Fall makes the whole world seem different — and not just because of the changing leaves. Suddenly, you can wander for hours outside without melting in the heat, seasonal produce and holiday dishes hit dinner tables, shops buzz with back-to-school energy, and everything seems to vibrate with a sense of possibility. (The spirit of renewal...

— OPINION — Government shutdowns have always undermined food safety. USDA inspectors, with starting salaries around $40,000, must work without pay. Many FDA inspectors are furloughed and the agency suspends its routine inspections of food facilities, assigning a skeleton crew inspectorate to conduct solely “for cause inspections.” In all likelihood, the diminished and distracted inspection presence...