AP Top Stories

SelectPlusAP Top StoriesAP Top StoriesThe Associated PressHere's the latest news for Monday, June 9: Average price of gas hits $4 a gallon; Storms being blamed for at least 5 deaths; Texas governor's mansion damaged by fire; Laura Bush stops in Afghanistan.[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]This is A-P NewsMinute.The average price of regular gas has crept up to 4 dollars a gallon for the first time....and prices are expected to keep climbing. The increase was fueled by last week's surge in oil prices...and it comes just as the peak summer travel season gets underway. ++Wicked storms that pounded the country from the Midwest to the East Coast are being blamed for at least 5 deaths.The storms also brought tornadoes, including this one just outside of Chicago. That twister ripped off roofs...downed power lines...and caused several minor injuries.++Texas officials say arson is likely the cause of a fire that swept through the historic governor's mansion in Austin.No one was injured in the blaze, but the home was severely damaged.The 152 year old mansion has been undergoing a 10 million dollar renovation. ++Laura Bush is in Slovenia after making a quick stop in Afghanistan. The first lady checked on projects aimed at helping the country recover from years of Taliban rule. She'll speak at an Afghan donors' conference in Paris later this week.

minuteworld ap