Gas Prices Vary by State: Factors Behind the Differences Gas prices across the United States fluctuate significantly from one state to another, with drivers often noticing stark differences at the pump. These variations are influenced by a combination of factors, including state and local taxes, the distance from oil supply sources, environmental regulations, and market dynamics. As of April 2, 2026, the national average gas price had risen to $4.08 per gallon, up from $3.98 the previous week and $3.00 in early March. This increase has prompted widespread curiosity about the reasons behind the price disparities. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) identifies several key factors contributing to regional differences in gas prices. One primary reason is the variation in state and local gas taxes. While the federal government imposes a uniform tax of 18.4 cents per gallon since 1993, states add their own levies, which can significantly impact the final price. For example, California, which has the highest state gas tax at 71 cents per gallon, saw an average price of $5.89 per gallon on April 2, the most expensive in the nation. Conversely, Oklahoma, with a state tax of 48 cents per gallon, had the lowest average price at $3.27 per gallon. Transportation costs also play a major role in price variations. The EIA notes that gas prices tend to be higher in regions farther from oil production centers, as shipping fuel to these areas increases expenses. Additionally, supply disruptions—such as refinery shutdowns or geopolitical tensions—can lead to bidding wars for available gasoline, driving up prices. Retail competition further influences costs, with areas having fewer gas stations often experiencing higher prices due to reduced market saturation.#california #oklahoma #new_york #washington_d_c #us_energy_information_administration
Oklahoma lawsuit alleges State Farm cheats homeowners Billy Hursh couldn’t believe the response from his insurance company after a hailstorm damaged his roof in October 2023. Two contractors told him a full roof replacement was needed, but State Farm claimed the damage was minor, classifying the roof as “fair” condition. The dispute escalated into a yearslong legal battle that now involves the state’s highest court. Hursh described the second storm eight months later as devastating, with trees bending, power flickering, and the roof worsening. He and his wife, Lacy, opted to pay out of pocket for repairs, borrowing against their home’s equity to cover over $22,000 in costs. Hursh called the experience “making you feel like a sucker” and expressed frustration over being taken advantage of. The Hursh family’s lawsuit alleges State Farm engaged in a “pervasive, state-wide fraudulent scheme” to deny coverage for hail damage. The complaint claims the company implemented a “Hail Focus Initiative” to narrow the definition of hail damage, effectively reducing the number of full roof replacements covered. This hidden policy, not disclosed in the policy itself, allows State Farm to deny claims before they are filed. The lawsuit argues this practice reflects “simple greed,” prioritizing the company’s profits over policyholders’ interests. Over 600 Oklahoma homeowners have similar lawsuits pending against State Farm, which is the state’s largest property insurer. State Farm declined to comment on the allegations but denied wrongdoing in legal filings, calling the initiative a 2020 effort to improve claims handling accuracy and address over- or underpayment. The company also highlighted its $1 billion in payments to Oklahoma customers for wind and hail damage over two years.#oklahoma #state_farm #billy_hursh #lacy_hursh #gentner_drummond
Oklahoma homeowners insurance rates face scrutiny amid State Farm lawsuits Oklahoma homeowners insurance rates are among the highest in the United States, sparking political and legal debates over how these costs are determined. Investigations, hundreds of lawsuits against State Farm, and a request for a market competition hearing have raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the state’s insurance market. The issue has gained attention as nearly 900 lawsuits allege that State Farm improperly denied wind and hail damage claims. Homeowners across Oklahoma claim that many storm-related claims were rejected under a policy implemented around 2020, with some denials attributed to installation issues or other factors instead of actual storm damage. The Oklahoma Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on March 25 regarding whether the state attorney general can intervene in one of these cases and access internal State Farm documents. A 1998 state law limits regulators’ ability to review insurance rate increases, allowing companies to adjust rates without prior approval from the Oklahoma Insurance Department. This law has drawn criticism, as it may contribute to the disparity in insurance costs between Oklahoma and neighboring states. Despite Oklahoma experiencing significant hail damage, its insurance rates remain higher than those in states like Kansas and Texas, where similar weather conditions exist. Insurance Commissioner Glenn Mulready has cited hail damage as a primary factor driving Oklahoma’s high insurance costs. However, investigative reports suggest that hail alone may not fully explain the difference. Researchers note that Oklahoma residents generally earn less than those in nearby states, which could exacerbate the financial burden of high insurance premiums.#oklahoma #state_farm #glenn_mulready #oklahoma_insurance_department #oklahoma_supreme_court
