"NY AG warns of price gouging during poor air quality alert"
New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert warning residents to be on guard for price gouging of essential goods like masks, air purifiers, and air filters as the air quality worsens from Canadian wildfires. New Yorkers were advised to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities again Thursday as a thick, hazardous haze of wildfire smoke loomed over daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada. The state's price gouging statute covers state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services like food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options.