Back-to-school shopping is already in full swing in early August, and Lou is not alone in wondering when September stopped being the start of the school year. Some Arizona kids reported back as early as July 15. Meanwhile, LAUSD is rolling out a new lunch menu this year that looks award-worthy on paper — Lou reads it out and delivers his official verdict.  

Grocery prices have jumped about 30% over the past five years, leaving shoppers in sticker shock. Coffee and eggs have cooled off, but produce is still through the roof, and more people are putting food on credit cards or dipping into savings just to eat.  

In insurance news, single Californians are still paying higher car rates than married ones after the state Supreme Court upheld the practice. And in earthquake news that’s a little too close for comfort, stress on the San Andreas Fault is now higher than it’s been in a thousand years. Are we ready for the Big One?