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

James Clare rocks out on his huge soundstage in the barn on his Rock and Roll Ranch at Lake De Smet in Johnson County, where he's converted his 3,200-square-foot barn into a powerhouse 25,000-watt soundstage.

Wyoming Barn Converted Into 25,000-Watt Karaoke Retreat On Rock And Roll Ranch

When James Clare moved to Buffalo, he didn’t have any furniture, but brought all of his sound equipment. So, he built a 25,000-watt karaoke retreat in a barn on his land near Lake De Smet he calls Rock and Roll Ranch.

Renée JeanJanuary 08, 2024

For the first time in a half-century, the historic Lost Creek Ranch in Teton County is for sale.

Teton County Ranch Makes Top Five List For Most Desirable Real Estate Listings In World

Teton County’s Lost Creek Ranch has been named one of the five most desirable real estate listings on the planet in 2023, according to premier real estate firm Mansion Global. The ranch was listed last year for $39.5 million.

Renée JeanJanuary 07, 2024

Wyndy and Jack are a pair of the older horses at the Davissa Ranch near Cheyenne.

Out To Pasture: Cheyenne Couple Turns Ranch Into Haven For Older Horses

David and Melissa Wilson of Cheyenne didn’t mean to start a horse refuge, but the Davissa Ranch has evolved into a haven where Wyoming’s grittiest older horses don’t have to be put out to pasture.

Renée JeanJanuary 07, 2024

Brennan Westby describes how her brewery system arrived in "a million little pieces" with absolutely no instructions or numbering system to guide her in assembling it. That was stressful, but with help from Wyoming's friendly master brewer community, the system is all put together now, and Brennan knows her system backwards and forward.

How A Serious Science Geek Became Wyoming’s Newest Master Brewer

Brennan Westby is a serious science geek who’s also Wyoming’s newest master brewer, operating at Cheyenne’s newest brewery scene, Westby Edge Brewing Company.

Renée JeanJanuary 06, 2024

L&H Industrial in Gillette, Wyoming, could be on the front lines of making mining equipment for use in space. The idea of mining asteroids for known — and as-yet-undiscovered — minerals and metals is fast moving from being science fiction to fact.

Wyoming Could Be A Space Pioneer When — Not If — We Start Mining Asteroids

The idea to mine asteroids in space is picking up steam as plummeting costs has companies seriously considering it. And with Wyoming’s mining expertise, the Cowboy State is poised to pioneer space mining when — not if — it happens.

Renée JeanJanuary 06, 2024

Tiffany and Scott Sink take a selfie before hiking to Laramie Peak in southcentral Wyoming.

Why Wait? Wyoming Couple Hits All 50 States During Their ‘Pretirement’

A Cheyenne couple decided not to wait for retirement to enjoy their golden years, so they’ve been traveling all over Wyoming and all 50 United States during what they call their “pretirement.”

Renée JeanJanuary 06, 2024

Caitlin Long custodia bank founder 2 20 23

Wyoming-Based Custodia Bank Goes For Jugular In Lawsuit Against Federal Reserve

Wyoming-based Custodia Bank is asking a federal judge for a summary judgment in its lawsuit with the Federal Reserve because there’s clear and compelling evidence the Fed was influenced by politics when it denied Custodia’s master account.

Renée JeanJanuary 06, 2024

When Lake De Smet hasn't frozen over by New Year's Day, like this year, everyone runs into Lake De Smet at once for the annual polar plunge.

Dozens Endure A Frigid Lake De Smet For Annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge

What started as a double-dog dare nearly 40 years ago to jump into the frigid waters of Lake De Smet near Buffalo, Wyoming, has become an informal New Year’s Day tradition. On Monday, there was no ice, but dozens endured the icy water.

Renée JeanJanuary 02, 2024

Gary Shaklee at his Clean Eatz franchise in Cheyenne.

Fast, Tasty And Cheap: Cheyenne's "Clean Eatz" Restaurant Is Healthy And Affordable

The build-a-bowls, wraps, flatbreads, and burgers at Cheyenne's "Clean Eatz" are all made fresh and ready in about the same time it would take for a burger and fries at a fast-food chain, all at a price point that’s competitive.

Renée JeanJanuary 01, 2024

LeAnn Miller surveys an abundance of produce for Eat Wyoming.

Casper Doctor Couldn't Find Fresh Enough Produce So He Launched "Eat Wyoming"

Dr. Jesse Miller of Casper and his Mom couldn’t find produce fresh enough in Wyoming supermarkets, so he went to another source — the state’s small growers. That began Eat Wyoming, which delivers super-fresh local produce -- even produce no one thinks is grown in Wyoming.

Renée JeanJanuary 01, 2024

Casper-based Disa Technologies has developed and patented separation process that can be a game-changer for extracting rare earths and remediating abandoned uranium mines.

