Business briefing: Local gas prices rise over holiday weekend

Metro-east area gas prices rose leading up to the Fourth of the July weekend as some stations witnessed regular unleaded per-gallon costs exceeding $3.

Local prices at the pump have since subsided and hover just below the $3-a-gallon mark for regular unleaded fuel. According to online gas price tracker GasBuddy.com, the average retail gasoline prices in St. Louis area have risen 4.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.74 a gallon on Sunday as the national average that has fallen 0.6 cents per gallon in the past week to $2.77 per gallon.

These prices are still 75.5 cents per gallon lower than the cost recorded at this time a year ago.

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A new report suggests consumers check ahead to see if any new medication they have been prescribed is covered under their insurance. If the price seems high, ask to speak to a pharmacist or possibly shop around for a better price. According to recent research, pricing may vary at different pharmacies, as drug costs include wholesale prices and influence of third-party pharmacy benefit managers. Read more here.

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U.S. stocks tumbled early Monday following Greece’s failed bailout vote Sunday. The Dow Jones industrial average has fallen 126 points, or 0.7 percent, to 17,601. Find out more here.

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More co-signers are being rejected for student loans. A new study from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has found that 90 percent are being turned down for co-signer release on their private student loans and is “leaving responsible consumers at risk of damaged credit or auto-default distress.” Learn more here.

— Will Buss, BND business writer

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 9:14 AM with the headline "Business briefing: Local gas prices rise over holiday weekend."