Visitors are starting to pour into Jackson Hole for the summer, but this season could look different from years past.Tourism could take a dip with summer lodging bookings down 15% compared to last year.

About 2,000 people live in Kemmerer, which is in the corner of southwest Wyoming, where the mountains meet the desert. It is known for a few things – the original JCPenney store, ancient fossils and consequently, the fossil fuel industry. But, in late 2021, the company TerraPower, founded by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, announced their plans to build a nuclear plant nearby. While there is some push back with the project, the hope is to create ‘greener’ energy and jobs for former coal workers.

The Mountain West includes some of the country's strongest state economies, according to a new analysis, but the region's overall economic health doesn't extend to every state.

May 5 marks the opening of the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park. After three turbulent years due to the pandemic and historic flooding, the park’s Superintendent Cam Sholly is ready for a “normal year.”

UW's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (WyCEI) in conjunction with the Honors College is offering a three-week course beginning in May that gives students at UW or any of the state’s eight community colleges a chance to turn those ideas into realities. It includes opportunities for students in an array of academic disciplines, including entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, activists, and businesspeople.

Recently released data indicate that 5,700 more jobs were added during this period, a two percent increase from the same period the year before. Taxable revenue increased by nearly 14 percent with several sectors, including mineral extractions, experiencing major upticks. Tourism and hospitality and professional and business service sectors all added workers, among others. But while some did better than others, unemployment also rose. Wyoming still lagged slightly behind the national average growth rate for this period.

State Rep. Cyrus Western and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman have criticized the nation's largest freight railroad about a decline in these shipments, which they say has cost the state more than $100 million last year. It comes as the Class I railroads, of which BNSF is one, have struggled with hiring and retention amid issues with attendance policies, among others.

WalletHub released their analysis that also listed the Cowboy State as ranking highly in the amount of federal contracts and financial assistance received and lowest in the amounts of grants received per dollar in federal taxes paid. The Cowboy State comes in behind Alaska, West Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky, and New Mexico respectively.

Mountain West states are some of the most expensive places to own a car, according to several data sets analyzed by Forbes Advisor. Nevada tied with California as the most expensive states, while Colorado ranked third.

University of Wyoming and partners to award over $30,000 grant to help Wyoming communities adapt to climate change