JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - Cicadas that have spent years in hibernation are emerging in Arkansas and other states, creating sometimes-high noise levels in the areas where they abound.

Tanya McKay, an associate professor of entomology at Arkansas State University, tells the Jonesboro Sun the type of cicadas emerging in northeast Arkansas are 13-year periodicals and in about a month, they will be gone for another 13 years.

McKay says the emergence is "a neat phenomenon" although quite noisy at times. She says the male cicada makes noise by stroking "tymbals" on his underside in an effort to attract females.

Experts say the 13-year cicadas are emerging in parts of 16 states and will move further north as soil temperatures reach 64 degrees.

The cicadas do not bite but do suck liquid from tree branches.

Information from: The Jonesboro Sun, http://www.jonesborosun.com

Gas is getting cheaper and that means there's a little less pain at the pump for Mid-Southerners this week.

AAA says this week drivers are paying 13 cents a gallon less in Memphis than they were last week. The average price in Memphis on May 17 was $3.75. Today, it’s $3.62 and experts say prices could fall another 5 cents before Memorial Day.

Why are they falling? Experts say there are a few reasons.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A longtime aide to former Sen. Blanche Lincoln has been named to a seat on the Arkansas Lottery Commission.

House Speaker Robert Moore on Thursday appointed Raymond Frazier of Little Rock to the panel. He replaces Joe White of Conway, who resigned.

Frazier worked for 10 years in community affairs in southeast Arkansas for Lincoln.