College Basketball Picks: Odds, Best Bets for UNC-Clemson, BYU-Houston and Other Tournament Matchups Men’s college basketball’s Championship Week continues on Thursday, with key conference tournament games shaping up as critical opportunities for teams to secure NCAA Tournament berths. While no automatic bids are on the line, the matchups carry significant weight for teams vying for postseason inclusion. The ACC, Big 12, Big East, and several mid-major leagues have advanced to the quarterfinals, while the SEC and Big Ten are nearing Sunday’s conclusion. The day’s action kicks off early with games like Louisville vs. Miami at 2:30 p.m. ET and UCF vs. Arizona at 3 p.m. ET, with later contests including Clemson vs. North Carolina, BYU vs. Houston, and Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M. The SportsLine Projection Model, which has shown strong performance in recent college basketball betting, offers insights into Thursday’s top games. The model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, has a 14-2 record on its top-rated over/under picks and a 28-21 record on side bets since last season. Analysts recommend following its guidance for potential returns. In the BYU vs. Houston matchup, the Cougars enter with a three-game win streak after defeating West Virginia 68-48. Freshman AJ Dybantsa, who leads Division I in scoring at 25.2 points per game, has been a key contributor, tallying 88 points and 22 rebounds in their recent run. Houston, ranked No. 5, has also won three consecutive games following a losing streak against Iowa State, Arizona, and Kansas. The SportsLine model predicts BYU will cover the +10 spread in 59% of simulations, suggesting a close game. Clemson and North Carolina, both projected to make the NCAA Tournament, face off in a high-stakes contest.#oklahoma #north_carolina #clemson #houston #byu
Oklahoma Announces Major Injury Update on Nelly McEnroe-Marinas Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso confirmed on Friday that third baseman Nelly McEnroe-Marinas will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The injury occurred during the top of the third inning of Sunday’s game against Southeastern Louisiana, when McEnroe-Marinas collided with catcher Kendall Wells while both players attempted to secure a bunt that was hit into foul territory. The collision forced McEnroe-Marinas to exit the game, and she was replaced by Sydney Barker before heading to the dugout. McEnroe-Marinas, a redshirt sophomore, had been a key contributor for the Sooners this season. She made 19 appearances, including 16 starts, and posted a batting average of .462 with three home runs and 16 RBIs. Her performance had been a bright spot for Oklahoma’s infield, and her absence will be a significant loss as the team prepares for the upcoming weekend. The Sooners are set to play their first games without McEnroe-Marinas this weekend, facing a pair of doubleheaders at the Okana Invitational at Love’s Field. The schedule includes matchups against Louisiana and Abilene Christian on Saturday and Sunday. The injury comes at a critical time for the team, as they aim to build momentum heading into the postseason. Gasso’s announcement highlights the challenges of maintaining consistency in a competitive college baseball landscape. McEnroe-Marinas’ injury not only impacts Oklahoma’s immediate roster but also underscores the physical demands of the sport. The team will now rely on its depth to fill the void left by her absence, testing the resilience of its younger players and bench.#oklahoma #okana_invitational #patty_gasso #nelly_mcenroemarinas #kendall_wells
Americans from Texas to Iowa face tornado threat Friday as spring storm season begins A growing concern is emerging as the first major storm system approaches the U.S. heartland, potentially bringing strong tornadoes to millions of people across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and neighboring states. The National Weather Service warned that scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop late Thursday in the Texas Panhandle, western Oklahoma, and parts of Kansas. These storms could produce large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes, according to forecasters. The most intense storms are anticipated to form on Friday, targeting Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and nearby regions. Melissa