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

After UnitedHealth left Wyoming, Torrington resident Roger Huckfeldt found a new provider for his 85-year-old mother. That’s when his robocall nightmare really began, navigating 45 hours on hold and hangups to sign her up with the new company.

45 Hours On Hold: Torrington Man’s Insurance Nightmare Shows How Broken System Is

After UnitedHealth left Wyoming's Medicare Advantage insurance market, Torrington's Roger Huckfeldt tried to find a new provider for his 85-year-old mom. That's when a nightmare began, navigating weeks of robocalls, hangups, and 45 hours on hold. And he's still waiting.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2026

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.

New Owner Of Wyoming Ranch Larger Than Rhode Island Revealed (And It's Not Zelenskyy)

The new mystery owner of Wyoming’s massive 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches — larger than Rhode Island — has been revealed. Although there was erroneous speculation that Ukrainian President Zelensky bought it, the truth is it's a neighboring land owner.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2026

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and ProRodeo Hall of Fame has been headquartered in Colorado Springs for the last 46 years. Now it’s considering a move to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Wyoming vs Texas: JAC Approves $15 Million To Lure PRCA To State

The Joint Appropriations Committee approved $15 million to help lure the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association to Wyoming. The PRCA is interested in Wyoming but other states, like Texas, are vying for it too.

Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2026

Wyoming vs China? JAC Advances $16M Rare Earths Loan In Budget To Counter China

In what he called a win over China, Sen. Ogden Driskill advanced a proposed $16 million state-backed loan to bolster a rare earths processing plant. One industry rep said, "This is truly Upton versus China — this is how Wyoming pushes back against China.”

Clair McFarland & Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2026

Cary Lambert poses with a set of his Happy Valley dog calendars, which have helped seniors on fixed incomes in 15 states afford vaccinations for their pets. At right is Doc Holliday, covered in dirt on a tractor.

Laramie County Dogs Are Helping Senior Citizens Pay For Pet Vaccinations In 15 States

To help senior citizens pay for pet vaccinations, a UPS driver who delivers in Laramie County put together a dog calendar. Proceeds will help senior citizens pay for pet vaccinations in 15 states.

Renée JeanJanuary 11, 2026

The Atlas Theatre in Cheyenne has been closed for structural repairs. It's hoped it will be ready for a Valentine's Day reopening.

Cheyenne's Atlas Theatre Hopes For Valentine’s Reopening After $700,000 Structural Repair

Cheyenne’s historic 139-year-old Atlas Theatre hopes to reopen by Valentine's Day. It had been sagging in on itself before $700,000 worth of extensive structural repairs began. Work on the downtown centerpiece is almost completed.

Renée JeanJanuary 11, 2026

Netflix tried to buy the rights to “Longmire" 10 years ago. If the streaming service buys Warner Bros., it will finally own those rights. Wyoming author Craig Johnson, creator of the wildly popular Western series, hopes for more seasons of the show.

Netflix Deal To Buy Warner Bros. Could Open Door To More “Longmire" Episodes

Netflix has a bid on the table to buy Warner Bros., which would give the company the rights to Longmire, which it tried to buy 10 years ago. Wyoming author Craig Johnson, creator of the series, is hopeful a Netflix purchase would mean a revival of the show.

Renée JeanJanuary 10, 2026

A proposed New York City law pushed by animal rights groups would ban calf roping, flanks, and electric prods — effectively banning all rodeo in the city. Misinformation that promotes anti-rodeo laws threatens the sport, Wyoming rodeo defenders say. Rodeo is a big part of Wyoming's cowboy culture, including the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, knowns as the "Daddy of 'em All" and the largest outdoor rodeo in the world.

Wyoming Rodeo Defenders Say Proposed New York City Law Threatens Cowboy Culture

An anti-rodeo law that would all but ban the sport in New York City represents a trend Wyoming rodeo defenders hate to see and they hope will not spread. They say even though New York is 2,000 miles away, the misinformation threatens cowboy culture.

Renée JeanJanuary 10, 2026

Shooting At Cheyenne Motel Leads To Four-hour Standoff

A man suspected of shooting another man at a Cheyenne motel Friday afternoon was arrested after a four-hour standoff with law enforcement. The victim is in the hospital with a chest wound.

Renée JeanJanuary 10, 2026

Cody’s 75-hour 911 outage this week isn’t unique, with 15 outages in Torrington exposing how outdated Wyoming's emergency communications system is. It’s become more and more expensive to run and is losing $3 million a year, state officials say. Above is the Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatch center in Cheyenne.

Wyoming’s Outdated 911 System Faces Mounting Failures And Costly Shortfalls

Problems with Wyoming’s 911 system have been brewing for quite some time and didn’t just start to appear when a cable was cut in Cody, leaving the city without adequate 911 services for 75 hours. Problems have been occurring in other communities as well.

Renée JeanJanuary 09, 2026

Cheyenne has approved Project Jade, a Tallgrass–Crusoe AI data center using up to 2.7 GW of mostly self-generated power, nearly triple the entire state’s power demand. That’s 50% larger than the 1.8 GW the companies announced in August.

