Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — U.S. senators from Wyoming and New Mexico say they'll roll out legislation this week to try to restore about $110 million in cuts to a federal minerals payment program that hit their states the hardest. Wyoming stands to lose more than $50 million this year. Republican Sen. Mike Enzi's office says "The federal government took money that doesn't belong to it" and used federal spending cuts "as an excuse."

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — Black Hills Corp. has agreed to sell a 40-megawatt natural gas-fired power-generating unit to the city of Gillette for about $22 million. The Gillette News Record reports the city estimates the deal could save it $43 million to $106 million over the next 20 years on electricity spending.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A National Weather Service hydrologist says a snowy April was a "godsend" for the state, but isn't enough to push Wyoming's spring runoff to normal levels. Jim Fahey says runoff is still expected to be below average in many areas this spring and summer because the moisture that fell in April was soaked up by the dry ground.

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — A new playing surface will be installed this summer at Wyoming's War Memorial Stadium. The FieldTurf Revolution playing surface on Jonah Field will have a depiction of the Grand Tetons and will be completed in time for the 2013 college football season. It will cost about $500,000 and is being paid for with private funds.