OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma's recently re-elected Democrat AG Drew Edmondson and his incoming counterpart in New Mexico have both used recent winter-weather hazards in their respective states to launch their 2007 terms.

Edmondson today announced that his office was investigating "price-gouging" complaints in the Muskogee area. Edmondoson's office said it had received "about 25 complaints" about prices for motel rooms, gas cans, water and grocery store items in the region during and after the state's ice storms last weekend.

All 77 Oklahoma counties were declared disaster areas by state Governor Brad Perry following the storms, which left 23 dead and hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans without power.

Two weeks ago, incoming New Mexico AG Gary King launched a price-gouging investigation in his state after a severe winter storm dumped one-to-two feet of snow on the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. King alleged that motels and other tourist-related businesses in those areas raised prices on stranded travelers.

Missouri Attorney General and future gubernatorial candidate Jay Nixon also waded in following the weekend's ice-storm damage there. Nixon warned Missouri consumers to beware of "law breakers and con artists" in the wake of winter storm damage to the state.

He also reminded Missouri citizens to beware of "price-gouging," pointing out to businesses and citizens that it's "a violation of Missouri law for merchants to raise prices on necessities to make excessive profits after a natural disaster."