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Gas prices in Washington D.C. as of May 17.(Flickr) On June 1 of every year the Comptroller's office announces the gas tax increase that will go into effect on July 1. The tax increase is calculated by the Comptroller office.

As the country faces record-breaking temperatures ahead of the summer, gas and food prices have gone soaring for the second time. Currently, the average price for a gallon of gas sits at $4.59 just a few months after things were seeming to go back to a manageable amount. Forecasters at JPMorgan Chase have predicted that prices will go above the $6 dollar mark by the time the new season rolls around. This marks a 30% increase amid multiple rate hikes and another round of Ukrainian aid, inflation, and cryptocurrency markets going into freefall.

photo of man pumping gas into vehiclePhoto by Sippakorn Yamkasikorn (Unsplash) Gas prices continue to soar as the average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline is currently at $4.59 per gallon according to AAA.

photo of customer pumping gasPhoto by Dawn McDonald (Unsplash) The average state gas price in California is currently at a $6.06 per gallon. According to AAA Gas Prices, the highest average-priced county is Alpine county, at $6.79. The lowest is found at $4.67 in El Centuro county. And it doesn't look prices are going to be getting any better over the summer. On top of the Ukraine invasion and preparations for summer travel, here are a few other reasons why this is happening:

Archie Carr National Wildlife RefugeEllen Contreras. While watching Good Morning America over the weekend, they reported eye opening statistics on gas prices ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Back in 2020, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in the US was $1.87, in 2020 it rose to $3.04 and now it is up to $4.59. They also reported that airfare is up over 30%.

An official link between inflation and stimulus checks.(Frederick Warren/Unsplash) During one of the United States’ most challenging times about two years ago, the government authorized a series of three checks to be issued to qualifying Americans. Today in 2022, we are seeing some of the most inflated prices in American history: gas, food, shipping costs, baby formula, etcetera. Is the government taking their money back?

(Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (CHARLOTTE, N.C.) Good morning, Charlotteans! It is Thursday, May 19 and a 30% chance ofrain in today's forecast is met with a high of 93 and low of 69. Rain chances persist but are less likely this weekend, allowing readers to check out the Carolina BBQ Festival at Camp North End on Sunday or visit hidden oases with the Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward 2022 tour both days.

Buc-ee's is a gas station known as the "home of the world's cleanest bathrooms," and with 120 pumps on the more than 53,000-square-foot property, it's easy to see why people are falling in love with it.

Florida's drivers have become used to the price of gasoline steadily increasing. It was put down to oil shortages as a knock on from the pandemic when oil companies slowed down production. Then the Russia-Ukraine conflict reduced the supply of Russian oil as sanctions took hold.

The price of gas has begun to sky rocket throughout Dallas and drivers are feeling the pain.Adrian Susec/Unsplash. Gas prices continue to rise above $4 a gallon on average. They hit a record on March 11, when gas reached $4.01. However, on Monday the average price increased up to 14 cents from a week ago and 27 cents from last month. Dallas News reports that the area has paid $1.34 more for gas.

Fuel prices rise to record highs, leaving Americans struggling to afford to get to work, heat their homes, and even afford groceries. The national average price of a gallon of regular gas has reached $4.328 today, with many unable to afford the cost. According to a AAA report, gas reached an all-time high of $4.331 on March 11th, 2022, affecting every financial aspect of their lives. Money once allocated for other things such as food, healthcare, and everyday items, is being siphoned towards transportation costs. According to The Center for Neighborhood Technology and The Center for Transit-Oriented Development report, 50% or more of people's income is mostly housing and transportation costs, according to a report by Michael Sivak of Sivak Applied Research. On average, people consume roughly 400 gallons of gasoline a year.

After holding steady at around $5.99 per gallon for several weeks, gas prices have exceeded $6 per gallon in many areas around the East Bay

Photo of person using gas pumpPhoto by Sippakorn Yamkasikorn (Creative Commons/Unsplash) In case you haven't noticed, gas prices are on the rise again in Ohio with a statewide average at 3.949 right now at the time of publishing. This may come as a surprise after gas prices dropping over the last month. Well, at the end of March, President Joe Biden shared his plan to release 1 million barrels of oil from the U.S. reserve. The intent of this move was to lower gas prices. Relief came shortly thereafter with gas prices. But that relief seems to be temporary.

(Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (DETROIT, Mich.) Hello and welcome to this Friday's edition of the Detroit Daily Round-Up. The best day of the week is finally here — I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Gas stations across Dallas are being targeted by gas thieves.Jean Christophe. Footage has been uncovered that shows a Dallas man opening a gas pump at a convenience store and drawing nearly 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel. Two vehicles repeated the theft for six hours before anyone noticed it.

EVgo launched the company’s first fast charging station at a Colorado Whole Foods Market in 2018.EVgo Network/Flickr. (Across Colorado) A new study found that Colorado is the fifth easiest state to charge electric cars, underscoring a state push to electrify the transportation sector and the increasing popularity of the vehicles amid rising gasoline prices.

Springfield's NBC affiliate, KY3, is reporting that unprecedented diesel fuel prices are rising more quickly than trucking companies can adapt to. One issue is that trucking companies must purchase fuel in advance of customer payments, which sometimes come up to two months after the job is completed.

Photo of Gas pump being usedPhoto by Erik McLean (Creative Commons) For a brief few hours last week, a convenience store in Tennessee had the lowest fuel prices of any gas station in the country but the owner had no idea about what was happening.

Gas prices have been at record highs over the past couple of months and rideshare drivers are having a hard time keeping up. At its highest point this Spring, a gallon of gas was as much as $6.09 per gallon in Western states like California. However, prices remained above the $4 dollar mark for much of the United States as well, prompting local congressmen to introduce the idea of a gas stimulus rebate in order to curb the staggering costs of filling up the gas tank.

(Courtesy of The Elizabeth Hotel) (Fort Collins, Colo.) If escalating gas prices curtail your weekend getaway plans, The Elizabeth Hotel in Fort Collins has a deal for you. Located in historic Old Town Fort Collins, The Elizabeth encourages folks to hit the road with its Driver’s Dream package that includes a $25 per night gas card.