Gas Prices Soaring: Record Highs Loom

0:00It's March 31st, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Kansas News today, your AI-powered local news. Gas prices are spiking across the country, hitting a national average of $4.02 per gallon for unleaded as of Tuesday. That's up three cents from Monday, five cents from last week, and over a dollar higher than just a month ago. We're getting close to that record, high of $5.02 from June 2022. In Missouri, unleaded that $3.44 with diesel at $4.56 up, a bit daily but steady weekly, though nearly a buck more than last year. Kansas is a touch lower at $3.29 for gas, same diesel price, with small daily bumps and about 75 cents above, last year. The White House is pointing straight at the war with Iran as the culprit, saying prices won't drop until the fighting wraps up. This all stems from Operation Epic Fury, kicked off late February after U.S. and Israeli strikes took out Iran's top leader.

1:02Iran hid back by shutting the straight-of-for-mouse, where one-fifth of global oil flows through daily. Drivers are feeling the pinch at the pump, especially with these sharp jumps echoing past peaks. Families are tightening belts as costs climb, and it's rippling through trucking and everyday travel. President Trump is pushing allies to step up, warning that without a quick ceasefire and reopening of the straight, the U.S. might ramp up strikes on. Iran's key oil spots, relief could come fast once things settle, but for now, fill up smart and stay tuned as this unfolds.