Money in a Minute: Headlines From Around the Web

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OIL: Oil drops 15 percent in week, reviving hopes for lower gas prices

Oil prices aren’t just dropping, they’re plummeting – but gas prices may not fall for months. “Oil prices fell 15 percent this week, the steepest decline in two and a half years,” USA Today reports. But prices could stay high through Labor Day, one expert says.

CARS: Honda to sell natural-gas-fueled car across U.S.

What’s greener than an electric car? A Honda that fills up on natural gas. Starting this fall, Honda will sell the Civic GX. “The automaker, which currently offers the car in four states, has decided to market the natural gas vehicle nationwide,” Reuters reports. “Natural-gas-propelled cars are seen by some as greener than all-electric vehicles, as the latter charge their batteries using electricity often generated by fossil fuel-fired power plants.”

JOBS: April jobs report: Hiring picks up steam

After weeks of speculation, it’s official: “The jobs recovery picked up speed in April,” CNN reports. “The economy added 244,000 jobs in the month – up from the 221,000 jobs gained in March.”

POLITICS: Republicans: Change consumer bureau… or else

If Democrats don’t agree to ratchet back the powers of the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Republicans are threatening to block any attempt to pick its first director. CNN reports, “44 of the 47 Republicans in the Senate sent a letter to President Obama, arguing that the new agency is far too powerful.”

FOOD: Mighty Mississippi poses threat to oyster trade

If you like oysters, you won’t like this: The cult-favorite shellfish is suffering from the recent Mississippi floods, after just starting to recover from the BP oil spill. “Roughly half as many oysters were harvested last year compared to 2009,” USA Today reports.

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