This is an LA Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Angelica Coronado at LA Times Studios.

Here are some of today's headlines from the Los Angeles Times.

California gas prices are set to rise this summer, just as many residents hit the road for vacation.

Reporter Karen Garcia writes that drivers could see a nearly 70 cents spike due to a combination of higher state taxes and tougher rules on refineries.

Starting July 1st, California's gas excise tax will rise to 61.2 cents a gallon. Diesel fuel taxes

will also increase from 45.4 cents to 46.6. Vice Chair of California's Independent Emissions Market

Advisory Committee says amendments to California's low-carbon fuel standard could add up to 65 cents per gallon

this year. But the California Air Resources Board says this estimate is misinformed. Experts say

global oil prices are staying low right now because supply is outpacing demand, but that might not

be enough to balance out California's price hikes.

Illegal fireworks are already going off in LA ahead of July 4th, despite warnings from

experts about rising injuries and environmental harm.

Sonia Sharp reports that firework-related injuries in the U.S. jumped more than 50% last year.

Dr. Jeremy Swisher says he has seen many people lose their fingers or hands,

but that burns are the most common ways people get hurt.

Pyrotechnics also pollute the air. Over the last 15 years, reports have shown worse air quality

the day after Independence Day celebrations. And even when they're confiscated,

My Safe L.A. executive director David Barrett says

it costs the state thousands of dollars to ship them to places where they can be scrapped. But with the

World Cup, Super Bowl and Olympics coming to the city in the next few years, Barrett doesn't think the city will slow down.

People are spending less as prices remain high compared to last year.

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