GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) — Gas prices in Mississippi have fallen ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with AAA reporting the average price for regular unleaded at $3.46 a gallon, down eight cents from last week.

Prices along the coast are even lower.

AAA spokesman Don Redman said the drop is tied to a decline in crude oil prices.

“We’ve definitely seen a decrease statewide,” Redman said.

Redman said lower crude oil prices can mean lower gas prices, since crude oil is used to make gasoline.

“When we were at the height of this war, we touched over $115 a barrel, but we’re currently looking at $70 a barrel and that absolutely has had an impact,” Redman said.

AAA said prices had been higher in recent weeks because of uncertainty in the global oil market, including the conflict in Iran.

Gulfport-area driver David Depreo said the lower prices are a welcome change from paying more than $3.50 a gallon.

“It sure is nice to see this,” Depreo said.

Depreo said the higher prices had taken a financial toll on his family.

“It’s put pressure on everybody. I’m retired, but I have younger children with kids and it’s a struggle for them,” Depreo said.

He said the savings will add up at the pump.

“I’m gonna probably save $10–$15. I fill up every half a tank and keep a full tank,” Depreo said.

Redman said drivers are not out of the woods yet.

“I think we’re always going to be in a state of flexibility in terms of prices and seeing that light at the end of the tunnel really will come when a permanent treaty is signed with Iran,” Redman said.

AAA expects more than 60 million Americans to hit the road this holiday weekend.

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Right now, it’s unmissable. North Carolina, and especially the Triangle, is both very hot, and very dry. Fireworks stands are popping up, just in time for the Fourth of July. So why isn’t the state under a burn ban? 

It’s a straightforward question, with a complex answer. 

Both the state, through the North Carolina Forest Service, and individual counties can declare burn bans. The vast majority of the time, county fire marshals listen to the Forest Service. And right now, the Forest Service says the danger isn’t great enough – yet. 

“We’re still dry, fire danger is still high, but we haven’t reached that hazardous category yet,” said Phil Jackson, a Forest Service spokesperson. 

Jackson points out that the state has two fire seasons, spring and fall, and conditions right now are very different. 

For one, humidity is much higher right now, and humidity “tends to bring relief to fire risk and any ongoing wildfire activity that might be happening at that moment,” said Jackson. 

Leaves are also key. In spring, plants are trying to wake up from their long winter sleep. Doing that requires a lot of water, drying out the soil. 

“Think of each individual root system as being a straw that is just pulling water out of the ground,” said Jackson. 

In the fall, the ground is covered in lots of new dry leaves, increasing the danger again. 

“When they’re in full green, like they are now, they tend to be more fire resistant,” said Jackson. 

Jackson points out it’s not impossible to have a summer-time burn ban. The Forest Service is constantly monitoring conditions, and it’s possible those conditions could get worse in the coming weeks. For now, though, the fire danger, Jackson says, is “manageable.” 

But while the fire risk might be manageable, that doesn’t mean people should be careless. 

“We always encourage residents to avoid outdoor burning, unless it’s absolutely necessary,” said Johnston County Fire Marshal Travis Johnson. 

Johnson says, especially with the Fourth of July right around the corner, anyone burning or lighting fireworks should always have a source of water nearby to douse any runaway flames. “We never want anything to happen, but want to make sure that you’re safe while using those,” said Johnson. 

If a burn ban were to be implemented, it would impact Fourth of July fireworks shows. For now, though, those shows are allowed to go ahead, and remain the best option, Johnson says, for anyone who wants to see fireworks this year. 

Johnson, and other fire marshals WRAL spoke with, also stressed official fireworks shows are put on by professionals, are strictly permitted and regulated, and there are always firefighters there, on standby, just in case. 

“Just be safe, and enjoy the holidays,” said Johnson.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Pike Off OTA, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing the development of two proposed turnpikes, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to stop the construction of the East-West Connector “EWC” Turnpike Project, citing environmental concerns.

In the lawsuit, Pike Off OTA says construction of the EWC Turnpike Project is negatively impacting critical habitats for endangered species and the surrounding environment.

The lawsuit also alleges OTA is violating the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Federal Transportation Act.

Pike Off OTA aims to stop further construction and prevent additional bond funding until the required permits and environmental reviews have been completed.

Other Defendants Listed in the Lawsuit:

• United States Army Corps, Tulsa Division (USACE)
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

The East-West Connector Turnpike is part of ACCESS Oklahoma, a long-range plan to update Oklahoma’s turnpikes, bridges, and pavement and add three new routes in the Oklahoma City metro area.

Mission Statement from the ACCESS Oklahoma website:

This 15-year long-range plan has always been about motorist safety. OTA’s mission is to help facilitate traffic throughout the state by seamlessly connecting with the state highway system, thereby providing a choice for a safe, convenient, and efficient user-funded transportation network. OTA’s goal is to provide safe infrastructure while maintaining the lowest toll rate possible for our customers.

Pike Off OTA’s lawsuit is focusing on the EWC Turnpike, which Pike OFF said acts as a four-lane toll road expressway from I-44 Tri-City area (Newcastle, Blanchard, Tuttle) at SH-37. The turnpike will cross the South Canadian River, east to I-35 along Indian Hills Road in the Moore/Norman area.

The turnpike will also connect to the new Kickapoo Turnpike.

In the lawsuit, Pike Off OTA said installments and construction areas will permanently impact the Waters of the United States.

The EWC requires numerous installments and construction areas, including the building of temporary and permanent access roads, that will materially, and in some instances, permanently impact the Waters of the United States in the subject project area; notably the Canadian River, Lake Thunderbird, and Lost Creek. In sum, the EWC Project proposes the construction of approximately 30.5 miles of turnpike with two new bridges spanning the Canadian River, and other construction activities that will include the discharge and fill of materials into federally protected jurisdictions and waterways.

Pike Off OTA said that the OTA, USACE, FHWA, FWS, and the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation have all failed to uphold their duties to ensure the protection of Oklahoma’s wildlife, waterways, natural environment, and Pike Off OTA’s procedural rights.

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