Mayes, deputy director of the Washington County Emergency Management Agency in Oklahoma, noted that this event marks the beginning of the spring storm season, with people starting to take the threat more seriously. Over 6 million Americans are at the highest risk of severe weather on Friday, including major metropolitan areas like Kansas City, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City. An additional 22 million people in areas such as St. Louis, Omaha, and Milwaukee are at a slightly lower risk. Meteorologists explained that the storm system is driven by a clash between warm air moving north from the Gulf Coast and colder air from Canada, which is carried by cold fronts. This setup is also expected to bring unusually warm temperatures to parts of the eastern U.S. by the weekend. Federal forecasters predicted temperatures could be 20-30 degrees above average, with 80s Fahrenheit reaching as far north as the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions. For example, Louisville, Kentucky, is forecast to hit 81 degrees Fahrenheit by Friday, while Atlanta could reach 82 degrees by Saturday. Washington, D.C.#oklahoma #texas #kansas #missouri #washington_county_emergency_management_agency
Severe Weather Expected to Impact Oklahoma Starting Thursday Night Severe weather is anticipated to begin in Oklahoma on Thursday night, with local forecasts indicating the potential for significant rainfall and hazardous conditions. The storm system is expected to bring rain to western Oklahoma counties as early as 5 p.m., with the heaviest rainfall concentrated around Clinton and Woodward. As the storm progresses, it will move northeast through the state, bypassing areas such as Ardmore and Ada in the south-central region. Oklahoma City and areas to the north may experience a series of weather hazards throughout the night. The rainfall is predicted to start as early as 5 p.m. in western Oklahoma, though the most likely timeframe for precipitation is between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., with the rain expected to end by 1 a.m. on Friday morning. In central Oklahoma, rainfall is anticipated to begin at 7 p.m., with the most active period likely between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Friday. Oklahoma City is expected to see the last of the rain by 3 a.m. on Friday. Weather hazards include the potential for hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Thursday morning may bring scattered showers combined with dense fog in western and west-central Oklahoma. By mid-afternoon, these showers could develop into occasional thunderstorms. While the likelihood of tornadoes forming in western and central Oklahoma is less than medium, there is a concern for baseball-sized hail and winds reaching speeds of up to 75 mph. The storm concentration is primarily between Altus and Woodward, extending eastward to Clinton, where the highest risk for tornadoes, hail, and high-speed winds is expected. The risk of tornadoes is set to increase on Friday afternoon, with Central Oklahoma facing a heightened threat compared to Thursday night.#oklahoma #clinton #woodward #ardmore #ada
Cold front moves in as storms weaken Severe storms swept across central and eastern Oklahoma, with tornadoes confirmed in multiple areas, including the Tulsa metro region. The News 9 weather team reported damage in Bristow and Beggs, Oklahoma, as tornadoes moved through the region. Storm trackers Val and Amy Castor captured footage of a tornado forming near Bristow on Friday evening, while another was observed in Bellevue around 5:30 p.m. Authorities confirmed two fatalities in Okmulgee County following a tornado on Friday. Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddie Rice stated the deaths occurred but provided no details about the exact location or circumstances. Governor Kevin Stitt urged residents to remain weather-aware, noting state agencies were actively responding to storms in Green Country as they persisted into the night. A Tornado Warning remained in effect for Seminole County until 6:45 p.m. The storm system also impacted Major County, where overnight tornadoes killed two people, including a mother and her daughter whose vehicle was struck by what authorities believe was a tornado. Early reports indicated six to seven tornadoes touched down overnight, with one near Fairview, Oklahoma, causing the fatalities. Emergency crews described the damage in Major County as concentrated near the Cimarron River, though officials noted no homes had been confirmed as damaged at that time. Power outages were reported across northwestern Oklahoma, with approximately 150 customers in Major County without electricity following the storms. While power had been restored north of Chester, crews worked to address outages in other affected areas. News 9 storm tracker Jeromy Carter documented a tornado touching down near Fairview on Thursday night.#oklahoma #oklahoma_city #news_9 #okmulgee_county #tulsa_metro_region