Wyoming Company Pioneers Game-Changing Process For Rare Earths, Uranium

Casper-based Disa Technologies has patented a new mineral separation process that can make mining and extraction processes much more economic, which could be a breakthrough for the state’s rare earths and uranium industries.

Renée JeanJanuary 01, 2024

Green River baker Dusty Collar is a finalist in the $10,000 online 2023 Greatest Baker competition.

Green River Baker Advances To Finals In 2023 Greatest Baker Competition

Green River's Dustee Collar has made her way into the finals of 2023 Greatest Baker competition which pits 1,000 bakers from around the world. Collar, who has baked professionally for 7 years, credits her grandma for her success.

Renée JeanDecember 31, 2023

Other Authors

Finally Some Visual Progress At Cheyenne's Old Hitching Post Inn Site

Walls are going up for two hotels being built at the former site of Cheyenne's legendary Hitching Post Inn. Everhome Suites is one of the two hotels under construction, along with a recently signed corporate headquarters for a company that has yet to be revealed.

Renée JeanDecember 31, 2023

Nathanial Trelease, left, with a statue of Tom Horn, and Harvey Deselms with a statue of Princess Blue Water, right, at Deselms’ studio in Cheyenne. The two statues are the next bronzes that will be installed as part of Cheyenne's bronze project, which has 62 statues in it and counting.

62 Bronze Sculptures All Around Wyoming Capitol Began As A Dream 15 Years Ago

Cheyenne’s 62 bronze statues — with more on the way — immortalize Wyoming history and culture all around the neighborhood of the Wyoming State Capitol, the realization of a dream Cheyenne art dealer Harvey Deselms had 15 years ago.

Renée JeanDecember 31, 2023

Wyoming grown and made Red Pony Salsa is at the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas. It's the recipe of Richard Rhoades, far left, and the favorite salsa of Wyoming author Craig Johnson.

Wyoming’s Own Red Pony Salsa Is Author Craig Johnson’s Favorite And Growing Fast

Clearmont gardener Richard Rhoades' Red Pony Salsa is about to go big time. He’s one of only two Wyoming producers invited to the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas, where thousands of retailers go to look for their next bestseller.

Renée JeanDecember 30, 2023

Customers line up in the U.S. Post Office on Converse Avenue in Cheyenne.

Postal Service Hears Big Outcry Over Plan To Move Mail Processing Out Of Wyoming

One thing is for certain: Wyoming is not going down without a fight. The Postal Service's plan to move mail processing and distribution to other states is getting big pushback from Wyoming residents and the bureaucrats are hearing it.

Renée JeanDecember 27, 2023

This new Big Boot at the entrance to the Wyoming National Guard honors the Guard's service to Wyoming.

Cheyenne’s Newest 8-Foot Cowboy Boots Honor Wyoming’s Military Legacy

F.E. Warren Air Force Base and the Wyoming Air National Guard have joined Cheyenne’s fun and quirky Big Boot trail, with two giant, 8-foot-tall boots of their own. Now there are more than 30 gigantic 8-foot cowboy boots all over Cheyenne.

Renée JeanDecember 25, 2023

Scooter's Coffee stands are popping up all over Wyoming.

The Next Little Thing: Tiny Scooter’s Coffee Kiosks Popping Up All Over Wyoming

Scooter’s Coffee is caffeinating Wyoming at a rapid pace, recently opening shops in Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, and soon in Douglas, Jackson and Sheridan. One franchisee is planning another 12 - 17 more in the Cowboy State.

Renée JeanDecember 25, 2023

The Presidential Barbershop on West Lincolnway in Cheyenne.

The Presidential: A Cheyenne Barbershop Making Christmas Happen For Local Families

Families worried that Christmas wasn’t going to happen for them found a real-life angel in Angel Maldonado, owner of The Presidential Barbershop in Cheyenne. His impromptu toy and gift drive proves the spirit of Christmas is still alive.

Renée JeanDecember 25, 2023

Steve "Shakey" Chadwick has been restoring and researching sheep wagons for more than 50 years.

Wyoming People: Shakey Chadwick’s 50 Years Of Sheep Wagon Wizardry

Wyoming invented sheep wagons, and they are an essential thread of state history. Steve “Shakey” Chadwick has spent more than 50 years preserving wagons and their Western legacy.

Renée JeanDecember 24, 2023

The Shell Store has had many names over the last 125-plus years, but now Emily Clark is serving her mind-blowing French pastries out of the revived cafe and general store.

Pastry Chef Breathes New Life Into 125-Year-Old Shell Store In Shell, Wyoming

Who says you can’t quit your day job and do something completely different? Emily Clark credits a trip to New Zealand as the lightbulb moment to change the course of her life. Now she’s a pastry chef at the 125-year-old Shell Store in Shell, Wyoming.

Renée JeanDecember 24, 2023

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