making It State Historic Site

Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins spoke at a legislative committee meeting on Wednesday to urge legislators to designate the High Plains Arboretum as a state historic site. "This site is an amazing place," he said.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2024

Overview of the McMurry Mansion and surrounding property, including a pond and island in back.

Formerly Listed At $24.5 Million, Casper Mansion Back On Market At $7.9 Million

The McMurry Mansion in Casper is one of Wyoming’s largest homes at nearly 23,000 square feet. It boasts nine bedrooms, 13 full baths, commercial kitchen and banquet hall. The mansion once listed for $24.5 million and is now on the market for $7.9 million.

Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2024

Other Authors

Katelyn and Austin Clymer, and their two young children, are new to Wyoming and were surprised by the response from their neighbors during a recent weather emergency.

When Cold Strands Ranching Family At Home, Wyoming Troopers Deliver Milk For Kids

When this weekend’s polar freeze forced a Converse County couple to reach out for help when their vehicles wouldn’t start, a pair of Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers delivered some much-needed milk for their young kids.

Renée JeanJanuary 15, 2024

Wyoming Historian Works To Reveal Inspiration For Owen Wister’s Mysterious ‘Virginian’

A study of oral histories in Thermopolis has uncovered new stories that shed new light on the real people who helped inspire the mysterious “Virginian” in Owen Wister’s famous novel.

Renée JeanJanuary 14, 2024

A row of houses on the grounds of the High Plains Arboretum are some of the oldest homes in Cheyenne.

Will Cheyenne's High Plains Arboretum Finally Be Rescued?

After decades of neglect, the High Plains Arboretum in Cheyenne may be rescued. Supporters of the 877-acre arboretum are hoping the Wyoming State Legislature will designate it as a state historic site.

Renée JeanJanuary 14, 2024

Fossils At Bottom Of Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave Give Up 20,000-Year-Old DNA

Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave is one of few sites in the world where preservation conditions are so good, the fossils at the bottom are giving up 20,000-year-old DNA and world-class insights on Earth’s prehistory.

Renée JeanJanuary 14, 2024

Chimney Rock along the Wind River Scenic Byway in winter.

It’s Been A Spectacular 100 Years For Wyoming’s Wind River Scenic Byway

The 20-mile section of U.S. Highway 20 known as the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway turns 100 this year. With a $1 million price tag back in 1924, it was the most expensive stretch of highway in America at the time.

Renée JeanJanuary 13, 2024

Cheyenne Frontier Days Won’t Have Live Horse-Racing After All

Cheyenne Frontier Days has decided it won’t pursue a proposal to bring 16 days of live horse racing to Frontier Park after all, even though it could have been a revenue stream to help pay for looming maintenance needs.

Renée JeanJanuary 12, 2024

A lack of early season snow and a shortage of staff has prompted Sleeping Giant Ski Area in Cody to close for the winter season.

Wyoming’s Sleeping Giant Ski Area Won’t Open Because Of Lack Of Snow, Staff

Some Wyoming ski resorts have been hard hit by an unseasonably warm December and light snow, pushing their opening dates back a month. A lack of snow and staff has closed Sleeping Giant Ski Area in Cody for the season.

Renée JeanJanuary 12, 2024

The Albertsons grocery store at 5800 Yellowstone Road in Cheyenne.

As Shoppers Revive Challenge Of $25B Albertsons - Kroger Merger, Some States Also May Sue

As a group of shoppers have revived their challenge of the $25 billion mega merger of Albertsons and Kroger grocery stores, now some states are considering filing their own lawsuits to block the merger.

Renée JeanJanuary 11, 2024

A lot of trains move through Cheyenne, and a proposal being floated would use the rail lines to also add passenger service through Wyoming and the West.

Plan Would Add Passenger Rail Service On Freight Lines Through Wyoming, West

Wyoming is in the middle of a big dead zone of passenger rail service in the U.S. West, but a group wants to use $66 billion from the so-called "Jobs, Infrastructure, and Investment Act" to add passenger rail service along existing freight rail lines.

Renée JeanJanuary 09, 2024

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