South Carolina’s attorney general has reached a settlement with three gas stations and one gasoline wholesaler over charges they were price gouging after hurricanes Gustav and Ike last September.

AAA Carolinas says it expects fewer people in South Carolina and North Carolina to travel by road for the July 4th holiday, in part because of the economy, high unemployment and financial uncertainty.

Gas prices may be rising across the nation, but South Carolina motorists can say they’re paying less than anyone else.

AAA Georgia said gasoline prices across the state climbed 12 cents a gallon during the past four weeks. The auto club said Monday’s average statewide price for regular was $1.91 a gallon. A year ago regular fuel was, on average, $1.43 higher in the state.

The statewide average price of regular gasoline fell overnight to $1.81 and is about a penny higher a gallon now than it was a month ago, according to AAA Georgia. The auto club said the national average price for regular gasoline Monday was $1.94 a gallon.

AAA Georgia reports the average statewide price for regular Monday is almost $1.78 a gallon. The average prices for midgrade and premium fuels are $1.91 and $1.99 a gallon, respectively.

The average statewide price of gasoline increased about 19 cents in the past 30 days, according to a survey compiled by AAA Georgia.

The state is investigating 200 gas stations for price gouging in the wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike last fall. So far, nine stations across the state have been fined for inflating prices when gas was scarce in September and October. Some of the stations simply have to refund money to customers who can prove with a receipt they bought gas during the gouging, while others have to pay up to $5,000 in fines to the state.

Retail gasoline prices across Georgia jumped a penny overnight as OPEC production cutbacks sent oil prices rising.

Georgians have another reason to celebrate the New Year - a reduction in the state’s gas tax.  The tax was lowered by 4 cents per gallon to 14.6 cents starting Thursday. Gov. Sonny Perdue cut the tax to help ease costs to motorists as the country’s economy slips further into recession.

Gasoline prices across Georgia are at their lowest level in nearly five years, and may continue to fall. AAA Georgia said Monday, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular is $1.53, down 20 cents since last month.

Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says gasoline hasn’t been this cheap since March 2004.

Gasoline prices across Georgia have fallen below the $2 a gallon mark. AAA said prices at the pumps have tumbled more than a dollar in the past month.

Georgia motorists are paying less to fill up the gasoline tank.  The average statewide price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.09 Monday. AAA Georgia said that’s a drop of $1.39 cents over the past month.  The national average price for regular is $2.24 a gallon.

Gas budgets for school buses were in jeopardy this time two months ago. That’s what officials in Columbia, at the South Carolina Department of Education say. This dip in prices might not save money, but it just might keep buses rolling. Count on Joy Howe for this story.