Dianne Feinstein

SAN FRANCISCO-- California has set a state record for gasoline prices _ but the hikes may be slowing. The highest average price in the state, at $4.75, is in the San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and Paso Robles area.

SAN FRANCISCO-- State leaders _ and drivers _ hope to see gasoline prices drop soon, now that California officials have approved the release of "winter-blend" fuel that is expected to help bolster the state's supplies. Jerry Brown ordered it to allow so-called "winter-blend" gasoline to be sold in California earlier than usual to increase supply.

Jerry Brown ordered them to allow so-called "winter-blend" gasoline to be sold in California earlier than usual to increase supply. AAA said the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California hit $4.668 Monday _ the highest price in the nation and an all-time high for the Golden State. California usually converts to the gas on Oct. 31.

LOS ANGELES-- The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California rose to an all-time high Monday, the third record-setting day in a row that is prompting calls for a federal investigation into the price spike.

NEW YORK-- A strong warning from the World Bank that growth in Asia may slow further dragged the price of oil Monday to its lowest close in two months. The World Bank signaled the possibility of a "more pronounced slowdown" in China, the world's second largest economy after the United States.

LOS ANGELES-- The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California rose to an all-time high Monday, the third record-setting day in a row that is prompting calls for a federal investigation into the price spike.

HOUSTON, Oct 5- The unprecedented surge in California's wholesale gasoline market this week has many hallmarks of a classic short squeeze, traders said on Friday, evoking a once common ploy in unregulated oil markets.