NOT AS MANY PEOPLE TRAVELING THIS THANKSGIVING IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST. DOUG SHUPE WITH TRIPLE-A NEW MEXICO SAYS 3-POINT-2 MILLION PEOPLE WILL GO 50 MILES OR MORE FROM HOME … MOST LEAVING WEDNESDAY, THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING … AND RETURNING SUNDAY.
SHUPE TELLS US THE REASON FOR THE SLIGHT DROP FROM LAST THANKSGIVING IS THE SLUGGISH ECONOMIC RECOVERY HAS SOME THINKING TWICE ABOUT THE EXPENSE. HE SAYS HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND UNEMPLOYMENT HAVE SHOWN PROGRESS, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE SLIGHT DROP IN HOLIDAY TRAVEL. HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT FURLOUGHED WORKERS IS ANOTHER FACTOR IN THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAY TRAVEL VOLUME.
THE PRICE OF GAS IS ALSO UP AGAIN THIS WEEK. IN NEW MEXICO, THE STATE AVERAGE IS 3-07 A GALLON … UP FROM 3-03 LAST WEEK.
