USA Today – Nation

1. Norfolk Southern opens route for double-stacked freight trains - Norfolk Southern Corp. on Thursday ran its first train loaded with double-stacked cargo containers through some of the most rugged parts of the ...

   
   

   
2. Colo. wildfire 30% contained but more high winds forecast - Hundreds of residents evacuated by a wildfire that has destroyed at least 169 houses in the Colorado foothills were being temporarily allowed ...

   
   

   
3. Obama weighs in as plan to burn Qurans sparks debate - Pastor Terry Jones prepared to burn Qurans despite protests from the White House, fellow Christian evangelicals, veterans' groups and others ...

   
   

   
4. This summer really was hotter than others - The intense heat this summer wasn't a mirage for the tens of millions of people in the eastern and southern USA.

   
   

   
5. Deadly remnants of Hermine pound Texas, Okla. - The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine trekked northward after forcing more than 100 high-water rescues in Texas, swamping streets, producing ...

   
   

   
6. L.A. police chief booed at community meeting - Police Chief Charlie Beck was greeted by boos, whistles and chants of "justicia" by an angry Spanish-speaking crowd at a community meeting Wednesday ...

   
   

   
7. Traffic deaths at lowest in 60 years - Traffic deaths in the USA are at a 60-year low despite a slight uptick in miles driven, the Department of Transportation says.

   
   

   
8. BP blames rig explosion on series of failures - A perfect storm of failures caused the worst offshore oil spill in the nation's history, a report from BP concluded Wednesday.

   
   

   
9. NYC mosque backers appear divided - The group of Muslims planning to build a 13-story Islamic center and mosque near ground zero appears plagued by divisions that raise questions ...

   
   

   
10. Arizona education chief: Feds looking at claims of English bias - Arizona's education chief says the federal government has launched an investigation into whether the state discriminates against teachers who ...

    
    

    
11. Philanthropist, billionaire John Kluge dies - John Kluge (KLOOG'-ee), who built an investment in a radio station into the Metromedia broadcasting empire, has died. He was 95.

    
    

    
12. ER visits for abdominal pain up, chest pain down - A 10-year survey of emergency room departments notes the change, which experts say could be for reasons from less smoking to better diagnost ...

    
    

    
13. Officials rescue 37 immigrants from California house - Authorities say they have rescued more than three dozen immigrants locked inside a boarded-up bedroom in a Southern California drop house.

    
    

    
14. New mosque in Kentucky an oasis of calm - A growing number of mosques has drawn opposition in places ranging from California to Manhattan. But the rise of the Muslim Community Center ...

    
    

    
15. Coffee prices on the rise as futures hit 13-year high - Coffee prices hit a 13-year high Wednesday, extending a rally that has sent prices up about 43% in the past three months.