Gas Prices Ease in Arizona, Louisiana, Idaho

Gas prices have eased in several regions, though remain high compared with a year earlier in some areas. Arizona’s Valley average fell 13 cents in a week to $4.51 per gallon, while Scottsdale’s average dropped to $4.82; AAA cited the shift to cheaper winter-blend fuel, with crude prices and Middle East instability limiting further declines. Louisiana’s average was reported at $3.83, and Lake Charles at $3.94, still about $1.20 above its level a year earlier. An Idaho opinion columnist also noted a local pump price decline of 72 cents over roughly three and a half weeks, while making partisan claims about the causes of fuel prices.