Gas prices typically drop as the summer driving season ends around Labor Day and refineries turn to making a cheaper winter blend.

As you’ve probably noticed, that’s not the case this year, as gas prices are rising again across the country and the commonwealth.

The average price for a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania jumped to $4.36 on Wednesday, according to motor club AAA. That’s up from $4.28 this time last week, and $4.11 a month ago. 

Gas prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 40% since the US began its attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, when Pennsylvanians were paying $3.12 a gallon. 

Diesel prices, which can have an outsized impact on consumers because it is used in shipping and production, are climbing at an even higher rate. Currently, the statewide average is $6.13 a gallon, up from $5.97 last week, $5.55 a month ago, and $4.24 when the war began. 

So why are gas prices spiking again? Where is Pa.’s cheapest gas? What are Pennsylvania lawmakers trying to do about rising gas prices? And what about the low prices at those Trump-hyped Freedom Fuel gas stations? We’ve got answers to those questions, and more, in this story.

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, in which nearly 3,000 people were killed, including 40 passengers and crew members aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed into a field in Somerset County.

We’ll have much more on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and the Pennsylvanians who lost their lives that day, in Friday’s newsletter. For our QOTW, we’d like to know: Where were you as the terrorist attacks unfolded on 9/11?  

Reply below with your answer.

From left, David and Sharon Lucas of Burnsville stop at Hanover Junction while taking six of their grandchildren on a two-day bicycle trip from York, Pa. into Maryland. The section of the trail is part of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail. (Photo: USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

Just days after the 9/11 attacks, David Brickley, then director of Virginia’s recreation and conservation department, found himself at a planned northern Virginia conference where parks officials from around the nation were supposed to talk about establishing more greenways. On the final day of the gathering, Brickley told the crowd of hundreds: “We’ve got to find a way to merge our love of trails and greenways with this horrific event.”

In 2002, he began mapping out the 9/11 National Memorial Trail and founded the nonprofit that has stewarded the project ever since. 

The triangular route passes through six states and Washington, DC, linking all three sites of the terrorist attacks. But the longest segment, totaling more than 900 miles, stretches through Pennsylvania. It links together more than a third of the commonwealth’s counties and 129 municipalities, passing through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Amish farm country, and the Poconos. 

Learn more about the 9/11 National Memorial Trail in this story.

• Around this time two years ago, Sen. John Fetterman was in high demand on the campaign trail, going county-to-county in Pennsylvania to help Democrats up and down the ballot. Now, after two years of crossing swords with Democrats and backing some of President Donald Trump’s priorities, he’s nowhere on the stump. Read about Fetterman’s growing isolation from his own party.

• A yearslong effort to establish the Pittsburgh area’s largest hyperscale data center faces new hurdles—from the emergence of a data center moratorium and new zoning ordinance proposal to a lawsuit challenging the center’s current progress. Learn about it here.

• Facing a competitive congressional race against Democratic challenger Bob Brooks, the Lehigh Valley’s incumbent US Rep. Ryan Mackenzie is headed to Dallas to speak at the Republican midterm convention. Sean Kitchen has the story.

Think your corner of Pennsylvania is pretty special? Then show us!

We’re launching Your Pennsylvania, a new section dedicated to photos submitted by our readers. 

We want to see Pennsylvania through your eyes, whether it’s a spectacular sunset in your area, a beloved landmark, a beautiful hiking spot, or a horse and buggy parked next to a Tesla Cybertruck at your local Sheetz.

Send us your photos with your name, location, and a brief description of what you’re sharing.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Sean Kitchen, The Associated Press, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Mia Hollie of Pittsburgh’s Public Source. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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