Subpoenas sent

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) _ North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has sent subpoenas to seven gasoline retailers who reportedly charged as much as $7.32 a gallon for regular fuel last week.

Cooper told a news conference Monday afternoon that more subpoenas are being prepared and that retailers will have 10 days to explain why their prices went so high.

The seven targeted in the first round of subpoenas were cited for charging more than $5.49 a gallon for fuel. Subpoenas went to gas stations in Anson, Ashe, Cherokee, Guilford, Montgomery, Stanly and Transylvania counties.

Gas prices went up shortly after Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coastline and its numerous oil refineries.

Cooper said gouging for greed will not be tolerated in North Carolina.