Gas prices continue to soar as Middle East conflict continues

County leaders are lobbying Minnesota lawmakers for computer technology upgrades. They're coalescing around a goal of upgrading IT software that counties use to sign people up for Medical Assistance.Meanwhile, the Minnesota House will vote this week on renaming a state community solar garden program in honor of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated last year. Hortman advocated strongly for the program and got it passed.Travel by air and road are also getting more expensive in part because of war in the middle east. AAA reports the average gallon of regular gas will cost Minnesotans $3.25 Monday morning. That's up from $2.83 just a week ago. In the Twin Cities metro, prices are about 10 cents higher. The national average is about $3.48 a gallon.