Gas prices fall below $4 a gallon for first time since July

Gasoline prices fell to their lowest level since July on Tuesday, with the national average price slipping below $4 a gallon for the first time in months. Data from AAA showed that the national average price dropped about 3 cents per gallon from Monday's report, with the average slipping to $3.97 a gallon on Tuesday. Gas prices have fallen about 17 cents per gallon over the last week, and roughly 39 cents from a month ago, according to AAA's data. CONSUMER INFLATION RISES FASTER THAN EXPECTED IN OCTOBER, CPI REPORT SHOWS The decline in prices comes as refiners have switched to winter blends of gasoline that typically cost slightly less than summer blends, which can be sold at gas stations starting as early as mid-September.