Huge Cheyenne Data Center Grows To 2.7 Gigawatts — Nearly Triple State Power Use

Cheyenne has approved Project Jade, a Tallgrass–Crusoe AI data center using up to 2.7 GW of self-generated power, nearly triple the entire state’s power demand. That’s 50% larger than the 1.8 GW the companies announced in August.

Renée JeanJanuary 08, 2026

A fiber cable cut in Park County left residents without 911 access for three hours. The situation was caused, in part, by the aging infrastructure that Wyoming’s emergency communication systems depend upon, officials said.

Broken Fiber Line In Park County Exposes Fragility In Wyoming's 911 System

A cut fiber cable caused issues with 911 service from Monday night through Wednesday in Park County. “We are working with 57-year-old technology to make 911 work in the state of Wyoming,” Park County 911 Manager Monte McClain said.

Renée JeanJanuary 07, 2026

Other Authors

Gillette’s Airport's Success Prompts United To Drop Air Guarantee Subsidy

United Airlines dropped Gillette’s flight guarantee, proving Wyoming’s subsidy program works as airports mature toward self-sufficiency. Other communities like Cheyenne seek more state money amid rising costs and legislative hurdles.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2026

Craig Johnson reacts to being the 2025 recipient of the Tucson Festival of Books' Founders Award.

Inside The Loft That Inspires Wyoming Author Craig Johnson’s Award-Winning Career

It was a great year for Wyoming author Craig Johnson who received four lifetime achievement awards from prestigious writing and Western organizations. He created his popular “Longmire” mystery series in a tiny UCross cabin he built himself.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2026

Kristy Van Der Hoeven lived to do random acts of kindness. After the Cheyenne wife and mother died from a sudden heart attack, her giving spirit lives on with family and friends continuing her kindness, including leaving quarters in gumball machines.

Even After Sudden Death, Cheyenne Is Keeping Mom's Kindness Alive

After Cheyenne mom Kristy Van Der Hoeven’s sudden death, friends and families created a nonprofit to carry on her tradition of committing random acts of kindness like dropping quarters in gum ball machines or leaving dollars in toy aisles.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2026

Chef Vincent Fiore was touring Wyoming filming for his new television series “Cookin With Cowboys” when he stumbled on the Wagon Box Inn in Story. Fiore will take the struggling restaurant over starting this month.

Story's Wagon Box Inn Lands Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore

Celebrity Chef Vincent Fiore didn’t have Story, Wyoming, on the itinerary for his new "Cookin' With Cowboys" episodes, which stream on YouTube. But the Wise Guy Kitchen chef is always up for a new adventure - like taking over as chef at Wagon Box Inn.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2026

Jackson Hole buyers often have to choose between grand valley views or seclusion. This home on Trader Road is that rare exception, being secluded with views. It’s listing for $15.9 million.

Even In Jackson Hole, This $15.9 Million Home Stands Out — Secluded With Views

Jackson Hole buyers often have to choose between grand valley views or seclusion. A home on Trader Road is that rare exception, being secluded with views. It’s listing for $15.9 million.

Renée JeanDecember 31, 2025

This silver coin is a piece of eight, so-named because it could be cut into eight pieces for trading. The coin's collectible value is still worth more than its mere metal value. The silver is worth $70 or so dollars, but as a collectible, the coin is worth about $600.

Record Prices Have Wyoming Silver Owners On Alert As Global Demand Surges

With prices for silver hitting record highs as the year closes out, some in Wyoming are selling their silver. But other silver bugs are holding on, expecting prices to continue climbing.

Renée JeanDecember 30, 2025

Laramie band Winston Creek will be one of the Wyoming acts performing at the first Outlaw Music Festival in Kaycee. The event was created to fill the void left by the ending of the popular Chris LeDoux Days.

No More Chris LeDoux Days? No Problem. Kaycee’s Outlaw Music Fest Takes Its Place

For 15 years, Chris LeDoux Days in Kaycee was a mainstay of Wyoming's summer music scene. Now that it’s over, locals have organized a new Outlaw Music Festival to take its place.

Renée JeanDecember 27, 2025

The research happening at Wyoming’s supercomputer facility in Cheyenne is about much more than climate change. It’s led to fundamental breakthroughs that have made many pursuits safer, ranging from fighting wildfires to flying jets.

Researchers Fight To Keep Wyoming's NCAR Supercomputer Alive

Researchers, many of whom are Trump supporters, say the president is getting bad advice about defunding Wyoming's NCAR supercomputer. They say NCAR is responsible for breakthroughs that have made many things safer, ranging from fighting wildfires to flying jets.

Renée JeanDecember 27, 2025

Shawn Norby holds a sign explaining the Star Plunge water park and hot springs in Thermopolis was closed Jan. 14, 2025, a day earlier than expected, as a dispute continues between the state and the facility's owners/operators.

One Year Later, Star Plunge Hot Springs Still Closed As Legal Stalemate Continues

Almost a year after the popular Star Plunge at Hot Springs State Park abruptly closed, it remains shut. A legal stalemate over who will operate the attraction continues.

Renée JeanDecember 26, 2025

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